In addition to in-game settings, you can also optimize your graphics driver settings for better performance:
Click your fastest drive (ideally an SSD), select , and set both the Initial and Maximum size to 16000 (equivalent to 16GB). Click Set , then restart your computer. 🔌 Essential Performance Mods
These settings add cinematic flair but degrade performance on low-end hardware. Turn them all : Ambient Occlusion Screen Space Reflections Depth of Field Motion Blur ⚙️ Gameplay and Simulation Optimization cities skylines settings for low end pc better
. This is one of the most taxing settings and often causes significant frame drops. Shadow Quality: . Shadows are extremely GPU-heavy in this game. Level of Detail (LOD):
If you have 8GB of RAM, stick strictly to vanilla assets. Do not download custom building packs or high-detail vehicle models. If you have 16GB of RAM, limit yourself to fewer than 500 custom assets. In addition to in-game settings, you can also
A must-have that optimizes RAM usage and drastically speeds up load times. Mini FPS Booster A lighter alternative specifically for older hardware. 🖥️ Windows & System Tweaks Optimizing your OS can provide a boost depending on your hardware.
For the original Cities: Skylines , specific community mods are highly recommended for low-end hardware: Turn them all : Ambient Occlusion Screen Space
By following these settings and optimizations, you can enjoy a smoother Cities: Skylines experience on low-end PCs. Keep in mind that you might need to make some compromises on graphics quality, but the game should still be enjoyable and challenging.
Cities: Skylines running smoothly on a low-end PC, you should focus on
| Mod Name | Function | RAM overhead | |----------|----------|---------------| | | Removes unnecessary UI redraws, culls off-screen objects | +50 MB | | Loading Screen Mod (LTSM) | Shares textures between assets (requires v1.13+ patch) | -400 MB | | No Radio | Disables radio music script updates | -30 MB CPU |