- Jul 17, 2025
- 22
- 22
- 15
I have been around the block for many years on this one. Intel (pre-ARC and Iris, as far as I am aware) just sucks with gaming in general. If you have in Internal GPU (might even work on other GPU's) then please read. It might just boost your Potatoe PC a bit to be able to play a wider variety of games. I will give a breakdown on my PC specs and list games that I am playing without problems. Keep in mind I am on a Potatoe PC and FPS are low, but games are comfortably playable. This guide is what I have done on my own PC since upgrading to Windows 11 and seems to be working for me.
My specs are as follow and I will be going through what I do when buying a new game that you can try on your side.
MY POTATOE (lack of a better term)
CPU: Intel Celeron G4900T @2.9GHz
RAM: 4GB (3.75GB usable)
OS: Windows 11 64bit (24h2)
GPU: Intel UHD610 @1366x768
Storage: SSD 500GB (Samsung Evo)
Unit: Lenovo m720q tiny (65Watt PSU)
As can be seen it is a WAY under specs machine for most games.
When the "BIG HUNT" for a new game is there, I do my Homework on each game.
1. Year Released
2. Minimum System Requirements
3. DirectX version
4.Can the game be modded (Will explain)
My CPU release date was April 2018. Any game past 2020 I remove from my list of interests. I have found games newer than the (plus 2) creates problems and are in general unplayable. This does not include updates.
Any game needs more than 8GB RAM needs to be removed from my list as well. Work on x2 your RAM as minimum.
Software I am using on daily basis already installed are:
1. Vulkan SDK (Runs in the background when needed)
2. DXVK (Manual Input)
3. Nvidia PhysX (If the game is incompatible with Vulkan (Only found 1 game incompatible so far) (Runs in the background when needed)
4. Borderless Gaming (Manual Input)
5. Reshade Sweet FX (using the 1.5 default files) (Manual Input)
6. Vortex (When needed)
7. 4GB Patch (When needed, Manual Input)
Windows Changes:
1. Display settings dropped the 60Hz to 59Hz.
2. Power settings set to Max
3. TRD level set to 0 (Registry) (Done this to avoid Windows trying to recover graphic issues. All issues will simply crash the pc)
4. System Cache changed to 16GB (4 times my actual RAM) (Needed for extra space and seems to be doing the trick)
5. Intel GMM settings changed to 1024 (Registry) (Does not show that it works anywhere but without it my games stutter)
Game Installation
Game installation is as normal whether via Steam, GoG or CD. just follow the instructions. I personally have a gaming folder that is excluded in the windows defender scan list. This prevents windows from scanning your games while you play. Once it is installed, start a new game. This is just for the game to finalize all it's needed files and .ini files (if needed). The game will be unplayable at this point (if it even opens at all) If possible. Set the game settings (Graphics) to lowest possible to get an ugly looking game. While the game is open, hit the windows button on your keyboard, open Borderless gaming and select it on the left and add it to auto on the right. Alt+TAB back to your game. Save if needed and exit.
Right click on your game shortcut and open file location. Run 4GB patch and select your game.exe file. It will make a backup so do not worry if it does not work. as a test try starting the game again (from within the ".exe" location) As a rule of thumb I run all my games as Administrator but hardly use the windows compatibility setting. Saying hardly because in some cases it is needed for the game to start. (Usually, Win7SP2 or Win XP compatibility is used on some of the older games). When the game starts, we are ready for the next step. If not, change the windows compatibility and try again. If this fails, then delete the new ".exe" file and rename the original " Exe. Backup" file to just ".exe". Try again. If this happens the game could not be 4GB patched. Usually happens when you try to patch an already x64 game.
Close the game again. if you closed the file location window, reopen it (right click shortcut and file location) I must add here that if it is a STEAM game it can be found in Program files (x86) > Steam > Steam apps >Common and the file location on the desktop will just take you to "Noman's land"
Confirm that Vulkan SDK is running. Open CMD by Win+R (or search) and type "VulkanInfo"(No Exclamation marks. This should give you a full list of what Vulkan is busy with. Close Command and open DXVK compressed file. In here you have a x64 and x32 folder. Current version is "dxvk-2.7.tar.gz" and can be opened with WinRAR. I have thus far just been using the 64bit version of it. Even on the older games so I am assuming it is OS dependent but could be wrong. Someone might shed some light on it. Copy the "dxgi.dll" and d3d(X).dll files to your game location folder. X being the Direct X version you need. I read on GitHub that that DX12 and Vulkan are using similar technologies so there is no DXVK for a DX12.
