> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/yakushabb/mirror-ryujinx/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Graphics Settings

> Configure graphics backend, resolution scaling, and visual enhancements in Ryujinx

Ryujinx emulates the Nintendo Switch's Maxwell GPU using modern graphics APIs. This guide covers graphics backend selection, resolution scaling, and visual enhancements to optimize your gaming experience.

## Graphics Backend Selection

Ryujinx supports three graphics backends depending on your platform:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Vulkan">
    **Recommended for most users**

    **Advantages:**

    * Best performance on modern GPUs
    * Lower CPU overhead
    * Better multi-threading support
    * Required for macOS (via MoltenVK)

    **Requirements:**

    * Vulkan 1.2+ compatible GPU
    * Latest graphics drivers

    **Platform Support:**

    * Windows (with compatible GPU)
    * Linux (native Vulkan)
    * macOS (via MoltenVK)
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="OpenGL">
    **Fallback option**

    **Advantages:**

    * Wider hardware compatibility
    * Better for older GPUs
    * Stable and mature

    **Requirements:**

    * OpenGL 4.5 or higher
    * NOT available on macOS

    **When to use:**

    * Vulkan drivers are unstable
    * Older GPU without Vulkan support
    * Specific compatibility issues with Vulkan
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Metal">
    **macOS exclusive**

    Ryujinx uses Vulkan with MoltenVK translation layer on macOS, which translates Vulkan calls to Metal.

    This is automatically configured - no user action needed.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Changing Graphics Backend

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Graphics Settings">
    Navigate to **File > Settings > Graphics**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Backend">
    Choose your preferred backend:

    ```json theme={null}
    "GraphicsBackend": "Vulkan"
    ```

    Options:

    * **Vulkan** (default on systems with Vulkan support)
    * **OpenGL** (fallback, not available on macOS)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select GPU (Multi-GPU Systems)">
    If you have multiple GPUs:

    1. Click the **Preferred GPU** dropdown
    2. Select your dedicated GPU (usually marked as "dGPU")
    3. Integrated GPUs are also listed but not recommended
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart Ryujinx">
    <Warning>
      Graphics backend changes require restarting Ryujinx to take effect.
    </Warning>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Resolution Scaling

Increase rendering resolution for sharper graphics:

### Resolution Scale Options

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Native (1x)" icon="1">
    **720p docked / 1080p handheld**

    Original Switch resolution. Best performance, lowest quality.
  </Card>

  <Card title="2x" icon="2">
    **1440p docked / 2160p handheld**

    Balanced quality and performance. Recommended for most systems.
  </Card>

  <Card title="3x" icon="3">
    **2160p docked / 3240p handheld**

    High quality. Requires powerful GPU.
  </Card>

  <Card title="4x" icon="4">
    **2880p docked / 4320p handheld**

    Maximum quality. Very demanding, recommended for high-end GPUs only.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Custom Resolution Scale

For fine-tuned control:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Custom Scale">
    In **Settings > Graphics**, set Resolution Scale to **Custom**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Custom Value">
    Enter a floating-point multiplier:

    ```json theme={null}
    "ResScale": -1,
    "ResScaleCustom": 1.5
    ```

    * **1.0** - Native resolution
    * **1.5** - 1.5x scaling
    * **2.5** - 2.5x scaling
    * Up to **4.0** or higher
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Resolution scaling has the most significant impact on performance. Start with 2x and adjust based on your GPU capabilities.
</Note>

## Visual Enhancements

Ryujinx offers six graphics enhancements:

### 1. Disk Shader Caching

Pre-compile and cache shaders for smoother gameplay:

```json theme={null}
"EnableShaderCache": true
```

<Accordion title="How Shader Caching Works">
  **First Run:**

  * Shaders compile when needed during gameplay
  * May cause stuttering when new effects appear
  * Shaders are saved to disk

  **Subsequent Runs:**

  * Cached shaders load instantly
  * No stuttering from shader compilation
  * Smooth gameplay experience

  **Cache Location:**

  ```plaintext theme={null}
  <RyujinxFolder>/games/<TitleID>/cache/
  ```
</Accordion>

<Warning>
  Keep shader caching enabled unless experiencing specific issues. Disabling it will cause significant stuttering.
</Warning>

### 2. Anti-Aliasing (AA)

Smooth jagged edges for better image quality:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="None">
    **Default** - No anti-aliasing

    * Best performance
    * Visible aliasing on edges
    * Recommended for lower-end GPUs
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="FXAA">
    Fast Approximate Anti-Aliasing

    * Minimal performance impact
    * Slight blur to smooth edges
    * Good balance for most systems
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="SMAA">
    Subpixel Morphological Anti-Aliasing

    * Better quality than FXAA
    * Moderate performance impact
    * Sharper than FXAA with similar smoothing
    * **Recommended for mid to high-end GPUs**
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

```json theme={null}
"AntiAliasing": "None"
```

