Async Compute in Helldivers 2 Explained, Should You Turn It Off or On
If you are unsure what Async Compute does in Helldivers 2 and whether you should have this setting on, in this article will find the answer for your questions.
It’s admirable how the creators from Arrowhead Game Studios are handling the development of Helldivers 2. Fans are almost spoiled with how frequently the updates are dished out, containing a lot of new weapons, enemies, or cosmetics. Not only new tech and features are added to the game itself, but we can enjoy additional options to tune the title’s performance, and giving players more accessible and granular control is always something welcomed. If you have noticed a suspicious option called “Async Compute” yet you’re unsure what it does, you’re in the great place to find out!
Async Compute in Helldivers 2 explained
Even though the Async Compute option was always available in Helldivers 2, only recently it became more accessible from the in-game settings menu, as previously it required edition of title’s configuration files. What exactly does it do?
Async Compute is a functionality that lets your GPU handle some tasks that are normally processed by your CPU. Usually enemy AI, pathfinding system and other similar tasks are handled by the CPU, yet when the action gets intense, it may take its toll, saturating all your CPU’s available time and effectively bottlenecking the performance.
Here comes the Async Compute option that allows your GPU, normally focused on rendering graphics, to take some work off CPU’s metaphorical hands. It has the potential to give your game a handful or FPS for free! Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Well, it certainly is, yet it’s worth remembering that it’s not a jack of all trades that should always be turned on no matter what.
When to turn on Async Compute in Helldivers 2
It depends. It is the laziest answer of all time, so let’s elaborate. Since the main goal of the Async Compute functionality is to offload work from your CPU, the answer is – you should turn on this option when you have a relatively old processor. However, if you have new PC components, turning this setting on can hinder your experience and instead of helping, it can cut some of your FPS.
If you are unsure what PC parts you have, don’t be afraid to experiment. If you notice that, when the situation gets intense, your frames fall like crazy, it’s a great sign to give Async Compute a chance. On the other hand, if you have a very modern CPU and the game tends to struggle, check in options to verify if this setting is not switched on by any chance. Some players report that turning it on costs them about 20 FPS.
No matter whether you like to blast your foes with Autocannon or Railgun, if you are stomped by Scout Striders or struggling with cunning Hunters, game’s performance will allow you to control the situation on the battlefield better and maximise your efficiency. Make use of the options that the developers are giving you to unlock your machine’s potential.
