What settings for my computer?

[Hunt3r.j2]

I'm trying to nail down what the best balance of graphics and performance is best for my system. Any pointers? Ideally, I'd like to get about 30-40 FPS average, maybe dipping into the high 20s.

 

My computer specs are:

 

AMD X2 4800 (2.4 GHz)

HIS IceQ4 4850

2 GB DDR400 (With some chat programs in background 1.3 GB free)

Playing at 1280x1024

[Boulund]

First of all, turn of water completely by editing \...\BlackShark\data\scripts\options.lua with a text editor that IS NOT windows notepad. ( I recommend Notepad++, http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/site.htm)

 

Change this row:

["water"] = 0,

so that it looks like above, this disables the high impact of water rendering in game. MASSIVE improvement so try it out even if you don't believe me.

 

Try playing around with the settings to find a good combination of eye candy and FPS.

I usually turn down shadows,

drop the "Resolution of Cockpit Displays" to lowest possible (you won't see any difference anyway),

Keep textures on highest because you really want them sharp =)

Try lowering scenes

Lowering view distance

Turn of mirrors

 

 

Other than that the most beneficial thing you can do is overclock your CPU.

[EtherealN]

Also, if you're using XP, switch to Vista or 7 for optimum dualcore management. :P

 

Okey, that might be a bit overkill.

[Duke49th]

First of all, turn of water completely by editing \...\BlackShark\data\scripts\options.lua with a text editor that IS NOT windows notepad. ( I recommend Notepad++, http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/site.htm)

 

Change this row:

["water"] = 0,

so that it looks like above, this disables the high impact of water rendering in game. MASSIVE improvement so try it out even if you don't believe me.

 

And if you have still fps issue's:

 

lights=1 - reduces light effects (I think it removes "volumetric lightning" effect - not sure if it is the correct term for this effect.

 

 

effects=2 -- removes the "hover dust" and it also seems that it reduces some more smoke effects (more fps when launching missiles when Shkval monitor is on)

 

 

Edit: And with your low amount of Ram you should kill all programs in the background, e.g. Messenger(chat) and so on. (You cannot write messages when you're flying, so why leave them on?)

Edited October 25, 2009 by Duke49th

[EtherealN]

You can too write messages when flying. I do sometimes trim up and alt-tab out to write a quick response to someone. :P

 

And of course, there's windowed mode which would make it pretty easy - but that would definitely be the first thing to change when chasing FPS.

[Duke49th]

 

And of course, there's windowed mode which would make it pretty easy - but that would definitely be the first thing to change when chasing FPS.

:P

 

 

Oh, and what I find out is, that I gain some fps in ArmA 2 when I set A.I. Catalyst from "default" to "disable".

 

Normally "default" should bring you some fps. But with the newer driver it gives me only fps hits.

 

But this is, for me, only in ArmA 2. No effects for me in Blackshark..but maybe this help you.

[Hunt3r.j2]

First of all, turn of water completely by editing \...\BlackShark\data\scripts\options.lua with a text editor that IS NOT windows notepad. ( I recommend Notepad++, http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/site.htm)

 

Change this row:

["water"] = 0,

so that it looks like above, this disables the high impact of water rendering in game. MASSIVE improvement so try it out even if you don't believe me.

 

Try playing around with the settings to find a good combination of eye candy and FPS.

I usually turn down shadows,

drop the "Resolution of Cockpit Displays" to lowest possible (you won't see any difference anyway),

Keep textures on highest because you really want them sharp =)

Try lowering scenes

Lowering view distance

Turn of mirrors

 

 

Other than that the most beneficial thing you can do is overclock your CPU.

Is this necessary for the FPS I want?

 

Suppose I have:

 

Core i7 920 @ 3.2 GHz

3 GB DDR3

NV 9600 GT

Vista Home Premium 64 bit

 

Would I be able to keep things at higher quality?

[Boberro]

You can too write messages when flying. I do sometimes trim up and alt-tab out to write a quick response to someone. :P

 

And of course, there's windowed mode which would make it pretty easy - but that would definitely be the first thing to change when chasing FPS.

 

Hahah exacly like me :P

 

I play all time in window mode in all games and do same ;]

[EtherealN]

Hunt3r, generally speaking what you want in DCS is high clock speed. Amount of cores isn't all that important - two cores is enough since it allows the operating system to flip the process between cores to make it always use the one with the least workload. I would assume that processors with common L2 cache (or, in the case of i7's and the newer AMD processors, the L3) perform better than those with separate L2 (like older AMD). However I have not seen any testing of that. Maximus_G did however establish through exhaustive testing that there is no added benefit to having four cores than two - for DCS that is. For other games and for multithreaded applications it is of course a vast help.

 

Whether the suggestions posted by Boulund are enough for your current system is impossible to say until you have tested it. For example, your RAM seems to be on the slow side so it might become a "new" bottleneck, though I don't think it's likely since my testing so far has shown me no gains when I overclock my RAM. Is that dual-channel RAM you are using? If so, it's actually 800MHz sticks - just like I am using - and they'll be fine.

