Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is one of the most visually stunning games of 2020, thanks to the power of ray tracing. However, this advanced graphics technology can be a major resource hog, causing performance issues and lag on lower-end PCs. If you’re struggling to run the game smoothly, turning off ray tracing might be the solution you need. But how do you do it? In this article, we’ll take you through the step-by-step process of disabling ray tracing in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War on PC.
What is Ray Tracing?
Before we dive into the process of turning it off, let’s talk about what ray tracing is and why it’s a big deal. Ray tracing is a rendering technique that allows for more realistic lighting and reflections in games. It works by simulating the way light behaves in the real world, tracing the path of light as it bounces off various objects in the environment. This results in more accurate and detailed lighting, making the game look more beautiful and immersive.
However, ray tracing is a computationally intensive process that requires a powerful graphics card to run smoothly. If your PC doesn’t have a high-end graphics card, you might experience performance issues, such as low frame rates, lag, and stuttering.
Why Turn Off Ray Tracing?
So, why would you want to turn off ray tracing in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War? Here are a few reasons:
- Improved Performance: As mentioned earlier, ray tracing can be a major resource hog, causing performance issues on lower-end PCs. Turning it off can help improve frame rates and reduce lag.
- Reduced Graphics Card Overheating: Running ray tracing can cause your graphics card to work harder, generating more heat and increasing the risk of overheating. Disabling it can help reduce the load on your graphics card and prevent overheating.
- Increased Compatibility: Some older graphics cards might not be compatible with ray tracing, causing the game to crash or fail to launch. Turning it off can help ensure that the game runs smoothly on older hardware.
How to Turn Off Ray Tracing in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War PC
Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of turning off ray tracing, let’s get to the step-by-step process of doing so.
Step 1: Open the Game Settings
The first step is to open the game settings in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. You can do this by launching the game and clicking on the “Options” button at the top right corner of the screen.
Step 2: Navigate to the Graphics Settings
In the options menu, click on the “Graphics” tab to access the graphics settings. This is where you’ll find all the graphics-related options, including the ray tracing setting.
Step 3: Disable Ray Tracing
In the graphics settings, scroll down to the “Ray Tracing” section. You’ll see a toggle button next to “Ray Tracing”. Click on this button to toggle it off. You’ll know it’s off when the button turns gray.
| Ray Tracing Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| On | Enables ray tracing for more realistic lighting and reflections. |
| Off | Disables ray tracing to improve performance and reduce graphics card load. |
Step 4: Apply Changes and Exit
Once you’ve toggled off ray tracing, click on the “Apply” button to save your changes. Then, exit the options menu and return to the game.
Alternative Methods to Disable Ray Tracing
If you’re having trouble finding the ray tracing setting in the game options, there are a few alternative methods you can try.
Using the NVIDIA Control Panel
If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, you can use the NVIDIA Control Panel to disable ray tracing. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open the NVIDIA Control Panel
You can access the NVIDIA Control Panel by right-clicking on an empty area of the desktop and selecting “NVIDIA Control Panel” from the context menu.
Step 2: Navigate to the “Manage 3D Settings” Tab
In the NVIDIA Control Panel, click on the “Manage 3D settings” tab.
Step 3: Disable Ray Tracing
In the “Manage 3D settings” tab, scroll down to the “Ray tracing” section and toggle off the “Ray tracing” option.
Using the AMD VSync Control Center
If you have an AMD graphics card, you can use the AMD VSync Control Center to disable ray tracing. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open the AMD VSync Control Center
You can access the AMD VSync Control Center by right-clicking on an empty area of the desktop and selecting “AMD VSync Control Center” from the context menu.
Step 2: Navigate to the “Gaming” Tab
In the AMD VSync Control Center, click on the “Gaming” tab.
Step 3: Disable Ray Tracing
In the “Gaming” tab, scroll down to the “Radeon Image Sharpening” section and toggle off the “Ray tracing” option.
