The Optimal Launch Guide for Euro Truck Simulator 2 in 2024

As an ETS2 enthusiast with hundreds of hours behind the virtual wheel, I‘m regularly asked, "What should I launch Euro Truck Simulator 2 with for the best performance?" After continued testing and research, I can confidently say that DirectX 11 mode on a quad core CPU plus discrete GPU offers the ultimate balance of eye candy and buttery smooth frame rates for virtual trucking glory in ETS2.

DirectX 11 Over DirectX 9 for Better Graphics and FPS

While DirectX 9 is the default graphics API, switching over to DirectX 11 enables stunning graphical enhancements with minimal impact on frames per second. Here‘s a snapshot of the differences in image quality and frame rates between the two options:

As you can see from tests on a RTX 3070, DX11 offers vastly improved lighting, textures, shadows and overall image quality while still staying very close in FPS performance to DX9.

Unless you‘re GPU bottlenecked, DirectX 11 is my top recommendation for playing ETS2.

Quad Core CPU Should be the Minimum

While ETS2‘s minimum CPU requirement is a dual core processor, upgrading to a modern quad core unlocked CPU removes potential bottlenecks, especially in dense urban areas.

Here‘s an example from Tom‘s Hardware comparing frame rates across different Intel CPUs:

The quad core i5-11400 offers a whopping 77% fps boost over the dual core i3-10100, allowing much higher graphics settings. Faster CPUs like the i7-11700K stretch those limits even further.

I suggest splurging on the best quad core CPU you can afford if virtual trucking is your passion – you won‘t regret it once the open road beckons!

My Top Graphics Settings for Mainstream GPUs

Owning a powerful graphics card like the RTX 3070 Ti is pointless unless you fine tune ETS2‘s graphics for an optimal visual fidelity versus high FPS balance.

Through extensive testing, I‘ve dialed in the best settings for buttery smooth ETS2 gameplay on some of today‘s most popular GPUs.

For the RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6700 XT at 1080p, use the High preset with these changes:

• Texture quality: High
• Anisotropic filtering: 16x
• Shadow quality: High
• Mirror reflections: High
• Antialiasing: TAA
• Draw distance: Very high

For the RTX 3070 / RX 6800 at 1440p, use the Very High preset with these tweaks:

• Render resolution: 150%
• Texture quality: Very high
• Anisotropic filtering: 16x
• Vegetation visibility: Very high
• Shadow quality: Very high
• Mirror reflections: Very high
• Antialiasing: TAA
• Draw distance: Extreme

Follow those guides and you‘ll be cruising at well over 60 fps even in the most dense, intricate spaces ETS2 can render.

Avoid Overkill Modding Without Performance Testing

One joy of PC gaming is augmenting your experience through mods. ETS2 boasts a thriving mod community that has created phenomenal truck add-ons and graphical upgrades.

However, subscribing to every cool mod in sight is recipe for disaster. Too many graphics or truck mods can overload CPUs and GPUs, causing unplayable slideshows. Not to mention potential crashing issues.

My rule of thumb is to download mods in small batches of 2-3 at a time. I test stability in intensive areas like cities before adding more. This measured approach sidesteps crashes while highlighting problem mods. Through patience, you can build a fun modded profile tailored to your PC‘s capabilities.

Final Launch Tips for the Best ETS2 Experience

Follow these additional launch best practices for smooth journeys ahead:

• Update graphics drivers – Latest GPU drivers fix game issues after Windows or ETS2 patches. Keep them updated!
• Disable in-game Vsync – Use driver control panel Vsync instead for minimal input lag.
• Launch 64-bit executable – Gives game access to more RAM, especially useful with heavy mods.
• Close unnecessary programs – Prevent other apps from consuming CPU cycles or RAM needed for optimal fps.
• Use an SSD – Significantly reduces map/asset loading times and texture pop-in.

Adhering to these guidelines has given me thousands of buttery smooth, gorgeously immersive miles in ETS2 over the years. I hope they help optimize your own virtual trucking journeys going forward. Let me know if you have any other performance-boosting secrets I should try out!