Citra Low FPS: 7 Ways to Boost Performance (2026)

Low FPS in Citra can make games feel slow and laggy, with stuttering and unstable frame rates. Many players struggle with 20 to 30 FPS, especially during heavy scenes. Luckily, there are proven ways to improve performance quickly.

This guide gives 7 fixes, plus additional tweaks and hardware guidance, to boost Citra FPS and fix performance issues. It explains how to optimize settings based on your CPU, GPU, and system setup. With the right adjustments, you can achieve much smoother gameplay. Judge results by emulation speed, not by forcing every game to 60 FPS. A game at 100 percent speed at its native FPS is already running perfectly.

FPS in Emulation: What You Need to Know

Before trying to fix low FPS, it is important to understand how FPS works in emulation. This helps you set realistic expectations and choose the right settings instead of chasing numbers that are not possible for your game.

What FPS Means in Emulation?

FPS (Frames Per Second) shows how many images the emulator displays every second. Higher FPS usually means smoother and more responsive gameplay. In Citra, FPS depends on how well your PC can copy the behavior of the original 3DS hardware in real time.

FPS Levels Explained:

• 60 FPS means very smooth gameplay and is the ideal target for games that support it.
• 50 to 59 FPS feels almost the same as 60 FPS, with very small drops that are barely noticeable.
• 40 to 49 FPS is still playable but may feel slightly slower in fast scenes.
• 30 to 39 FPS feels sluggish and is mostly acceptable for slow or turn-based games.
• Below 30 FPS makes games feel choppy and usually needs optimization.

Unlike normal PC games, emulators are limited by the original console’s frame rate. Most 3DS games are designed to run at either 30 FPS or 60 FPS, so Citra tries to match those exact speeds.

30 FPS vs 60 FPS Games on 3DS:

Not all 3DS games were built to run at 60 FPS. Some are locked at 30 FPS by design.

Games That Run at 60 FPS Natively:

• Super Smash Bros for 3DS runs at 60 FPS because it is a fast fighting game that needs smooth movement.
• Mario Kart 7 runs at 60 FPS to keep racing smooth and responsive.
• Star Fox 64 3D uses 60 FPS for better shooting gameplay.
• Many platform and action games use 60 FPS for smoother controls.

Games That Run at 30 FPS Natively:

• Pokemon Sun/Moon runs at 30 FPS because it focuses more on graphics and animations than speed.
• Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D runs at 30 FPS to balance visuals and performance.
• Animal Crossing: New Leaf runs at 30 FPS since it is a slower-paced life simulation game.
• Many RPG and adventure games are locked at 30 FPS by design.

If Pokemon Sun shows 30 FPS in Citra with 100% emulation speed, that means it is already running perfectly.

Why Some Games Are Harder to Emulate?

Some games use more advanced graphics and effects, which makes them heavier on your system.

More Demanding Games:

• Pokemon Sun/Moon uses improved lighting, shadows, and battle effects, which increases CPU and GPU load.
• Monster Hunter has large maps, detailed models, and many particle effects.
• Super Smash Bros must keep 60 FPS while showing multiple characters and effects at once.
• Xenoblade Chronicles has open-world areas with long draw distance and weather effects.

These games push both the 3DS hardware and your PC harder.

Easier Games to Emulate:

• Pokemon X/Y has simpler graphics compared to Sun/Moon.
• Fire Emblem mostly shows small battle maps and menus, which are easier to render.
• Phoenix Wright uses mostly static backgrounds and dialogue scenes.
• Many Mario games are well optimized and efficient.

Games with simpler graphics and fewer effects are easier for Citra to handle.

What to Expect Based on Hardware:

Your results depend on how strong your CPU and GPU are. CPU speed matters more than GPU power, results vary by game and CPU, and no exact FPS can be promised for a named game or system.

Budget Systems:

• Simple games can feel smooth at a lower resolution with proper settings.
• Heavy games can feel tight, and results vary by game and CPU.
• Pokemon Sun/Moon is a demanding 30 FPS game, so judge it by emulation speed reaching 100 percent, not by forcing a higher FPS number.

