Preventing crashes on Intel graphics.

[Godbert Manderville]

Living with integrated graphcis

Hi all.

There are already quite a large number of threads about the games frequently randomly crashing, and the solution usually entails making sure the game is running off of a dedicated GPU as opposed to the integrated chip. However, as I'm without a discrete GPU (and currently unable to afford a replacement), that fix is not an option for me. I have a desktop with the following specs:

• Windows 10 Pro build 14342
  
• Asus Maximus VII Hero motherboard
  
• Intel Core i5-4690k @ 4487 MHz
  
• Intel HD 4600 graphics @ 1326 MHz with latest drivers (version 15.40.22.4424)
  
• 8 GB RAM @ 1632 Mhz

The game runs at constant 30 FPS in fullscreen 1920x1080 with the following graphics settings: Screenshot [puu.sh]

In both FFX and FFX-2, the game randomly crashes at screen transitions. It may crash at one point, but I'm able to reload my autosave and continue before it crashes somewhere else. Sometimes I can go 30 minutes between crashes; sometimes it's more like 2 minutes.

I've already tried rebooting, reinstalling the game, verifying the game files in steam, dropping all graphics settings to minimum, and playing both with and without the Untitled Project X mod. No matter what I try, I still get the same random crashes. Thanks to the game autosaving at every screen transition, I don't have to worry about losing any progress. Nevertheless, this is still absurdly annoying. There may be an Intel graphics driver update or game patch in the future to resolve this, but does anyone currently have a solution? Thanks in advance for any help.

[Chesty La'Rou]

Like I said, I didn't say they couldn't run it. I was just saying if you were buying the game knowing you had only an iGPU with the "expectation" that it was guaranteed to run because it's technically a 3D accelerator, then this person is being silly and ridiculous.

[write_me32]

☥ - CJ - eredeti hozzászólása:

So what CPU do you have then?
And what controller are you using?

I have an intel core i5 7200u 2.5ghz, 12 GB RAM. Here's what I used for reference for game benchmarking: https://laptoping.com/gpus/product/intel-hd-620-review-graphics-of-7th-gen-core-u-series-kaby-lake-cpus/

The only game on that list that I can attest to is GTA V, which I play with no problems, lags, or crashes. Tbh, mine looks better/runs smoother than the youtube video linked there. I'm running FFX on the lowest graphics setting and when the game is running, especially during cut scenes, I've checked the system resources. CPU never goes over around 20% use, integrated GPU I've only seen get up to around 70%. I'm not sure if that's meaningful, but I do know it's different than when my horrible work computer utilizes all its system resources and everything freezes. My laptop has never hung (knock on wood), but FFX will crash for no identifiable (to me) reason.

My controller is an aftermarket Xbox 360 wired controller, which also works perfectly on all my other games.

I'm not a gamer, I just play games and this computer fully fulfills my needs with the exception of this FFX remaster. I'm beginning to suspect that that's why they added auto-save.

[[☥] - CJ -]

GTA V is Old and Highly optimized, FFX isnt on the same level as far as optimization goes so results will ALWAYS vary when it comes to Intel iGPU's.

The other thing is that CPU is a low power variant, so its going to be weaker than its closest desktop CPU. Technically speaking, Intel integrated GPUs arent even supported, so it'll be hit or miss to begin with.

That aside
the crashing could be related to the games default settings, so you should check that out just in case.

And "Auto save" was not added, it was part of the game from the start, it isnt a PC specific feature, and like ANY auto save in a game its there in case you screw up doing something in the game.

For controller, i use a PowerA xbox one controller, never had issues with it.
The game only has PARTIAL controller support meaning that there will be some things you'll need to use a KB/Mouse for, this is normal for ALL GAMES that have "Partial controller support".

[write_me32]

☥ - CJ - eredeti hozzászólása:

GTA V is Old and Highly optimized, FFX isnt on the same level as far as optimization goes so results will ALWAYS vary when it comes to Intel iGPU's.

The other thing is that CPU is a low power variant, so its going to be weaker than its closest desktop CPU. Technically speaking, Intel integrated GPUs arent even supported, so it'll be hit or miss to begin with.

Out of curiosity and ignorance, how would one know how intel iGPUs will perform? As I recall, the minimum specs mention the required Windows version, AMD processor, and NVIDIA graphics. If nothing about my computer says that, but I know that AMD is a different manufacturer of CPU, how do I compare the specs? Is the answer basically Google it and hope for the best?

