Almost every list of "PUBG FPS boost codes" floating around the internet repeats the same commands: -USEALLAVAILABLECORES, -high, -malloc=system, -sm4, -refresh, -maxMem and -nojoy. The problem is that most of them were copied from guides written for Source engine games such as Counter-Strike. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS runs on Unreal Engine 4 on PC (the Unreal Engine 5 move Krafton announced has not been completed on PC yet) and does not recognise Source commands. Below we explain what each code really does, the two commands that work, and the settings that actually raise your FPS.
Short Answer: Two Commands Are Enough
The line to put in the launch options box is this: -USEALLAVAILABLECORES -malloc=system. Both are parameters Unreal Engine 4 recognises. The gain is usually small; it is reported to be more noticeable on CPUs with six or more cores and on some Windows 11 systems. If stuttering gets worse, delete -malloc=system and keep only the first one.
What Each Code Really Does
| Code | What the lists claim | Reality |
|---|---|---|
-USEALLAVAILABLECORES | Uses every core and ends FPS swings | An Unreal Engine 4 parameter. It can give a small gain on multi-core CPUs; do not expect miracles. Fine to use. |
-malloc=system | Stops stuttering on 8–16 GB of RAM | Uses the Windows memory allocator instead of the game's own. More stable on some systems, no difference on others. Try it; remove it if things get worse. |
-sm4 | Big FPS gains on old graphics cards | It used to force Shader Model 4; Krafton removed the option and it no longer has any effect. Do not use. |
-high | Gives PUBG CPU priority | A Source engine command. It makes no measurable difference in PUBG; Windows already prioritises the game in the foreground. Unnecessary. |
-refresh 144 | Locks to your monitor's refresh rate and prevents tearing | A Source engine command with no equivalent in PUBG. Screen tearing is fixed by V-Sync or G-Sync/FreeSync, not by a launch command. Does nothing. |
-maxMem= | Sets how much RAM the game gets | PUBG has no command that reserves RAM for the game; Windows already hands out memory as needed. Does nothing. |
-nojoy | Disables controller detection to reduce load | A Source engine command with no effect in PUBG. Does nothing. |
Commands that do nothing usually do not harm the game either. But filling the box with useless commands makes it harder to find the cause when something goes wrong, so keeping only the ones that work is the cleanest setup.
How to Add Launch Options in Steam
- Open your Library in Steam.
- Right-click PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS and choose Properties.
- In the General tab, type
-USEALLAVAILABLECORES -malloc=systeminto the Launch Options box. - Close the window and start the game. To see the difference, compare your FPS before and after on the same map in a similar scene.
If the game will not start or crashes, clear the box completely; the game will then launch with its default settings.
In-Game Settings That Actually Raise FPS
In PUBG, your frame rate depends mostly on the graphics menu. These are the values competitive players commonly use:
| Setting | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Render Scale | 100 | Lower blurs the image, higher drops FPS quickly. |
| Anti-Aliasing | Ultra | Cheap, and it makes distant targets clearer. |
| Post-Processing | Very Low | Adds little to the image but costs a lot of FPS. |
| Shadows | Very Low | One of the most expensive settings. |
| Texture | Medium | High is fine if your graphics card has enough memory. |
| Effects | Very Low | Reduces FPS drops during smoke and explosions. |
| Foliage | Very Low | Reduces grass and bush density. |
| View Distance | Medium | So you see distant buildings and vehicles in time. |
| Sharpen | On | Almost free clarity. |
| V-Sync | Off | Adds input lag; use G-Sync/FreeSync if you see tearing. |
Lower Shadows, Post-Processing and Effects first; most of the FPS gain usually comes from those three. Do not lower Anti-Aliasing, though: it costs little and makes it easier to spot a distant opponent.
Windows and Driver Checks
- Update your graphics driver: NVIDIA and AMD may release drivers with improvements after big game updates.
- Turn off overlays: the in-game overlays of Discord, Steam and the NVIDIA app can cause stutter.
- Check your RAM speed: if XMP (Intel) or EXPO (AMD) is off in the BIOS, your memory runs at a low speed; turning it on especially improves your lowest FPS values (1% lows).
- Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling: you can turn it on in the Windows graphics settings; it is worth trying on RTX 30 / RX 6000 series cards and newer.
- Memory Integrity (Core Isolation): turning it off can raise FPS on some systems, but it is a security feature, so decide knowing the risk.
Are These Gift Codes, and Do They Expire?
No. Although some sites share them under a "gift codes" title, these are Steam launch parameters: you do not redeem them anywhere for rewards, and they do not expire. Their effect can only change when the game receives a major update. In-game reward codes are a separate thing and are announced through PUBG's official channels.