A newly released cooperative survival title, The Day Before, has faced criticism for FPS drops and suboptimal optimization on high-end hardware. After experiencing similar issues firsthand, a practical guide was assembled to outline the graphics settings that can help maximize performance. This article explains which features to disable or enable to achieve smoother gameplay.
System requirements
Before buying, it is wise to verify the game’s system requirements. If a PC falls short of the minimum specs, performance problems are likely to appear during play.
Minimum requirements
Minimum specs set the entry bar. In practice, players may still encounter frame drops and occasional freezes on these settings.
- Operating system: Windows 10 (64-bit)
- CPU: Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD equivalent
- RAM: 16GB
- Video card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD equivalent
- DirectX: Version 12
- Network: Broadband internet connection
- Disk space: 55GB
- Additionally: An SSD is recommended
Recommended requirements
- Operating system: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
- CPU: Intel Core i7-8700 or AMD equivalent
- RAM: 16GB
- Video card: NVIDIA GeForce 1080 Ti or AMD equivalent
- DirectX: Version 12
- Network: Broadband internet connection
- Disk space: 55GB
- Additionally: An SSD is recommended
How to fix freezes and increase FPS
The Day Before is an open world multiplayer survival game created by Fntastic and published by MyTona. The setting is a post apocalyptic city following a devastating pandemic. Players assume the role of survivors who explore, scavenge, and build. While the concept is compelling, optimization has been a major hurdle, with crashes and freezes persisting on many systems.
Install the latest graphics driver
Graphics drivers can resolve many issues, from minor stutters to significant FPS drops. If the latest driver is already installed but problems persist, a clean reinstall can help. Follow these steps to perform a clean driver install.
- Open the Control Panel
- Go to Add or Remove Programs
- Select the current driver and uninstall it
- Download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s official site (NVIDIA/AMD/INTEL)
- Run a clean installation
- Restart the PC
Install DirectX
DirectX libraries are essential for stable 3D apps, including The Day Before. Windows updates typically install the latest DirectX, but manual installation may be needed in some cases. Visit the official Microsoft site to obtain the latest DirectX package, then restart the device after installation.
Install Visual C++ Redistributables
Microsoft Visual C++ redistributables are a cornerstone for many modern applications. Check the official site for the necessary packages and install them, then reboot the system.
Close background applications
Background programs can consume CPU, memory, and bandwidth. Before launching the game, terminate nonessential processes to free up resources. For example, close web browsers and check Task Manager to end unnecessary processes on Windows 10 or 11.
Run the game on DirectX 11
DirectX is often set to the latest version by default, but on lower spec machines it can cause stalls. Running The Day Before on DirectX 11 may stabilize performance.
Steps to enable DirectX 11:
- Open Steam
- Find The Day Before in the library
- Right-click and choose Properties
- In General, locate Start Options
- Enter -dx11 (without quotes)
- Launch the game
This adjustment has helped many players reduce severe freezes and stutters, though minor dips can still occur.
Best graphics settings for The Day Before
There is no universal preset that fixes every configuration. Even strong systems can experience freezes. The guide provides a solid starting point, but users should also test settings on their own machine.
Resolution and screen mode
Set the resolution to match the monitor. For high-end PCs with 2K or 4K displays, testing 1080p can offer smoother frame rates. In Screen mode, choose Full Screen to maximize available resources for the game.
Set NVIDIA image scaling
Owners of budget GPUs in the RTX 20 or 30 series should consider enabling this feature with Balanced as the balance point. Visual fidelity remains good while performance improves noticeably.
Set up NVIDIA DLSS
DLSS can dramatically affect image quality, especially in Balanced mode. If this option does not suit the setup, try Performance or Ultra Performance. While some sharpness may be lost, the result is steadier FPS and fewer freezes. Developers may optimize further in the future.
For high-end hardware, DLAA can be used to maintain native resolution and improve image clarity.
Set up NVIDIA Reflex
Enabling Reflex may not show a dramatic difference in every case, but it can add a few extra frames. It does not eliminate freezes or stuttering entirely.
Vertical synchronization
Because The Day Before is an online shooter, VSync is not advised. It can cap the frame rate to match the monitor, wasting resources and potentially reducing performance during intense moments.
Graphics settings
The following values serve as a practical baseline where freezes are minimized and frame drops occur mainly when moving between city areas. Users should adapt based on their PC configuration.
- Texture quality: Medium
- Effect quality: Medium
- Shadow quality: Low
- Shader quality: Medium or Low
- Anti-aliasing: Medium if available
- Post-processing: Low
- Texture sheet: Low
- Distance quality: Medium to High
- Reflection quality: Low
This guide aims to help players address optimization challenges in The Day Before. While the game remains technically unstable on many systems, the recommended tweaks offer a path to more consistent performance. If any inaccuracy is found or readers wish to contribute, comments are welcome.
Other guides
- How to enable the Russian language and voice acting in The Day Before