Dirt Rally 2.0: Best hardware_settings.xml for High-Speed Shaders

The objective is to prioritize Shader Instruction speed over non-essential geometry, giving you a faster visual response when navigating narrow hairpins.

File Path & Access

File Path: %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\DiRT Rally 2.0\hardwaresettings\

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Press Win + R on your keyboard, paste the path above, and press Enter.
2. Locate the file named hardware_settings_config.xml. (Crucial: Create a backup named hardware_backup.xml before editing).
3. Right-click the file and select Open With > Notepad++ or Notepad.
4. Find the <shaders> and <shadows> tags.
5. Modify the values to match the “High-Speed” profile below.
6. Save the file and set it to Read-only to ensure the game doesn’t overwrite your tweaks during a version check.

Optimized “High-Speed” Configuration Block

<shaders low_quality="false" ultra_quality="true" />
<shadows enabled="true" size="1024" maskQuality="1" grass="false" particles="true" />
<cloth enabled="true" tessellation="false" />
<ground_cover clutter="true" enabled="true" lodScaling="1.0" />
<foward_shading enabled="true" />

Parameter Details & Technical Purpose

Parameter	Recommended Value	Technical Purpose
size (Shadows)	1024	Reduces the resolution of dynamic shadows to free up GPU bandwidth for shaders.
maskQuality	1	Enables “Soft Shadows” at a lower resolution, preventing the “jagged” look while saving FPS.
tessellation	false	Disables complex mesh subdivision for cloth/flags, reducing the vertex load during high-speed travel.
lodScaling	1.0	The Ground Fix. Prevents the ground from turning into a “blurry mess” 5 meters ahead of the car.
foward_shading	true	Uses a more efficient rendering path for AA, which is essential for high-speed clarity in VR and flat screens.

Best Practices for 2026 Rally Performance

To maintain a competitive edge in Dirt Rally 2.0, follow these additional GameEngineer.net technical steps:

• Advanced Blending – OFF: In the in-game settings, ensure “Advanced Blending” is disabled. This single setting is a “Frame Killer” ($F_{kill}$) that only adds minor detail to foliage but increases the shader complexity beyond what is necessary for racing.
• The “Clear Cache” Protocol: If you experience stutters after editing the XML, go to the game’s root directory and delete the shader_cache folder. The game will rebuild them using your new optimized parameters upon the next launch.
• Night Lighting – LOW: There is a known 2026 optimization bug where “Ultra” night lighting adds zero visual benefit but doubles the draw calls for light sources. Set this to Low or Medium for a significant FPS boost during night stages.
• SSD Priority: Dirt Rally 2.0 dynamically loads high-resolution textures. Ensure the game is on an NVMe SSD to prevent the “Object Pop-in” that occurs when the engine waits for the I/O bus.