Valheim boot.config – Multiplayer optimization (MacBook Air M1)

boot.config

gfx-threading-mode=4
gfx-enable-gfx-jobs=1
gfx-enable-native-gfx-jobs=1
disable-gfx-present-thread=1

job-worker-count=4
gc-max-time-slice=4

hdr-display-enabled=0
vr-enabled=0

wait-for-native-debugger=0

Important

build-guid is build-specific and must be preserved from your original boot.config.

Overview

This boot.config is tuned for Valheim multiplayer on MacBook Air M1 (8 GB)

Primary goals:

• Stable frame pacing
• Reduced CPU spikes
• Minimal thermal throttling
• Better multiplayer synchronization

Recommended In-Game Settings

Graphics:

• Max FPS: 60
• VSync: Off
• Shadows: Medium
• Shadow Distance: Low / Medium
• Vegetation Quality: Medium
• Particle Lights: Off
• Bloom: Off
• Motion Blur: Off
• SSAO: Off

Troubleshooting

Visual artifacts or crashes

Remove:

gfx-enable-gfx-jobs=1
gfx-enable-native-gfx-jobs=1

Micro-stutter

Increase:

gc-max-time-slice=5

FPS drops after long sessions

Reduce:

job-worker-count=3

Game does not start

• Delete boot.config
• Relaunch to regenerate defaults

Parameters Explained

gfx-threading-mode=4

Enables aggressive graphics threading.
Improves parallelism between the main thread and the rendering pipeline, reducing CPU bottlenecks during rendering-heavy scenes.

gfx-enable-gfx-jobs=1

Enables Unity Graphics Jobs.
Moves part of the rendering command submission off the main thread, improving frame pacing and reducing stutter in CPU-bound scenarios.

gfx-enable-native-gfx-jobs=1

Enables native (C++ level) graphics jobs.
Reduces managed code overhead and improves stability and performance, especially in IL2CPP builds.

disable-gfx-present-thread=1

Disables Unity’s dedicated present thread.
On macOS, this reduces unnecessary threading overhead and improves consistency when using the Metal renderer.

job-worker-count=4

Limits the number of worker threads used by Unity’s Job System.
Helps prevent thermal throttling on fanless devices like the MacBook Air, improving long-session stability.

gc-max-time-slice=4

Limits the amount of time (in milliseconds) the Garbage Collector can run per frame.
Reduces long GC pauses and improves frame time consistency, which is critical for multiplayer synchronization.

hdr-display-enabled=0

Disables HDR output.
Reduces GPU and memory pressure with no visual downside in Valheim on macOS.

vr-enabled=0

Disables VR subsystems.
Saves memory and prevents unnecessary initialization of unused systems.

wait-for-native-debugger=0

Prevents the game from waiting for a native debugger at startup.
Has no performance impact during gameplay but avoids startup delays.