The Outer Worlds 2 – PC Optimization Guide
Posted by Karan Parmar | October 28, 2025
This PC Optimization Guide for The Outer Worlds 2 comes from extensive real-world testing across multiple setups, from top-tier GPUs to affordable mid-range systems. The goal here isn’t to max everything out just for the sake of it, but to find the sweet spot between sharp visuals and consistent performance. I’ve tested every major setting to see what actually improves image quality and what just eats up frames with little payoff. You’ll get a full breakdown of how each option scales across resolutions, along with optimized presets for different hardware levels. Whether you’re exploring alien planets on ultra or trying to smooth out your frame rate on a tighter build, this guide will help you get the best experience without unnecessary trade-offs.
System Specs & Benchmarks
Tested On:
- Processor: Intel Core i5-13600K (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores @ 5.1 GHz)
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8GB (Desktop Edition)
- Memory: 32GB DDR5 (2×16GB, 6000MHz)
- Storage: Crucial P3 Plus NVMe M.2 SSD, 1TB (Up to 5000 MB/s)
- Tested Resolutions: 1920×1080 (1080p) & 2560×1440 (1440p)
Performance Results For Ultra Settings:
| Graphics Settings & Upscaling | Framerate (FPS) |
| 1080p Ultra – Native DLAA | 29 FPS |
| 1080p Ultra – DLSS 4 Quality | 44 FPS |
| 1440p Ultra – Native DLAA | 18 FPS |
| 1440p Ultra – DLSS 4 Balanced | 32 FPS |
Performance Results For Optimized Settings:
| Graphics Settings & Upscaling | Framerate (FPS) |
| 1080p Optimized – Native DLAA | 61 FPS |
| 1080p Optimized – DLSS 4 Quality | 79 FPS |
| 1440p Optimized – Native DLAA | 40 FPS |
| 1440p Optimized – DLSS 4 Balanced | 65 FPS |
Performance Insights
- The Outer Worlds 2 runs on Unreal Engine 5, and like most UE5 titles, it leans heavily on software-based ray tracing. This approach adds a lot to the game’s visual depth but also pushes lower and mid-range GPUs quite hard. There’s an option for hardware ray tracing, but enabling it makes the game significantly heavier without offering enough visual improvement to justify the hit in performance.
- Considering the game’s stylized, semi-cartoonish art direction, Unreal Engine 4 might’ve been a better fit, offering similar visual fidelity with more balanced performance. Still, The Outer Worlds 2 runs better than many UE5 games we’ve seen so far, which is a pleasant surprise.
- VRAM management is another strong point. Even at 1440p with Ultra textures, an 8GB GPU manages to stay comfortably under 7GB of usage, which is impressive for a UE5 title. The CPU load, however, is on the higher side. Players running 4 or 6 core CPUs might see drops in heavier areas or crowded hubs, as the game scales best with higher thread counts.
- On the upscaling side, DLSS 4 is outstanding. The Frame Generation implementation feels near-flawless, delivering smooth responsiveness with almost no added latency. Even if your frame rate dips below 60, the experience remains fluid and natural. FSR 4 is also supported and works decently, but DLSS 4 still holds the clear edge in both image clarity and stability.
- Throughout my testing, I didn’t encounter any major performance bugs, crashes, or game-breaking issues. Frame pacing is excellent, and traversal stutters, common in many UE5 games, are almost nonexistent. There are the occasional micro-hiccups during area transitions, but they’re rare and short-lived.
- My optimized settings strike a perfect balance between quality and performance, offering visuals that are nearly identical to Ultra while delivering smoother frame rates than even the Medium preset. If you want the best mix of detail, stability, and responsiveness, these settings are the way to experience The Outer Worlds 2 at its best.
Ultra vs Optimized – Comparison
Visual Fidelity Comparison:
My Optimized Settings
| Graphics Settings | Optimized |
| Upscaling | DLSS 4 / FSR 4 |
| Upscaling Quality | Quality Mode (1080p) Balanced Mode (1440p) Performance Mode (2160p) |
| Frame Generation Method | OFF |
| Latency Reduction Method | OFF |
| Motion Blur | 0 |
| Hardware Raytracing | OFF |
| Screen Effects | High |
| View Distance | Medium |
| Shadows | Medium |
| Anti-Aliasing | Very High |
| Textures | Very High |
| Visual Effects | Medium |
| Foliage | High |
| Global Illumination | Medium |
| Reflections | High |
| Crowd Density | Medium |
Testing My Optimized Settings on Different GPUs
To get a real sense of how The Outer Worlds 2 performs, I tested it on a wide range of GPUs using my custom optimized settings and captured the results in detail. This benchmark focuses on real gameplay experience, how smooth it feels, how stable the frame pacing is, and where visual quality truly matters. From high-end rigs to budget builds, you’ll see exactly how each setup handles the game and which adjustments deliver the best balance between visuals and performance.
Buy the Game
You can purchase The Outer Worlds 2 from the following official platforms:
Journey across uncharted worlds and shape your destiny among rival factions, bold choices, and the unpredictable chaos of The Outer Worlds 2.
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