Insurgency: Sandstorm

Insurgency: Sandstorm

59 ratings
Insurgency: Sandstorm FPS Drop FIX
By Weeddrunken
This guide shows you how to get far less FPS drops and overall more FPS via DX12 (experimental)! ...even on old system like an i7 3770K and GTX1080. :)
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Introduction
When I tried Insurgency Sandstorm on release it suffered from low fps overall paired with very unpleasant fps drops on top of that. So 16 months later I decided to give IS another chance, unfortunately with almost the same results.
...Anyhow switching to DX12 strangely fixed that, for me! And so I am finally able to enjoy this great shooter.

PS: Keep in mind this is based on my specific set of hardware and my ingame settings. But it already helped others.
1. Steam Settings (Launch Options)
Add -dx12 in the launch options of Insurgency Sandstorm.
2. Ingame Video Settings
The most important settings are:
  • Display Mode: Fullscreen
  • Streaming Pool: High (requires: 8GB VRM)
The rest depends on your taste and hardware.
>70fps, high settings, @2560x1440p
My Specs
  • i7 3770K @4.3GHz
  • GTX 1080 @2GHz / 11GHz
  • 16GB DDR3 @1600MHz
  • MSI Z68A-GD65 (G3)
  • Evo Pro 512GB m.2 SSD
  • LG 55SJ8509 (55", 4K)

FYI; "Unfortunately" I can't test this anymore as I got a RTX3090 paired with a 5800X and you just don't need the DX12 tweak anymore.
Known Bugs
If you activate DX12, fullscreen mode is only available for your windows resolution. So you need to switch to 2560x1440p in windows, if you have a 4K/2160p screen and want to play Insurgency Sandstorm in 2560x1440p.

35 Comments
EisenDragonSlayer 9 Nov, 2022 @ 9:38am 
Works still today for me :)
Pinkky Blinders 10 Feb, 2022 @ 3:36am 
GRAPE GRAPE GRAPE
Estheban Diaz 10 Feb, 2022 @ 2:21am 
thank you saar
Mozfor 24 Mar, 2021 @ 3:34pm 
holy fuck. crossing gives a solid 120 fps on my machine. on dx11 I barely managed 70fps.
u b i l λ m b d λ 27 Nov, 2020 @ 11:11am 
After turning DX12 ON, apply this for stutter solution:

1.While on Desktop, press Windows Key and type "Exploit Protection" and click "Enter"
2.Click on the "Program Settings" tab
3.Click on The + Add program to customize"
4.Click on "Choose exact file path"
5.Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\sandstorm (or where your game is installed) and choose "Insurgency.exe"
6.Under Programs Settings for "Insurgency.exe", scroll down to "Control Flow Guard" (Never use for Global Settings)
7.Put check mark in "Override System Settings" and TURN IT OFF and apply.
JimmyD 18 Nov, 2020 @ 2:49pm 
DX12 mode won't allow real fullscreen (it's borderless even if it says it isn't)

Doesn't matter to me though because I get much better performance. I went back to DX11 for a little bit and even though it's a little bit prettier, my FPS tanks to mid 20s in Ministry basement because NWI lol.
phrog 17 Nov, 2020 @ 4:31pm 
noice
Weeddrunken  [author] 14 Nov, 2020 @ 2:02am 
Glad it works for some. :nauseachick: :peace:
@Cucken Turducken: streaming pool = off, gave me fps drops. But just try it out, things might change.
TyrλnnoWright 13 Nov, 2020 @ 4:54pm 
Not recommended to use DX12 at all since the game was not optimized or made for with it in mind. Stick with DX11 and do some advanced config tweaks.
Eli The Janitor 13 Nov, 2020 @ 7:01am 
im getting 150 plus now on my 1080ti TY