Mid-Range Systems:

• Simple games can feel smooth, and a higher resolution can be reasonable.
• Demanding games can feel tight in heavy scenes, and results vary by game and CPU.
• Pokemon Sun/Moon remains CPU heavy, so judge it by emulation speed at its native 30 FPS.

High-End Systems:

• Most games can feel smooth, with a higher resolution reasonable for lighter games.
• Demanding games can still feel tight in heavy scenes, because CPU speed matters more than GPU power.
• Occasional small drops in heavy scenes are normal.

Even powerful systems can experience small drops during very intense scenes. Results vary by game and CPU, and no exact FPS can be promised.

CPU vs GPU in Citra:

Citra depends more on your CPU than your GPU.

CPU Responsibilities:

• Running the game’s logic and physics calculations.
• Managing AI behavior and timing.
• Handling audio processing.
• Keeping emulation speed stable at 100%.

If your CPU is weak or slow, FPS will drop even if you have a strong GPU.

GPU Responsibilities:

• Rendering graphics at the selected resolution.
• Running Hardware Shader for better visuals.
• Handling texture filtering and visual effects.

A strong GPU helps with higher resolution scaling, but CPU speed matters more for overall FPS.

Emulation Speed vs FPS:

Citra also shows Emulation Speed as a percentage.

• 100% speed at 60 FPS means perfect performance for 60 FPS games.
• 100% speed at 30 FPS means perfect performance for 30 FPS games.
• 95% speed means the game runs slightly slower than intended.
• Above 100% speed means the game is running faster than normal (fast-forward mode).

When troubleshooting, focus on keeping emulation speed close to 100% for your game’s native FPS instead of trying to force every game to 60 FPS.

Fix #1: Lower Internal Resolution (Biggest FPS Boost)

Lowering internal resolution is the fastest and most effective way to increase FPS in Citra. In many cases, it can improve FPS noticeably without making the game look much worse. If you are struggling with low FPS, this should always be the first setting you adjust.

Why Resolution Has a Huge Impact on FPS?

Internal resolution controls how many pixels Citra renders in every frame. The higher the resolution, the more work your GPU has to do, and that directly reduces FPS.

• 1x Native (400×240) uses the original 3DS resolution, giving maximum performance but looking blurry on large monitors.
• 2x Native (800×480) renders four times more pixels than 1x, but still runs much faster than higher settings.
• 3x Native (1200×720) looks sharper and cleaner, but can noticeably lower FPS on weaker GPUs.
• 4x Native and above greatly increases GPU load, which can cause heavy FPS drops unless you have a powerful graphics card.

Switching from 4x to 2x Native can improve FPS noticeably in many games, making it the best starting point for optimization.

How to Change Resolution (Step-by-Step)?

• Open Citra and make sure your game is closed before changing settings.
• Click Emulation at the top menu so you can access emulator settings.
• Select Configure to open the main settings window.
• Go to the Graphics tab from the left sidebar where resolution options are located.
• Find the Resolution dropdown menu in the main panel.
• Choose 2x Native first because it gives the best balance of FPS and clarity.
• Click OK to save the changes and apply them immediately.
• Open your game and test it in a heavy area like a battle or busy town to check FPS improvement.

Choosing the Right Resolution for Your System:

Use 1x Native When:

• Your FPS stays below 40 even at 2x Native.
• You are using integrated graphics like Intel UHD or older GPUs.
• Smooth gameplay is more important than sharp visuals.

Use 2x Native When:

• You want the best balance between performance and image quality.
• You are using a budget or mid-range GPU.
• You are optimizing settings for the first time.

Use 3x Native When:

• You already get stable full speed at 2x Native.
• You have a mid-range or stronger GPU.
• You want sharper graphics and accept small FPS drops.

Use 4x or Higher When:

• You have a high-end GPU like RTX 3060 or better.
• You are playing lighter or turn-based games.
• You care more about visual quality or recording gameplay.

Fix #2: Enable Hardware Shader (Big FPS Boost)

Hardware Shader is one of the most important settings for better performance in Citra. It moves graphics work from your CPU to your GPU, which can improve FPS noticeably. For smooth gameplay, this setting should almost always be turned on.

What Hardware Shader Actually Does?

Hardware Shader tells Citra to use your graphics card to render the game instead of forcing the CPU to do everything.

Without Hardware Shader (Software Rendering):

• The CPU handles both game logic and graphics rendering at the same time, which makes the system very slow.
• FPS is usually very low in demanding games.
• CPU usage becomes extremely high and may reach 100%.
• It works on almost any system but performance is poor.

With Hardware Shader Enabled (Recommended):

• The CPU focuses only on game logic and emulation tasks.
• The GPU handles graphics rendering, which is what it is designed for.
• FPS can improve noticeably.
• Requires a GPU that supports OpenGL 4.3 or newer.

For most users, enabling Hardware Shader changes the game from laggy to fully playable.

When to Enable or Disable Hardware Shader?

Enable Hardware Shader (Almost Always):

• You have any dedicated GPU like NVIDIA or AMD.
• You are using modern integrated graphics like Intel UHD 630 or newer.
• You want the best possible FPS in Citra.
• Your GPU supports OpenGL 4.3 or higher.

Disable Hardware Shader (Rare Cases Only):

• You are seeing serious graphical glitches or broken visuals.
• Your GPU is very old and does not support OpenGL 4.3.
• The game crashes only when Hardware Shader is enabled.
• You are troubleshooting a specific issue.

Always test with Hardware Shader enabled first. Only disable it if you clearly see problems.

How to Enable Hardware Shader (Step-by-Step)?

1. Open Citra.
2. Click Emulation > Configure.
3. Go to the Graphics tab.
4. Find the option called Enable Hardware Shader.
5. Check the box to turn it on.
6. Keep Accurate Multiplication Disabled for FPS, and enable it only if a specific game shows shadow or graphic glitches, then test again, because it can lower FPS.
7. Uncheck Enable Software Rendering if it is turned on.
8. Click OK to save settings.
9. Restart your game to see the full performance improvement.

After enabling it, go to a demanding area like a battle and check your FPS. You should notice an immediate improvement.

Performance Impact on Different Systems:

Budget Systems (Example: i5 + GTX 1050):

• FPS can improve noticeably in many games.
• CPU usage drops because the GPU now handles graphics.
• Games that were unplayable may become smooth.

Mid-Range Systems (Example: i7 + GTX 1660):

• FPS can improve noticeably.
• Allows you to use higher resolution like 3x Native.
• Most games can feel smooth at their native FPS.

High-End Systems (Example: i9 + RTX 3060):

• FPS improves slightly but CPU may become the limit.
• You can use 4x resolution with stable performance.
• Helps maximize your GPU’s full power.

OpenGL Requirement (Important):

Hardware Shader only works properly if your GPU supports OpenGL 4.3 or higher.

How to Check OpenGL Version?

• Download a tool like GPU-Z or GPU Caps Viewer.
• Open the program and check the supported OpenGL version.
• If it shows 4.3 or higher, you are good to go.

Most GPUs made after 2012 support this feature.

If Hardware Shader Does Not Work:

If you face issues, try these before disabling it:

• Update your GPU drivers to the latest version.
• Keep Accurate Multiplication Disabled for FPS, and enable it only if a specific game shows shadow or graphic glitches, then test again, because it can lower FPS.
• Delete shader cache from Graphics settings.
• Make sure Windows power plan is set to High Performance.

If your GPU is too old or drivers are broken, you may need to use Software Rendering, but expect low FPS in that case.

Fix #3: Close Background Programs to Boost Citra FPS

Background programs use CPU, RAM, and sometimes GPU in the background. Even if your PC is powerful, these apps can reduce Citra FPS noticeably. Closing unnecessary programs gives Citra more resources and improves performance instantly.

