Total War: Graphics FAQs

Updated 05 January 2024 15:57

Trouble configuring your Total War graphics settings? Crashing when you try to make changes? Don't worry, we've got a workaround for you! You can manually tweak your preferences to get back to the battlefield. Here's a step-by-step guide to show you how.

Lets begin with adjusting the graphical settings of the game which can be done through the preferences script file as referenced below. This file stores all your graphical settings for your Total War game. Changes within this file will be reflected in your game.

DISCLAIMER: Before changing any files from your game, your game should be shut down completely.

How to find your preference.script

Make sure to enable the option to find hidden files and folders:
- open Windows explorer and click on "View". Check the Box next to "Hidden items"
Go to Start->Search and type run
A new window will pop up and type in: appdata
this will open the appdata folder
Go to folder: Roaming
Go to folder: The Creative Assembly
Go to folder: [NAME OF TOTAL WAR GAME]
Go to folder: scripts
open preferences.script.txt

Once you have opened the preference.script file (It’s a text file) you need to change the right line to change the graphics setting you wanted to change:

DISCLAIMER: if you want to test any changes in this file, please make a copy of it before changing anything as The Creative Assembly cannot be held responsible for any issues caused if you modify game files.

To change the game’s screen resolution:

Find the following lines: (1920 and 1080 are the current game resolution in this example, your numbers might differ.)

x_res 1920; # x_res <int32>, Fixed window width #
y_res 1080; # y_res <int32>, Fixed window height #

Change those numbers by your preferred resolution.
Press at the same time the “Ctrl” and “S” buttons of your keyboard to save this file.
Close the file and launch the game to verify it worked as intended.

To change from full screen to window mode or vice versa:

Find the following line:

gfx_fullscreen true; # gfx_fullscreen <bool>, Run the application in fullscreen or not #

Change the “True” to “False” to have the game in windowed mode, or set it to true to play the game in full screen. (Write False or True instead of the opposite.)
Press at the same time the “Ctrl” and “S” buttons of your keyboard to save this file.
Close the file and launch the game to verify it worked as intended.

To change the unlimited Video Memory option:

Find the following line:

gfx_unlimited_video_memory true; # gfx_unlimited_video_memory <bool>, Enable unlimited video memory allocation #

Change the “True” to “False” to deactivate the Unlimited Video Memory option, or set it to true to activate it. (Write False or True instead of the opposite.)
Press at the same time the “Ctrl” and “S” buttons of your keyboard to save this file.
Close the file and launch the game to verify it worked as intended.

Please bear in mind that deactivating this option might secretly downgrade your graphics settings. IF the graphics do not live up to your expectancy try running the game with the unlimited video memory option activated.

Low resolution texture when running on extreme quality

If you are experiencing low resolution textures when running on extreme quality, it’s most likely that you don’t have enough video memory.
You can force an override by ticking the unlimited video memory tick box in the advanced graphics settings however this may impact performance.

To change the V-sync option:

Find the following line:

Originally Posted by V-sync

gfx_vsync false; # gfx_vsync <bool>, vertical synchronization #

Change the “False” to “True” to activate the V-sync option, or set it to “false” to deactivate it. (Write False or True instead of the opposite.)
Press at the same time the “Ctrl” and “S” buttons of your keyboard to save this file.
Close the file and launch the game to verify it worked as intended.

If you are experiencing any issues with your graphics settings after reading this, please contact us with as much information as possible, including which part of this FAQ you followed. Please have your DxDiag attached to your request.

Additionally, please make sure that your graphic drivers are always updated.

Out-of-date drivers can cause serious performance issues, including crashing or failing to launch.

Updating your graphics drivers

Listed below are links to common video and sound card vendors;

Note: To confirm the vendor of either your video or sound card click here.

DISPLAY:

Nvidia

Go to Nvidia's Driver Support page.
Follow either Option 1 (manually entering device information) or Option 2 (automatically scan and detect device information) to determine the appropriate software version.
Download the software installer and run it, following any directions or prompts.

