Starfield Is Optimized But May Require PC Upgrade, Claims Bethesda

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Salman Fareed

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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PC is a major platform for Bethesda and has always given a lot of love to the studio’s RPGs. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Todd Howard shared insights into the optimization for Starfield on PC.

He stressed that Starfield is a “next-gen” PC game, and fans might want to consider upgrading their PCs for a truly immersive experience in this epic space adventure.

Why it matters: Following the release, many PC users have claimed that Starfield does not work too well on a wide range of PC hardware.

Bloomberg audience Q: Why did you not optimize Starfield for PC?
Todd Howard: we did… you might need to upgrade your PC

Full interview: https://t.co/TFEVMv9AXZ pic.twitter.com/3o1eS1iJSG

— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) September 7, 2023

Todd Howard was asked why Bethesda had not optimized Starfield for PC, and he replied:

“We did, it’s running great. It’s a next-gen PC game. We really push the technology so you may need to upgrade your PC.”

Starfield is among the biggest video game launches of 2023. While the game offers impressive features, it is worth noting that there are areas where further fine-tuning could be beneficial.

The game’s graphical quality is one such area. The game features a dynamic range; in some scenes, it is visually stunning, while in others, it may fall short.

Additionally, achieving a stable 60fps at 4K resolution proves to be a challenge, even using high-end GPUs like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080.

More mainstream graphics cards like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 struggle to reach a consistent 60FPS even at 1080p low settings. This indicates that the game could still use more optimization.

Starfield also skipped Nvidia DLSS and Intel XeSS support. These technologies excel in improving performance, as well as elevating the visual experience. Still, Nvidia DLSS has been added to the game through a mod.

Bethesda collaborated with AMD, but this partnership has led to mixed results.

Some users have reported great performance on AMD hardware, while others have encountered challenges on Nvidia GPUs. Many claim to be facing terrible performance on Nvidia graphics cards, especially the RTX 3000 series.

The game’s graphics and display settings have also been a point of discussion, with some users expressing a desire for further optimization. Important display features, such as the FOV slider and support for the ultrawide screens, are still missing from the game.

In short, while Starfield is a groundbreaking game, it also requires expensive hardware to run smoothly on PC, and Bethesda appears content with the current optimization.

Salman Fareed

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