Performance Mod Guide for Valheim

This guide is a trusted resource, offering tips to optimize Valheim performance, even on older systems. Compiled from expert sources, personal experience, and community insights to provide you with practical recommendations.

Even though this guide is separated into sections, you do not necessarily have to do all of them in order or even at all. However, ensure you read through this guide in its entirety before attempting any of the below sections.

Section 1: Vulkan API

The game suffers from performance issues even on high-end PCs. To address these problems, let's start by taking advantage of the Vulkan API.

Valheim supports the Vulkan API, a more efficient graphics architecture that potentially can:

• Lower CPU load
• Predictable CPU load
• Better memory interfaces
• Predictable memory load

Running Valheim in Vulkan can improve FPS, especially on systems that struggle with the default renderer.

1. Enable the Vulkan API:

   • In the Steam Library for Valheim, simply click Play.
   • Choose Play Valheim using Vulkan

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Section 2: Optimize Boot Configuration for Better FPS

Note

Modifying this file will boost FPS as it forces the system to allocate more processing tasks to the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), thereby lightening the load on the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and alleviating bottlenecks.

Important

Updating Valheim will remove this modification, forcing you to add it again.

1. Locate the boot.config:

   • In your Steam Library, Right-Click on Valheim.

   • Navigate to Manage ⇒ Browse local files.

   • Inside the Explorer window that should have opened, you will see valheim_Data.

     C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Valheim\valheim_Data

   • Inside of the valheim_Data folder, locate the boot.config file. It's at the top.

2. Editing the file:

   • Right-click on boot.config and select Open With ⇒ Notepad.

   • Add the following lines at the top of the file:

     • gfx-enable-gfx-jobs=1
     • gfx-enable-native-gfx-jobs=1

   • Save and exit

Here is what your boot.config file should now look like:

Important

You can Verify Files, located in the Properties Panel. To have Steam check and restore any modified files.

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Section 3: Giving the Valheim Process a Higher Priority

In this section, we’ll create a command shortcut that launches Valheim from Steam in high-priority mode.

What is High Priority?

In Windows, the operating system allocates the computer’s resources based on the priority of each application.
A higher priority means more resources will be allocated to Valheim.

1. Create a shortcut:

   • In your Steam Library, Right-Click on Valheim.
   • Navigate to Manage ⇒ Browse local files.
   • Right-Click on valheim.exe and select Create shortcut.
   • Name the new shortcut valheim.

2. Make it a Command shortcut:

   • Right-Click the new shortcut, select Properties.

   • Add the following to the front of the Target field:

     cmd /c start /high Valheim.exe

   • Click OK

Note

The /c instructs the command prompt to close after executing our command.

3. Copy the location of the shortcut to paste into Steam.  

   • While holding down the SHIFT key, Right-click on the Command shortcut.
   • Select Copy as path.

4. Open Steam and go to the Launch Options for Valheim.

   • Paste in the path, then after it type: %command%

     "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Valheim\valheim.lnk" %command%

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Section 4: High-Performance Power Plan on Windows

Note

Only one or the other can be done.

1. Set a power plan through Settings:

   • Press Windows Key + R, and type powercfg.cpl.
   • Select High performance or, if available, choose Ultimate Performance.

2. Force a Power Plan with the Group Policy (will not work on Home editions of Windows):

   • Press Windows Key + R, and type gpedit.msc.
   • Under Local Computer Policy, expand Computer Configuration ⇒ Administrative Templates ⇒ System, and select Power Management.
   • Double-click on Select an active power plan.
   • Select the Enabled radio button and choose from the drop-down High Performance or, if available, Ultimate Performance.
   • Click OK.

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Section 5: Nvidia Control Panel Settings

If you're using an Nvidia GPU, tweak settings for Valheim to get an extra FPS boost:

1. Vertical Sync can be set to Fast in the Nvidia Control Panel to reduce input lag without locking FPS, especially if your system produces higher frame rates than your monitor's refresh rate.