AMD/Radeon

Go to AMD's Driver Support page.
Ether manually enter your device information under "Download Drivers" on the right or download the tool to automatically scan and detect your device information from the central column.
Download the suggested software installer and run it, following any directions or prompts.

Intel

Go to Intel's Driver Support page.
Ether manually enter your device information under "Find downloads by product name" or use the tool to automatically scan and detect your device information from the top of the page.
Download the suggested software installer and run it, following any directions or prompts.

SOUND:

Realtek

Go to Realtek's Driver Support page.
Select the driver in accordance with your Windows operating system.
Accept the terms and enter a corresponding email address.

Check your email mailbox; look for an email will a subject header of, [Realtek] Download link from noreply@realtek.com.
Click on the download link contained with the email,

NOTE: The download link is user specific with a lifespan of 5 minutes that will become invalid after the 1^st successful download. Above process can be repeated!

Run the installer, following all prompts and instructions.

Note: Ensure a clean product installation. File corruption is a common cause of game problems and can be avoided by uninstalling any previous installation of the product from the hard drive. Always use the Uninstall option through the set up program if it has one.

Why should I set a preferred graphics processor for my game?

If your computer is equipped with both an integrated and dedicated GPU, we always recommend that you use the dedicated graphics card. Integrated GPUs may lack the processing power required to run intensive games as they may not be designed specifically towards gaming.

Imagine you're commanding a vast Roman legion facing off against barbarian hordes.

Integrated graphics: It's like sending your troops into battle with rusty swords and wicker shields. They might hold for a while, but against a determined enemy, they'll struggle. Framerates will stutter, textures will blur, and victory could slip through your fingers.
Dedicated graphics cards: Now, unleash your legion equipped with gleaming gladii and ironclad loricas. Every soldier moves with crisp clarity, their blades flashing as they cut through the enemy ranks. Smooth framerates and sharp visuals let you strategize in real-time, react to every skirmish, and claim a glorious victory.

For a true Total War experience, you need the muscle of a dedicated graphics card. Don't settle for pixelated legions struggling against graphical barbarians. Update your settings as referenced below and command the battlefield with stunning detail and unstoppable power.

Setting a preferred graphics processor for your Total War game with Nvidia

To set a preferred Graphics processor for your Total War game, using Nvidia' Control Panel:

Ensure that you have the latest GPU drivers from either your Laptop’s manufacturer’s official website or Nvidia’s website.
Right click on the desktop and select ‘NVIDIA Control Panel’ Then click ‘Manage 3D Settings’ (on the left hand side).
Once the Manage 3D Settings page has launched, look for the executable of the game in the drop-down box underneath “1. Select a program to customize” and left-click on it. If it is not listed, either launch your Total War game then return to the 3D Settings menu, or select ‘Add’, then ‘Browse’ and navigate to the Steam App folder of your Total War game (commonly “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\ [NAME OF TOTAL WAR GAME]”) and select the executable of the game.
Under ‘2. Select the preferred graphics processor for this program’ select the GPU you wish to use to run the game (For the best performance but higher power-consumption, select High-Performance NVIDIA processor).
Once you have selected your preference, click ‘Apply’ in the bottom right corner to confirm & apply.

Also please connect your AC power cable to your laptop.

NOTE: Some laptop computers will not run with the second more powerful discrete graphics card unless connected to the mains AC.

Setting a preferred graphics processor for your Total War game with AMD

To set a preferred graphics processor for your Total War game, using AMD Switchable Graphics Technology:

Ensure that you have the latest GPU drivers from either your Laptop’s manufacturer’s official website or AMD’s website.
Right-click on the desktop and select ‘AMD Radeon Settings’.
Select 'Preferences' and then 'Radeon Additional Settings'.
Navigate to Power and select Switchable Graphics Application Settings to see a list of recent applications and which GPU they are using. Search for the games start exe file and choose 'High performance'.
If the games exe is not found in the list, please add it manually. Navigate to Radeon Settings > Preferences > Additional Settings > Power > Switchable Graphics Application Settings and the click Add Application and navigate to the games folder and select the games exe file.
Once you have selected your preference, click ‘Apply’ in the bottom right corner to confirm & apply.