Understanding the Tarkov Use Physical Cores Only Fix

Escape from Tarkov is notorious for performance issues. Stuttering in Customs or frame drops in Streets of Tarkov can ruin a raid. Many local players struggle with how the game handles modern CPUs. If you want to stabilise your frame rates, applying the Tarkov use physical cores only fix is one of the most effective ways to squeeze more performance out of your rig without spending a cent. ⚡

The core of the issue lies in how Tarkov interacts with Hyper-Threading or SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading). While these technologies are great for productivity, they can cause "thread contention" in unoptimised game engines. By forcing the game to ignore logical processors, you ensure it only uses the raw power of your physical silicon. Even our budget gaming PCs can see a noticeable bump in 1% low frame rates after this adjustment.

How to Implement the Tarkov Use Physical Cores Only Fix

There are two primary ways to apply this tweak. The first is through the in-game settings menu. Battlestate Games added a checkbox specifically for this purpose. However, many players find that the in-game toggle is inconsistent. If you are looking to buy PCs under R20k, ensuring your CPU is utilised correctly is vital for a smooth experience.

For a more permanent solution, third-party software like Process Lasso is often recommended by the community. This allows you to set "CPU Affinity" so that the Tarkov use physical cores only fix stays active every time you launch the game. This method prevents Windows from accidentally assigning game tasks to virtual threads... which often leads to those annoying micro-stutters during intense firefights. 🔧

TIP

Performance Pro Tip ⚡

If you use Process Lasso, look for the 'Disable SMT' or 'CPU Affinity' options specifically for the EscapeFromTarkov.exe process. This ensures the game never touches your logical cores, keeping your frame times consistent even when the action gets heavy on maps like Lighthouse.

Why Hardware Choice Still Matters 🚀

While software tweaks help, the sheer demand of Tarkov means your hardware needs enough "grunt" to keep up. Check out our best gaming PC deals to see hardware that handles these demands naturally. Tarkov is famously heavy on RAM and CPU cache... especially the 3D V-Cache found on certain high-end processors.

For those looking to buy PCs above R20k, high core counts are common. Ironically, having more cores sometimes makes the Tarkov use physical cores only fix even more necessary... as the Windows scheduler has more "wrong" places to put the game's workload. Our latest pre-built PC deals feature CPUs that thrive with these simple optimisations. By focusing the workload on physical cores, you reduce heat and improve the overall "feel" of the game. ✨

Ready to Dominate Tarkov? Software fixes are great, but the right hardware makes the real difference in the Extracts. Explore our massive range of gaming PC specials and find the perfect machine to conquer Tarkov today.