The right setup depends on which PC edition you own. Dark Souls: Remastered has an official 1080p, 60 FPS system target, so start with the game’s own settings. The original Prepare to Die Edition (PTDE) has fewer built-in options; DSfix can raise its internal rendering resolution and target up to 60 FPS, but unlocking the frame rate carries gameplay and visual risks.
First, identify your PC edition
Check the game’s name in your library before changing settings or installing a mod. PTDE and Remastered are separate PC releases, and the relevant advice is different:
| Edition or option | Resolution and frame-rate starting point | Compatibility and trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition (PTDE) | Use DSfix to configure internal rendering resolution and, if desired, a frame-rate target up to 60 FPS. PCGamingWiki describes PTDE as having few configurable options. Source: PCGamingWiki; DSfix listing. | Requires a compatible game build and careful file placement. The mod author warns that FPS unlocking can cause gameplay side effects, including collision problems; visual artifacts are also possible. Source: DSfix listing; DSfix configuration documentation. |
| Dark Souls: Remastered | Steam lists both low and recommended system targets at 60 FPS and 1080p; low settings are the minimum target and high settings the recommended target. Source: Steam system requirements. | Use the stock game as the practical 60 FPS reference. Community FPS-unlock mods are optional, advanced modifications; their listings do not establish universal reliability or safety. |
Set up PTDE with DSfix
Install it in the game folder
DSfix’s original instructions say to place DINPUT8.dll beside DARKSOULS.exe and edit DSfix.ini. In the example Steam installation, both belong in the game’s DATA directory. Confirm the correct folder for your installation rather than assuming every copy has the same path. DSfix installation instructions
- Check that the listing supports your exact PTDE build. The separate listing titled “DSFix 3.0 – Modern System Fixes and More” says it supports only the latest Steam version of PTDE; its author warns that retail/GFWL builds will not hook properly. These are the listing author’s claims, not independently verified results. Read the archive manual and compatibility notes before installing. DSFix 3.0 listing
- Put the required DSfix files beside
DARKSOULS.exein the appropriate game directory, then openDSfix.inito choose settings. - Start with your monitor’s native resolution. Adjust the internal rendering resolution in the INI only if you want a different render target and your system can handle it; DSfix performance scales with framebuffer size, so higher render resolutions can be more demanding. DSfix listing
- Disable the game’s own antialiasing when using DSfix. The mod author recommends this to avoid graphical issues. DSfix instructions
- Keep the frame-rate limit at 60 FPS or below. DSfix’s configuration warns against setting it much higher because the engine can develop problems. DSfix configuration documentation
Know the visual and gameplay compromises
DSfix is a practical way to improve PTDE’s rendering options, not a guarantee of a flawless modern display. Its listing notes that the sun may render incorrectly at vertical resolutions above 720 in some circumstances, and custom HUD settings can mishandle elements such as the curse symbol. Results and performance vary with the system and framebuffer size. DSfix listing
#1 Best Overall
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FPS unlocking is the more consequential trade-off. According to the DSfix configuration, unlocking modifies game code in memory and can have unintended gameplay effects, including collision-detection failures. The author specifically advises against sliding down ladders while using the unlock. For a conservative playthrough, leave the unlock off; if you use it, stay at or below 60 FPS and treat ladder interactions with caution. DSfix configuration documentation
Use Remastered’s 60 FPS target as the baseline
For Dark Souls: Remastered, Steam lists 60 FPS at 1080p on low settings as the minimum system target and 60 FPS at 1080p on high settings as the recommended target. These are published system requirements, not measured benchmark results or a promise that every PC will achieve those settings. Steam requirements
Rank #2
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Start with the game’s own settings and the target appropriate to your hardware. A separate Nexus Mods listing advertises “DS1 FPS Unlock – Remastered (DX11)” for Remastered and PTDE, with claims including 120 or 240 FPS and physics fixes. Those are mod-listing claims: the available listing does not establish independent testing, online compatibility, safety, or reliable behavior across configurations. Consider it an experimental community modification, not a necessary setting or a verified upgrade over the stock 60 FPS reference. FPS-unlock mod listing
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot PTDE issues carefully
DSfix does not load or the game crashes
The original DSfix listing recommends checking that the DLL and INI are in the correct game folder, restoring default INI settings, and turning off overlays that manipulate Direct3D. If FPS unlocking causes a crash, the listing also mentions disabling Windows Data Execution Prevention (DEP). That changes a Windows security setting, so do not treat it as a routine fix: understand the security implications and prefer leaving the unlock disabled if the game works without it. These are the mod author’s troubleshooting suggestions. DSfix troubleshooting notes
Rank #3
- Take on the role of the Herald, Pyromancer, or Warrior as you navigate the haunted ruins of The Sunless City. Your ultimate challenge?
- A brutal battle against the formidable Dragon Slayer Ornstein and the fearsome Executioner Smough.
- 1-3 players
- 100 minutes + play time
- Ages: 14+
Online disconnects and achievement display
The PTDE PC manual says that if the game’s frame rate stays below 15 for 30 seconds, it disconnects the player from the online session and returns to the title screen. This is a legacy PTDE manual note, not guidance established here for Remastered. PTDE PC manual
The same manual describes a possible problem displaying achievements in full-screen mode and suggests trying windowed mode, while warning that this workaround does not always solve the issue. PTDE PC manual
Quick Recap
Best Value
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