Halo 2 PC Optimization Guide
A guide for fixing FPS issues
The following are for fixing issues AFTER the usual steps you would use such as lowering resolution and quality details as well as updating drivers!
A guide for fixing FPS issues
The following are for fixing issues AFTER the usual steps you would use such as lowering resolution and quality details as well as updating drivers!
Step 1: Disable Vsync
Try disabling Vsync in Halo 2. This is now a feature added in game within Halo 2's video settings located in Settings > Video > Vsync
Within the spoiler below is another method for disabling Vsync through the game's shortcut.
Right click your Halo 2 shortcut (generally located on your desktop), select “Properties” and the select the “Shortcut” tab. From here, outside of the " add a space and -novsync to the end of the Target line and hit Apply, then OK. Make sure your game is closed when doing this, if it is not a restart is required.
Vsync can introduce input lag as well as stutters to the game. In a future update, there may be an option to enable and disable Vsync via the in-game Cartographer menu in Video Settings.
See the following image for more details:
Vsync can introduce input lag as well as stutters to the game. In a future update, there may be an option to enable and disable Vsync via the in-game Cartographer menu in Video Settings.
See the following image for more details:
Step 2: Setting Refresh Rate
If using a high refresh rate monitor such as a 144hz or 240hz, navigate to Halo 2's video settings located in Settings > Video. From here select your resolution and you will be prompted to select a refresh rate. Set the value to match the refresh rate of your monitor. If you do not know your montior's refresh rate, you can find out by right clicking your desktop, select Display Settings, and then select Advanced display settings. (This solution will also help reduce screen tearing)
You may also wish to change your FPS limit within Halo 2 Project Cartographer's Advanced Settings. To access this, press the HOME key on your keyboard OR you may also access via Settings > Cartographer > Advanced Settings > Video. From here enter a Frame Rate value of your choosing or 0 for uncapped FPS.
Step 3: Limit FPS with RivaTuner
If still having issues, you may wish to download “RivaTuner Statistics Server” from the following link: https://www.guru3d.com/files-get/rtss-rivatuner-statistics-server-download,15.html
After downloading, install and then run RivaTuner. Once open, select the green “Add” button at the bottom, navigate to your Halo 2 shortcut used to launch the game (typically located on your desktop) and select it. From here, make sure you then have “halo2.exe” selected on the list under “Global” and enter a Framerate limit value in the box on the right. If it won’t let you type, just use the arrows to raise the value to it. After setting this, be sure to have RivaTuner running and minimized when playing Halo 2.
See the following image for more details:
Finally, always be sure to go into your graphics control panel, Nvidia, AMD, or Intel and make sure you have optimal performance settings.
Intel guide:
https://www.howtogeek.com/245592/how-to-improve-gaming-performance-with-intel-hd-graphics-chips/
Nvidia guide:
https://www.pcgamer.com/nvidia-control-panel-a-beginners-guide/
AMD guide:
https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/faq/dh-012
OTHER THINGS KNOWN TO CAUSE PERFORMANCE DROPS:
- Chrome being open or running in the background
Possible Solution: Disable hardware acceleration in Chrome settings
- Google Hangouts running in background
- Windows background apps running
Possible solution: Go to Windows settings > Privacy > Background apps and set them to "off"
Last edited: