Benchmarks in progress
Every recommendation on this page will come from our own measurements on real PCs, with the patch and date recorded. Until those runs are finished, we show the test plan and the settings features we have confirmed — not numbers copied from elsewhere.
Quick settings by PC tier#
| Setting | Low-end PC | Mid-range PC | High-end PC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall preset | Published after benchmarking | ||
| Render resolution / scaling | Published after benchmarking | ||
| Shadows and effects | Published after benchmarking | ||
| Renderer (Vulkan / DX11) | Published after benchmarking | ||
How we test#
Settings advice is only useful if you know how it was measured. Each run will record:
- The hardware: CPU, GPU, RAM and display resolution for each of 2–3 PC tiers.
- The game patch and the test date.
- The same repeatable scene, so results compare like for like.
- The measurement tool, and average and 1% low FPS.
- The number of runs per setting.
Results for each graphics option — FPS impact, visual impact and our recommendation — will appear in the next section, ordered from biggest to smallest FPS gain.
Graphics settings explained#
This section lists every graphics option with its measured FPS effect. Setting names are being captured from the current client. Pending in-game verification
Game and HUD settings for clarity#
The City Never Sleeps update (29 Sep 2026) added three settings features worth knowing about:
- Shareable settings codes — copy a full settings setup from someone else, or share yours.
- Per-hero settings — different options for different heroes.
- Cloud-saved settings — your setup follows your account.
Once we’ve confirmed codes can be shared publicly, we’ll publish copyable codes for each PC tier. Crosshair, keybind and FOV guides are planned under Settings & controls.
Launch options#
Launch options are set in Steam: right-click Deadlock in your library, choose Properties, and type them into the Launch Options box on the General tab.
We list each option with what it does and whether it helped in our testing. Option syntax is being verified against the current build. Pending in-game verification
Vulkan or DX11?#
Our short recommendation will be based on the benchmark runs above. A deeper comparison is planned at Vulkan vs DX11. Pending in-game verification
System requirements: what you actually need#
- Official minimum
- 64-bit processor and operating system. Everything else is listed as TBD.
- Official recommended
- 64-bit processor and operating system. Everything else is listed as TBD.
Valve hasn’t published full requirements yet. Pages that list exact minimum specs are giving estimates, not official figures. Our tested minimum and recommended hardware — clearly labelled as tested, not official — will be added after benchmarking. Pending in-game verification
FPS capped or settings not saving?#
These general checks apply to most PC games and are worth trying first:
- Stuck at 60 FPS? Check whether V-Sync is on, whether a frame-rate limit is set in the game or your GPU control panel, and that Windows is using your monitor’s full refresh rate.
- On a laptop? Make sure it’s plugged in and using the high-performance GPU.
- Settings not saving? Change settings from the main menu, exit the game normally, and check whether cloud-saved settings are overwriting your local changes.
Deadlock-specific fixes are added as we verify them. Crashes and launch failures are covered in Deadlock not launching or crashing.
FAQ#
What are the best settings for FPS?
Our tier-by-tier recommendations are being benchmarked on the current patch and will be published with the test method and results.
What launch options should I use?
We’re verifying option syntax and testing each one before recommending anything.
Vulkan or DX11?
Our answer will come from benchmark results; see the planned Vulkan vs DX11 comparison.
What are the system requirements?
Valve’s Steam page lists only a 64-bit processor and operating system; the rest is TBD.
Why is my FPS capped at 60?
Usually V-Sync, a frame-rate limit, or Windows running your monitor at 60 Hz. See the checks above.
Why are my settings not saving?
Exit the game normally after changing settings, and check whether cloud-saved settings are replacing your local ones.