Xenia (Xbox 360): Best xenia-canary.config.toml for RDR1

The primary goal for Red Dead Redemption optimization is Vblank Synchronization and Texture Cache Management. The game was designed for the 30 FPS limit of the Xbox 360; forcing it to 60 FPS requires a delicate balance of the vblank_rate and the d3d12_readback_resolve. This configuration focuses on utilizing the D3D12 backend for maximum stability and applying the “No-Blur” patches to make the 4K upscaling look crystal clear.

Hardware Compatibility & Expectations

• The CPU Clock Speed: Xenia is extremely sensitive to single-core performance. A CPU with a boost clock of 4.5GHz+ is the baseline for a stable 60 FPS.
• GPU Requirements: For 4K scaling (3×3), an RTX 3070 / RX 6700 XT or better is needed to handle the increased draw-call overhead.
• Xenia Canary Branch: These settings are specifically for the Canary build. The “Master” branch lacks the necessary patches for RDR1 stability.

File Location

The configuration file is generated in the same folder as your xenia_canary.exe. If you haven’t run the emulator yet, launch it once and close it to generate the file.

[Xenia Folder]\xenia-canary.config.toml

Technical Configuration (Code Block)

Open the .toml file with Notepad. To fix the most common RDR1 issues and boost performance, modify these specific lines:

[Display]
# Set to 1280x720 internal; use scaling for 4K
window_width = 1280
window_height = 720

[GPU]
# Mandatory backend for RDR1
gpu = "d3d12"
# Fixes the "Black Ground" and "Flickering Textures"
d3d12_readback_resolve = true
# Internal resolution scaling (2 = 1440p, 3 = 4K)
draw_resolution_scale_x = 3
draw_resolution_scale_y = 3

[Graphics]
# Essential for unlocking FPS and timing
vblank_rate = 60              # Set to 60 for 60FPS, or 120 for higher
# Fixes potential lighting/shadow artifacts
query_occlusion_fake_sample_count = -1

[Memory]
# Reduces crashes during long sessions
protect_zero = true

Strategy for RDR1 Stability

To achieve the “Definitve Edition” feel on PC:

• The Vblank Trick: RDR1’s engine speed is tied to the vblank_rate. If you set this to 60, the game will attempt to run at 60 FPS. If your PC cannot maintain 60, the game may feel “slow-motion.” If this happens, revert to 30.
• Fixing the Black Ground: The most famous RDR1 emulation bug is the “invisible” or black terrain. Enabling d3d12_readback_resolve = true tells the emulator to correctly process the game’s unique vertex data, fixing the ground textures instantly.
• Apply Game Patches: You must use the Xenia Patch folder. Download the rdr_patches.toml and place it in the /patches/ directory. Enable [Disable Motion Blur] and [Disable Depth of Field] within that file to remove the “Vaseline” look when upscaling to 4K.

Key Performance Parameters

Parameter	Recommended Value	Impact
d3d12_readback_resolve	true	Fixes the “black floor” and corrupted ground textures.
vblank_rate	60	Unlocks the internal 30 FPS cap for smoother gameplay.
draw_resolution_scale	3	Upscales the internal 720p to a crisp 4K (2160p).
gpu	“d3d12”	Provides the best compatibility for RDR1’s shaders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion and Expected Results

By manually refining your xenia-canary.config.toml and applying the necessary vblank and readback tweaks, you are transforming a 2010 console game into a modern 4K powerhouse. You can expect stable terrain textures, unlocked framerates, and visual clarity that far exceeds the original Xbox 360 hardware.