What Does “Compiling Shaders” Mean in Games? A Simple Guide
Lennon Byatt
You’ve installed a new game, pressed play and suddenly you’re staring at a screen that says:
“Compiling Shaders…”
But what does that actually mean? And should you be worried if it takes a while?
The simple answer is no - it’s usually completely normal.
Recommended 1440p Gaming PC Specifications
For the best balance of performance and value, we recommend:
| Component | Recommendation |
|
CPU
|
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
|
|
GPU
|
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 or AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT
|
|
RAM
|
32GB DDR5 6000MHz
|
|
Storage
|
2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
|
|
Motherboard
|
B650
|
|
PSU
|
750W 80 PLUS Gold
|
This specification is capable of running modern AAA games at high frame rates while providing plenty of headroom for future releases.
Browse AWD-IT's latest AMD Ryzen Processors:
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/components/cpu-processors/amd-cpu.html
What Are Shaders?
Shaders are small programs that help your graphics card create the visuals you see in a game.
They can help control things such as:
- Lighting
- Shadows
- Reflections
- Colours
- Water
- Special effects
- Materials and textures
Modern games can use thousands of different shader combinations to create their graphics.
Your graphics card then uses these shaders while rendering the game.
What Does “Compiling Shaders” Mean?
Before your PC can properly use certain shaders, they need to be prepared for your particular hardware.
This process is called shader compilation.
In simple terms, the game is getting its graphical instructions ready so your PC can use them efficiently.
Game engines such as Unreal Engine compile shaders so that they can later be executed by the GPU.
Game engines such as Unreal Engine compile shaders so that they can later be executed by the GPU.
How Much VRAM Do You Need?
There isn’t one perfect amount for every game.
As a simple guide:
| VRAM | Best Suited For |
|
8GB
|
Many 1080p gaming setups
|
|
12GB
|
Strong 1080p and 1440p gaming
|
|
16GB
|
Higher settings, 1440p and demanding games
|
|
16GB+
|
High-end gaming and heavier graphical workloads
|
The games you play, your resolution and your graphics settings will all affect how much VRAM you may need.
Why Do Games Compile Shaders Before You Play?
One of the main reasons is to help prevent stuttering during gameplay.
If a game has to compile a shader at the exact moment it needs it, you may experience a small pause or hitch.
By preparing shaders beforehand, the game can store compiled versions in a cache and reuse them later. NVIDIA describes shader caching as a way of avoiding the need to repeat the same compilation on later runs.
So while waiting on a shader compilation screen might feel annoying, it can actually help provide a smoother gaming experience afterwards.
If your games are regularly hitching or freezing, you can also read our guide on why your gaming PC might be stuttering.
Larger or more graphically complicated games may have more shaders that need preparing.
Why Can Shader Compilation Take So Long?
Shader compilation can sometimes take a few moments, while particularly demanding games may take noticeably longer.
How quickly it completes can depend on:
Your processor
Shader compilation can make heavy use of your CPU. Some modern game engines even spread shader compilation across multiple CPU cores to speed the process up.
You can browse AWD-IT's range of AMD Ryzen processors if you're considering a CPU upgrade.
The game
Larger or more graphically complicated games may have more shaders that need preparing.
Your shader cache
Once shaders have already been compiled and cached, the game may be able to reuse them rather than starting from scratch every time.
Why Is My Game Compiling Shaders Again?
You might see the compilation screen again even if you've already played the game before.
This can happen after things such as:
- A major game update
- A graphics driver update
- Changing graphics hardware
- The shader cache being cleared
NVIDIA notes that driver updates can lead to shaders needing to be rebuilt, which is one reason newer approaches are being developed to reduce runtime shader compilation.
So seeing the message again doesn't necessarily mean anything is wrong with your PC.
Should You Skip Shader Compilation?
If the game gives you the option, it is normally worth allowing shader compilation to finish.
Skipping it may get you into the game faster, but depending on how the game handles shaders, you could experience additional stuttering when new effects or areas appear.
Shader compilation at runtime is a recognised cause of game stuttering, which is why game and GPU developers continue to work on ways of preparing shaders in advance.
Shader compilation at runtime is a recognised cause of game stuttering
How Much VRAM Do You Need?
VRAM is the dedicated memory installed on your graphics card.
It stores visual information such as textures, lighting data and rendered frames. Games running at higher resolutions and graphical settings can require more VRAM.
As a general guide:
8GB of VRAM can be suitable for many 1080p gaming systems.