2. Power Management Mode: Set to Maximum Performance.

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Section 6: Valheim Graphics Configuration Script

Caution

BE AWARE THIS IS A WIP: ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT. LOD seems to be screwy.

Features

• Adjust Graphics Quality: Choose from Low, Medium, High, or Ultra presets to optimize Valheim's graphics settings for your system.
• Automatic System Detection: The script detects your CPU, RAM, and GPU to recommend the best graphics quality setting.
• Backup Functionality: Before making changes, the script creates a backup of your current Valheim registry settings.
• Restore Capability: Easily restore previous graphics settings from backups.
• User-Friendly Interface: Interactive menu-driven script that's simple to use, even for those unfamiliar with PowerShell.

1. Run PowerShell as Administrator.

   • Press Win + S, and type powershell.
   • Right-Click on the search entry for powershell, and from the menu, select Run as administrator.

2. Copy and Paste One or the Other:

   The following code will allow remote script execution and execute my script without the need to download it.

   #One
   Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope Process -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Force; Invoke-RestMethod "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/RobThePCGuy/Performance-Mod-Guide-For-Valheim/main/doit.ps1" | Invoke-Expression

   OR: This will run the script as Administrator, allow remote script execution, and execute my script without the need to download it.

   #the Other
   Start-Process PowerShell -ArgumentList "-NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope Process -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Force; Invoke-RestMethod 'https://raw.githubusercontent.com/RobThePCGuy/Performance-Mod-Guide-For-Valheim/main/doit.ps1' | Invoke-Expression" -Verb RunAs

3. When you run the script, you'll be presented with a menu.

   Allows you to select from:

   • Low: Optimizes for performance on lower-end systems.
   • Medium: Balanced settings for moderate performance and visuals.
   • High: Enhances visuals while maintaining good performance.
   • Ultra: Maximum settings for high-end systems.

   Restore/Backup the Registry.

   • Lists available backups stored in the ValheimRegistryBackup folder on your Desktop.
   • Allows you to:
     • Restore the most recent backup.
     • Choose a specific backup to restore.
     • Enter a custom backup file path.   

Caution

Restoring settings will overwrite your current graphics configurations.

Note

Backups are stored in a folder named ValheimRegistryBackup on your Desktop. Each backup is a .reg file with a timestamp (e.g., ValheimRegistryBackup_20230101120000.reg). You can manually restore a backup by double-clicking the .reg file and following the prompts.

Important

Modifying the registry requires administrative privileges. Ensure you run PowerShell as Administrator. Ensure that Valheim is not running while you apply new settings or restore backups.

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Section 7: Steam Launch Options

To force a few fixes directly, we can use Steam and its Launch Options.

1. In your Steam Library, Right-Click on Valheim, select Properties ⇒ Launch Options.

Launch Options	Description
-screen-width 1920 -screen-height 1080	Override the default screen width and height
-console	Enables the F5 console inside Valheim
-window-mode exclusive	Activates exclusive full-screen mode. If it doesn't seem to be working, press ALT+ENTER x2.
-window-mode borderless	Opens in a full-screen window without borders.
-popupwindow	A window without a frame.
-force-d3d9	Run a game using DirectX 9
-force-d3d11	Run a game using DirectX 11
-force-d3d12	Run a game using DirectX 12
-force-vulkan	Forces Vulkan. It is easier to simply choose Vulkan from the options after clicking Play.

Your final Steam Launch Options may look something like this:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Valheim\valheim.lnk" %command% -console

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Closing Statement:

These hacks and scripts are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. The author is not liable for damage or data loss. Use at your own risk.

Performance optimization in Valheim is an ongoing process, as the game itself is evolving. Use this guide as a starting point, and experiment with different settings to see what works best for your system. Remember, feedback is valuable—if you discover new optimizations, feel free to share them to help others.

Enjoy smoother gameplay and the Viking adventure you deserve! If this guide has helped, consider leaving a comment or contacting me with suggestions at [email protected].

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