Why Background Apps Reduce FPS?

When multiple programs run at the same time, your system splits resources between them.

• CPU usage increases because background apps take processing power away from Citra.
• RAM usage increases, leaving less memory for games and causing slowdowns.
• GPU usage may increase if overlays or recording tools are active.
• Disk activity from downloads or updates can cause stuttering.

Even light apps can hurt FPS if your system is already under load.

Most Important Programs to Close:

Focus on closing these first:

• Web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) because multiple tabs can use 1GB+ RAM easily.
• Discord because hardware acceleration and overlay can reduce FPS.
• Game launchers (Steam, Epic Games) especially if they are downloading updates.
• Streaming or recording software (OBS, Streamlabs) because they heavily use CPU or GPU.
• Torrent or download managers because they increase disk usage and cause stutter.

If you are not using them while gaming, close them completely.

How to Check and Close Apps (Windows)?

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Go to the Processes tab.
3. Click the CPU column to see which app uses the most power.
4. Click the Memory column to see which app uses the most RAM.
5. Right-click unnecessary programs and choose End Task.

Only close programs you recognize. Do not close system processes.

Simple Performance Rules:

• Keep total CPU usage under 80% while playing.
• Make sure at least 2GB RAM is free.
• Pause downloads and updates before gaming.
• Disable Discord overlay and browser hardware acceleration if needed.

Fix #4: Update Graphics Drivers (Free FPS Boost)

Outdated graphics drivers can reduce Citra performance and cause crashes or glitches. Updating your GPU drivers can improve FPS noticeably, especially if your drivers are several months old. This is a simple fix that can give free performance without changing any emulator settings.

Why Updating Drivers Helps Citra?

Citra uses OpenGL to render graphics, and GPU companies regularly improve OpenGL performance in new drivers.

• New drivers include performance optimizations that can increase FPS in emulators.
• Bug fixes reduce crashes, graphical glitches, and black screen issues.
• Better shader handling improves smoothness in demanding games.
• Compatibility updates help the final Citra build run more efficiently.

If your drivers are very old, updating them can feel like a small hardware upgrade.

How to Update NVIDIA Drivers?

Easiest Method (GeForce Experience):

• Open GeForce Experience from your Start menu or system tray so you can manage your NVIDIA drivers easily.
• Go to the Drivers tab at the top where NVIDIA shows the latest available updates.
• Click Check for Updates to see if a newer Game Ready Driver is available for your GPU.
• Click Download and wait for the driver package to finish downloading completely.
• Choose Express Installation so the software installs everything automatically with recommended settings.
• Restart your PC after installation to make sure the new driver works properly with Citra.

Manual Method (Official Website):

• Visit the official NVIDIA Driver Download page in your browser.
• Select your exact GPU model and your Windows version carefully to avoid installing the wrong driver.
• Download the latest Game Ready Driver, which is optimized for gaming performance.
• Run the installer and follow the setup steps until installation completes.
• Restart your PC so the new driver replaces the old one fully.

If your drivers are very old, choose Clean Installation during setup to remove leftover files and prevent conflicts.

How to Update AMD Drivers?

Using Radeon Software (Recommended):

• Right-click on your desktop and open AMD Software from the menu.
• Click the Settings icon and go to the update section.
• Check for available updates and download the newest version.
• Follow the installation steps and restart your PC after it finishes.

Manual Download Method:

• Go to the official AMD Drivers & Support website.
• Select your exact GPU model and operating system.
• Download the latest Adrenalin Edition driver package.
• Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions carefully.
• Restart your PC once installation is complete.

For major updates, select Factory Reset during installation to remove old driver files completely and avoid performance issues.

How to Update Intel Graphics Drivers?

If you use integrated graphics like Intel UHD:

• Download and install Intel Driver & Support Assistant from Intel’s website.
• Run the tool and allow it to scan your system for outdated drivers.
• Download and install the latest graphics driver it recommends.
• Restart your PC after installation to apply changes.