That aside
the crashing could be related to the games default settings, so you should check that out just in case.

Thanks! I'll double check, but I think I adjusted all the settings I have access to and understand. I'll keep looking, though.

And "Auto save" was not added, it was part of the game from the start, it isnt a PC specific feature, and like ANY auto save in a game its there in case you screw up doing something in the game.

Oh no, I distinctly remember back in 2002 on the PS2 staying up late because I couldn't stop playing until I got to a save sphere. And if I didn't have enough space on my memory card that was the worst. Or when you died in pursuit of a save sphere and had to start whatever you were doing over again. The good old days. Haha!

For controller, i use a PowerA xbox one controller, never had issues with it.
The game only has PARTIAL controller support meaning that there will be some things you'll need to use a KB/Mouse for, this is normal for ALL GAMES that have "Partial controller support".

When it works, this controller really works. I have no complaints when it does work. There have just been times where it's like the FFX remaster doesn't even recognize there's a controller connected, even though I've checked the Devices page and tested with other games to confirm it's working. Restarting my computer has helped.

[Casurin]

write_me32 eredeti hozzászólása:

Out of curiosity and ignorance, how would one know how intel iGPUs will perform? As I recall, the minimum specs mention the required Windows version, AMD processor, and NVIDIA graphics. If nothing about my computer says that, but I know that AMD is a different manufacturer of CPU, how do I compare the specs? Is the answer basically Google it and hope for the best?

For all GPUs there are reviews on benchmarks about their performance. The system-requirements just list equivalent class hardware whos performance should be considered a rough minimum.
While the i5 7200U is a 4 year old low-power CPU its graphics performance should be enough for this game - it is about he same as the recommended GPU.

So now the question is - what settings are you using (recommended usually means the game will run on lowest settings) and what type of performance are you getting.

[[☥] - CJ -]

While the Intel 620 might be slightly better than a 9600GT, the 9600GT would be better due to much better driver support and optimizations.

Also as far as the Intel goes, RAM Speeds/Timings affect the performance of the 620 to an extent so performance will vary as far as that goes as well.

Any info you could need is googleable yes, Youtube as well in most cases.

With all that said as i mentioned, intel iGPU's are practically never supported by games because of how much they suck, its only been the past couple years that they have been good enough to run an assortment of games at Low or above settings depending on the game.

AMD makes CPUs and GPUs, as far as iGPU's go between the 2 AMD's integrated GPUs offer much better performance in games, partly because of driver support as well.

As for auto saves, you are correct, its been ages since i played the original so i forgot.
"Auto-saving is available for the Steam versions of each game. Both Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 will save automatically when the player enter a location or progress the story by watching a cutscene. The auto-save slot is separated from the other save files. An icon of a chocobo will appear at the bottom-right corner of the screen when an auto-save is in progress."

The auto save was likely added to help people in case they forgot to save etc so on and end up getting screwed because of it, i doubt it was specifically due to technical issues that people may have but that would also be a logical reason.
-

As far as your controller goes, if rebooting resolves it then its likely driver or Windows related..

But to help with performance in general
Any programs/background processes that dont need to be running while gaming SHOULD be closed before gaming so you have more resources available, as you are on a limited spec laptop this should always be done, dont leave crap running like browsers and what not as they can impact performance while gaming.

[Plex]

4th gen can cause crashes. I had that as well with some devices.
I'm guessing you're saving up for a better graphics card instead of a grabbing a cheap one?

[write_me32]

Casurin eredeti hozzászólása:

For all GPUs there are reviews on benchmarks about their performance. The system-requirements just list equivalent class hardware whos performance should be considered a rough minimum.
While the i5 7200U is a 4 year old low-power CPU its graphics performance should be enough for this game - it is about he same as the recommended GPU.

So now the question is - what settings are you using (recommended usually means the game will run on lowest settings) and what type of performance are you getting.

It's so weird and unpredictable when it'll crash. The cut scenes are beautiful and always play perfectly, but finishing a fight or trying to save will crash the game. After a fight, during the AP/Gil/rewards screen is when it'll freeze, and it's not so much that it's completely frozen, but that the screen is frozen and I can hear the game continuing underneath until I hit Escape to restart. The other time it crashes is right before I can save at a save sphere.