 

I worry about the 9600GT card of your proposed system there. It's a pretty weak card and might become a new bottleneck. In that case it would be better to get the rest of that new system and transplant your existing graphics card to that computer.

 

Definitely try Boulund's suggestions before making any purchases though. If they help, you can also investigate the possibilities of further boosting your DCS performance through overclocking your processor. It's a relatively inexpensive thing to do (usually a 50 dollar heat sink/fan assembly will be enough), relatively safe as long as you've done your homework first, and since your system would appear to be at least the year old I'd expect that you don't have to worry about warranties being voided since they'll most likely have expired anyway.

 

But yes, the new system would offer better performance as long as that 9600 doesn't end up too weak, which it shouldn't as long as you keep those relatively small screen resolutions and don't go to town too much with AA and AF. Also, the 920 overclocks like a MONSTER and you could have that processor running at 4GHz or more.

 

If money is an object and you do want a new system, you could investigate older core2 systems, like my own. They are cheap to build and as long as you use a quality motherboard and PSU you can likewise overclock them remarkably well.

 

But, again, first test Boulund's suggestions.

[Hunt3r.j2]

I'd really just like to know what my max settings I can run with my system with smooth gameplay.

 

I most likely won't exceed 4x MSAA and 8x Aniso

 

Also, I might just get a 5850 for the i7 system I mentioned.

Edited October 26, 2009 by Hunt3r.j2

[EtherealN]

I know that's what you want to know, but no-one can tell you. There's too many variables. We can tell you the general tweaks that usually help, but the only way to find out how much help you'll get from them is through you applying them. There is no magic formula for predicting exact FPS because even such things as whether you have an anti-virus program active might actually impact your FPS. Only way to know is to try.

 

Also, you should note that any given setting will have varying results depending on mission. A setting that in a busy battle mission gives a general FPS of 20 might give you 80 in a more sedate scouting affair.

 

EDIT:

Oh, and I don't think you offered that bit of information: which Operating System is running on the computer right now? If it's XP, do note that Vista and 7 is reported to offer between 30 and 70 percent higher FPS than XP in DCS. (This is due to their mature multicore handling, something that XP is patently rotten at.)

Edited October 26, 2009 by EtherealN

[Hunt3r.j2]

I know that's what you want to know, but no-one can tell you. There's too many variables. We can tell you the general tweaks that usually help, but the only way to find out how much help you'll get from them is through you applying them. There is no magic formula for predicting exact FPS because even such things as whether you have an anti-virus program active might actually impact your FPS. Only way to know is to try.

 

Also, you should note that any given setting will have varying results depending on mission. A setting that in a busy battle mission gives a general FPS of 20 might give you 80 in a more sedate scouting affair.

 

EDIT:

Oh, and I don't think you offered that bit of information: which Operating System is running on the computer right now? If it's XP, do note that Vista and 7 is reported to offer between 30 and 70 percent higher FPS than XP in DCS. (This is due to their mature multicore handling, something that XP is patently rotten at.)

I think I'm most likely due for an OS update sooner or later.

 

Hopefully.

 

Most likely need to upgrade to 4 GB RAM though.

[EtherealN]

Well, at least over here you are able to purchase OEM versions as long as you also purchase hardware - that is, any hardware. When my brother wanted to get Vista on his apple through Bootcamp all he had to do to qualify was purchase a USB memory stick. That is a way to cut down the cost on an OS replacement - as long as that is actually legal in your country. They tend to vary a bit. However, do note that the OEM license qualifies for one computer only - if you purchase an OEM version and apply it to that computer, and then purchase a new computer in 6 months, you will not be legally permitted to transfer your license.

 

But yes, 4GB RAM is a good idea, as is a 64bit OS.

 

Anyway, have you tested Boulund's suggestions and gotten any results?

[Hunt3r.j2]

Well, at least over here you are able to purchase OEM versions as long as you also purchase hardware - that is, any hardware. When my brother wanted to get Vista on his apple through Bootcamp all he had to do to qualify was purchase a USB memory stick. That is a way to cut down the cost on an OS replacement - as long as that is actually legal in your country. They tend to vary a bit. However, do note that the OEM license qualifies for one computer only - if you purchase an OEM version and apply it to that computer, and then purchase a new computer in 6 months, you will not be legally permitted to transfer your license.

 

But yes, 4GB RAM is a good idea, as is a 64bit OS.

 

Anyway, have you tested Boulund's suggestions and gotten any results?

I have a pretty decent increase, just want to know if there's a better way.

 

Thanks for the advice though.

[Boulund]

So far, the best way I know for increasing FPS is turning off water (everyone should do this regardless of PC performance, really) and overclocking the CPU. These two things are very easy to do and give a lot back.

In my opinion the next best thing is to get Windows 7, and third get a new computer.

[EtherealN]

Yeah, it should be noted that except when benchmarking and such, I run with water off too. Water high can be massive eyecandy in a few very specific conditions, but most of the time it just doesn't warrant do enough of a difference to bother with the slow-down.

 

I've been thinking about updating to Windows 7 though... But remain undecided on whether it's worth the money. Payware OSes aren't cheap. :P