Start you game again. I have found that start takes a bit long at this point (First time only). Once open you are now running your game in Vulkan. The minimal resource loss on Vulkan SDK running in the background is worth it. Now change settings of the graphics inside the game. I step incremental but must add I prefer not going below 90 Scaling. After each change test it. If you hit a stutter or lag, drop the setting you changed by 1. Remember Sun rays etc. eats Vram so start by removing them and adding them 1 by one as needed.
You should now have a constant playable game at about 10 to 20FPS (On Potatoe PC this is great BTW). Graphics quality will be fair (Had compliments on some of my games graphics quality although must say they are console players which is a field I have never tried in my life) and lagging and stuttering removed.
If you need more FPS or are unable to get rid of the lags/stutters. You need to start changing textures. Before I use Reshade I check in nexus mods (Vortex) if there are any smaller textures already made for the game. I truly cannot see why I need 4096 textures if I can have a smooth gameplay at 128 or 64bit textures with minimal quality loss (Screen is a bit brighter and game seems a bit more Anime (AGAIN for Potatoe PC this is great). Install the textures as per the creators' instructions and while you are in Vortex add the mods (not graphic related) you would like to have that is available.
If there are no smaller textures available, then install Reshade into the game folder. I use the default 1.5 folder and does what I want it to do.
On my machine specs I am currently playing:
Skyrim AE - Medium settings
Dragon Age Inquisition - Medium Settings
ETS2 (1.55) - High Settings
Fallout 4 - Medium Settings
Fallout Shelter - High Settings
7 Days to die - Medium Settings
Farming Simulator 19 - Low settings
Divinity 2 DKS - Extreme Settings
Several other steam titles that I download and upload due to space problems.
And busy setting up Horizon Zero Dawn Complete edition. It is a work in progress at the moment but pretty much have most of the "Mods" I need to run the game.
Hope this helps and allow you to expand your "Game Hunting" experience. I am not a PC "GURU" nor a Professional Gamer but will try and reply when and where my minimum knowledge allows me to.
P.S. I have never owned a "proper" GPU in my life but has always managed to play the games I like smoothly.
My specs are as follow and I will be going through what I do when buying a new game that you can try on your side.
MY POTATOE (lack of a better term)
CPU: Intel Celeron G4900T @2.9GHz
RAM: 4GB (3.75GB usable)
OS: Windows 11 64bit (24h2)
GPU: Intel UHD610 @1366x768
Storage: SSD 500GB (Samsung Evo)
Unit: Lenovo m720q tiny (65Watt PSU)
As can be seen it is a WAY under specs machine for most games.
When the "BIG HUNT" for a new game is there, I do my Homework on each game.
1. Year Released
2. Minimum System Requirements
3. DirectX version
4.Can the game be modded (Will explain)
My CPU release date was April 2018. Any game past 2020 I remove from my list of interests. I have found games newer than the (plus 2) creates problems and are in general unplayable. This does not include updates.
Any game needs more than 8GB RAM needs to be removed from my list as well. Work on x2 your RAM as minimum.
Software I am using on daily basis already installed are:
1. Vulkan SDK (Runs in the background when needed)
2. DXVK (Manual Input)
3. Nvidia PhysX (If the game is incompatible with Vulkan (Only found 1 game incompatible so far) (Runs in the background when needed)
4. Borderless Gaming (Manual Input)
5. Reshade Sweet FX (using the 1.5 default files) (Manual Input)
6. Vortex (When needed)
7. 4GB Patch (When needed, Manual Input)
Windows Changes:
1. Display settings dropped the 60Hz to 59Hz.
2. Power settings set to Max
3. TRD level set to 0 (Registry) (Done this to avoid Windows trying to recover graphic issues. All issues will simply crash the pc)
4. System Cache changed to 16GB (4 times my actual RAM) (Needed for extra space and seems to be doing the trick)
5. Intel GMM settings changed to 1024 (Registry) (Does not show that it works anywhere but without it my games stutter)
Game Installation
Game installation is as normal whether via Steam, GoG or CD. just follow the instructions. I personally have a gaming folder that is excluded in the windows defender scan list. This prevents windows from scanning your games while you play. Once it is installed, start a new game. This is just for the game to finalize all it's needed files and .ini files (if needed). The game will be unplayable at this point (if it even opens at all) If possible. Set the game settings (Graphics) to lowest possible to get an ugly looking game. While the game is open, hit the windows button on your keyboard, open Borderless gaming and select it on the left and add it to auto on the right. Alt+TAB back to your game. Save if needed and exit.
