EastCoasthandle
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System Name | MY PC |
---|---|
Processor | E8400 @ 3.80Ghz > Q9650 3.60Ghz |
Motherboard | Maximus Formula |
Cooling | D5, 7/16" ID Tubing, Maze4 with Fuzion CPU WB |
Memory | XMS 8500C5D @ 1066MHz |
Video Card(s) | HD 2900 XT 858/900 to 4870 to 5870 (Keep Vreg area clean) |
Storage | 2 |
Display(s) | 24" |
Case | P180 |
Audio Device(s) | X-fi Plantinum |
Power Supply | Silencer 750 |
Software | XP Pro SP3 to Windows 7 |
Benchmark Scores | This varies from one driver to another. |
The purpose of this thread it so collect ideas on the best options available to us to get the best gaming experience when playing Crysis Warhead. Keep in mind that the tweaks, ideas and other information provided in this thread should be usable in Crysis.
Get your video card's profile recognized in Warhead
For ATI/AMD users
I found a post that discuss how you can use CFAA instead of CSAA (which nivida uses).
Here is what you do:
1. Add your video card's profile to the amd.txt:
(\Crytek\Crysis WARHEAD\Game\config\gpu)
Note: Adding the 4870 profile has decreased frame rates for me. I am not sure why this is.0x1002, 0x9441, 4 // ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2
0x1002, 0x9440, 4 // AMD Radeon HD 4870
0x1002, 0x9442, 4 // AMD Radeon HD 4850
0x1002, 0x9508, 3 // AMD Radeon HD 3870
0x1002, 0x9504, 3 // AMD Radeon HD 3850
0x1002, 0x950F, 4 // AMD Radeon HD 3870 x2
2. Delete the information found in FSAAProfiles.txt to incorporate ATI's CFAA info found here (in quotes):
(\Crytek\Crysis WARHEAD\Game\config)
Version (1.00)
DeviceGroupID 'ATI'
{
VendorID = 4098 // ATI
Devices
{
MinID = 0x0000
MaxID = 0xFFFF
}
}
FSAAProfile 'CFAA'
{
DeviceGroup = ATI
Mode
{
Samples = 4
Quality = 0
Desc '4xMSAA'
}
Mode
{
Samples = 8
Quality = 0
Desc '8xMSAA'
}
}
3. Start Crysis: Warhead then go to:
-options
-system Settings
-Graphics
then click on the optimize button. Select your resolution and level of AA and hit the apply button. If you don't see it you may have to exit and restart the game.
4. Play Crysis:Warhead.
Results should be a slight increase in performance but IMO (based on my PC setup) AA looks better. The end result should looks something like this.
The source of the information can be found here if you require a reference (IE: not my idea).
Results
Some tweaks to allow you to play at decent frame rates with minimum impact IQ
Pick and choose which you prefer. I've found the following to offer the best frame rates with little to no difference in image quality depending on what's being used:r_TexturesStreaming=2 is default setting. Some say changing this to 1 helps with the auto save crashing.
r_ssao = 0; = 1 enables what appears to be some level of self shadowing. But from the list of definition it adds some sort of global lighting effect which makes objects more life like
r_usePOM = 0; replace this with AF instead
r_TexMaxAnisotropy = 8; or =16 (replaces r_usePOM with sharper textures)
r_DepthofField = 1; when = 0 there is a slight difference in IQ
e_precache_level = 1; level is loaded up beforehand or a potential drop in any in-level stuttering.
r_MotionBlur = 0; this is simply not needed and not realistic
r_Glow = 0; Removes the excessive glow on distant objects and can make things like flares and the illumination of light bulbs look a little dim. But the illumination of the surrounding area of the light bulb and flares are not effected (IE being able to see in bulidings, etc).
