There is no source-backed universal “best” graphics preset for The First Descendant on PC. Start by checking whether your system meets the game’s published hardware baseline, then tune the settings in the live game to your resolution and performance goal. Available documentation confirms that NVIDIA graphics features were included at launch in July 2024, but it does not establish today’s full menu or the frame-rate cost of each setting.
Check your PC against the published requirements
A third-party requirements guide lists the following PC specifications. Nexon’s official support page links to a requirements image, but its specifications are not available in accessible page text, so treat the detailed figures below as the guide’s claims rather than a verified transcription of Nexon’s current requirements.
| Tier | Processor | Memory | Graphics | Other requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | Intel Core i5-3570 or AMD FX-8350 | 8 GB RAM | GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or Radeon RX 570, each with 4 GB video memory | Windows 10 x64 20H2; DirectX 12; at least 50 GB free storage; SSD installation recommended |
| Recommended | Intel Core i7-7700K or AMD Ryzen 5 2600X | 16 GB RAM | GeForce RTX 2060 or Radeon RX 5600 XT | Not stated in the guide |
Source for both tiers: PCGameBenchmark’s The First Descendant requirements guide. These specifications do not guarantee a particular frame rate, resolution, or graphics preset. They are also not evidence that any listed component is a good-value purchase today.
What the guide says about automatic quality
The same third-party guide says the game automatically adjusts graphics quality at startup. It also says minimum-spec systems with less than 8 GB of system memory or 6 GB of video memory are locked to Low, and that integrated graphics are inadequate. These details may depend on the game build; check the current PC version rather than assuming the behavior or limits are unchanged.
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Choose settings around your goal
Use the current in-game options as the authority for what your build supports. The available documentation does not establish a complete, current menu inventory or a tested ranking of settings by performance cost, so avoid treating any fixed combination as a proven best preset. Make one change at a time and compare in the same gameplay situation.
- Resolution and frame rate: Decide whether your priority is a sharper image at your display’s native resolution or a higher, steadier frame rate. A setting that feels acceptable at one resolution may not suit another.
- Clarity and upscaling: If the game offers an upscaling option on your system, compare its image to native rendering at the resolution you actually play. The available sources do not establish a universally best mode.
- Visual effects and headroom: Ray-traced effects can be visually demanding. If performance is short of your target, test turning effects down or off individually, then keep the change only if it improves play without an unacceptable visual trade-off.
- Latency and smoothness: Judge responsiveness as well as the frame-rate counter. A high average does not by itself establish consistent delivery or low input latency.
What NVIDIA documented at launch
In a July 2, 2024 announcement, NVIDIA said The First Descendant launched with DLSS 3.5, including Ray Reconstruction, DLAA, Reflex, and ray tracing. It described ray-traced reflections, ambient occlusion, and shadows. This is launch-era vendor documentation, not confirmation that every option is in the current menu or available on every graphics card.
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NVIDIA’s announcement said DLSS Super Resolution supports RTX GPUs and Frame Generation supports RTX 40 Series users in that launch context. Consult the live game menu and your GPU’s compatibility information before choosing a feature; the announcement should not be read as a current, exhaustive compatibility list.
Put NVIDIA’s performance figures in context
NVIDIA reported average frame-rate multipliers for RTX 40 Series desktop graphics cards in its 2024 announcement. At 4K, it reported 2.7× with DLSS 3.5, every setting maxed, and all three ray-traced effects enabled. It reported 2× at 2560×1440 and 1.9× at 1920×1080. These are vendor measurements, not independent benchmarks or expected gains for all players; the cited setup for the 4K figure should not be generalized to other resolutions, hardware, or settings.
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NVIDIA also said Reflex can reduce PC latency by up to 55% in the game. That is a vendor claim, not an independent measurement. The launch coverage and figures are in NVIDIA’s July 2, 2024 GeForce News announcement and its Reflex coverage.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Update graphics drivers through the GPU maker
Nexon recommends current graphics drivers and links players to NVIDIA and AMD driver sources on its official support page. Use the driver channel provided by your GPU manufacturer rather than an unverified download mirror. Driver updates can address compatibility, but they do not guarantee a particular performance improvement.
Quick Recap
A practical tuning sequence
- Check your hardware: Compare your processor, RAM, GPU, and available storage with the published baseline above; use the official support page for current information where available.
- Set a target: Choose the resolution you intend to play at and decide whether image quality, frame rate, or responsiveness matters most to you.
- Inspect the current menu: Note which options and NVIDIA features are actually available on your build and hardware. Do not assume launch-era feature documentation describes the present menu.
- Establish a baseline: Play a repeatable section with your current settings and note frame-rate behavior and visual quality.
- Change one option: Adjust a single setting or feature, then revisit the same gameplay situation. Keeping conditions similar makes the comparison more useful.
- Keep or revert: Retain the change only if it moves you toward your target without a visual or responsiveness trade-off you dislike. Repeat as needed; the available evidence does not support a universal preset.
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