Right click on your game shortcut and open file location. Run 4GB patch and select your game.exe file. It will make a backup so do not worry if it does not work. as a test try starting the game again (from within the ".exe" location) As a rule of thumb I run all my games as Administrator but hardly use the windows compatibility setting. Saying hardly because in some cases it is needed for the game to start. (Usually, Win7SP2 or Win XP compatibility is used on some of the older games). When the game starts, we are ready for the next step. If not, change the windows compatibility and try again. If this fails, then delete the new ".exe" file and rename the original " Exe. Backup" file to just ".exe". Try again. If this happens the game could not be 4GB patched. Usually happens when you try to patch an already x64 game.
Close the game again. if you closed the file location window, reopen it (right click shortcut and file location) I must add here that if it is a STEAM game it can be found in Program files (x86) > Steam > Steam apps >Common and the file location on the desktop will just take you to "Noman's land"
Confirm that Vulkan SDK is running. Open CMD by Win+R (or search) and type "VulkanInfo"(No Exclamation marks. This should give you a full list of what Vulkan is busy with. Close Command and open DXVK compressed file. In here you have a x64 and x32 folder. Current version is "dxvk-2.7.tar.gz" and can be opened with WinRAR. I have thus far just been using the 64bit version of it. Even on the older games so I am assuming it is OS dependent but could be wrong. Someone might shed some light on it. Copy the "dxgi.dll" and d3d(X).dll files to your game location folder. X being the Direct X version you need. I read on GitHub that that DX12 and Vulkan are using similar technologies so there is no DXVK for a DX12.
Start you game again. I have found that start takes a bit long at this point (First time only). Once open you are now running your game in Vulkan. The minimal resource loss on Vulkan SDK running in the background is worth it. Now change settings of the graphics inside the game. I step incremental but must add I prefer not going below 90 Scaling. After each change test it. If you hit a stutter or lag, drop the setting you changed by 1. Remember Sun rays etc. eats Vram so start by removing them and adding them 1 by one as needed.
You should now have a constant playable game at about 10 to 20FPS (On Potatoe PC this is great BTW). Graphics quality will be fair (Had compliments on some of my games graphics quality although must say they are console players which is a field I have never tried in my life) and lagging and stuttering removed.
If you need more FPS or are unable to get rid of the lags/stutters. You need to start changing textures. Before I use Reshade I check in nexus mods (Vortex) if there are any smaller textures already made for the game. I truly cannot see why I need 4096 textures if I can have a smooth gameplay at 128 or 64bit textures with minimal quality loss (Screen is a bit brighter and game seems a bit more Anime (AGAIN for Potatoe PC this is great). Install the textures as per the creators' instructions and while you are in Vortex add the mods (not graphic related) you would like to have that is available.
If there are no smaller textures available, then install Reshade into the game folder. I use the default 1.5 folder and does what I want it to do.
On my machine specs I am currently playing:
Skyrim AE - Medium settings
Dragon Age Inquisition - Medium Settings
ETS2 (1.55) - High Settings
Fallout 4 - Medium Settings
Fallout Shelter - High Settings
7 Days to die - Medium Settings
Farming Simulator 19 - Low settings
Divinity 2 DKS - Extreme Settings
Several other steam titles that I download and upload due to space problems.
And busy setting up Horizon Zero Dawn Complete edition. It is a work in progress at the moment but pretty much have most of the "Mods" I need to run the game.
Hope this helps and allow you to expand your "Game Hunting" experience. I am not a PC "GURU" nor a Professional Gamer but will try and reply when and where my minimum knowledge allows me to.
P.S. I have never owned a "proper" GPU in my life but has always managed to play the games I like smoothly.
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