Looks like someone is bored with the old 2007 OSRS graphics. Well, that is exactly why you are reading this guide. The good news is that OSRS can now be played in HD, and we will be teaching you how.

There are two clients that you can play OSRS on: RUNELITE (with a 117HD Plugin) and HDOS.

Vs.

Since you have two options you choose from, you will be 100% confused as to which one to go with. Many already love the experience of playing on RUNELITE, so that is an obvious choice for you too. But this does not mean you instantly write off the HDOS client.

HDOS client runs way smoother than RUNELITE, and one of the reasons ‘can be’ is that HDOS is a client and RUNELITE is a plugin, so you get more FPS. Try noticing that on a device without a GPU, the HDOS client runs more smoothly while walking around and exploring regions in OSRS.

The second thing is that the HDOS client simulates the 2009 OSRS graphics. Speaking of RUNELITE, everyone loves the plugins that it has to offer, and makes the gaming experience wholesome. A drawback of the HDOS client is that it does not have a library same as the RUNELITE client.

You know what, get both and try each one out to see which client fits your gameplay the best!

How to Install HDOS?

To install the HDOS client, hop on over to HDOS.DEV and hit the red download button. This will prompt you to choose the version that applies to the device you are using. If you are not sure which version you have, then click on Start > Settings > System > About and find your device details there.

How to Install the HD Plugin for RUNELITE?

Okay, so if you want the HD plugin for OSRS, then you are first going to have to install RUNELITE on your device. This is a 3rd-party client for OSRS, and it has been approved by JAGEX. The client comes with several features to enhance your gameplay.

For instance, HitBox Helper, Puzzle Solver, Clue Scroll Helper, and many more! This is the reason why most of the player base chooses RUNELITE over HDOS.

Back to the Point

To install the client, visit RUNELITE.NET and install the version according to your operating system. To go to the Plugin Hub, click on Configuration which is on the right-side bar of the client. Now, click on Plugin Hub at the bottom of the sidebar to configure and install.

The good thing about this Plugin is that you can configure it according to how you wish. You can crank the setting up to ULTRA (if your computer can take it) or keep it to medium if you a low framerate device.

There are also several effects, such as Shadows, Dynamic Lighting, etc. To configure the HD settings, you need to head to Configuration again search for 117 HD and install the plugin.

Best Settings for RUNELITE HD

By default, the settings are set to medium. So, if you want an enhanced experience while you play OSRS, you will have to change a few things in the settings.

Go to your existing Plugin and configure 117 HD. Now, change Anti-Aliasing to MSAA x16, Flashing Effects to Toggled, Level of Detail to Full, Dynamic Lights to Toggled, Shadow Quality to Extreme, and Expand Shadow Draw to Toggled.

Once done, you will now be able to explore the game in FULL HD! If you experience any sort of lag, then it means that your computer cannot handle the cranked settings, so you may want to lower it for a better gameplay experience.

Ban

Originally all 3rd party HD plugins were banned by Jagex, but on September 8, 2021, a lot of backlashes happened between the plugin creators and Jagex, with a final decision to approve the RUNELITE Plugin. As of now, there are no official OSRS plugins or HD clients, and the only two existing ones are RUNELITE and HDOS.

Although Jagex did mention that there may be a client coming out in the future, as of now, the 177 HD plugin and HDOS client are closest to an official we have for Old School RuneScape.

This is it. We hope you now understand the differences between the two OSRS clients/plugins and can come up with a decision on which one to choose. We hope you have an amazing time playing OSRS. Happy gaming!

RSGoldFast Team