If the standard config still lags, you need to mod the game. While you asked for a "config file," the Frostbite engine has a hidden "Variable" system.
Create a new text file named user.cfg in the game's installation folder (Where NeedForSpeedPayback.exe is located). nfs payback low end pc config file top
Paste this code into user.cfg:
Render.DrawScreenInfo 0
PerfOverlay.DrawFps 1
WorldRender.SpotLightShadowEnable 0
WorldRender.TransparentShadowEnable 0
WorldRender.LightTileCombinePass 0
WorldRender.MotionBlurEnable 0
RenderDevice.DxDiagDriverDetectionEnable 0
PostProcess.DofMethod 0
PostProcess.DynamicAOEnable 0
Render.VSyncFlashTestEnable 0
Thread.ProcessorCount 2
Thread.MaxProcessorCount 2
Why this works: This file overrides the engine's core rendering pipeline. It disables dynamic shadows entirely and limits the game to only using 2 CPU cores (preventing CPU bottleneck on Celeron/Pentium chips). If the standard config still lags, you need to mod the game
Located in the same folder (Documents\Ghost Games\Need for Speed(TM) Payback\settings\), this JSON file handles standard video settings that may be locked or glitched in the UI. Why this works: This file overrides the engine's
Recommended Edits:
GstRender.AmbientOcclusion 0
GstRender.Brightness 0.500000
GstRender.Checkboarding 0
GstRender.DepthOfField 0
GstRender.EffectsQuality 0
GstRender.FilmGrain 0
GstRender.FullscreenEnabled 1
GstRender.FullscreenMode 0
GstRender.HbaoEnable 0
GstRender.MeshQuality 0
GstRender.MotionBlur 0
GstRender.PostProcessQuality 0
GstRender.ReflectionQuality 0
GstRender.ResolutionHeight 720
GstRender.ResolutionWidth 1280
GstRender.ScreenSafeAreaHeight 1.000000
GstRender.ScreenSafeAreaWidth 1.000000
GstRender.ShadowQuality 0
GstRender.TerrainQuality 0
GstRender.TextureQuality 0
GstRender.UndergrowthQuality 0
GstRender.VSyncEnabled 0
GstRender.WaterQuality 0
GstRender.ScreenPercentage 75
GstRender.AntiAliasingPost 0
GstRender.LightingQuality 0
GstRender.RenderResolutionScale 0.750000
If your game crashes, change:
GstRender.ResolutionScale 0.500000 → GstRender.ResolutionScale 0.350000
(This makes it look like a PS1 game but it will run on a potato)