Monster Hunter Wilds has received a new PC update on Steam that focuses squarely on performance tuning and a quirky issue that players flagged after noticing inconsistent frame rates in specific hubs. The update, labeled Ver. 1.040.03.01, is designed to reduce processing load through a set of Steam-specific optimizations, while also correcting a bug tied to how the game checked claimed and unclaimed content.
According to the patch notes, the most unusual fix targets a situation where CPU load could spike around the Support Desk area in Base Camp or the Grand Hub. The culprit wasn’t the amount of DLC a player owned, but a status-check process meant to alert players when something remained unclaimed—often indicated by an on-screen exclamation point. When that check misbehaved, it could trigger FPS drops in those locations, with the severity varying based on whether unclaimed content existed and the strength of the player’s CPU.
Beyond that targeted fix, the update introduces several broader changes meant to improve the day-to-day feel of the PC version. Capcom says it has improved CPU and GPU processing specific to Steam, including reducing shader “warming” processes performed outside the shader compilation screen to lower CPU overhead. Shader work is a common pain point on PC games, and trimming background shader-related load can help reduce stutter, hitching, or momentary dips—especially in busy social spaces where many systems run at once.
The patch also adjusts texture streaming with the goal of improving visual quality while reducing VRAM usage. That’s paired with a revised High Resolution Texture Pack intended to use less VRAM and take up less space overall. For players using that pack, the update comes with a notable practical detail: the download size can be much larger than the base patch because the texture pack changes require a fresh download, even though the end result is a smaller install footprint than before.
On the settings side, Ver. 1.040.03.01 adds a new CPU tab to the Options menu, giving players more direct control over settings that influence CPU load. The update also adds new categories within graphics settings and introduces new settings for existing options, which should make it easier to understand the performance impact of individual tweaks. Capcom additionally reworked the game’s preset behavior and included a confirmation window on first launch after updating, so players can decide whether to automatically refresh their settings to match the revised presets.
One of the more visible changes is to volumetric fog. Previously limited to two levels, the setting now offers five. The prior “High” option has been renamed “Highest,” and “Low” has been renamed “High,” while three new lower tiers—Medium, Low, and Lowest—have been added. For PC players trying to stabilize performance, fog and other volumetric effects can be among the first places to look, so the expanded granularity should help users find a better balance between clarity and frame rate.
Monster Hunter Wilds – Launch Trailer
The patch also includes a fix for an incorrect driver warning message that could mistakenly label newer AMD Radeon drivers as outdated. At the same time, Capcom recommends specific driver versions for the most stable experience, and notes that some issues have been identified with certain newer AMD driver releases. Alongside that, the update adjusts Variable Rate Shading behavior so that it is forced off during upscaling to preserve proper visual effects, plus a collection of smaller miscellaneous fixes.
While this update is Steam-specific, Capcom has already pointed to a broader performance push coming soon. The company says additional improvements aimed at stability and performance across all platforms are planned for Ver. 1.041 on February 18. One example mentioned is the potential addition of quality levels (LOD) to polygon meshes for 3D models, which can reduce GPU processing load by swapping in lower-detail models for objects farther from the camera—an optimization technique widely used to improve frame pacing without materially affecting moment-to-moment gameplay.
The timing matters because the PC market is increasingly unforgiving when big releases don’t scale well across a wide range of hardware. PC remains a major pillar of the industry, and publishers are under pressure to deliver smoother performance quickly, especially as graphics features like upscaling, heavy post-processing, and high-resolution texture packs become standard expectations rather than premium extras. In a market where tens of millions of players move between console and PC ecosystems, rapid optimization patches can be the difference between a short-term controversy and a long-term recovery in player sentiment.
News story written by Mike.
