Path of Exile 2 (POE 2) is an exciting and immersive action RPG, and for many players, maximizing their currency runs is a key part of the experience. In POE 2, the time spent loading between areas can often be a hindrance, especially during intensive farming or high-paced currency farming sessions. Slow load times can disrupt the flow of gameplay and hinder a player's ability to earn POE 2 currency at an optimal rate.

This article explores methods to optimize POE 2 load times, so you can focus more on clearing monsters and accumulating wealth, rather than waiting for areas to load.

1. Hardware Upgrades: SSD vs. HDD

One of the most significant improvements you can make to reduce load times is upgrading your storage. POE 2, like many modern games, benefits greatly from being run on an SSD (Solid State Drive) rather than a traditional HDD (Hard Disk Drive). SSDs have much faster read and write speeds, meaning that your system can load the game files more quickly, cutting down on load times.

If you’re still using an HDD, switching to an SSD can drastically improve your gaming experience, especially when doing currency runs in POE 2, where the time spent loading between maps can add up quickly.

2. Adjust In-Game Settings

Another way to optimize load times is by tweaking the in-game settings. POE 2 offers several graphics and performance options that can be adjusted to reduce the load on your system.

  • Lower Graphics Settings: High-quality textures, shadows, and effects can be demanding on your system. Lowering these settings can help improve the performance of the game, resulting in faster load times.

  • Disable Unnecessary Visuals: Features like post-processing effects, bloom, and certain environmental effects can add to the load on your hardware. By disabling or reducing these effects, you may see a noticeable improvement in load times.

  • Resolution: Playing at a lower resolution will reduce the amount of graphical data that needs to be processed. If you’re looking for smoother transitions between areas and faster load times, lowering your resolution can help.

3. Optimize System Performance

While upgrading hardware and tweaking in-game settings is crucial, you can also improve load times by ensuring your system is running at peak performance. Here are a few system optimizations that can make a difference:

  • Close Background Applications: Make sure to close any unnecessary applications while playing POE 2. Background processes use up valuable system resources, which can cause slowdowns and increase load times.

  • Update Drivers: Always ensure that your graphics card drivers and other system drivers are up to date. Manufacturers frequently release updates that optimize performance and fix bugs, which can help with faster load times.

  • Increase Virtual Memory: If you have limited RAM, you may want to adjust your virtual memory settings to improve system performance. Increasing the paging file size can help reduce memory-related bottlenecks.

4. Use the Right Server Region

Another overlooked factor that can impact load times and overall game performance is the server region. While server latency is primarily important for gameplay responsiveness, it can also affect load times, especially during the initial connection to the game.

If you're playing on a server that's geographically far from your location, your system may experience longer load times. Switching to a server closer to your physical location can help reduce initial loading delays, making your currency runs in POE 2 much smoother.

5. Network Optimization

If you’re running into longer load times that seem to be related to your internet connection, optimizing your network setup can help. Slow download speeds or network latency can cause delays when loading new areas, affecting your overall experience. Here's what you can do:

  • Use a Wired Connection: If you're on Wi-Fi, switching to a wired Ethernet connection will provide a more stable and faster network connection, reducing latency and helping with faster load times.

  • Reduce Network Traffic: Try limiting the number of devices using your internet connection while playing. This will ensure that your bandwidth is dedicated to POE 2, leading to quicker load times.

6. Clearing Cache and Optimizing Files

Sometimes, accumulated data and cache files can cause performance degradation over time. These files can slow down your load times by taking up space and causing unnecessary background processes. Here’s how to clear and optimize your files:

  • Clear Cache Files: Periodically clearing your game cache can help remove unnecessary data that could slow down the game’s loading process.

  • Defragment Your Disk: If you're playing on an HDD, defragmenting your disk can improve data access times, leading to faster load times between areas.

Conclusion

Optimizing POE 2 load times is essential for players who are focused on improving the efficiency of their currency farming. By upgrading your hardware, adjusting in-game settings, optimizing your system performance, and making small tweaks to your network, you can reduce waiting times and spend more time clearing content and earning POE 2 currency.

Every second counts when you’re farming for wealth, so implementing these strategies will help you maximize your currency gains in the shortest time possible, allowing you to enjoy the exciting world of POE 2 even more.