Dishonored 2: Improving Performance via Engine.ini

The primary performance bottleneck in Dishonored 2 is the Frame Time consistency. The game’s internal budget for “Shadow Maps” and “Ambient Occlusion” is extremely high, causing the GPU to wait for the CPU to catch up. By accessing the configuration file, we can implement a “Smooth Performance” profile: lowering the shadow resolution beyond the menu limits and increasing the “Virtual Texture” cache, which allows for a much more stable 60+ FPS experience.

Hardware Compatibility & Expectations

• VRAM Management: Essential for cards with 6GB or less. The Void Engine is a memory hog; these tweaks prevent “Texture Pop-in” by optimizing the streaming pool.
• CPU Bottlenecking: Lowering shadow and physics parameters in the config reduces the load on the main thread, which is vital for the Clockwork Mansion and Karnaca city streets.
• Input Lag: Disabling “Pre-rendered Frames” in the config significantly improves the responsiveness of Emily and Corvo’s movements.

Backup and Preparation

Ensure the game is closed, as the Void Engine will overwrite any manual changes upon exiting.

1. Exit Dishonored 2.
2. Navigate to your local AppData folder (path below).
3. Right-click Dishonored2Config.cfg, select Copy, and save a backup copy on your desktop.
4. Open the original file with Notepad++.

File Location

The configuration file is located in your local user directory: C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Saved Games\Arkane Studios\Dishonored2\base\Dishonored2Config.cfg

Best Config Settings

Search for these specific commands (or add them if they are missing). Update the values as follows for an optimized experience:

g_m_render_shadow_map_size 1024
g_m_render_shadow_quality 1
g_m_render_ssao_quality 0
g_m_render_motion_blur_quality 0
g_m_render_depth_of_field_quality 0
r_windowMode 1
r_vSync 0
vt_pageImageSizeUnique 8192
vt_uncompressedPhysicalImages 1

Pro Tip: Setting vt_pageImageSizeUnique to 8192 (or 16384 for 8GB+ VRAM) forces the engine to keep more textures in memory, which is the single best way to fix the “hitch” when turning the camera quickly.

Key Parameters Explained

Parameter	Recommended Value	Impact
vt_pageImageSizeUnique	8192	Increases the Virtual Texture cache; reduces stutters during fast movement.
g_m_render_shadow_map_size	1024	Limits shadow resolution. The difference between 1024 and 2048 is minimal visually but saves massive GPU cycles.
g_m_render_ssao_quality	0	Disables Ambient Occlusion in the config to gain ~10 FPS. Use in-game HBAO+ instead if needed.
r_windowMode	1	Forces Exclusive Fullscreen to minimize input lag and Windows DWM interference.
r_vSync	0	Disables the engine’s internal VSync, which is known to cause massive stuttering in this title.

In-Game Settings vs. Config

To complement your config tweaks, match these in-game Video settings:

• Triple Buffering: Set to OFF. This adds a frame of delay and can cause the “floaty” mouse feel typical of Dishonored 2.
• Adaptive Resolution: Set to OFF. This setting often makes the game look “blurry” as it tries to hit a target FPS. It is better to have a lower, stable resolution.
• TXAA Sharpness: Set to High. Since we are disabling post-processing in the config, a high TXAA sharpness keeps the game looking crisp.
• NVIDIA Reflex / Low Latency: If you have an NVIDIA card, set this to On in your control panel to override the engine’s older queuing system.

Troubleshooting & Common Fixes

• Stuttering Still Occurs: Check your Frame Rate Cap. Use an external tool (like RTSS) to cap the game to 60 or 120 FPS. The engine struggles with uncapped frame rates.
• Textures Looking “Muddy”: If textures don’t load, your vt_pageImageSizeUnique might be too high for your VRAM. Lower it to 4096.
• Settings Resetting: Dishonored 2 often resets the .cfg if you enter the Options menu. Once you are happy, right-click Dishonored2Config.cfg, select Properties, and check Read-only.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion and Expected Results

By manually refining your Dishonored2Config.cfg, you are overcoming the inherent optimization hurdles of the Void Engine. You can expect a significant reduction in micro-stuttering, snappier mouse response, and consistent frame times even in the most complex parts of Karnaca.