If this is a subpar graphics card issue, why doesn't it crash during presumably graphics card-taxing cut scenes? Instead it only crashes during low graphic-quality parts.

And I don't have anything else running while I'm playing FFX. No browser, no other processes outside of the standard, nothing else is running.

[Casurin]

write_me32 eredeti hozzászólása:

If this is a subpar graphics card issue, why doesn't it crash during presumably graphics card-taxing cut scenes? Instead it only crashes during low graphic-quality parts.

Nah, the GPU should be fine.

There are many potential causes, so....
Check if maybe you got an antivirus that is doing something.
Verify game integrity via steam
Disable Steam overlay
Try running the game as administrator

Those have often helped other people with crash-problems.

[write_me32]

Casurin eredeti hozzászólása:

Nah, the GPU should be fine.

There are many potential causes, so....
Check if maybe you got an antivirus that is doing something.
Verify game integrity via steam
Disable Steam overlay
Try running the game as administrator

Those have often helped other people with crash-problems.

I found the problem. I turned Vsync on and it hasn't crashed since. I didn't realize there was an error log, but I saw mention of one in another thread. I checked the OUTPUT.txt file in the FFX folder, googled the error, and found out I just needed to toggle Vsync.

[[☥] - CJ -]

well thats interesting lol
But since the fps has a cap theres really no reason to not have it enabled lol

glad you resolved it

[RPG Gamer Man]

My game just crashed. I will try the Vsynch on thing to see if that fixes my issue too. Now i have to figure out how to turn on Vsynch for it to work. I may have to use AMD adrenaline 2020 to fix it. Nevermind..found it under the esc menu stuff.

Such a simple fix, and i have yet to crash yet..thanks alot for all the help man! I did crash before i did this..afterwards, i have yet to crash.

Will this same fix work on X-2 also?

[write_me32]

RPG Gamer Man eredeti hozzászólása:

My game just crashed. I will try the Vsynch on thing to see if that fixes my issue too. Now i have to figure out how to turn on Vsynch for it to work. I may have to use AMD adrenaline 2020 to fix it. Nevermind..found it under the esc menu stuff.

Such a simple fix, and i have yet to crash yet..thanks alot for all the help man! I did crash before i did this..afterwards, i have yet to crash.

Will this same fix work on X-2 also?

I don't know if it works on X-2 yet, but just gotta say as a follow-up to my previous post that it will still crash occasionally, usually after I beat a fiend in the Monster Arena (which suuuuuucks big time). But there's less chance of it crashing if I restart the game before going into the arena.

I hope it continues to work for you!

[RPG Gamer Man]

write_me32 eredeti hozzászólása:

RPG Gamer Man eredeti hozzászólása:

My game just crashed. I will try the Vsynch on thing to see if that fixes my issue too. Now i have to figure out how to turn on Vsynch for it to work. I may have to use AMD adrenaline 2020 to fix it. Nevermind..found it under the esc menu stuff.

Such a simple fix, and i have yet to crash yet..thanks alot for all the help man! I did crash before i did this..afterwards, i have yet to crash.

Will this same fix work on X-2 also?

I don't know if it works on X-2 yet, but just gotta say as a follow-up to my previous post that it will still crash occasionally, usually after I beat a fiend in the Monster Arena (which suuuuuucks big time). But there's less chance of it crashing if I restart the game before going into the arena.

I hope it continues to work for you!

I actually have no crashes on ffx since i put this fix to work. I really must thank you for helping me enjoy my game much more with hardly any crashes. Thank you very much!

UPDATED: The other day the whole game crashed my whole pc. I did not get BSOD, but it did startup again with no warning when loading the game to start playing....i found it odd, no sound, just crashed my whole pc, and reloaded it. Luckily, this only has happened to me twice so far. I really am trying to be careful with FFX when loading it now. No steam chat while it is doing it, or alt tabbing to the walkthrough by keyblade on gamefaqs.

[TECHNIKAKeitoSithuro]

The SphinX eredeti hozzászólása:

So far no good. I can't even get passed the beginning cinematic where they are all sitting. But its not randomly crashing. It's happening at the same exact moment each time as others I've already read about in the forums.


Probably going to have to just wait for a official patch from Square and/or Intel.

i had the same problem,skip it,it is very rare to see it whole without crashing