EMPULSE Stretched Resolution Guide for Wider Models and More FPS

To get stretched resolution in EMPULSE, force full-panel GPU scaling in your NVIDIA or AMD driver first, then set Display Mode to Fullscreen in EMPULSE and pick a 4:3 resolution like 1280x960 — the driver step is what stretches the image across the whole panel instead of leaving black bars. EMPULSE is a 6v6 movement shooter built around wall-runs, grapple hooks and holojumps, so wider player models and a higher, steadier frame rate both help in the same way: they make fast-moving targets easier to track.

Stretched res is a preference, not a cheat code. It widens models and raises FPS on GPU-limited systems — test it against native 16:9 and keep whatever makes your aim more consistent.

Why a 4:3 resolution shows black bars

When you pick a 4:3 resolution, something has to fit that narrower image onto a 16:9 panel. By default the GPU centers it and pillarboxes the sides with black bars rather than stretching it horizontally. The component that stretches the image to fill the panel is the GPU driver, not EMPULSE — which is why the real fix lives in NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Software, not the game’s video menu.

Best EMPULSE stretched resolutions

Resolution	Aspect	Pixels	Feel in EMPULSE
1280 x 960	4:3	1.23 M	Widest models, lowest pixel load, most FPS
1440 x 1080	4:3	1.56 M	Still wide but visibly sharper
1024 x 768	4:3	0.79 M	Maximum FPS, softest image
1728 x 1080	widescreen	1.87 M	Mild stretch, small FPS gain, least distortion

1280 x 960 is the default competitive choice and the one to try first. Because EMPULSE fights happen in three dimensions — enemies wall-running above you, grappling across the map — heavy 4:3 distortion can make vertical tracking feel unfamiliar at first. If it never clicks after a few matches, 1728 x 1080 gives you the pixel savings with a much gentler stretch.

Step 1 — Force full-panel GPU scaling

NVIDIA

1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel → Display → Adjust desktop size and position.
2. Scaling mode: Full-screen.
3. Perform scaling on: GPU.
4. Tick Override the scaling mode set by games and programs, then Apply.

AMD

1. Open AMD Software → Settings → Display.
2. Set GPU Scaling to On.
3. Set Scaling Mode to Full Panel.

Intel Arc

1. Open Intel Graphics Software → Display → General.
2. Set Scaling to Stretched (or Full Screen) and apply per-display.

If the 4:3 resolution you want isn’t in EMPULSE’s list, create it first with Create Custom Resolution (NVIDIA), Custom Resolutions (AMD), or see the custom resolution guide. If custom resolutions are greyed out on your system, the greyed-out custom resolution fix covers the usual causes. Doing this by hand every time is exactly the job Tier1Stretch automates.

Step 2 — Set the resolution in EMPULSE

1. Launch EMPULSE → Settings → Video.
2. Set Display Mode to Fullscreen (not Borderless or Windowed — scaling overrides don’t apply there).
3. Set Resolution to your chosen 4:3 value, e.g. 1280 x 960.
4. Apply, then restart the game if the stretch doesn’t take effect immediately.
5. Confirm your refresh rate is still at the panel’s maximum after the resolution change — dropping to 60Hz silently undoes most of the benefit.

Step 3 — Keep the FPS you just gained

Stretched resolution frees GPU headroom; these settings turn that headroom into a lower, steadier frame time:

• NVIDIA Reflex: On + Boost if EMPULSE exposes it — the single largest input-lag reduction available in Unreal-engine shooters.
• V-Sync: Off, and cap your FPS a few frames below your refresh rate rather than letting it run uncapped. See the best FPS cap for low latency.
• Motion blur: Off. In a game with this much airborne movement it actively hides target detail.
• Anti-aliasing: low or TAA. Stretching a lower base resolution already softens edges; heavy AA costs frames without buying back clarity.

Full per-setting values are in the EMPULSE best settings for FPS guide.

If the stretch doesn’t hold

• Black bars are back after a driver update. GPU driver updates commonly reset the scaling override. Re-check Step 1 — the full walkthrough is in how to fix black bars with stretched resolution.
• The resolution resets when you alt-tab or relaunch. This is usually the desktop resolution reasserting itself; see stretched resolution keeps resetting.
• The image looks mushy, not just wide. That’s the base resolution being too low for your panel. Step up from 1280x960 to 1440x1080 — how to fix blurry stretched resolution covers the rest.
• Your monitor is doing its own scaling. Set the monitor’s OSD aspect option to Full/Wide, or the panel will re-letterbox whatever the GPU sends.

Is it actually worth it in EMPULSE?

Honestly: it depends on what limits you. If your GPU is the bottleneck at native 1080p, the pixel reduction is a real, measurable frame-rate gain and the wider models are free on top. If you already hold your refresh-rate cap at native, the FPS argument disappears and you’re left with a preference about how models look — which is worth testing, not assuming. Movement shooters also punish inconsistency more than raw average FPS, so pair whatever resolution you choose with a steady frame-time setup: see how to minimize input delay for competitive gaming and the timer resolution pillar guide.

Related guides

• EMPULSE Best Settings for FPS
• EMPULSE Stuttering Fix
• Splitgate 2 Stretched Resolution Guide
• Best 4:3 Stretched Resolutions for Competitive FPS
• Does Stretched Resolution Increase FPS?
• Is Stretched Resolution Bannable?