How to optimize Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on Windows 11

Last update: 26/10/2026
Author Isaac
  • High hardware requirements where GPUs like the RTX 4070 are needed for 60 FPS at 1080p.
  • Windows 11 optimization through background process management and high-performance power mode.
  • Balanced graphics settings prioritizing high textures and low shadows along with the use of TSR at 50%.

Modern gaming setup with curved monitor displaying a graphics settings menu and a 144 FPS counter, next to a gaming PC with RGB lighting.

If you've ventured into the world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, you'll know that it's visually stunning, but pushing your PC to its limits can take a toll on the frame rate. There's nothing more frustrating than a sudden FPS drop right in the middle of epic action, especially in a game developed with Unreal Engine 5, which doesn't hold back when it comes to resource consumption.

For a smooth experience and crisp visuals without overheating your graphics card, fine-tuning both Windows 11 and the game's internal settings is essential. Below, we break down all the necessary tweaks and configurations to get the most out of your system and achieve the stable performance you're looking for.

Performance and hardware analysis

According to data collected from extensive testing with various GPUs, the game performs extremely well . For those looking to play at 1080p with maximum settings, an RTX 3070 falls short, hovering around 45 FPS, while achieving a stable 60 FPS at that resolution requires more powerful hardware, such as an RTX 4070 or an RX 7800 XT.

When the resolution is increased to 1440p, the situation becomes more complicated; 8GB cards can experience drastic drops to as low as 29 FPS. Interestingly, VRAM usage isn't the main bottleneck, as even at 4K, usage remains manageable (around 8,5GB with an RTX 5090), suggesting that the performance issues might stem more from software optimization or driver problems than from physical memory.

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Windows 11 System Optimization

Before playing the game, it's vital that the operating system isn't hogging resources. A basic first step is to keep Windows and drivers up to date, paying particular attention to optional updates in Windows Update settings, as these often include critical performance patches.

To reduce workload, it's recommended to clean up storage using Storage Sense or Disk Cleanup, removing temporary files that might slow down data reading. Additionally, opening Task Manager and disabling unnecessary startup applications prevents background processes from consuming CPU and RAM while you play.

Other quick adjustments that make a difference include:

  • Configure the Power mode in Best performance from the power and battery panel.
  • Adjust the system's visual effects by selecting the option Adjust for best performance in the Windows appearance settings.
  • conduct a malware examination to ensure that no threat is secretly consuming processing cycles.
  • Turn off the unnecessary notifications and close any browser tabs you are not using.

Recommended graphics settings to gain FPS

If you notice that the image is blurry or the FPS is fluctuating, there are specific settings that balance visual quality with smoothness. For those using AMD hardware or devices like the ROG Ally, using TSR at 50% is the best scaling option to maintain sharpness without sacrificing performance.

To achieve a consistent frame rate (between 40 and 60 FPS), the following combination of graphics settings is suggested :

  • Textures and Reflections: Keep them up high to preserve the visual impact.
  • Anti aliasing: High setting to avoid jagged edges.
  • Global Illumination and Shading: Set them to Medium.
  • Shadows, Post Processing and Vegetation: Set them to Low, as they are the elements that most impact performance.
  • Visual effects: Medium quality.
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Additionally, for more advanced users, there are external modifications such as VynnGFX's Tweak Boost mod , which optimizes the game engine beyond the standard menus, allowing the title to run much more smoothly even on portable hardware.

By combining a deep clean of Windows 11, the use of intelligent scaling like TSR, and a selective graphics setting that prioritizes textures over shadows, any user can transform a sluggish experience into smooth, crisp gameplay , ensuring that the GPU's power is focused on what really matters visually.