Cemu: Best GraphicPacks Config for Breath of the Wild 144Hz

The objective is to utilize the Vulkan backend and specialized Fence types to prevent the physics engine from “speeding up” when the frame rate exceeds the original 30 FPS target.

1. The FPS++ Suite (The Core of 144Hz)

For 144Hz, you cannot simply unlock the frame rate; you must use the FPS++ pack which includes several sub-patches designed to decouple the game logic from the frame timing.

Setting	Recommended Value	Technical Purpose
Mode	Advanced (Default)	Provides the best compatibility with modern Windows 11 kernels.
Frame Limit	144FPS	Synchronizes with your monitor’s $f_{refresh}$.
Fence Type	Performance	Reduces input lag significantly; essential for parry timing at 144Hz.
NPC Physics	Fixed	Prevents NPCs from walking at 2x speed or floating during high FPS.

2. Graphics & Enhancements (4K/144Hz Synergy)

If you are aiming for 144Hz, we recommend staying at 1440p or 4K depending on your GPU’s fill rate ($R_{fill}$).

• Resolution: Set to 2560x1440 or 3840x2160.
• Shadow Resolution: Set to Medium (Default) or High (200%). Avoid Ultra as it can cause micro-stutters that break the 144Hz smoothness.
• Clarity Preset: Use Cellhunter or Serfrost (Dim). These presets remove the “milky” fog filter without introducing the heavy contrast that can mask enemy telegraphs.
• Anti-Aliasing: Use NVIDIA FXAA or SMAA. If you are at 4K, you can often disable this entirely to gain a ~3% FPS boost.

3. Fixing the 144Hz Physics Glitches

Even with FPS++, running at 144Hz can cause specific “high-frequency” bugs. In 2026, these are mitigated via the rules.txt within the GraphicPacks folder.

Common Issues & Solutions:

• Arrow Gravity: At very high FPS, arrows may drop faster. Ensure “Arrow Trajectory Fix” is enabled in the Workarounds section.
• Thunderstorm Flashing: High refresh rates can make lightning flashes appear too brief. Enable “Lightning Fix” to normalize the alpha-blend duration ($t_{alpha}$).
• Stamina Drain: If you feel Link climbs too fast, double-check that “Dynamic Gamespeed” is set to Enabled under FPS++.

4. Hardware Requirements for 144Hz

Our GameEngineer.net benchmarks show that 144Hz in BotW is heavily CPU-bound.

• CPU: You need a high single-core frequency ($f > 5.0GHz$). Ryzen 9000 or Intel Core Ultra series are ideal.
• GPU: For 4K/144Hz, an RTX 4080 or 5070 class card is required to maintain the pixel throughput without dropping into the 120s.
• Cemu Setting: Always use Vulkan with Async Shader Compilation enabled. This prevents the “compilation stutters” that are highly visible at 144Hz.