Avoid depending only on Windows Update, because it often installs older driver versions instead of the latest optimized ones.

When to Do a Clean Installation?

You should perform a clean driver installation if:

• Your current drivers are more than 6 months old and have never been updated.
• You are facing crashes, graphical glitches, or black screen problems in Citra.
• You recently changed or upgraded your graphics card.

A clean installation removes all old driver files and settings, which helps prevent hidden conflicts and improves stability.

What to Expect After Updating Drivers:

• If your drivers are only slightly outdated, you may see a small improvement.
• If your drivers are several months old, performance can improve noticeably.
• If your drivers are very old (1 year or more), you could see a larger improvement.

Always test your FPS before and after updating so you can clearly see the performance difference.

Fix #5: Enable CPU JIT (Very Important for FPS)

CPU JIT (Just-In-Time) is one of the most important settings for Citra performance. If this option is off, your FPS will be extremely low even on a strong PC. JIT can improve performance noticeably in some games.

What CPU JIT Actually Does?

Citra has to translate 3DS processor code into PC code so your computer can understand it. JIT does this in smart batches instead of translating every single instruction one by one.

Without JIT (Interpreter Mode):

• The emulator translates each instruction separately, which is very slow and inefficient.
• FPS is usually very low even on good hardware.
• CPU usage becomes very high, but performance is still poor.
• Only useful for developers testing accuracy, not for gaming.

With JIT Enabled (Recommended):

• Citra translates code in blocks, which makes everything much faster.
• FPS can improve noticeably in many games.
• Performance becomes smooth and playable.
• This setting is essential for normal gameplay.

For example, a game like Pokemon Sun can feel very slow without JIT, and can improve noticeably with JIT enabled.

How to Check If JIT Is Enabled?

JIT is normally enabled by default, but you should always confirm because if it’s off, performance will drop heavily.

• Open Emulation > Configure. This opens the main settings window where all performance options are located.
• Go to the General tab. CPU-related settings are usually found here.
• Find the CPU JIT option. Look carefully for a checkbox labeled CPU JIT or similar.
• Make sure the box is checked. If it is unchecked, Citra will run in very slow interpreter mode.
• Click OK to save changes. Always apply the settings before closing the window.

If your FPS is stuck below 20 FPS on decent hardware, there is a high chance JIT is disabled.

Why You Should Never Disable JIT?

• Disabling JIT forces Citra to translate every instruction slowly, which can make FPS very low in most games.
• It does not improve graphics quality or stability for normal users, so there is no performance benefit.
• It is mainly used by developers who are testing bugs or checking emulation accuracy.

For normal gaming and smooth FPS, JIT should always remain enabled.

If Performance Is Still Low:

If JIT is already enabled but FPS is still not good:

• Lower internal resolution to 2x Native because high resolution puts heavy load on GPU.
• Enable Hardware Shader so your GPU handles graphics instead of CPU.
• Close background programs to free CPU and RAM for Citra.
• Verify you have the final build, Nightly 2104, from the Citra Emulator download page, and check the exact file name.

CPU JIT is the base of Citra performance. If this setting is off, no other tweak will properly fix low FPS.

Fix #6: Optimize Emulated CPU Clock Speed (Advanced)

The CPU Clock Speed setting in Citra controls the speed of the emulated 3DS processor, not your actual PC CPU. When adjusted correctly, it can help slightly in CPU-limited games. However, incorrect values can cause glitches, crashes, or timing issues.

What CPU Clock Speed Means?

• 100 percent (Default), matches the original 3DS speed and is the most stable option.
• Below 100 percent, slows the game down and does not improve performance.
• Above 100 percent, speeds up the emulated CPU and may slightly increase FPS in some games.

Important: If your PC is already struggling, increasing this value will not magically fix low FPS.

Recommended Settings:

100% (Best for Most Users)

• Most stable and fully compatible.
• Keeps game behavior accurate.
• Recommended if you already reach target FPS (30 or 60 depending on the game).

