Game performance really poor - what are the most resource intense settings?

[El Guapo]

My computer: i5-3450, GTX 960, 8 gb RAM

Well above min requirements, far away from recommended.
The computer is good enough to run Tropico 5 on highest settings with much better graphics than I can get out of Tropico 6.

Unfortunately, it's barely enjoyable for me with the low settings I have to take.

Can anyone recommend the best settings for lower end computers without making the game look like worse than T5?
- Shadows are the obvious resource hog
- Water usually comes in a close second
- Set a framerate cap at 40

What is your guys' experience?

PS: Unfortunately I can't refund it cause I bought it from GMG

[iFred]

I refunded. You can be glad not to have encountered more problems yet.

[Skybreaker]

Hi El Guapo,
please check this thread:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/492720/discussions/2/1771511442683471863/
It provides many useful tips, tricks and workarounds.

-cheers

[FalconerHG]

Video card should be OK. 8GB is not a lot of RAM these days, that might be part of the issue. Have you checked in Task Manager? (my guess is you'll be around 80% mem usage, which will be around the time that Windows starts trying to balance things out, which in turn will cost CPU).

In most games, shadows and quality of the textures.

[El Guapo]

@Unerde
Thanks for the help, but that doesn't address my problem at all.

The game recognizes the GTX 960 and with the help of the benchmark test suggests settings that make the game look worse than T3, T4 and T5. The game doesn't crash or something like that.

Which is why I was asking for experiences with the graphic settings and which ones are the most resource intensive.

Currently I'm contemplating cutting my losses and going back to T5...

PS: Would you suggest an FPS cap, maybe at 30?

[El Guapo]

Oprindeligt skrevet af FalconerHG:

Video card should be OK. 8GB is not a lot of RAM these days, that might be part of the issue. Have you checked in Task Manager? (my guess is you'll be around 80% mem usage, which will be around the time that Windows starts trying to balance things out, which in turn will cost CPU).

In most games, shadows and quality of the textures.

Thanks! It's currently at 67% (2,4 GB)

It runs decently with these settings:
FPS Cap: 30
AA: FXAA
Shadow: Low
Texture: Medium
Model: Medium
Ambient: Disabled
Shader: Medium
Water: Low
Environment: Medium
Particle: Medium
Bloom, Lens, Depth: Off

The real trouble starts when having a browser (Chrome) open while running the game which kinda sucks, but I can't blame the devs for that.

[jlking3rd]

Oprindeligt skrevet af El Guapo:

Oprindeligt skrevet af FalconerHG:

Video card should be OK. 8GB is not a lot of RAM these days, that might be part of the issue. Have you checked in Task Manager? (my guess is you'll be around 80% mem usage, which will be around the time that Windows starts trying to balance things out, which in turn will cost CPU).

In most games, shadows and quality of the textures.

Thanks! It's currently at 67% (2,4 GB)

It runs decently with these settings:
FPS Cap: 30
AA: FXAA
Shadow: Low
Texture: Medium
Model: Medium
Ambient: Disabled
Shader: Medium
Water: Low
Environment: Medium
Particle: Medium
Bloom, Lens, Depth: Off

The real trouble starts when having a browser (Chrome) open while running the game which kinda sucks, but I can't blame the devs for that.

In task manager check for software_reporter_tool.exe. It is a Google program that checks for apps that can interfere with Chrome. It is a real CPU hog when running. It is safe to just end task on it.

I have been playing in a 1366x768 window. I can even get up to high graphic settings with my GT 1030.

[El Guapo]

@jlkind3rd
Thanks, I checked and it doesn't seem to be running.

Capping FPS at 30 is the most useful setting I found out thus far.

[xXdolceXx]

the game runs fine here alt tab p[auze hours and the play back zero problem

[76561198051514398]

I've had no problems running at highest settings.