Q: Upgrading my Graphics for MTW 2, etc

[AussieGiant]

Hi Dutch Guy and Duke of Serbia. As the resident experts (as far as I can tell) I have the following problem which is freaking me out so I have posted a few versions. One on the main page, one in the tech area and here.

I just installed the game on my new XPS 700 from Dell.

After looking at the default setting that were choosen by the game I thought....bollocks...its a new machine...I'm gonna max this puppy out and do a few hisotrical battles....so I did.

2.66 Dual Core
Nvidia 1G RAM 7950 GX2
2 GIG's of 667HZ RAM
2 x 150 Gig HHD on a RAID 0 stripe.

Running at 1280*1024 on a nice Samsung SyncMaster P193

I loaded up Agincourt and god was I unhappy!! The intro scene looked like a camera was being used to take pictures.

2 Questions:

1) What is the difference between configuring video settings using the Nvidia Control Panel on the desktop and/or doing the same thing in the video settings in the actual game? Which one is being used? Can someone provide accurate advise?

2) Can some people please provide their settings for best performance on a similar systems.

On a side note I'm going to 3DMark 06 my machine to check that all is well there as I removed the DELL XP Home build and reinstalled a fresh copy. However once this is done I would expect this game to run as smooth as you can imagine on this set up with just about everything on max.

Is there a possibility of a step by step check that some expert could list for me. I certainly can think logically and determine if it is my machine set up or the game.

Can anyone please help.

[Shieldmaiden]

DukeOfSerbia - I have e-mailed and this is the reply:

Hi,

The brand name is: ISO-switch power supply and the manufacturer code is:
ISO 400pp.

We checked these on the PSU it self and there are no other codes.

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Try knocking shadows to medium or low, or even turning them off. This is the big performance killer for most people.

[DukeofSerbia]

Try knocking shadows to medium or low, or even turning them off. This is the big performance killer for most people.

No it's not the problem. AussieGiant has powerful beast.


@Shieldmaiden

That means nothing. ISO is standard as you probably know. Are you from USA. If you are then we can find what manufacturer is.


@AussieGiant

It can be drivers, but it's not 100% sure. Try with the newest drivers. I have ATI, but next week I will transit to nVidia so I don't know how things work with GeForce cards.

[Shieldmaiden]

I know, its a rather useless tech support at Higrade IMHO.

I'm in the UK.

[AussieGiant]

No it's not the problem. AussieGiant has powerful beast.


@Shieldmaiden

That means nothing. ISO is standard as you probably know. Are you from USA. If you are then we can find what manufacturer is.


@AussieGiant

It can be drivers, but it's not 100% sure. Try with the newest drivers. I have ATI, but next week I will transit to nVidia so I don't know how things work with GeForce cards.

Hey DoS,

Thanks for getting back to me. Let me know how it goes once you migrate.

There are so many in game options PLUS Nvidia Graphic settings to choose from in the Nvidia control panel, that if you know what you are doing you could make a big difference.

I just did a 3DMark 06 and came out at Just over 8100 which is about right. It seems my machine in it's current config is performing as expected. I have updated and check all Drivers and I am "Good to Go" on that front.

If you have any tips DoS let me know.

Cheers AG.

[Dutch_guy]

Well, I know it isn't exactly the same problem, but the game did tend to crash a lot on my rig. Which isn't an exceptionally good one, but good enough. Anyway, the option I found which helped a lot was to turn off combined writing, this made my A7600GT run almost everything at High, with shadows off.

Just in case you wish to give it a try, you can turn this off by right clicking desktop properties, display properties, advanced troubleshooting.

Just try it, the problems differ, but maybe the solution's the same ?

PS: Happy birthday by the way

[AussieGiant]

Well, I know it isn't exactly the same problem, but the game did tend to crash a lot on my rig. Which isn't an exceptionally good one, but good enough. Anyway, the option I found which helped a lot was to turn off combined writing, this made my A7600GT run almost everything at High, with shadows off.

Just in case you wish to give it a try, you can turn this off by right clicking desktop properties, display properties, advanced troubleshooting.

Just try it, the problems differ, but maybe the solution's the same ?

PS: Happy birthday by the way

Hi Dutchguy,

Thanks for the Birthday wishes

I'll give you idea a shot. What is "combined writing"?

[Dutch_guy]

I'll give you idea a shot. What is "combined writing"?

I have no idea what it is exactly, I do know that turning it off helped reduce my ingame crashes (IE problems) and it may work for you too.

[DukeofSerbia]

Hey DoS,

Thanks for getting back to me. Let me know how it goes once you migrate.

Happy birthday! Yes. I will inform you. The best program for nVidia cards is Riva Tuner like ATI Tray Tools for ATI cards.

There are so many in game options PLUS Nvidia Graphic settings to choose from in the Nvidia control panel, that if you know what you are doing you could make a big difference.

I know that ATI Control Center (and ATI Tay Toosl) have options to set how graphics to perform - you can choose Application preferable or Settings from CC.

I just did a 3DMark 06 and came out at Just over 8100 which is about right. It seems my machine in it's current config is performing as expected. I have updated and check all Drivers and I am "Good to Go" on that front.

The problem can be that MII TW is not optimized for 7950GX2. Or vice versa.

If you have any tips DoS let me know.

Cheers AG.

Cheers.

[AussieGiant]

Hi DoS and Dutch_Guy,

DoS,

How is that card swap going?

Dutchy...(is that ok as a nick name ) unfortunately I am overseas now due to work so I did not get a chance to try your tip.

It's on my list of "Things to do" when I get back though.

P.S. I just read the "Guru3D" website write up of this grpahics card and it was the same as all the others...it is a monster and only beaten by 2 x 7900 512's in SLI mode or the 8800 series cards. I really don't like the idea that I have to set anything lower than the highest settings on M2TW. Something is still not right.

So...do either of you recommend Ntune by Nvidia or Riva Tuner? Overclocking seems the next logical step apart from see DoS configuration setting once he moves to nvidia. please let me know guy's.

Cheers to you both.
AG.

[AussieGiant]

Try knocking shadows to medium or low, or even turning them off. This is the big performance killer for most people.

I forgot to say thanks for the tip BKS. It is a performance killer but I want to leave it on or on high. My machine should handle this with ease.