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Far Cry 4 FPS Fix

A native Windows launcher for Far Cry 4 that improves performance and frame pacing on many modern multi-core CPUs. It runs beside the game: it never launches or modifies FarCry4.exe itself.

Quick start

  1. Extract the FC4-FpsFix folder anywhere convenient. Keeping it in the Far Cry 4 install folder is recommended.
  2. Double-click FarCry4_FPSFix.exe before starting the game.
  3. Leave its window open.
  4. Start Far Cry 4 normally from Steam, Ubisoft Connect, or Epic Games.
  5. After the game closes, the optimizer detects that it has exited and ends its session.

This manual method is the supported launch method. Do not use custom launcher command lines or replace the game executable. Steam, Ubisoft Connect, or Epic Games remains responsible for launching the game, which keeps its normal achievement and overlay flow intact.

See INSTALL.md for the complete guide.

What it does

When started, the EXE first checks the Far Cry 4 profile directory under Documents\My Games\Far Cry 4 and applies these performance settings when needed:

  • In GamerProfile.xml, it sets DisableLoadingMip0="1" and GPUMaxBufferedFrames="1".
  • In GFXSettings.FarCry464.xml, it sets the GEOMETRY option to Value="high".
  • It creates a one-time .fc4fpsfix.backup copy before changing either XML file.

It then waits for farcry4.exe, waits the configured initialization period, and applies:

  • High process priority.
  • A four-logical-processor affinity profile: Intel 0, 2, 4, 6; AMD 2, 4, 6, 8.
  • Optional 1 ms timer resolution while the game runs.
  • Optional memory working-set trimming and High Performance power-plan switching.

The XML changes trade some image quality for smoother performance: disabling the highest mip level can reduce texture sharpness, and Geometry is intentionally capped at High. The CPU/process changes apply only while Far Cry 4 is running; the timer resolution and optional power plan are restored after the game exits.

Configuration

Edit config/settings.json next to the EXE:

Setting Default Purpose
ProcessName farcry4 Process to detect; normally leave unchanged.
Priority High Game process priority. Do not use RealTime.
UseSmartAffinity true Uses the proven four-core affinity profile.
WaitSecondsAfterLaunch 30 Time to wait after detection before applying process settings.
EnableTimerResolution true Uses 1 ms timer resolution while playing.
ChangePowerPlan false Temporarily enables High Performance power plan.
EnableMemoryCleanup false Periodically trims the game working set.
MemoryCleanupIntervalSeconds 120 Interval for optional memory cleanup.
LogToFile false Writes optimizer.log beside the EXE for troubleshooting.

Restore XML settings

To restore the profile files from the backups created by this tool, open Command Prompt in the FC4-FpsFix folder and run:

FarCry4_FPSFix.exe --restore-xml-settings

Run this while Far Cry 4 is closed. Starting the optimizer normally afterward applies the performance XML values again.

Open source

The native C++ source is included in source/FarCry4_FPSFix.cpp so users can inspect, audit, and build the launcher themselves. It uses only Windows APIs and the C++ standard library—no PowerShell, batch files, injection, or game-binary patching.

Example MinGW-w64 build command:

g++ -std=c++20 -O2 -s -static -static-libgcc -static-libstdc++ -municode source\FarCry4_FPSFix.cpp -o FarCry4_FPSFix.exe -lwinmm -lshell32 -lole32 -ladvapi32 -luuid

Notes

  • Results vary by hardware, resolution, drivers, and in-game settings; this is not a guaranteed FPS target.
  • For additional GPU-limited performance, lower expensive in-game options such as GameWorks effects, Soft Shadows, TXAA, or Geometry.
  • This is an unofficial fan-made tool and is not affiliated with Ubisoft, Valve, or Epic Games.

Credits

The CPU-affinity approach and XML tuning are based on community troubleshooting documented by PCGamingWiki's Far Cry 4 page.