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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFor shader packs, pair Sodium with Iris. For optimization beyond rendering, consider Lithium; for lower memory use, consider FerriteCore. Indium is only relevant to certain older Sodium setups: it is incompatible with Sodium 0.6.0 and newer. Choose releases that match your Minecraft version and mod loader.
Which mods should you use with Sodium?
Sodium is a client-side rendering optimization mod. Its role is improving how Minecraft renders the game; the best companion depends on what you want to add or optimize.
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| Goal | Mod to consider | Compatibility note |
|---|---|---|
| Use shader packs | Iris | Sodium’s installation guide points to Iris for shader support. Check that the Iris and Sodium releases support your Minecraft version and loader. |
| Optimize systems outside rendering | Lithium | Sodium lists Lithium as an optimization companion for other parts of the game. Match its release to your setup. |
| Reduce memory use | FerriteCore | Its purpose is reducing Minecraft memory use; the amount saved depends on the configuration. |
| Support Fabric Rendering API content on an older Sodium version | Indium, if required | Indium is incompatible with Sodium 0.6.0 and newer, which includes the relevant API support. |
| Optimize lighting on older Minecraft versions | Phosphor | Sodium’s listing recommends it for Minecraft versions below 1.19; it is not a universal recommendation for current versions. |
What each companion adds
Iris for shader packs
Iris is the companion to choose when you want shader-pack support. Confirm that your chosen Iris and Sodium releases are compatible with each other, your Minecraft version, and your loader before installing.
Lithium for broader optimization
Lithium targets optimization beyond Sodium’s rendering role. It is a separate option, not a prerequisite for Sodium.
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FerriteCore for memory use
FerriteCore addresses memory use rather than rendering performance. Its project page reports that, in one All Of Fabric 3 configuration, heap size fell from 1,792 MB to 984 MB after world generation with a fixed seed and a two-minute wait. That is a project-reported result for that configuration, not a typical-result guarantee.
Indium only for older, compatible setups
Indium provides Fabric Rendering API support for combinations where that support is needed. The Sodium installation guide highlights it for Minecraft 1.20 or older with other Fabric mods, but whether it is needed depends on the exact versions and content mods involved. Do not install it with Sodium 0.6.0 or newer: Indium’s project information says those Sodium versions include the relevant API support and are incompatible with Indium.
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- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
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Phosphor for older Minecraft lighting optimization
Sodium’s project listing names Phosphor for Minecraft versions below 1.19. Treat that as an older-version option, not a general add-on recommendation for a current Minecraft installation.
How to choose compatible releases
- Identify your Minecraft version and loader. Loader support varies by mod and Minecraft release, so start with the setup you actually use.
- Choose by goal. Use Iris for shaders, Lithium for optimization outside rendering, or FerriteCore if memory use is the concern. Add Indium only if an older compatible setup needs its rendering API support.
- Check each mod’s official project page. Select releases that explicitly match your Minecraft version and loader, and check Sodium, Iris, and Indium compatibility notes where relevant.
- Add mods and test the content you care about. If a mod’s blocks or items render incorrectly, consult that content mod’s documentation and the relevant Sodium, Iris, or Indium version notes.
What to check if blocks or items render incorrectly
Invisible or incorrectly rendered content can be a compatibility issue involving a mod that uses Fabric Rendering API, but it does not mean every Sodium setup needs Indium. First check the Minecraft version, loader, and release combination; then check whether the affected content mod documents an Indium requirement for that combination. On Sodium 0.6.0 and newer, Indium is incompatible, so do not try to fix the issue by adding it. Look for compatible releases and guidance from the affected mod and the other projects involved.
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- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that is unique in every playthrough.
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- PLAY TOGETHER — Play solo or join friends in local split-screen and cross-platform play across console, mobile, and PC. Online multiplayer supports up to 8 players.
- COMMUNITY PLAY — Connect with players on community servers, or subscribe to Realms Plus (sold separately) to play with up to 10 friends on a private server.
Are these mods required?
No. Iris, Lithium, FerriteCore, Indium, and Phosphor serve different purposes; choose only the ones that fit your needs and version. Sodium’s project describes it as a rendering engine replacement intended to improve frame rates and reduce micro-stutter, but that is the project’s characterization, not a performance result guaranteed for every computer or mod setup.
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