Ryujinx: Optimizing Shader Cache via system.json Settings

The primary goal for Ryujinx shader optimization is Asynchronous Compilation and Disk Caching. Unlike original hardware, your PC stores translated shaders on your drive. This configuration focuses on enabling Vulkan as the primary backend—which handles shaders much more efficiently than OpenGL—and ensuring that the “Graphics Backend Multithreading” is active to offload the heavy translation work from the main emulation thread.

Hardware Compatibility & Expectations

• Vulkan Backend: Highly recommended for all modern NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel GPUs. It offers significantly faster shader compilation times.
• CPU Core Count: Shader compilation is a multi-threaded task. CPUs with 6+ cores (e.g., Ryzen 5000/7000 or Intel 12th+ Gen) will experience much shorter “compilation stutters.”
• Disk Speed: Shader caches can grow to hundreds of megabytes. Storing these on an NVMe SSD ensures the emulator can read/write these files instantly during gameplay.

File Location

Ryujinx stores these settings in the global configuration file. You can find it at:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Ryujinx\Config.json (Note: Some portable versions of Ryujinx store this in a publish or portable folder within the emulator directory.)

Technical Configuration (Code Block)

Open your Config.json and locate the graphics section. To maximize shader efficiency, ensure the following parameters are correctly set:

{
  "graphics": {
    "backend": "Vulkan",
    "enable_shader_cache": true,
    "enable_texture_recompression": false,
    "res_scale": 1,
    "max_anisotropy": -1,
    "shading_upscale_mode": "None",
    "backend_threading": "Auto",     // "Auto" or "On" enables multi-threaded compilation
    "graphics_backend_multithreading": "On"
  },
  "system": {
    "enable_fs_integrity_checks": true,
    "memory_manager_mode": "HostUnchecked"
  }
}

Strategy for Shader Cache Optimization

To eliminate the “traversal stutter” found in large open-world games like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom:

• The Vulkan Advantage: Always use Vulkan. It utilizes a “Pipeline Cache” which is much more robust than OpenGL’s implementation. This allows Ryujinx to handle thousands of shaders without the “crashing” or long load times associated with legacy drivers.
• Backend Multithreading: Setting graphics_backend_multithreading to “On” allows the emulator to compile shaders on secondary CPU cores while the primary core focuses on game logic. This turns a 500ms “freeze” into a minor 10ms “hiccup.”
• Persistent Cache Management: Never delete your shader folder unless you update your GPU drivers. If you update drivers, the old cache becomes invalid, and Ryujinx must rebuild it. Keeping your cache safe across emulator updates is the key to long-term stability.

Key Performance Parameters

Parameter	Recommended Value	Impact
enable_shader_cache	true	Saves translated shaders to your SSD for future use.
backend	Vulkan	Faster translation and better multi-core utilization.
backend_threading	Auto / On	Offloads compilation to prevent main-thread freezing.
Memory Manager Mode	HostUnchecked	Reduces the overhead of memory access during shader loads.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion and Expected Results

By manually refining your Config.json to prioritize Vulkan and multi-threaded backend processing, you are addressing the single biggest performance bottleneck in Nintendo Switch emulation. You can expect a significant reduction in “micro-stuttering,” faster loading times during fast-travel, and a much smoother gameplay loop as your local shader library matures.