110 to 115 percent (Safe Test Range)

• Can help slightly in CPU-bound games. Return to 100 percent if glitches appear.
• Usually stable for RPGs and turn-based games.
• Start at 110% and test carefully.

120% and Above (Risky)

• May cause physics glitches and broken cutscenes.
• Can create timing problems in action or competitive games.
• Not recommended for Smash Bros, Mario Kart, or rhythm games.

How to Change CPU Clock Speed?

1. Open Emulation > Configure from the top menu.
2. Go to the General tab where CPU settings are located.
3. Find the CPU Clock Speed option (default is 100%).
4. Increase it slightly to 110% for testing.
5. Click OK to save the setting.
6. Launch your game and test it in different scenarios like battles, exploration, and cutscenes.

Play for at least 15 to 20 minutes to check stability. If you notice crashes, strange movement, broken physics, or audio issues, immediately return the value to 100 percent.

When You Should NOT Overclock?

• If your game already runs at stable full speed without drops.
• If your GPU usage is already at 100%, meaning the GPU is the real bottleneck.
• If you are playing timing-sensitive games like Smash Bros, Mario Kart, or rhythm games.
• If you experience crashes, softlocks, or unusual gameplay behavior.

CPU Clock Speed optimization is a small performance tweak, not a magic FPS fix. Use it carefully and only after enabling JIT, Hardware Shader, and lowering resolution if needed.

Fix #7: Hardware Upgrade (When Settings Are Not Enough)

If you have tried all settings and your FPS is still low, your hardware may be the real limit. Software tweaks can only help so much. Hardware limits what native FPS a game can reach at 100 percent speed.

How to Know You Need an Upgrade?

You likely need better hardware if:

• Your FPS stays low even at 1x resolution.
• Emulation speed never reaches 100%.
• CPU usage stays at 90 to 100 percent in Task Manager.
• Even lighter games struggle to run smoothly.
• Changing settings gives almost no improvement.

If your CPU is very old (2011 to 2014 era), modern emulation will always struggle no matter what settings you use.

1️⃣ CPU Upgrade (Most Important):

For Citra, the CPU is the most important part.
Citra depends heavily on strong single-core performance.

Why CPU Matters Most

• Citra is mainly CPU-bound, not GPU-bound.
• Faster single-core speed = higher FPS.
• More cores do not help as much as faster cores.
• A modern mid-range CPU easily beats an old high-end CPU.

When to Upgrade CPU

Upgrade your CPU if:

• It is 5 to 7 years old.
• It cannot maintain 100% emulation speed.
• CPU usage is always near 100%.

What to Expect from CPU Upgrade

• FPS can improve noticeably depending on how old your current CPU is.
• Demanding games like Pokémon Sun/Moon become playable.
• Overall system performance improves, not just Citra.

Priority order: CPU first, always.

2️⃣ GPU Upgrade (Secondary Priority)

The GPU mainly helps with:

• Higher resolution scaling (3x, 4x, 5x Native).
• Hardware Shader performance.
• Visual quality improvements.

When GPU Upgrade Helps

Upgrade GPU if:

• GPU usage is at 100% but CPU usage is low.
• You want to play at 4x resolution smoothly.
• You are using very weak integrated graphics.

If your CPU is weak, upgrading GPU alone will NOT fix low FPS.

For Citra only, a mid-range GPU is enough. High-end GPUs are overkill.

3️⃣ RAM Upgrade (Important Only If Low):

8GB RAM (Minimum):

• Works if all background apps are closed.
• May cause stutter if multitasking.

16GB RAM (Recommended):

• Smooth multitasking.
• No random stutters from low memory.
• Best value choice today.

32GB+ RAM:

• No extra FPS for Citra.
• Only useful for heavy editing or professional work.

Upgrade to 16GB if you have less than 8GB or experience stuttering.

Upgrade Priority (Simple Rule):

If FPS is low and hardware is old:

1. Upgrade CPU first
2. Upgrade RAM to 16GB if needed
3. Upgrade GPU only if you want higher resolution

When to Build a New PC Instead:

Sometimes upgrading one part is not enough.