### 3. Scaling Filters

Improve upscaling quality when using resolution scaling:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Bilinear">
    **Default** - Simple linear interpolation

    * Fast and efficient
    * Slight blur at higher resolutions
    * Best performance
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Nearest Neighbor">
    Sharp pixel scaling

    * No blur
    * Pixelated appearance
    * Best for pixel art games
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution)">
    **AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution**

    * Advanced upscaling algorithm
    * Sharpens image while scaling
    * Adjustable quality level (1-100)
    * Works on all GPUs (not AMD-exclusive)

    ```json theme={null}
    "ScalingFilter": "Fsr",
    "ScalingFilterLevel": 80
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Accordion title="FSR Quality Levels">
  Adjust FSR sharpness with the filter level:

  * **1-40** - Softer image, more blur reduction
  * **40-60** - Balanced (default: 80)
  * **60-100** - Maximum sharpness, may over-sharpen

  <Note>
    Higher FSR levels increase sharpness but may introduce visual artifacts. 80 is the recommended default.
  </Note>
</Accordion>

### 4. Anisotropic Filtering (AF)

Improve texture quality at oblique angles:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Auto">
    **Default** - Let games decide

    ```json theme={null}
    "MaxAnisotropy": -1.0
    ```

    Uses game's built-in anisotropic filtering settings.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="2x - 16x">
    Force anisotropic filtering level:

    * **2x** - Minimal improvement
    * **4x** - Noticeable quality increase
    * **8x** - High quality, slight performance cost
    * **16x** - Maximum quality, minimal performance impact on modern GPUs

    ```json theme={null}
    "MaxAnisotropy": 16.0
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Note>
  Anisotropic filtering has minimal performance impact on modern GPUs. 16x is recommended for best texture quality.
</Note>

### 5. Aspect Ratio Adjustment

Change the display aspect ratio:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Fixed 16:9" icon="tv">
    **Default** - Native Switch aspect ratio

    Maintains original 16:9 display.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Fixed 21:9" icon="panorama">
    Ultrawide aspect ratio

    Stretches image to fit ultrawide monitors. May cause distortion.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Fixed 16:10" icon="display">
    16:10 aspect ratio

    For 16:10 displays like some laptops.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Stretched" icon="expand">
    Fill entire window

    Stretches to window size, may distort image.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

```json theme={null}
"AspectRatio": "Fixed16x9"
```

<Warning>
  Changing aspect ratio from 16:9 may cause visual distortion or UI issues in some games.
</Warning>

### 6. Texture Recompression

Reduce VRAM usage by recompressing textures:

```json theme={null}
"EnableTextureRecompression": false
```

<Accordion title="When to Enable">
  **Enable if:**

  * GPU has limited VRAM (4GB or less)
  * Experiencing out-of-memory errors
  * Game textures don't fit in VRAM

  **Disable if:**

  * GPU has ample VRAM (6GB+)
  * Want maximum texture quality
  * Experiencing texture quality issues

  <Note>
    Texture recompression trades quality for VRAM savings. Only enable if necessary.
  </Note>
</Accordion>

## Advanced Graphics Settings

### Backend Threading

Control GPU driver threading behavior:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Auto">
    **Recommended** - Automatic threading decision

    ```json theme={null}
    "BackendThreading": "Auto"
    ```

    Ryujinx determines optimal threading based on your system.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="On">
    Force enable threading

    * Better performance on some systems
    * May reduce CPU usage
    * Can cause issues on some drivers
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Off">
    Force disable threading

    * Use if experiencing graphics glitches
    * May reduce performance
    * Better compatibility
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  Changing backend threading settings can affect stability. Only change from Auto if experiencing specific issues.
</Warning>

### Macro HLE (High-Level Emulation)

Emulate GPU macros at high level:

```json theme={null}
"EnableMacroHLE": true
```

* **Enabled (default):** Better performance, high compatibility
* **Disabled:** Accurate macro emulation, slower

<Note>
  Macro HLE is recommended for all users. Disabling it only helps with very specific compatibility issues.
</Note>

### Color Space Passthrough

**macOS only** - Enable HDR color space passthrough:

```json theme={null}
"EnableColorSpacePassthrough": false
```

Requires macOS and compatible display.

