Marvel Rivals players struggling with performance issues have something to celebrate as Season 2 introduces a game-changing solution. A new experimental feature called Switch Shader Compilation Mode has been added to help reduce FPS drops and crashes that many players with lower-end PCs have been experiencing. Here’s everything you need to know about this performance-boosting option and whether it’s right for your setup.
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What is Switch Shader Compilation Mode in Marvel Rivals?
The new Season 2 update brings an experimental feature designed specifically for players whose systems are struggling to keep up with Marvel Rivals’ memory usage. When enabled, this mode changes how the game handles shader compilation. Instead of compiling shaders during gameplay, which often causes stutters, the game will do this work ahead of time in these situations:
- You first boot up after installing a new game update.
- When entering a match.
- You’ve updated your graphics drivers.
This simple change makes a huge difference for many players, especially those with low-end PCs.
How Will This Help Your Performance?
If you’ve been dealing with any of these problems while playing Marvel Rivals, this new feature might be your solution:
- Reduced RAM usage: The game uses less memory during gameplay, easing the load on your system.
- Fewer FPS drops: Say goodbye to those sudden frame rate drops in the middle of intense fights.
- Less freezing: Gameplay should feel more stable with fewer random pauses.
- Fewer crashes: Memory-related crashes should happen less often.
For players with 16GB or less RAM, the previous setup often forced your system to use swap memory (borrowing space from your slower hard drive), causing major performance issues. This update directly addresses that problem.
Known Issues to Watch For
While this feature offers major improvements, NetEase has been upfront about a few minor drawbacks you might notice:
- When starting a new match, some textures might look weird for the first few frames before they normalize.
- You could see a quick stutter when new materials load for the first time in a match.
- If you’re running a 6-core (or fewer) CPU and have AMD FSR3 Frame Generation also enabled, you might see more stutters.
Honestly, I think these minor issues are worth the overall boost in stability and smoother gameplay.
How to Enable Switch Shader Compilation Mode in Marvel Rivals
You should consider turning on this feature if your PC has 16GB of RAM or less, especially if you’ve experienced FPS drops, freezes, or crashes during gameplay. It’s a good option for players who want more stable performance in matches and don’t mind a few minor visual glitches when first entering a game.
So, if you want to turn on this feature in Marvel Rivals, follow these steps:
- Open the Marvel Rivals PC launcher.
- Look for the Switch Shader Compilation Mode option (available after the Season 2 update launches).
- Toggle it on.
- Start the game and let the initial shader compilation complete.
What Else is Coming in Marvel Rivals Season 2?
Aside from the new shader compilation mode, Season 2 Hellfire Gala brings a wave of new content for Marvel Rivals players to enjoy, including:
- Emma Frost as a playable character.
- A new Krakoa map.
- A fresh Battle Pass.
- Rank and Competitive Mode changes.
- New skins to unlock.
- Limited-time events.
NetEase’s introduction of this feature shows they’re paying attention to community feedback. For players dealing with crashes, stutters, or lag on lower-end systems, this update could turn a frustrating experience into an enjoyable one. If technical issues have kept you away, now’s a great time to jump back in and give Marvel Rivals another try. Season 2 officially begins on Friday, April 11th. The Hellfire Gala is ready—don’t miss it.