You should consider building a new system if:

• Your CPU is more than 6 to 7 years old and not compatible with modern upgrades.
• Your motherboard does not support newer processors.
• You would need to replace CPU, motherboard, and RAM together anyway.

In many cases, a full rebuild gives better long-term value than upgrading outdated parts one by one.

Final Advice for Citra Performance:

• CPU is the most important part for FPS.
• GPU mainly improves image quality and higher resolution scaling.
• 16GB RAM is the ideal balance for smooth performance.

If your system is only 1 to 3 years old, focus on optimizing settings first. If your system is very old, hardware limits what native FPS a game can reach at 100 percent speed.

Additional Performance Tweaks (Small but Helpful Boosts):

These settings will not double your FPS, but together they can give a noticeable improvement and smoother gameplay.

Disable V-Sync (Reduce Input Lag):

V-Sync locks your FPS to your monitor’s refresh rate (usually 60Hz), which can add input delay and small performance drops.

What happens when V-Sync is enabled:

• It limits FPS to your monitor’s refresh rate, which can cause stuttering if FPS drops below that limit.
• It removes screen tearing but adds slight input lag in fast-paced games.

How to disable it:

• Go to Emulation > Configure > Graphics and uncheck the V-Sync option to allow Citra to run freely without frame locking.

Why disable it:

• Disabling V-Sync can slightly increase FPS and make controls feel more responsive, especially in action games like Smash Bros or Zelda.

Lower Texture Filtering:

Texture filtering improves image smoothness but uses extra GPU power.

Best settings by system level:

• Use None or Bilinear filtering on weak systems because they give better FPS with almost no performance loss.
• Use Trilinear filtering only if you have stable FPS and want slightly better visuals.
• Avoid high Anisotropic filtering on low-end GPUs because it can reduce FPS by several frames.

Disable Post-Processing Effects:

Post-processing effects look nice but reduce performance.

Common effects that reduce FPS:

• Anti-aliasing smooths edges but can lower FPS noticeably on weaker systems.
• Ambient occlusion and depth effects add visual depth but cost extra GPU power.
• Motion blur adds smoothness but is unnecessary for most users.

What to do:

• Go to Emulation > Configure > Graphics and disable all post-processing effects to gain extra FPS instantly.

Disabling these effects can improve performance noticeably on weaker systems.

Optimize Audio Settings:

Audio uses some CPU power, and incorrect settings can reduce performance.

Recommended settings:

• Audio stretching OFF can help when emulation speed drops below 100 percent. Audio stretching ON can stay if speed is stable at 100 percent and audio crackles.
• Select your actual audio device instead of leaving it on random or incorrect options.
• Make sure Dump Audio is disabled because it uses extra resources unnecessarily.

Audio tweaks usually give only a small help, but they help stability.

Clear Shader Cache (If Needed):

Shader cache stores compiled graphics data to improve loading speed.

When to clear it:

• If you updated GPU drivers and performance suddenly became worse.
• If you see strange graphical glitches or random stutters.

How to clear it:

• Go to Emulation > Configure > Graphics and click Delete Shader Cache, then restart the game.

After clearing, the game may stutter briefly while rebuilding shaders, but performance should improve afterward.

Citra Canary 2798 (Final Experimental Build):

Canary 2798 is the final experimental build from 4 March 2024, with no newer version.

• Try Canary 2798 only if Nightly has a specific problem.
• Keep your settings the same when testing Canary, so you can compare it fairly with Nightly.

Set Windows Power Plan to High Performance:

Power-saving mode reduces CPU speed, which directly lowers FPS.

How to change it:

• Go to Control Panel > Power Options and select High Performance so your CPU runs at full speed during gameplay.

This can improve FPS noticeably on laptops or systems using balanced mode.

Enable Windows Game Mode

Game Mode helps Windows prioritize Citra over background apps.

How to enable it:

• Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and turn it on to allow Windows to focus resources on your game.

