Bandai Namco has released one of the most anticipated games of 2022, Elden Ring. Powered by an upgraded version of the engine that was used in Dark Souls 3 and Sekiro, it’s time now to benchmark it and see how it performs on the PC platform.
For this PC Performance Analysis, we used an Intel i9 9900K with 16GB of DDR4 at 3800Mhz, AMD’s Radeon RX580, RX Vega 64, RX 6900XT, NVIDIA’s GTX980Ti, RTX 2080Ti and RTX 3080. We also used Windows 10 64-bit, the GeForce 511.79 and the Radeon Software Adrenalin 2020 Edition 22.2.3 drivers.
FromSoftware has implemented a respectable amount of graphics settings. PC gamers can adjust the quality of Textures, Anti-Aliasing, SSAO, Depth of Field, Shadows, Lighting, Effects and Volumetric. There are also settings for Reflections, Water Surface, Shader, Global Illumination and Grass. Unfortunately, the game does not support any PC-only features, like NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR. The game is also locked at 60fps, and does not support ultra-wide monitors. Thankfully, there are already mods that can unlock the framerate, and add support for ultrawide resolutions/monitors.
Elden Ring does not feature any built-in benchmark tool. Therefore, and for both our CPU and GPU benchmarks, we used the following area. This area features a camp with lots of enemies, as well as a lot of vegetation. As such, it’s an area that can stress both the CPU and the GPU.
In order to find out how the game scales on multiple CPU threads, we simulated a dual-core, a quad-core and a hexa-core CPU. Without Hyper-Threading, our simulated dual-core was unable to run the game. With Hyper-Threading, our simulated dual-core was able to offer framerates higher than 30fps at all times (1080p/Max Settings).
As we’ve already reported, Elden Ring suffers from stuttering issues. And, after taking a closer look at the CPU scaling, we can explain why most PC gamers experience them.
Although Elden Ring can use more than 3-4 CPU threads, it relies heavily on only one. This basically means that your CPU’s per-core performance will bottleneck you. Due to this, our octa-core and simulated hexa-core systems had more stutters when Hyper-Threading was enabled. When we disabled Hyper-Threading, we were able to minimize the game’s traversal stutters.
For those wondering, this isn’t a placebo effect. In fact, it makes perfect sense. Hyper-Threading basically forces one CPU core to handle two threads. This is handy for games that can scale on multiple CPU threads. However, this can have a negative effect on games that rely heavily on one thread. By disabling Hyper-Threading, you force one CPU core to handle one CPU thread (so you basically boost your per-core/per-thread performance). Therefore, we suggest disabling Hyper-Threading in this game.
Elden Ring does not require a high-end GPU for gaming at 1080p/Max Settings. Most of our GPUs were able to provide a 60fps experience (though there were drops to mid-50s due to the game’s stuttering issues).
At 1440p/Max Settings, the only GPUs that could come close to a 60fps experience were the RTX2080Ti, RTX3080 and 6900XT. As for 4K/Max Settings, the only GPU that was able to achieve a 60fps experience was the AMD Radeon RX 6900XT. Surprisingly enough, the RTX3080 was dropping to mid-50s during some scenes (these drops were unrelated to the game’s stuttering issues). And, to be honest, the game’s graphics do not justify these GPU requirements.
Graphics-wise, Elden Ring has an amazing art style. And, to be honest, this is its saving grace. Tech-wise, Elden Ring cannot come close to what other triple-A games offer. The game has a lot of pop-in issues, and you cannot interact with its vegetation. Its lighting and shading systems also look dated. Thankfully, though, the game uses a lot of high-quality textures, which is a big plus. There is also a cool dynamic weather/time of day system. You can also break a number of environmental objects, and most of the characters are really detailed. Thanks to its unique art style, its high-quality textures, and detailed characters, Elden Ring can look pleasing to the eye. However, it does not require its high GPU requirements, especially when gaming at 4K.
