Best Overwatch Settings

Overwatch has a very competitive player base. Everyone strives to tackle its strategic modes and focus on winning games. All things considered, winning games does require a bit of skill, however, If you really want to take it to the next level. You’ll be needing High FPS and Consistent Performance.

Now I’m sure you must have heard all sorts of settings and tweaks that might improve your performance. To your benefit, I’ve compiled these methods in a step-by-step process, ensuring the best Overwatch Settings for High FPS.

Before you jump In the guide. I want to clarify, that all the methods listed in this guide are completely safe. Nonetheless, some readers mess with the wrong settings and therefore It is important that you create a restore point. Further, also make sure that your System Specifications are at least on par or above the Minimum Required Specifications of Overwatch.

Overwatch System Requirements (Minimum)

• CPU: Intel Core i3 or AMD Phenom X3 8650
• CPU SPEED: Info
• RAM: 4 GB
• OS: Windows Vista/7/ 8/10 64-bit (latest Service Pack)
• VIDEO CARD: Nvidia GeForce GTX 460, ATI Radeon HD 4850, or Intel HD Graphics 4400
• PIXEL SHADER: 4.0
• VERTEX SHADER: 4.0
• FREE DISK SPACE: 30 GB
• DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 768 MB

Update Your Windows

New Updates rolled out by Microsoft always Add better support for hardware. Ultimately, this allows your Hardware to perform better, and thus you get higher frames in Overwatch. Other than this, new updates also speed up windows.

1. Open Start > Search and Click Check For Updates.
2. Click on Check For Updates. If new updates were available, a download button would appear. If not, you will get a message saying Windows 10 is already updated to the latest version.

Enable Game Mode

Game Mode is a very important piece of our guide. This is a feature within Windows 10, that is completely focused on providing performance In games. What it exactly does is quite simple. Game Mode will prioritize your Overwatch application. Afterward, whenever the application runs. The hardware works at max speeds and delivers the best performance. On top of that, it also closes down background applications and disables pop-ups.

1. Under Search > Type Game Mode Settings.
2. Enable Game Mode and you are all set.

Disable Notifications While Playing Overwatch

While Playing Overwatch. You will have to make sure that no automatic screen recordings and hidden screenshots are occurring. When Game Bar is enabled, Windows 10 has a habit of automatically taking screenshots and start game records. This happens because you accidentally clicked on some keybind that was tasked for these recordings and screenshots. Other than this, there are Focus Assist notifications that are mostly related to emails, window updates, and others. They are no good either, and they can interrupt Windows while you enjoy Overwatch.

1. Under Search > Type Game Bar Settings.
2. Afterward, Disable Everything under Game Bar and Captures Tab. This will disable the applications and keybinds.
3. Now we will disable other notifications.
4. Under Search > Type and Click on Focus Assist Settings.
5. You can completely turn it off, or you could set it on priority. This way, only important emails would pop up and that too within a specific time.

Enable Ultimate Performance

In every guide, I consistently bring up Ultimate Performance, because of its actual impact. Enabling Ultimate Performance will literally take your Overwatch to the next level. The Ultimate Performance is a plan that isn’t available by default. Windows 10 is set to a balanced power plan, that does not allow your hardware to perform at their best. Through a couple of codes, you can enable Ultimate Performance Plan and get the best performance In Overwatch.

1. Search and Open Windows PowerShell.
2. Now enter the following code In PowerShell.

3. powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02 -d5df -448d -aa00 -03f14749eb61

4. Once done, you should be able to see a message that would mention the Ultimate Performance Plan. In case it didn’t, you can enter the same code in the command prompt. Make sure you run it as an administrator this time.
5. Open Start Again > Search and Click Edit Power Plan.
6. Proceed to Power Options Now
7. You should now be seeing the Ultimate Performance Plan from the new list. Simply select one, and boom you are off with significant Improvement.

