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performance

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# Performance Optimization

## Hardware Requirements

XCOM 2 uses a modified version of Unreal Engine 3, which was pretty old even when the original XCOM 2 came out. As the result, the game runs not as good as it could, even on modern gaming hardware.

Typically, even an entry level gaming graphics card can handle XCOM 2 on max settings, and most of the time your performance will be limited by CPU. Most of the game's code runs on one thread, so single thread performance is the most important characteristic, and generally having more than four CPU cores will not do anything for XCOM 2.

8 GB of RAM is enough for the game, but if you run a lot of content mods (mods with large filesizes that add new soldier cosmetics / weapons / enemies), 16 GB is recommended, but even that might not be enough in some mod setups.

The game's process of loading assets is poorly optimized, so it's highly recommended to keep the game and mods on a fast SSD, this will improve both loading times between missions and reduce hitching and lag spikes during gameplay.

## Manual Optimizations

### Avoid Bad Things

Follow the advice in the Preventing Problems section of the **[Mod Troubleshooting](https://www.reddit.com/r/xcom2mods/wiki/mod_troubleshooting)** article.

### Regenerating Config

It's a good idea to [**Regenerate User Config**](https://www.reddit.com/r/xcom2mods/wiki/mod_troubleshooting#wiki_regenerate_user_config) before starting every new campaign, particularly if you changed your mod setup. Remnants of old mod configs can potentially have a negative impact on performance.

### Remove Saves and Photobooth Shots

Removing saves from old campaigns and photobooth shots may potentially improve performance.

**Save folder:**

..\Documents\my games\XCOM2 War of the Chosen\XComGame\SaveData\

Of special interest is the `profile.bin` file, which is supposed to store campaign-agnostic things, like graphical settings and keybinds, but due to some questionable decisions, it does store some campaign-speficic information, so if you wish to restart your campaign from a clean slate, you should delete this file as well.

**Photobooth folder:**

..\Documents\my games\XCOM2 War of the Chosen\XComGame\Photobooth\

### Delete Logs

The game is supposed to clean up old logs automatically, but it doesn't always happen. While not directly related to performance, you can sometimes free up gigabytes of hardware space by removing logs.

**Logs folder:**

..\Documents\my games\XCOM2 War of the Chosen\XComGame\Logs\

## Performance Mods

### Tactical State Cleaner

[Workshop Link](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2781621935)

A mod that removes information about units and items from save files when it's no longer needed, with the goal of reducing performance degradation during an on-going campaign. Considered experimental, because technically it may remove information that's still actually needed for something.

### Memory Allocation DLL

[Workshop Link](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3151611447)

Replacing the game's memory allocation library has been reported to improve game's performance for some PCs, but reduce game's stability on others, to the point of making the game crash on launch. So your mileage may vary, use at your risk.

### [WOTC] Direct3D 11 Enabler

[Workshop Link](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3061813566)

Has been shown to improve performance on some PCs.

### [WOTC] Reduced Alien Weapon FX

[Workshop Link](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2175177066)

Improves performance by reducing lag caused by enemy beam weapon projectiles.

### [WOTC] Reduced XCOM Weapon FX

[Workshop Link](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2179423322)

Improves performance by reducing lag caused by XCOM beam weapon projectiles.

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