Below are the primary settings you’ll want to modify. Exact key names can vary by version; search the file for similar terms.
FullscreenMode / Windowed / Borderless
GraphicsPreset / OverallQuality
TextureQuality / TextureStreaming
ShadowQuality / Shadows
ViewDistance / LODDistance / MaxDrawDistance
AntiAliasing / FXAA / TAA
PostProcessing / MotionBlur / DepthOfField / Bloom / AmbientOcclusion
Reflections / ScreenSpaceReflections
Tessellation / GeometryQuality
ParticleQuality / Effects
VSync / AdaptiveVSync
FramerateLimit / MaxFPS
AnisotropicFiltering (AF)
ResolutionScale / DynamicResolution
Note: key names vary. Replace keys as needed in your settings.cfg.
ResolutionWidth=1280
ResolutionHeight=720
FullscreenMode=1
GraphicsPreset=Low
TextureQuality=Low
TextureStreaming=0
ShadowQuality=0
ViewDistance=0.4
AntiAliasing=0
PostProcessing=0
MotionBlur=0
DepthOfField=0
Bloom=0
AmbientOcclusion=0
Reflections=0
Tessellation=0
ParticleQuality=0
VSync=0
MaxFPS=30
AnisotropicFiltering=2
ResolutionScale=0.7
The most significant performance gains come from editing the core_boot.xml file. This file controls the rendering pipeline before the game fully launches.
File Location:
Documents\Ghost Games\Need for Speed(TM) Payback\settings\
Key Variables to Modify: Open the file with a text editor (like Notepad). Look for the following XML strings and adjust them as follows: nfs payback low end pc config file top
Need for Speed: Payback (2017) is a gorgeous arcade racer. But let’s face it: Ghost Games used the Frostbite 3 engine, which is notoriously heavy. If you are trying to run this game on an Intel HD Graphics laptop, an old GT 710, or a dual-core CPU, the default "Low" settings simply won't cut it. You will face stuttering, texture pop-ins, and sub-20 FPS slideshows.
But here is the secret the forums don't want you to know: The in-game menu lies to you. It hides about 40% of the graphical options. To truly make NFS Payback run on a low-end PC, you need to edit the PROFILEOPTIONS_profile file.
This article provides the top configuration file tweaks to turn NFS Payback from a stuttering mess into a playable, smooth experience on hardware that barely meets the minimum requirements.
| Hardware | Expected FPS (720p, low config) | |----------|--------------------------------| | Intel HD 520/620 | 25–35 FPS | | GT 710 / R5 240 | 20–30 FPS | | GT 1030 / RX 550 | 40–50 FPS |
If still too slow, drop ResolutionHeight to 540 and ResolutionWidth to 960.
If your game crashes, change:
GstRender.ResolutionScale 0.500000 → GstRender.ResolutionScale 0.350000
(This makes it look like a PS1 game but it will run on a potato) Below are the primary settings you’ll want to modify