Disable Battle.net Launcher Whenever You Launch Overwatch

Like many other game clients. The Battle.net client also has a Negative Impact on performance. The client requires a hefty amount of resources and while playing Overwatch. You need to make sure that Battle.net Window is closed. You can do this through the following 3 step method.

1. Open Blizzard Client > Settings.
2. Head over to the General Tab. Now Select “Exit Battle.net Completely” In “When I launch game instructions.”

Disable Hardware Acceleration

We can further optimize Windows 10 and Battle.net through disabling Hardware Acceleration. This step is also crucial and can get you at least five to ten FPS Increase. Hardware Acceleration is an option within the most common third-party application. The option forces the application to unpack its resources in a different manner. This is actually more efficient for the application, but it requires significantly more power to operate.

While playing Overwatch. Applications like Discord, Blizzard Client, and Google Chrome are excessively consuming a huge chunk of power due to this feature. If you want to increase your FPS in Overwatch. You must disable it across all applications.

1. Open Blizzard Client > Settings > Under General Scroll Down > Disable Hardware Acceleration When Enabled.

   

2. Now Open Discord > Click on Settings Icon right next to username > Appearance > Disable Hardware Acceleration.

   

3. At last, Open Google Chrome > Settings > Advanced > System > Disable Hardware Acceleration.

After you have followed this method correctly. I can guaranty that now you will be seeing High FPS and Consistent Performance in Overwatch. On top of that, you will also get to enjoy a faster and more responsive Windows 10 from now on.

Disable Enhance Pointer Precision

If you haven’t figured out why sometimes your mouse sensitivity is different. Well, that is because of Enhance Pointer Precision, which is an absolute disaster when enabled. The feature consistently changes your DPI. On top of that, it consumes a huge chunk of power for changing the DPI. Now if you are playing a competitive FPS Game. How can you win games, if your sensitivity is changing every other second?

1. Under Search > Type Mouse Settings > Click on First Result.
2. Now click on “Additional Mouse Options”.
3. Proceed to the pointer options tab, and uncheck “Enhance Pointer Precision”.
4. Disabling Enhance Pointer Precision will not only improve your FPS. But it’ll also help you get better at the game.

Disable Full-Screen Optimization for Overwatch Application

We can further optimize Overwatch by disabling Full-Screen Optimization. This feature is completely useless and causes inconsistency in performance. Secondly, it also runs the game in a weird hybrid model that limits frame and refresh rate. At the end of the day, you will always want to disable it for getting better FPS and smoother gameplay.

1. You can locate your game folder through Blizzard Client or simply go to My PC > Disk C > Games > Blizzard > Overwatch. Afterward, Right Click Overwatch Application
2. Now proceed to the compatibility tab, and checkmark “Disable fullscreen optimizations”. Secondly, make sure that “Override high DPI Scaling behavior is also checked”.
3. Once done, you should save changes by clicking on apply.

Disable Unnecessary Services and Applications

Like many other methods, we listed in this guide. Disabling Unnecessary Services and Application has similar drawbacks. While playing Overwatch. There are dozens of applications and services continuously running in the background. These applications are always squeezing chunks of power, and they can really have a negative impact on your performance. The thing with these applications and services is that you never open most of them. These are enabled In startup. Therefore, allowing it to start along with your Windows 10.

1. Under Search > Type and Open “Run”.
2. Now type “msconfig” without quotations and press enter.
3. Go to the Services Tab > Checklist “Hide all Microsoft Services”. This will ensure that no important services are being drawn Into the list. Once done, now you should uncheck all the third party services plus click on Apply to save changes.
4. Proceed to the startup tab > Disable All Applications with High Priority.
5. Following this step accurately. You will now be seeing tremendous Boot times, Dramatic FPS Increase in Overwatch, and most Importantly stable performance.

Delete Temp Files and Performa a Disk Cleanup

There are three things you should know about Overwatch and Hard Drives. First, you have to make sure that your Overwatch is Installed in an SSD. This can significantly improve speed and the performance is just incredible. Secondly, you will have to remove all the dirt from the Overwatch Directory. Lastly, you will have to ensure that the Health of the drives is above 90%. You can check this through numerous software like Hardware Sentinel and more.