All in all, Elden Ring is a mixed bag. While it’s not the most unoptimized game we’ve tested, it’s also certainly not a game we can currently recommend. Its biggest issues right now are undoubtedly its stuttering issues. Thankfully, you can minimize these stutters by disabling Hyper-Threading so make sure to disable it. As we’ve said, there are already workarounds for ultra-wide monitors and unlocked framerates. And although the game uses the DX12 API, it is currently relying on one CPU thread (which will introduce performance issues on older CPUs). The game’s latest patch also lowered the default mouse sensitivity values (so if your mouse does not have DPI profiles, you may have “slow/sluggish” issues when panning the camera). FromSoftware should also offer an option to disable the “Auto-targeting” assist that it has added for controllers when riding the horse.
Here is hoping that FromSoftware will further improve things via post-launch updates. Here is also hoping that the team will support NVIDIA’s DLSS tech once it adds support for Ray Tracing.
Enjoy!
John is the founder and Editor in Chief at DSOGaming. He is a PC gaming fan and highly supports the modding and indie communities. Before creating DSOGaming, John worked on numerous gaming websites. While he is a die-hard PC gamer, his gaming roots can be found on consoles. John loved – and still does – the 16-bit consoles, and considers SNES to be one of the best consoles. Still, the PC platform won him over consoles. That was mainly due to 3DFX and its iconic dedicated 3D accelerator graphics card, Voodoo 2. John has also written a higher degree thesis on the “The Evolution of PC graphics cards.”
Contact: Email
Very disappointed with the graphics as the game already looks 5 years old. May put off playing until RT is added in.
5 years old? Seriously other older open world games look much better then this crap, this honestly looks like a ps4 launch title.
People still whine about this game mediocre graphics like it’s groundbreaking new information? Oh, it’s Wrinkly, carry on…
Still? It’s a new title.
No sh#t sherlock. It’s common knowledge this game looks like a PS4 title at best, even waayy before launch.
Such a bummer that the graphics and performance aren’t up to scratch, considering Sekiro performed much better than this. However, the game is just exceptional. Having spent countless hours in Dark Souls 1 to 3, I feel that this game is actually better in many respects. You can simply do whatever you want here and the paths that you can take are just crazy. But you have to be patient and play very meticulously, especially if you want to reduce the number of times you die.
Can’t gamers just have a polished AAA game from lunch anymore.
Don’t understand how games are tested and released with all the issues on different systems.
I don’t know if it’s just me, but i have changed the graphics settings from Max to Low, changed the display resolution to from 1440p to below 1080p and relaunching the game every time for all settings to take affect and my FPS stayed exactly the same LOL.
So much for graphic options if they don’t make any difference.
But not to be a complaining nancy anymore , when the FPS doesn’t drop and you don’t receive shuttering issues the game is utterly AMAZING.
Gee, with the literally millions of different PC configurations I wonder why it would be difficult?
This is probably the most downgraded game to date and no one of talking about this. Everyone seems to forgot why they got excited in the first place. Because when it debut the graphics were unparallel. But I’m sure one of these humans are ready to jump down my throat and tell me that it’s “not always about graphics”. This missing the entire point.
This is the first I’ve seen hyper-threading mentioned as a potential culprit for PC issues. Worth a shot.
Great game! I get a consistent 60fps on my 5 year old video card. I do get the odd single stutter every so often but whatever… hasn’t ruined my enjoyment.
I wish some popular YTers/whatever did honest kb/m analysis. Aka actual people that can use braincells and do play with kb/m. Hell I could even prepare that. I have list of (still growing) 11 f*ckups already, and this game is practically a regression to pre-ds2 times in this context. And excellent (though still not without issues) support in games like nioh or nioh 2 make it only looks worse.
ehhh
The game is still superb, after one workarounds the issues (whether performance, controls or w/e else).
Meanwhile, there’s a war going on. Also I wonder, how much hate can a keyboard soldier have before he blows himself or someone up?
He is our resident inbred. Just skip what he says, it is rarely worth something.
Imagine him cleaning up his use of words, he would become a excellent lawyer. It’s just a bit too much for something as trivial as games =P
“Meanwhile, there’s a war going on.”
What are you doing on a game website, then? Grab your gear and go fight the war, soldier!
That’s not the point, sh1tforbra1ns. Maybe he should channel his hatred somewhere else, that’s my point.
