Given that the Fabric mod loader supports some performance-boosting mods like Sodium, players are recommended to use this mod loader when playing Distant Horizons with shaders.

Here is a short guide on how to make Minecraft look and feel modern with just one shader and texture pack. Note: Many other shaders and resource packs can drastically improve Minecraft's graphics.

The description page will link you to various features you'll want to add separately, though note that some of the older features have now been incorporated into the core mod as of version 1.0.