Conclusion
Turning off ray tracing in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War can help improve performance and reduce graphics card load. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can disable ray tracing and enjoy a smoother gaming experience. Remember to try out the alternative methods if you’re having trouble finding the ray tracing setting in the game options. Happy gaming!
What is Ray Tracing in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War PC?
Ray Tracing is a graphics feature in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War PC that allows for more realistic and detailed graphics rendering. It simulates the way light behaves in the real world, creating more accurate reflections, shadows, and lighting effects. This feature can greatly enhance the visual experience of the game, but it can also be demanding on system resources.
However, not all systems can handle the demands of Ray Tracing, and it may lead to reduced performance or lag. That’s why some players may want to turn it off to ensure a smoother gaming experience. Fortunately, it’s easy to do so, and we’ll guide you through the process in this article.
Why Should I Turn Off Ray Tracing in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War PC?
There are several reasons why you might want to turn off Ray Tracing in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War PC. One reason is to improve performance. As mentioned earlier, Ray Tracing can be demanding on system resources, and turning it off can help to reduce lag and improve frame rates. Another reason is to reduce power consumption, which can be beneficial for laptops or systems with limited power supply.
Additionally, turning off Ray Tracing can also help to reduce eye strain and improve overall gaming comfort. Some players may find the increased graphics fidelity to be overwhelming or tiring to the eyes, and turning off Ray Tracing can provide a more comfortable gaming experience.
How Do I Know If My System Can Handle Ray Tracing in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War PC?
To determine if your system can handle Ray Tracing in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War PC, you’ll need to check your system’s specs. Ray Tracing requires a powerful graphics card, at least 6 GB of video memory, and a compatible driver. You can check your system’s specs by going to the Control Panel, then clicking on System and Security, and finally clicking on System.
If your system meets the minimum requirements, you can try enabling Ray Tracing to see how it performs. If you experience lag or reduced frame rates, it may be a sign that your system is struggling to handle the demands of Ray Tracing. In that case, turning it off may be the best option.
Will Turning Off Ray Tracing Affect My Gaming Experience?
Turning off Ray Tracing in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War PC will likely affect your gaming experience, but the extent of the impact depends on your system and personal preferences. Without Ray Tracing, the game’s graphics will be less detailed and realistic, which may be noticeable in certain scenarios. However, the trade-off is that you’ll likely experience improved performance and a smoother gaming experience.
If you’re not particularly sensitive to graphics quality or don’t notice the difference, turning off Ray Tracing may not have a significant impact on your gaming experience. On the other hand, if you’re used to playing with Ray Tracing enabled, you may notice the reduced graphics fidelity.
Can I Turn Off Ray Tracing in the Game’s Settings?
Yes, you can turn off Ray Tracing in the game’s settings. To do so, go to the game’s Options menu, then click on Graphics, and finally click on Advanced Graphics. From there, you can toggle Ray Tracing off or adjust the Ray Tracing quality to a lower setting.
Make sure to save your changes and restart the game to ensure that the changes take effect. Note that turning off Ray Tracing may not automatically improve performance, and you may need to make additional adjustments to the game’s settings to optimize your gaming experience.
Will Turning Off Ray Tracing Improve My FPS?
Turning off Ray Tracing in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War PC can potentially improve your frame rates (FPS), but it’s not a guarantee. The impact on FPS depends on various factors, including your system’s specs, the game’s settings, and your monitor’s refresh rate.
If your system is struggling to handle Ray Tracing, turning it off can help to reduce the load on your graphics card and improve FPS. However, if your system is already running the game smoothly with Ray Tracing enabled, turning it off may not make a significant difference.
Can I Turn Off Ray Tracing in the NVIDIA Control Panel?
Yes, you can also turn off Ray Tracing in the NVIDIA Control Panel. To do so, open the NVIDIA Control Panel, click on Manage 3D Settings, and then select the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War executable. From there, you can toggle Ray Tracing off or adjust the Ray Tracing quality to a lower setting.
Note that this method affects the global settings for Ray Tracing and will apply to all games that use this feature, not just Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. Make sure to set the Ray Tracing settings to your preference and restart the game to ensure that the changes take effect.