A comprehensive Project Zomboid performance mod that optimizes rendering, logic, and CPU usage through runtime patching.
If you find this mod useful, consider supporting the developer with a coffee!
ZBBetterFPS provides several layers of optimization that can be toggled in the Mod Options menu:
- ✅ Smart Render Distance: Adjust the number of rendered tiles to fit your hardware.
- ✅ Optimized Draw Calls: Merges sprites and 3D models into fewer graphics commands, significantly reducing Render thread overhead.
- ✅ Low-Level State Caching: Suppresses redundant graphics state changes (blend modes, shaders, masks) to save CPU time.
- ✅ Enhanced GPU Buffers: Increases the internal rendering buffer size to 1MB to reduce frequent GPU flushes.
- ✅ 3D Model & Shader Optimization: Caches uniform locations and optimizes matrix updates for faster character and terrain rendering.
- ✅ Streamlined Physics: An optimized implementation of object separation logic to reduce CPU load during dense physical updates.
- ✅ Background CPU Throttling: Prevents "busy-waiting" by lowering CPU usage when the game is paused or minimized.
- ✅ Uncapped FPS Control: Tri-state configuration (Default/Force Uncapped/Force Capped) for frame rate settings.
- ZombieBuddy - Required framework for Java bytecode manipulation.
- Prerequisites: You must have ZombieBuddy installed and configured first.
- Enable the mod: Enable ZBBetterFPS in the Project Zomboid mod manager.
- Optimize IndieGL State: Caches last applied graphics states to avoid redundant commands.
- Optimize Sprite Batching: Merges drawing operations for sprites and 3D models.
- Optimize RingBuffer: Increases the GPU upload buffer capacity. (Requires game restart).
- Optimize Chunk Shaders: Speeds up terrain rendering by caching shader data.
- Optimize 3D Models: Enhances the performance of character and item rendering.
- Background CPU Optimization: Throttles threads when the window is minimized or the game is paused to prevent 100% CPU usage in the background.
- Optimize Object Separation: Uses an efficient math implementation for physics updates.
Adjust the number of rendered tiles to improve performance:
- Default: Resolution-based (typically 152x152 tiles).
- Range: From 24x24 to 312x312 tiles.
- Mod Default: 104x104 tiles (optimized for balanced performance). Note: You must reload your savegame after changing this setting.
- Default: Uses game settings.
- Force Uncapped: Maximizes frame rate.
- Force Capped: Ensures frame limiting is active.
ZBBetterFPS uses the ZombieBuddy framework to perform high-performance runtime patching of the game's Java engine. This allows for deep optimizations that are normally impossible with standard Lua mods, all while maintaining compatibility with other mods.
All credits go to BetterFPS_B42 by Alree, which inspired the initial version of this mod. ZBBetterFPS extends these concepts with modern runtime patching and additional low-level optimizations.
- ZombieBuddy: The framework this mod is built on.
- ZBLuaPerfMon: Real-time Lua performance monitoring and OSD.
- GitHub Repository: https://github.com/zed-0xff/ZBBetterFPS
- ZombieBuddy: https://github.com/zed-0xff/ZombieBuddy
This mod modifies core game rendering behavior. Always backup your save files before using mods that modify game functionality. Use at your own risk.