## VSync Configuration

Control frame pacing and screen tearing:

### VSync Modes

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Switch (60 FPS)">
    **Default** - Match Switch's 60 FPS

    ```json theme={null}
    "VSyncMode": "Switch"
    ```

    * Locked to 60 FPS
    * Smooth, consistent frame pacing
    * Prevents screen tearing
    * Recommended for most games
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Unbounded (VSync Off)">
    No frame rate limit

    ```json theme={null}
    "VSyncMode": "Unbounded"
    ```

    * Unlocked frame rate
    * May cause screen tearing
    * Lower input latency
    * Use with FreeSync/G-Sync displays
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Custom">
    Custom frame rate target

    ```json theme={null}
    "VSyncMode": "Custom",
    "EnableCustomVSyncInterval": true,
    "CustomVSyncInterval": 120
    ```

    * Set any FPS target (30-240)
    * Useful for high refresh rate displays
    * Game speed tied to frame rate
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Custom VSync Interval

For high refresh rate displays:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable Custom VSync">
    Check **Enable Custom VSync Interval**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Frame Rate">
    Adjust the slider or enter a value:

    * **30 FPS** - Half speed (50% slider)
    * **60 FPS** - Normal speed (100% slider)
    * **90 FPS** - 1.5x speed (150% slider)
    * **120 FPS** - 2x speed (200% slider)
    * **144 FPS** - 2.4x speed (240% slider)
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Custom VSync intervals higher than 60 FPS will speed up game logic. This can cause physics issues, timing problems, and game instability.
</Warning>

## Shader Dump Path

For debugging or development, dump compiled shaders:

```json theme={null}
"GraphicsShadersDumpPath": ""
```

Leave empty unless specifically debugging shader issues.

## Performance Optimization Tips

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start with Recommended Settings">
    * **Backend:** Vulkan
    * **Resolution Scale:** 2x
    * **Anti-Aliasing:** None or SMAA
    * **Scaling Filter:** FSR (level 80)
    * **Anisotropic Filtering:** 16x
    * **Shader Cache:** Enabled
    * **VSync:** Switch (60 FPS)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Adjust Based on Performance">
    **If experiencing low FPS:**

    * Reduce resolution scale to 1x
    * Disable anti-aliasing
    * Use bilinear scaling filter
    * Reduce anisotropic filtering

    **If experiencing stuttering:**

    * Ensure shader cache is enabled
    * Let shaders build on first playthrough
    * Check if PPTC is enabled in System settings
  </Step>

  <Step title="Monitor GPU Usage">
    Use GPU monitoring tools to identify bottlenecks:

    * MSI Afterburner (Windows)
    * GPU-Z (Windows)
    * System Monitor (Linux)
    * Activity Monitor (macOS)
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Graphics Debug Levels

For troubleshooting graphics issues:

```json theme={null}
"LoggingGraphicsDebugLevel": "None"
```

Levels:

* **None** (default) - No debug output
* **Error** - Only errors
* **Warning** - Warnings and errors
* **All** - Verbose logging (performance impact)

<Note>
  Graphics debug logging is for advanced troubleshooting only. Keep at "None" for normal use.
</Note>

## Troubleshooting Graphics Issues

<Accordion title="Black screen or no graphics">
  **Solutions:**

  1. Switch graphics backend (Vulkan ↔ OpenGL)
  2. Update GPU drivers to latest version
  3. Verify GPU supports minimum requirements:
     * OpenGL 4.5+ or Vulkan 1.2+
  4. Check if GPU is selected correctly (multi-GPU systems)
  5. Disable any overlays (Discord, MSI Afterburner, etc.)
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Low FPS or stuttering">
  **Performance optimization:**

  1. Reduce resolution scale to 1x or 2x
  2. Disable anti-aliasing
  3. Ensure shader cache is enabled
  4. Enable PPTC in System settings
  5. Close background applications
  6. Use Vulkan backend if available
  7. Lower graphics settings in-game
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Graphics glitches or artifacts">
  **Common causes:**

  * Outdated GPU drivers
  * Incompatible backend threading
  * GPU overheating or instability

  **Solutions:**

  1. Update GPU drivers
  2. Set backend threading to Auto
  3. Try different graphics backend
  4. Reduce GPU overclock if applicable
  5. Check GPU temperatures
  6. Enable/disable Macro HLE
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Screen tearing">
  **Solutions:**

  1. Ensure VSync is set to "Switch"
  2. Enable VSync in GPU driver settings
  3. Use windowed mode instead of fullscreen
  4. Enable FreeSync/G-Sync on compatible displays
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Shader compilation stuttering">
  **Expected behavior:**

  * First time playing a game will stutter as shaders compile
  * Shaders are cached after compilation
  * Subsequent runs will be smooth

  **To minimize:**

  1. Keep shader cache enabled
  2. Play through stuttering areas once to build cache
  3. Consider downloading pre-compiled shader caches (user-shared)
</Accordion>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Audio Settings" icon="volume" href="/user-guide/audio-settings">
    Configure audio backend and volume settings
  </Card>

  <Card title="Configuration" icon="gear" href="/user-guide/configuration">
    Adjust system and emulator settings
  </Card>

  <Card title="Input Configuration" icon="gamepad" href="/user-guide/input-configuration">
    Set up controllers and keyboard input
  </Card>

  <Card title="Troubleshooting" icon="wrench" href="/user-guide/troubleshooting">
    Diagnose and fix common issues
  </Card>
</CardGroup>