Lol, that’s exactly your point, a stupid whataboutism, and speaking of which, there is several wars currently ongoing on before the media activated your NPC brain to care for ukraine, like Syria, Yemen, Somalia, etc… but you are still posting on a games forum lmao. Not surprising, being outraged is the cheapest of thrills.
“Maybe he should channel his hatred somewhere else, that’s my point.”
But video games are our hobby and passion, hating on stupid things that happens with games are totally valid, just like anything else, it’s an human emotion after all. If you feel more strongly toward wars or another hobby, then, again, go do whatever you feel passionate about that isn’t related to games…
To the general public it seems that your passion is complaining about new games, not gaming in general.
Don’t get me wrong, he has valid points. But it would be a much better read if it didn’t sound like a hate speach, don’t you agree?
And it’s no point comparing what is happening now in Europe to what is happening in middle east and africa, those are civil wars.
The only comparison you can make there is that you can bet your life on USA is behind the curtains.
If you care about “hate speach”, you are not gonna make it.
“And it’s no point comparing what is happening now in Europe to what is happening in middle east and africa, those are civil wars.”
No, civil wars don’t get interference and hostilities from other nations such as US, Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Russia. And in any case, distinction without difference.
“The only comparison you can make there is that you can bet your life on USA is behind the curtains.”
That’s a insult to conspiracy theories, US is blatantly involved in all these conflicts, and not in a good way.
“No, civil wars don’t get interference and hostilities from other nations
such as US, Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Russia. And in any case,
distinction without difference.”
I’ve promised myself to stop arguing with stupid people online, so yeah… you’re right.
If you play like me on mouse and keyboard remember to change the option for “Device for on Screen Prompts” for keyboard with is not turned on by default for some stupid reason.
I couldn’t believe this game had the option. I had to mod dark souls 3 to get the KB/M prompts
Thanks for the article. I’m not going to disable HT for one lazy a*s console port though
Absolutely sh*t optimization even taking stuttering aside. On my 3080 I’m dropping below 50fps in many demanding areas at 4k, and dropping the settings barely makes a difference until you go to low and medium when the game starts to look like dogshit. It looks barely any better than Sekiro, no excuse for this baseline level of performance. The best thing is that while stuttering may be fixed eventually, general GPU performance won’t unless they add DLSS, and no mentions of it so far…
DLSS when the ray-tracing patch comes out
Hope they add DLSS and AMD FSR to take the load off the GPU.
It’s not very GPU heavy, it’s more CPU taxing.
From Software are bastards.
You have many people on Steam complaining the game does not run but they are past the 30 minute playtime to get a refund.
Of course, From Software introduced a pointless characters customisation interface, a pointless long intro, just to make sure people play past 30 minutes before they realize the game has horrendous technical issues.
I highly doubt the game was developed with steam refund in mind LOOOL. This argument is dumb
I tought you had 2 hours to apply for refund? In any case, don’t care, pirate the game if you are on the fence about spending money or not.
Don’t know if i can trust what he says, Dark souls games always comes with a simple tutorial before the main game, and it’s not really that complicated, there are some obscure stuff involving story and quests but those are fairly inconsequential to the game.
If he hasn’t played a souls game before, an open world version of Dark Souls might be a bit overwhelming. With the older games there were certain paths you could take, get smashed and think ‘oh – maybe i try the path where I can actually kill the mobs first.’ I wonder how FromSoft has designed the open world so that you can get a general feel for which path to take?
I think the principle still applies, you just have a more open field.
this dude needs to go upgrade his character. Probably trying to fight with a small HP bar and using the dinky default little shield LOL. His review is basically… GAME IS BAD BECAUSE I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW TO PLAY! Like sheesh… takes 2 seconds to go on youtube and look at a video that could give you some pointers on what to do and how to play if it isn’t clicking.
this dude needs to go upgrade his character. Probably trying to fight with a small HP bar and using the dinky default little shield LOL. His review is basically… GAME IS BAD BECAUSE I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW TO PLAY! Like sheesh… takes 2 seconds to go on youtube and look at a video that could give you some pointers on what to do and how to play if it isn’t clicking.
He sounds kind of senile…
Yeah, I’m sure they’re just homophobic incels like you.
LMAO. Tell us you’ve never played a Souls game.
You should have uncapped the game’s framerate… Testing with the cap is pretty pointless….