1. Open Run and type “%temp% without the quotations.
2. Press CTRL + A on your keyboard > Right Click Any File > Delete them altogether.
3. Once done go to My Computer > Right Click the Partition where Overwatch Is Installed > Properties.
4. Click on Disk Cleanup > Checkmark all the useless files and debugs. Do not select entire folders, because content inside them will be deleted permanently. Once you are done, click on “clean up system files”.

This step is very vital and It can really change the dynamics of your game. Having an SSD that is 100% healthy, and does not contain any harmful or virus-infected files is really all you need.

Set High GPU Priority For Overwatch

Game Mode sort of does the same thing, but it never guarantees that your application will always be set on high priority. Other than this, there is also little to no detail that it also changes Graphics Priority for the game. Anyhow, there is another feature that can help us get through this issue. The feature Graphics Profile is available within Windows 10 and allows users to change the Performance of their applications. We’ll add Overwatch In the Overlay, and change its Graphics Priority from Normal to High Performance.

1. Under Start > Search Graphics Settings > Open It.
2. Click on Browse > Locate your Overwatch Application and add it.
3. Afterward, you will be asked to change its priority. Set it to high performance.
4. This is going to increase frames. Along with that, it’ll also allow your Graphics Card to run at maximum speeds and deliver the best possible performance whenever you launch Overwatch.

Disable Unnecessary Animations

By default, Windows 10 is packed with a very balanced and exotic meta. This is all the marketing stuff, so users could be impressed with its funky animations and smooth UI. On the dark side, together these all funky features require a ton of power to operate. Ultimately, causing performance issues while you enjoy any game.

In this guide, however, we have disabled most of the unnecessary and useless stuff. The last part of those steps is the disabling of these useless animations. Once you are done, I can guarantee higher frames than ever, just keep following.

1. Under Search > Type and Open View Advanced System Settings.
2. Now select Custom and only checkmark.
3. “Enable thumbnails instead of Icons”
   “Smooth Edges of screen fonts”
4. Afterward, click on Apply and you will already be seeing dramatic FPS Boost and faster Windows 10.

Best Nvidia Settings for Overwatch

Configuring the right settings In Nvidia Control Panel for Overwatch Application can also help you boost FPS and get maximum performance. There is a bit of confusion though, because there is a list of settings, and no one can probably understand them at once. In this guide though, we have already figured the best Nvidia Settings For Overwatch. These settings are dramatically going to Improve your FPS and help you get sharp visuals. Just Make sure that your Nvidia Drivers are updated to the latest version. You can do that through GeForce Experience or navigate to the Nvidia Drivers page.

1. Open Nvidia Control Panel > Manage 3D Settings > Select “Use the advanced 3D Image settings”.These settings are being made In the global tab, that means settings would be applied for all games. If you want to do for Overwatch only, apply settings in Program Tab.
2. Afterward, Open Manage 3D Settings > Add Overwatch through Browse Button > Make the following changes.
3. Disable Image Sharpening
4. Disable Ambient Occlusion
5. Turn off Anisotropic Filtering
6. Turn off Antialiasing – FXAA
7. Antialiasing – Gamma Correction: Off
8. Antialiasing – Mode: Off
9. CUDA GPUS: Select Your Primary Graphics Card
10. Disable DSR Factors
11. Disable DSR Smoothness
12. Low Latency Mode: Ultra
13. Max Frame Rate: Off
14. Monitor Technology: Select whatever Option You Get
15. Multi-Frame Sampled AA (MFAA) – Off
16. OpenGL Rendering GPU: GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
17. Power Management Mode: Prefer Maximum Performance
18. Prefered Refresh Rate: Highest Available
19. Turn on Shader Cache
20. Turn on Texture Filtering – Anisotropic Sample Optimization
21. Allow Texture Filtering – Negative LOD Bias
22. Texture Filtering Quality: High Performance
23. Enable Texture Filtering – Trilinear Optimization
24. Threaded Optimization: On
25. Triple Buffering: Off
26. Vertical Sync: Off
27. Virtual Reality pre-rendered frames: 1

Go to the Adjust Desktop Color Settings

1. Set Color Preference to Nvidia Settings, and do the following
2. Brightness + 55%
3. Contrast + 50%
4. Gamma + 1.25
5. For Enhancements, Slide Digital Vibrance to 80%. This will make the colors really vibrant and can help you spot enemies.

