In this post, we will look at the optimal settings for Overwatch that can help to achieve the highest framerate and accuracy, in order to outsmart your opponents and eliminate them more easily. We will go through all the settings to ensure that you get better at the game. While you will not immediately be a pro, these will at least make sure that you get better in the long run.
To get ahead your opponents we will share the optimal settings in Overwatch, covering – Nvidia Settings, Hardware, in-game settings (graphics etc), updated drivers (guide).
The settings in this post do not ensure that the game looks better, but that the game is easier to play and therefore makes it easier to get (more) kills than you ever did before.
Windows Settings
To ensure that your computer is not slowed down by any third-party software, we recommend that you install an antivirus program like Avast or Bitdefender™; these are programs that ensure that most viruses, adware, trojans or any kind of these unwanted programs are removed from your computer, immediately ensuring that your PC is faster.
After you have scanned your PC via the above antivirus programs, or another antivirus program, it is time to pause the antivirus. This is because antivirus programs often cause high CPU or Memory usage on your device, and this immediately makes your PC respond slower and you will get fewer FPS in Overwatch, or any other game. Please make sure that every time you download a program, you scan it using VirusTotal.com or one of your new antivirus programs, that are now on pause.
The second step is to open Task Manager. You can find Task Manager by pressing the key combination ‘CTRL + SHIFT + ESC’, on Windows. Another way to open Task Manager is to use the key combination ‘CTRL + ALT + DELETE’ and click on the Task Manager button that will show up. Every time you use Overwatch you have to close the programs that use a lot of Memory and CPU, in order to increase the frames per second in the game. Programs that should always be closed during Overwatch include photo editing software and browsers like Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Programs in Task Manager under the ‘Windows processes’ tab should not be closed.
If you really want the best of the best, you could reinstall your Windows and keep only the most important things to make sure that there is almost nothing that will run in the background, this will also increase your frames per second. If you’re using a computer from your parents or school, please do not do this, always seek permission first.
NVIDIA Settings
While these settings may not be inside the game, they can still be adjusted to achieve optimal settings for Overwatch.
Digital Vibrance
First, we’ll look at the Digital Vibrance of your monitor, this mode will make your monitor look more colorful. Open your NVIDIA Control Panel, look in the Display category and click ‘Adjust desktop color settings’, here is ‘Digital Vibrance’, slide the slider to +91%.
Shade Cache
Secondly, go to Manage 3D Settings, in the 3D Settings tab, and change ‘Shade Cache’ from OFF to ON, to make your game more smooth.
Drivers
Try to update your drivers in NVIDIA GeForce Experience – if you don’t have this, please install it from the NVIDIA website.
Overclocking
Overclocking can increase your clock speed, making the computer’s components faster than the limits set by the manufacturer. If you want to do this, you really need to know what you’re doing. This could remove the warranty on your PC/component and even BREAK your components in the long or short term. If you know what you’re doing, this will really help your FPS, accuracy, and smoothness in the game. Disclaimer: We’re not responsible for any damage done while overclocking.
Hardware
Hardware is an important aspect of running anything, and it will allow us to further select better optimal settings for Overwatch. In order to run the game, we recommend the following hardware as minimum system requirements:
CPU: Intel Core i5
A CPU (Central Processor Unit) is the most important component of any (gaming) computer or phone.
RAM: 6GB
RAM (Random Access Memory) is hardware that temporarily stores data, working as, as the name suggests, the memory of a computer.
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Ti
A GPU is mainly used to boost the performance of the game. They have features like texture mapping, 2D or 3D Graphics, and more. Without a GPU, your computer cannot function. Make sure to download the latest drivers on the official NVIDIA or AMD website or software.
Free Disk Space: 30GB
This space is needed to download Overwatch and other temporary files for Overwatch. Please be aware that Windows updates sometimes take up a lot of disk space, so make sure you have a minimum of 30GB free, even after an update or after installing Overwatch. We recommend an SSD with 1TB or 2TB of storage – with these, you won’t get trouble!
Dedicated Video RAM: 2GB
Dedicated video ram, also called VRAM or Video RAM, is a special type of Random Access Memory that works together with your GPU. You can check your VRAM by doing the following actions:
- Press the key combination ‘Windows Key + I’
- Select System
- Press Display from the left
- Scroll down and click the Advanced display settings button
- On this menu, select the main monitor that you play the game on and click Display adapter properties
- Here you can see ‘Dedicated Video Memory’
You can increase your VRAM by purchasing a new GPU – that’s, unfortunately, the only way.
In-Game Settings
Below is a list of the settings that make the game easier, the frames per second higher and can help to improve your accuracy. We have selected what we believe to be the optimal settings for Overwatch.
FOV: 103
FOV (Field of View) is what you see on your screen. The lower it is, the less you see, which could be compared to the zoom on a camera. Go to the settings and change the FOV to 105. This will increase your view, so you will see more, this means you can see the opponent sooner, and there’s the possibility that you see them and they have their FOV too low to see you.
Resolution: 1080p or 4k (Recommended: 144Hz or above)
If your monitor supports 4K, 2K or 1080p (144Hz or higher), it’s fine. The amount of Hz means the FPS you can get. So, 144Hz monitors can get 144FPS max. If your monitor does not support 1080p, we recommend buying a new one. This does not mean it has to be really pricey. Look for reviews on the internet and YouTube and you’ll probably find a good one!
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
This is probably the aspect ratio of your standard home use monitor. If it’s an old one (4:3), try to get a new one if possible. If you have a wide monitor, it won’t be 4:3 or 16:9. These aspect ratios differ per wide monitor, most of the time they are 21:9, and this is, of course, the best option to have, but costs a lot more.
VSync: Off (try to turn on FreeSync or G-Sync, if your monitor supports either of them)
VSync locks your FPS at 60FPS and tries to avoid frame drops, however, it could cause tearing sometimes, and this is something you really don’t want, so turn it off. FreeSync (AMD) and G-Sync (NVIDIA) are really good alternatives and these are made just for the monitor YOU ARE using, instead of all monitors. This fixes the tearing issue most of the time. Also, VSync could make frames buffer.
Graphics:
Triple Buffering: Off
Triple Buffering is just a fancy term for VSync, please turn it off.
Render scale: 100%
If you lower your render scale, it will lower the resolution of 3D rendering. You do not want this to happen, so please put your render scale at 100%.
Limit FPS: Off
Why limit your FPS at 60 or 75 when your monitor can do 144 FPS for example? Don’t do this. The more FPS, the easier the game is to play.
All other settings low or off.
These are settings based on the details of the game. You don’t want fog or other things blocking your vision, you just want to see your opponents.
How to update your drivers (NVIDIA)
By updating your drivers, you can get a huge increase in frames per second. This will increase the smoothness in Overwatch. To update your drivers, follow the steps below:
- Install GeForce Experience from the official NVIDIA website. If you already have GeForce Experience, skip to step 5.
2. Click ‘DOWNLOAD NOW’.
3. This will start downloading GeForce Experience, wait for it to finish and open it.
4. After opening it, follow the steps given in the setup.
5. After installing it, open GeForce Experience, and go to the ‘DRIVERS tab’ on the top bar.
6. Install all available drivers, these drivers are mostly called ‘Game Ready’ Drivers, press the download button. After this download is complete, restart your PC.
7. You’re now a user of the newest NVIDIA drivers!
We hope you have benefited from this article and discovered the optimal settings for Overwatch, let us know in the comments what we have overlooked, and why. We wish you the best of luck and fun in your gaming adventures!