Game Mode results vary, so test with it on and off and keep the setting that feels smoother.

These tweaks are not as powerful as lowering resolution or enabling Hardware Shader, but when combined, they can make gameplay smoother and more consistent.

If your emulator is still slow, you may also need to check these fixes:

• Citra black screen fixes
• Citra crashing fixes
• Citra graphics glitches rendering fixes

What to Expect by GPU Type:

This section gives a qualitative guide to what to expect from different GPUs in Citra. CPU speed matters more than GPU power, results vary by game and CPU, and no exact FPS can be promised.

Budget GPUs:

(GTX 1050, RX 560, GTX 1650)

With budget GPUs, 2x Native is a reasonable resolution for most games. CPU speed matters more than GPU power, results vary by game and CPU, and no exact FPS can be promised. Judge demanding games by emulation speed at their native FPS.

Summary:

• 2x Native works well for most games.
• Pokemon Sun/Moon is a demanding 30 FPS game, so judge it by emulation speed at 100 percent.
• 3x Native is possible only in lighter games.
• Great value for budget builds.

Mid-Range GPUs:

(GTX 1660, RX 5600 XT, RTX 2060)

With mid-range GPUs, 3x Native is a reasonable resolution for most games, and 4x Native can be reasonable in lighter games. CPU speed matters more than GPU power, results vary by game and CPU, and no exact FPS can be promised. Judge demanding games by emulation speed at their native FPS.

Summary:

• 3x Native is smooth in most games.
• 4x Native works for lighter titles.
• Pokemon Sun/Moon is a demanding 30 FPS game, so judge it by emulation speed at 100 percent, because it is CPU heavy.
• Best balance between price and performance.

High-End GPUs:

(RTX 3060, RX 6700 XT, RTX 4060)

With high-end GPUs, 4x Native is a reasonable resolution for most games, and 5x Native can be reasonable in lighter games. CPU speed matters more than GPU power, results vary by game and CPU, and no exact FPS can be promised. Judge demanding games by emulation speed at their native FPS.

Summary:

• 4x Native is standard.
• 5x Native works for simple games.
• In many cases, CPU becomes the bottleneck before GPU.
• Excellent for long-term use and high visual quality.

Integrated Graphics:

(Intel UHD 730, AMD Vega 8)

With integrated graphics, 1x Native is a reasonable resolution for most games, and 2x Native can be reasonable in lighter games. CPU speed matters more than GPU power, results vary by game and CPU, and no exact FPS can be promised. Judge demanding games by emulation speed at their native FPS.

Summary:

• 1x to 2x Native is required.
• Simple games run well.
• Heavy games like Pokemon Sun struggle.
• Good enough for casual play.

Resolution Scaling by GPU Type:

Budget GPUs:

• 1x = Smooth.
• 2x = Smooth (recommended).
• 3x = Playable but tight (depends on game).
• 4x = Not recommended.

Mid-Range GPUs:

• 2x = Smooth.
• 3x = Smooth (recommended).
• 4x = Playable but tight.

High-End GPUs:

• 3x = Smooth.
• 4x = Smooth (best balance).
• 5x = CPU often becomes limit.

Integrated Graphics:

• 1x = Smooth.
• 2x = Playable but tight.
• 3x+ = Not recommended.

A mid range GPU is enough for Citra, and CPU speed matters more.

Conclusion:

Low FPS in Citra can feel frustrating, but in most cases it can be fixed with the right settings. Lowering resolution to 2x Native, enabling Hardware Shader, turning on CPU JIT, and closing background programs can improve performance in many games. Updating GPU drivers and using the final build and the settings in this guide can help. For active updates, Azahar is the option to consider.

If optimization is not enough, hardware upgrades may be needed. A faster CPU gives the biggest improvement, while a better GPU mainly helps with higher resolution and visuals. For most users, a modern CPU with strong single core speed and 16GB RAM are enough for smooth gameplay at a game native FPS. For the full recommended setup, see the Best Settings article.

Frequently Asked Questions