Red Dead Redemption 2 launched for PC and has two API options for your graphics cards to generate all of those beautiful trees and horses with it. Now, which API works best for you is something you can choose from, but it's definitely worth trying both to see which one gives you the best results.
Red Dead Redemption 2 PC - How to change an API from Vulkan to DX12
To change your graphics API in Red Dead Redemption 2, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings menu
- Go to the graphics page
- Unlock advanced settings
- Scroll down until you see the Graphics API option
The two APIs available are Vulkan and DirectX 12; so just use the arrows on each side to switch from the other to the other. Vulkan is the default option, but it's a good idea to try them both to see which you get better performance and better FPS with. This is normally a feature of programs like GeForce Experience for Nvidia users and the Radeon app for AMD users. You can also use programs that capture the game, as they usually have the option of overlaying an FPS counter somewhere on the screen.
Play the game by doing something easy to replicate, like riding your horse from town to town, while staying on the roads. It's not a perfect test, as minor details can change every time, from road traffic to weather, but it's a good way to try and spot any noticeable difference in performance. You can also venture into an area of the map where you have already experienced issues like stuttering and low FPS, try with the other API and see if the issues are replicated. Otherwise, you know this is the best option for your hardware.