Optional
e_phys_foliage =1; This will make foliage static and will not react to your movement
cl_fov = 55; instead of default of = 60
r_UseEdgeAA = 1; instead of = 2 makes palm tree leaves, etc look more fuller
e_lods = 1; uses less detail on objects as they recede into the distance
Below are the changes found in Warhead
e_view_dist_ratio_detail = 50; Enthusiast. Use to be 30 in Crysis in Very High. This controls max. view of distance for objects.
e_view_dist_ratio_vegetation = 65; Enthusiast. Use to be 45 in Crysis in Very High. This controls max. view distance of vegetation and foliage.
r_TexturesStreaming = 0,1,2. 1 or 2 use constant texture streaming with 2 being more aggressive streaming. 0 means that textures are preloaded from cache which can cause crashes. etc.
e_time_of_day [value]. This allows you to change the time of day in game. IE: 4:00pm or 5:00pm, etc.
Example:
Create autoexec.cfg file using notepad and save it:
Electronic Arts\Crytek\Crysis WARHEAD\
con_restricted = 0
r_ssao = 0
r_usePOM = 0
r_TexMaxAnisotropy = 8
r_DepthofField = 1
e_precache_level = 1
r_MotionBlur = 0
r_Glow =0
e_phys_foliage =1
cl_fov = 55
r_UseEdgeAA = 1
e_lods = 1
It's always a good idea to remove the cache files if you create or make changes to customization files.
Once the autoexec.bat file is created go to:
\My Documents\My Games\Crysis_WARHEAD\Shaders\Cache
and delete all the *.cfxb files
then go to
\My Documents\My Games\Crysis_WARHEAD\Shaders\Cache\D3D9\CGPShaders
and delete all *.cfxb
\My Documents\My Games\Crysis_WARHEAD\Shaders\Cache\D3D9\CGVShaders
and deleta all *.cfxb
Next defrag the harddrive that these files are stored in (usually C:\drive). Then start Warhead. Make sure you defrag the harddrive after you delete those cache files. Once you defrag your hard drive then start Warhead with no (0) cache files you shouldn't have to defrag your HD after that.
Results
How to record, locate and play TimeDemo
The commands are:
-record timedemo
-stop recording
The saved timedemos are located in:
\Electronic Arts\Crytek\Crysis WARHEAD\Game\Levels\
-airfield
-ambush
-avalanche
-cargo
-cave
-frost
-train
subdirectories. Depending on which map you use. If you record a demo in airfield the demo will be saved in the airfield subdirectory. If you record a demo in ambush then the demo you recorded will be saved in the ambush subdirectory, etc.
How to play back? I found a post on how to create a benchmark for Crysis Warhead here. Unfortunately, there is no "play" command that will allow this.
How to remove the introduction videos
To disable all the videos at the start of Crysis: Warhead rename the following files:
• CryTek.sfd
• Trailer_Crytek.sfd
• Trailer_CrytekC.sfd
• Trailer_EA.sfd
• Trailer_Intel.sfd
• Trailer_Nvidia.sfd
• Trailer_PEGI.sfd
• Trailer_Rating_Full.sfd
found in \Crysis WARHEAD\Game\Localized\Video
Here is a list of commands and what they do
Source
Here is how the AA breaks down in Crysis Warhead
2xAA = r_FSAA_samples = 2, r_FSAA_quality = 0
4xAA = r_FSAA_samples = 4, r_FSAA_quality = 0
8xAA = r_FSAA_samples = 4, r_FSAA_quality = 2
8xAAQ = r_FSAA_samples = 8, r_FSAA_quality = 0
16xAA = r_FSAA_samples = 4, r_FSAA_quality = 4
16xAAQ = r_FSAA_samples = 8, r_FSAA_quality = 2
Benchmarking Program in the works
There is a benchmarking program similar to one used for Crysis. It's called FrameBuffer Crysis Warhead Benchmarking Tool. There has been a few updates and would not be surprise to see a few more. update Framebuffer Crysis: Warhead Benchmrking tool version 0.32
Issues with Warhead so far
So far the only issue I've seen with Warhead was that it has a tendency to crash in one form or another. The reason for it is not clear but some believe it's the result of a memory leak. The game seems to crash most often during auto saves.If anyone else have good ideas post them, they are more then welcomed
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