This game unfortunately lacks out-of-box support for DLSS which is a performance concern for GeForce owners.
Additionally, the free DLSS mod is only DLSS2 and the DLSS3.5 mod is paywalled.
I combined the Nvidia DLSS 3.5 DLL from TechPowerUp with the Starfield Upscaler Standalone and BaseUpscaler mods into a easy one-click fix with no paywall.
Configure fan curves so fans are off or low RPM at idle temp and ramp to 65-83% max at the temp your GPU usually runs at (usually 60C on my builds).
Avoid using 84-100% fan speed unless you have inadequate system cooling as this reduces the fan lifespan while increasing noise and dust collection, which leads to performance deterioration from overheating/lack of airflow.
It’s important to make sure top part of your fan curve either ends below your lowest average GPU temp while loaded or is a plateau. This allows for some wiggle room for jumps in temps so they don’t make your fan speed change. See here:
Clean and repaste GPU every 2 years.
Use the global Max Frame Rate feature in nVidia control panel to prevent your GPU from working too hard to make FPS beyond what the monitor can show (refresh rate) & reduce system latency.
I usually set this to 4-6 frames below the monitor refresh rate.
120 = 116 | 144 = 140 | 165 = 160 | 240 = 234
Some games benefit greatly from the Prefer Maximum Performance setting, to keep the card boosted through low-demand portions of the game, however beware this may have a negligible effect on lifespan as the GPU will never be given any breaks while a game is running.
AMD has a long history of litigation with former (and current) partner and x86 creator Intel.[290][291][292]
In 1986, Intel broke an agreement it had with AMD to allow them to produce Intel’s micro-chips for IBM; AMD filed for arbitration in 1987 and the arbitrator decided in AMD’s favor in 1992. Intel disputed this, and the case ended up in the Supreme Court of California. In 1994, that court upheld the arbitrator’s decision and awarded damages for breach of contract.
In 1990, Intel brought a copyright infringement action alleging illegal use of its 287 microcode. The case ended in 1994 with a jury finding for AMD and its right to use Intel’s microcode in its microprocessors through the 486 generation.
In 1997, Intel filed suit against AMD and Cyrix Corp. for misuse of the term MMX. AMD and Intel settled, with AMD acknowledging MMX as a trademark owned by Intel, and with Intel granting AMD rights to market the AMD K6 MMX processor.
In 2005, following an investigation, the Japan Federal Trade Commission found Intel guilty of a number of violations. On June 27, 2005, AMD won an antitrust suit against Intel in Japan, and on the same day, AMD filed a broad antitrust complaint against Intel in the U.S. Federal District Court in Delaware. The complaint alleges systematic use of secret rebates, special discounts, threats, and other means used by Intel to lock AMD processors out of the global market. Since the start of this action, the court has issued subpoenas to major computer manufacturers including Acer, Dell, Lenovo, HP and Toshiba.
In November 2009, Intel agreed to pay AMD $1.25bn and renew a five-year patent cross-licensing agreement as part of a deal to settle all outstanding legal disputes between them.[293]
Has an unusually thick integrated heat spreader leading to unusually high operating temperatures, due to a poor engineering choice by AMD of preserving AM4 cooler compatibility at the cost of product lifespan and performance potential.
Bad CPU / cooler combinations can create performance degradation so extreme that a lower end processor would be faster just because the CPU cooler can keep up.
Has unusually high operating temperatures which will lead to decreased CPU lifespan.
AMD says the absurdly high temperatures are okay, but they only stand to make money decreasing the lifespan of their products and blanket accepting abnormally high operating temperatures that make Intel’s seem tame.
If you choose AMD, go non-X or if getting the X then plan to de-lid.
X not recommended unless the processor is water cooled, and either de-lidded or kneecapped with custom PBO power limits to avoid overheating.
The energy cost and room heating difference between X and non-X is significant and merits careful consideration.
The 7600 is the best value in the AMD lineup for gamers.
However, the Intel 13400F is the same speed & 10% less money and is a better choice for new builds.
Additionally, the Intel 13500 is 7% faster & 6% more money and is also a better choice for new builds.
Ryzen 7000X3D series
Have the same core architecture as the rest of the 7000 series but they have one group of eight “3D” cores with extra cache. The “3D” cores are priced higher but run at 10% lower clocks.
For most real-world tasks performance is comparable to the 7000X variants. Cache sensitive scenarios such as low res. canned game benchmarks with an RTX 4090 ($1,599) benefit at the cost of everything else.
Be wary of sponsored reviews with cherry picked games that showcase the wins, ignore frame drops and gloss over the losses.
Also watch out for AMD’s army of Neanderthal social media accounts on Reddit, Forums and YouTube, they will be singing their own praises as usual. AMD continue to develop “Advanced Marketing” relationships with select youtubers in the hope of compensating for second tier products with first tier marketing.
PC gamers considering any 7000X3D CPU need to work on their critical thinking skills: Influencers are paid handsomely to promote overpriced products.
Rational gamers have little reason to look further than the $299 Intel 13600K which offers better real-world gaming and better desktop performance at a fraction of the price.
Ryzen 5000 series
The 5600X3D at $229 is the best value 3D cache CPU in the AMD lineup for gamers that already have an AM4 platform and play titles that benefit from the large 3D cache, otherwise it has performance regression vs. non-X3D in titles that do not benefit from it due to the lower clocks.
However, the Intel 13400F is 15% faster & 10% less money and is a better choice for new builds.
The Ryzen 5600 at $139 is a budget alternative option for someone who already has an AM4 platform, as it avoids the AM5 or LGA1700 platform entry cost.
However the Intel 13100F is 20% faster & 15% less moneyand is a better choice for new builds.
The Ryzen 5800X3D at $299 is a more expensive X3D option for someone who already has an AM4 platform, as it avoids the AM5 or LGA1700 platform entry cost.
However the Intel 13500 is 20% faster for 20% less money AND the Intel 13600k is 30% faster for the same moneyand either is a better choice for new builds.
Warranty
AMD warranty becomes void with normal use, due to serial number becoming unreadable with normal operation. Intel does not have this problem. If you care about product lifespan, warranty coverage, or customer service then don’t even consider AMD.
