Setting up Biomutant graphics for a weak PC

How to get 60 FPS in a new post-apocalyptic open world game

In Biomutant, many mechanics are flawed, but the landscapes of a dying world, in which animals have taken the place of people, turned out to be incredibly picturesque. All this beauty requires a proper computer, but we know how to set up Biomutant for a weak PC too. Next - we share these tips with you.

What kind of computer do you need for Biomutant (system requirements)?

We studied the tests of the game on different hardware in different resolutions and came to the conclusion that the official system requirements are not far from the truth. But they lack recommendations for playing at 1440p and 4K - we added them based on the tests we studied.

Official minimum system requirements (1080p @ 30 FPS):

Operating system: Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit only!).
Processor: Intel Core i5-4690K / AMD FX-8350
Video card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 / AMD Radeon R9 380.
RAM: 8 gigabytes.

Official Recommended System Requirements (1080p @ 60 FPS):

Operating system: Windows 10 x64.
Processor: Intel Core i7-6700K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600.
Video card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 590.
RAM: 16 gigabytes.

To play at 1440p @ 30 FPS (according to tests):

Operating system: Windows 10 x64.
Processor: Intel Core i5-7400 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200.
Video card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT.
RAM: 16 gigabytes.

To play at 1440p @ 60 FPS (according to tests):

Operating system: Windows 10 x64.
Processor: Intel Core i3-8100 / AMD Ryzen 3 2200G.
Video card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 / AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT.
RAM: 16 gigabytes.

For 4K @ 30 FPS (benchmarked):

Operating system: Windows 10 x64.
Processor: Intel Core i5-9400 / AMD Ryzen 5 3500X.
Video card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 / AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT.
RAM: 16 gigabytes.

For 4K @ 60 FPS (benchmarked):

Operating system: Windows 10 x64.
Processor: Intel Core i5-9600K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600X.
Video card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 / AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT.
RAM: 16 gigabytes.

Biomutant optimization tips

Next, we will briefly analyze each setting and give tips on how to increase FPS in Biomutant.

"Windowed mode". In most cases, it is better to choose full-screen mode so that the system will release all resources to the game itself, without maintaining the desktop. But if you are using additional software on a second monitor (for example, OBS) or your screen is calibrated, then it is better to choose windowed mode without border.
"Resolution". The resolution absolutely always needs to be set to the native one for your screen so that the picture is as clear as possible. Most often this is 1920x1080. If you are playing on a 2K monitor, then 2560x1440. And if your PC is connected to a 4K TV, then 3840x2160. Then you can lower the resolution of the render itself without harming the interfaces.
Dynamic Resolution. Do not turn it on at 1920x1080 - the picture will be too soapy. But with 4K there is much to reduce, since the number of pixels will still be large up to 2K. Therefore, if your video card is struggling to pull out a stable 60 FPS in 4K (model of the RTX 2080 or RX 6700 XT level), then enable. In all other cases, it is better to disable it. Perhaps later, a full-fledged DLSS will be delivered to Biomutant - it can be turned on even in 1080p without noticeable loss of quality.
"Resolution scale". Leave it at 100%, especially if you're playing at 1080p or less. In the latter case, it would be wiser to lower other settings than to make the entire render "soapy" at once.
"Frame frequency". You can set a limit on the maximum frame rate, but it's better not to do this and just turn on vertical sync.
"Vertical sync". In third-person single-player games, it is worth turning on V-sync to increase the fluidity of the footage. And if you play from a gamepad, then the input lag will not be noticeable.
"Quality of textures". For maximum quality, you need a video card with 6 or more gigabytes of memory, otherwise the game may start freezing due to the addition of the missing volume from the much slower RAM (and if there is not enough of it, even from the hard disk). If your graphics adapter has 3-4 gigabytes, then downgrade to high quality, and if even less - to medium or even low.
"Shadow Quality". Shadows in games consume everything at once: video memory, graphics core time, and processor time. Therefore, it is usually the shadows that should be reduced first. Fortunately, medium quality looks much better than low quality and not much worse than maximum quality, while adding from 10% to 20% FPS in different scenes. On a weak PC, it is better to expose it.
"The quality of post-processing effects." Post-processing is the final cosmetic touches to give the picture the desired artistic effect. Usually, post-processing does not require a lot of resources on modern video cards, even at a budget level, but on very outdated ones there can be performance problems. If you are trying to play Biomutant on GeForce GTX 680 and other legacy flagships, then try lowering this setting to medium quality or even lower.
"Effects quality". Special effects are another aspect of graphics that doesn't work well on older graphics cards in new games. Therefore, the recommendations are similar to the previous paragraph.
"Density of foliage". Foliage and grass load both the processor and the graphics core at the same time. Based on the power of this bundle in your computer, choose the quality. For systems close to the official minimum system requirements (see chapter one), we would recommend lowering foliage density to medium quality.
"Smoothing". Low quality disables anti-aliasing completely, while medium one enables FXAA method. It is he who will be optimal for most weak or outdated PCs, but it will slightly blur the picture. If your system was quite powerful a few years ago, then select high quality - TAA will turn on in "sparing" mode.
"Setting up objects". Biomutant has a lot of open spaces, so it is best not to reduce the quality of distant objects too much. Put at least average. This will significantly relieve the processor.
"Fur tuning". Improved rendering of fur, making it thicker and more wind-resistant. Works fast only on video cards of the last couple of generations - turn it off.
"The world in the distance". Rendering the whole world away in high quality. On a weak system, it is better to turn it off (option: "Default").

Final optimal settings for Biomutant for a weak (and not only) PC

IMPORTANT: all recommendations below are for 1920x1080 resolution.

Optimal settings for a weak PC (GTX 960 / R9 380):

Windowed mode: full screen.
Vertical sync: enable.
Dynamic Resolution: Disable.
Resolution scale: 100.
Frame rate: disable.
Texture quality: high.
Shadow Quality: Medium.
Post-Processing Effects Quality: Medium.
Effects quality: low.
Foliage density: low.
Anti-aliasing: Medium.
Setting up objects: average.
Fur setting: default.
The world in the distance: default.

Optimal Settings for Starter Gaming PC (GTX 1660 / RX 580):

Windowed mode: full screen.
Vertical sync: enable.
Dynamic Resolution: Disable.
Resolution scale: 100.
Frame rate: disable.
Texture quality: maximum.
Shadow quality: high.
Post-Processing Effects Quality: Medium.
Effects Quality: Medium.
Foliage density: medium.
Anti-aliasing: Medium.
Setting up objects: average.
Fur setting: default.
The world in the distance: default.

Optimal settings for a medium power PC (GTX 1080 / RX 5700):

Windowed mode: full screen.
Vertical sync: enable.
Dynamic Resolution: Disable.
Resolution scale: 100.
Frame rate: disable.
Texture quality: maximum.
Shadow quality: high.
Post-processing effects quality: high.
Effects quality: high.
Foliage density: high.
Anti-aliasing: maximum.
Setting objects: high.
Fur customization: above.
The world in the distance: above.

Optimal settings for a pre-top PC (RTX 2080 / RX 6700 XT):

Windowed mode: full screen.
Vertical sync: enable.
Dynamic Resolution: Disable.
Resolution scale: 100.
Frame rate: disable.
Texture quality: maximum.
Shadow quality: maximum.
Post-processing effects quality: maximum.
Effects quality: maximum.
Foliage density: maximum.
Anti-aliasing: maximum.
Setting up objects: maximum.
Fur tuning: maximum.
The world in the distance: maximum.

That's all. Write in the comments if you have any questions about setting up graphics in Biomutant or if you have technical problems with the game - we will try to help you!