Enable Frame Rate Cap

There is no question as to why you should not cap your FPS. Everyone knows the benefits of capping FPS, like the same input delay, consistent frames, and higher performance. However, before you do that. You should be aware of certain factors.

Firstly, It is really important, that the Cap Value you enter is achievable by your hardware. That goes on to say, that even in fights. Your PC should be able to provide frames somewhere close to that value. Other than this, having a gaming monitor that has High Refresh Rate is also necessary. lastly, V-Sync should be completely turned off.

1. You can find the config file in either documents or your game folder. Usually it is located in Disk C > Users > Documents > Overwatch > Settings. Open the settings file with Notepad.
2. Afterward, find FrameRateCap through CTRL + F. Once done, change its value to 300 or 400, something that your PC can consistently hit.
3. Make sure you save the file and then right-click the same file > properties. Make sure you checkmark Read-Only, because this will prevent the game from changing the new settings.
4. Hit apply and ok to save the changes.

Overwatch Settings

The last and most important part of the guide is here. Everybody is searching for the best graphics settings that can provide high fps and clear visuals. I can guaranty that the settings below are completely like that. I’ve tried and tested a lot of settings, but none are as good as these. In addition to that, these settings are also aimed at competitive players, who want the best possible visuals and stable performance. Also, I’d like to clarify that these settings are applied to only those whom PC Specs are on par or above the Minimum Required Specifications.

1. Open Overwatch > Settings > Video.
2. Display Mode: Select Fullscreen for best performance.
3. Target Display: Best Match
4. Resolution: You can go with the highest available, or select any custom one that you have created.
5. Field of View: 103. This is personnel preference, but note that higher FOV means lower frames. That is because you get to see more pixels per second. Those who are using budget PC’s. I’d recommend changing it to anything below 100.
6. Aspect Ratio: Select whatever is according to your Native Resolution.
7. VSync: Turn it off, else you will be struggling to get FPS higher than 60.
8. Triple Buffering: Off
9. Reduce Buffering: On
10. Display Performance Stats: Off
11. Display System Clock: Off
12. Limit FPS: Custom
13. Frame Rate Cap: 300 or 400, depending on the value you entered in the step above.
14. Graphics Quality: Low.
15. Render Scale: 75%
16. Texture Quality: Low
17. Texture Filtering Quality: Low – 1x
18. Local Fog Detail: Low
19. Dynamic Reflections: Off
20. Shadow Detail: Off
21. Model Detail: Low
22. Effects Detail: Low
23. Lighting Detail: Low
24. Antialias Quality Low. Anything above this will cause the graphics to be blurry.
25. Refraction Quality: Low
26. Screenshot Quality: 1x. This is unnecessary.
27. Local Reflections: Off
28. Ambient Occlusion: Off

If you are getting higher than expected Frames. Then, in that case, you can turn up Render Scale and Texture quality to 100% or Medium. I’ve tried these settings numerous times, and the graphics are always spot on.

Takeaways

Ending this guide, I’ll like to say a couple of things. If you haven’t played Overwatch In High FPS, I’ll highly recommend you try it out. The game is very enjoyable when Frames are consistent and there are no stutters. Along with that, this guide is not only going to help you get better performance In the game. But it’ll also fasten your Windows 10 and Increase responsiveness. You can also expect good performance and FPS in other games, not just Overwatch.

Keeping various updates as a factor, this Overwatch PC Settings Guide has now been updated twice in 2022.