There is no single best graphics preset for every PC running S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Start with the game’s current official targets—Low at 1080p for 30 FPS on minimum-tier hardware, or High at 1440p for 60 FPS on recommended hardware—then tune resolution, upscaling and visual quality to your system. This guidance reflects Update 2.0 and subsequent patches; older launch-era settings recipes may not describe current performance.
Start with the official PC targets
Valve’s current Steam listing gives practical starting points rather than a guarantee that every PC will hold its target in every location. Its requirements list an SSD and 160 GB of available storage for both tiers. Steam’s system requirements were accessed October 8, 2026.
| Tier | Starting preset and target | Listed hardware | Memory and storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | Low, 1080p, 30 FPS | Intel Core i7-7700K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X; NVIDIA GTX 1060 6 GB, AMD RX 580 8 GB, or Intel Arc A750 | 16 GB dual-channel RAM; SSD; 160 GB available space |
| Recommended | High, 1440p, 60 FPS | Intel Core i7-11700 or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X; NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti, RTX 4070, or AMD RX 6800 XT | 32 GB dual-channel RAM; SSD; 160 GB available space |
If your PC is close to the minimum tier, begin at Low and 1080p, with 30 FPS as the listed target—not a promise of stable performance in every scene. If it is near the recommended tier, start at High and 1440p. If your SSD does not have the listed free space, make room before installation; the storage requirement is not evidence that a faster SSD will raise frame rates.
Why Update 2.0 changes older settings advice
Update 2.0 changed lighting and the game’s visual presentation, so launch-era guides should not be treated as current performance measurements. ComputerBase’s August 19, 2026 comparison shows why performance should be judged on the specific build and graphics card rather than inferred from a single old benchmark. Its 4K results for two tested GPUs moved in different ways:
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- Multi-Platform PC Gaming Controller: Working with Switch, PC, Android, and iOS devices via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle connections.
- Hall Effect Joysticks: Delivering enhanced recentering performance for smoother control and superior anti-drift capability. Plus, with anti-friction rings.
- 2-Way Trigger Lock: With trigger stops, gamers can toggle between short and long pull positions. Additionally, gamers can activate hair trigger mode by pressing M+LT/RT (triggers must be in the long pull position).
- 1000Hz Polling Rate: This ensures that your inputs are registered almost instantaneously, minimizing lag and maximizing your performance during competitive play.
- Mechanical Circular D-pad: Designed for quick reactions and accuracy in every direction, this D-pad elevates your gaming experience with superior responsiveness.
| GPU tested | Version 1.x average FPS | Update 2.0 average FPS | Version 1.x 1% low | Update 2.0 1% low |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti | 91.5 | 86.1 | 69.3 | 72.0 |
| AMD RX 9070 XT | 74.9 | 77.6 | 64.8 | 69.0 |
These are ComputerBase results for its tested cards and 4K comparison, not forecasts for other PCs. They also illustrate that average FPS and 1% lows can move in different directions: a higher average does not necessarily mean smoother frame pacing. For a broader account of the tested changes, see ComputerBase’s Update 2.0 benchmark.
Choose an upscaler that your GPU and game build support
At Update 2.0, ComputerBase reported support for DLSS 4, FSR Upscaling 4.0.2, XeSS, FSR Upscaling 3.1, Unreal Engine TSR and TAAU. The choices available to you can depend on your GPU, game version, driver or software path, and output resolution. Check the current in-game menu rather than assuming every option appears on every system.
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- Supported Multi-Platform:Switch/Switch 2 (NO support wake-up function)/iOS/Android/Windows PC (Notice:Not compatible with Xbox, PlayStation or GeForce Now, For game platforms not mentioned, please consult customer service before buying）
- Connection modes:Wired/Bluetooth/Wireless Dongle(Connect to PC via Bluetooth : Select iOS (phone) mode, but it's not recommended; Dongle is more stable)
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In ComputerBase’s image-reconstruction comparison, DLSS 4 and newer FSR options produced better reconstruction than FSR 3.1 and TSR; DLSS 4 was strongest among the options in that test. That is an image-quality finding from its comparison, not a universal ranking of performance or a guarantee for every resolution and configuration. Compare the output image as well as the frame rate: upscaling can improve performance, but the preferred balance depends on how the result looks to you. See ComputerBase’s Update 2.0 upscaler analysis.
Tune performance for smoothness, not just the FPS counter
Use the official preset as your baseline, then make one graphics change at a time in a repeatable scene. Record both average performance and how consistent motion feels, paying attention to frame-time spikes or dips rather than chasing the highest momentary FPS. If your average is acceptable but movement still feels uneven, the 1% low and frame pacing may be more revealing than the average alone.
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- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
- Set a baseline: choose the official tier’s resolution and preset, then test the same location and route.
- Check your output: if native rendering misses your target, try an upscaler available in your menu and inspect image stability as well as speed.
- Change one option: adjust a single graphics setting, then repeat the same scene so you can attribute the difference.
- Judge the result: compare average FPS, low-percentile behavior and perceived smoothness. Keep a change only if its trade-off suits your priorities.
Do not assume a more powerful GPU eliminates every demanding scene or that one card’s results predict another system’s CPU, GPU or frame-time behavior. The published Update 2.0 comparison covers specific test hardware, not all PC configurations.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check the patch and mods if performance or stability changed
Settings adjustments cannot be relied on to fix crashes or mod conflicts. GSC Game World’s September 18, 2026 Patch 2.0.6 notice describes a minor crash-fix update that backported AMD GPU-related crash fixes and addressed other high-priority crashes. The developer also advises disabling mods if problems begin after an update. Check GSC Game World’s official Steam announcements for patch notes, then test the unmodded game if an update appears to have introduced a problem.
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- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
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