12GB of VRAM provides additional room for detailed textures and demanding games.
16GB of VRAM can be useful for high-quality 1440p, 4K gaming and more graphically intensive releases.
VRAM should not be considered on its own. The overall design and processing power of the GPU also affect gaming performance.
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1. Steering Wheel and Pedals (Top Priority)
Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.
Beginner tip: Focus on force feedback quality rather than raw power.
Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.
Creators in attendance
Stacked lineup
Experience zones
Arcades · Sim rigs · PCs
Tech on display
Latest gen builds
Verdict
Showroom certified
Pick Your Tier
We've named each tier after a tournament stage, because let's be honest, that's exactly the kind of thing we'd do. Find your budget and dive in.
Group Stage
Round of 32
Quarter Final
World Cup Final
Choosing a Radeon GPU by Resolution
1080p Gaming
1080p remains an excellent choice for beginners and competitive gamers. It offers good image quality while allowing compatible graphics cards to produce high frame rates.
The AWD-IT Kalona Ryzen 5 RX 9060 Gaming PC combines Radeon RX 9060 graphics with a Ryzen 5 processor, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD and Windows 11.
It is a strong prebuilt option for players who want smooth 1080p performance without assembling the system themselves.
High-end systems are designed for demanding games
Expected Gaming Performance
|
Game
|
1440p High
|
1440p Ultra
|
|
GTA 6 (Predicted)
|
120 FPS
|
90 FPS
|
|
Cyberpunk 2077
|
120 FPS
|
95 FPS
|
|
Black Ops 7
|
180+ FPS
|
150+ FPS
|
|
Fortnite
|
240+ FPS
|
200+ FPS
|
Performance will vary depending on drivers, game updates and graphics settings.
1440p Gaming
1440p provides a sharper image than 1080p but requires additional graphics power.
The AWD-IT Ares Ryzen 5 RX 9060 XT Gaming PC is a suitable option for players who want higher graphical settings, stronger frame rates and the ability to move into 1440p gaming.
Players targeting high-refresh-rate 1440p or 4K should look towards graphics cards such as the Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT
High-End Gaming
Players targeting high-refresh-rate 1440p or 4K should look towards graphics cards such as the Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT.
These cards provide the additional performance needed for demanding modern games, detailed graphical settings and higher-resolution monitors.
Browse AWD-IT’s range of RX 9070 XT gaming PCs.
Should You Pair Radeon with Ryzen?
A Radeon graphics card does not need an AMD Ryzen processor, but pairing the two can create a well-balanced all-AMD gaming system.
The most important consideration is balance. Your processor should be powerful enough to support the graphics card, while sufficient RAM, SSD storage and cooling will help the entire system perform reliably.
You can explore AWD-IT’s AMD Ryzen and Radeon gaming PCs for complete systems using both technologies.
Prebuilt or Build Your Own?
Building a PC gives you control over every individual component, but it also requires additional research, assembly and troubleshooting.
A prebuilt gaming PC arrives assembled and tested, making it a more convenient option for many first-time buyers.
It also gives you one main point of contact if you require technical support or warranty assistance.
Which Radeon Gaming PC Should You Choose?
Before choosing, consider:
- The games you want to play
- Your target resolution
- The frame rates you expect
- Your monitor’s refresh rate
- How long you want the PC to last
An RX 9060 system can be a strong choice for 1080p gaming, while the RX 9060 XT provides more room for higher settings and 1440p. The RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are better suited to demanding high-resolution gaming.
Can Better PC Hardware Make It Faster?
A faster processor can help with CPU-heavy compilation workloads, while a modern gaming system can also improve the overall experience around loading, gameplay and asset streaming.
Fast storage is useful for modern gaming too. If your system still uses an older hard drive, moving your games to an SSD can significantly improve general game loading and responsiveness.
If you're using an older system and regularly struggling with modern games, you can compare AWD-IT's latest gaming PCs.
The Simple Answer
Compiling shaders simply means your game is preparing graphical instructions for your PC.
It's normally nothing to worry about.
Allowing the process to finish can help your game deliver smoother performance once you start playing.
So next time you see “Compiling Shaders: 37%”, you don't need to start wondering whether your new PC is broken.
It's simply getting the game ready.
Related Guides
- Best SSD for Gaming in 2026
- Best Graphics Card for 1440p Gaming
- Best CPU for RTX 5070
- What Is Resizable BAR?
- How Much RAM Do You Need for Gaming?
- GTA 6 PC System Requirements (Predicted)
