GPU Detection Fix /Graphics boost

[Jonny Sparta]

Ok the GPU detection thing.

Many video cards are not recognized by the software, this results in the game using a lower system settings profile for graphics options.

During launch PecanCompat.ini file checks hardware and assigns a grade for CPU and GPU of 1-5, then the file has 5 different sets of the [SystemSetting] options, that it chooses from based on your assigned systems hardware grade.

Step 1 -> check your assigned grade

C:\Users\Crank\Documents\My Games\Aliens Colonial Marines\PecanGame\Logs --->Launch
is the log file that shows the information ACM stored about your last game launch.

To check your hardware grade-- look for these lines, not far down the page

[0000.53] Log: Machine detected compatibility level: Composite: 5. CPU: 5. GPU: 5.
[0000.53] Log: Previous detected compatibility level: Composite: 4. CPU: 5. GPU: 4.

If you've got a beast of a video card but are getting anything less than 5 then you have the same problem I had.and the game is running nerfed options... SO

Just above these lines, is the logs for the GPU compat test, (you will need Device ID )

[0000.52] Log: GPU stats:
[0000.52] Log: DeviceID: 00001244 <----that one (varies with card model)
[0000.52] Log: DeviceName: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti

Step 2 -> Add your video card to the list it checks

Ok so you go now, to the Config folder, and open PecanCompat.ini

In here is the coding for the games hardware detection. And I don't see any cards of the nvidia family higher that 400 series on this list.

under [AppCompatGPU-0x10DE]
The PROBLEM is that your video card may not be on this list.

game uses device ID to recognize hardware. and you can see how they have the device ID written.

0x014F=1,GeForce 6200
where 0x014F is the device ID (a little changed)
=1 is the score they assigned any particular card

This was my device ID from the log file---> DeviceID: 00001244
It was not on the PecanCompat card list.

So I created the line
0x1244=5,NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti <-drop zeros from ID line add that x and give it a 5

now game gives me a gpu= 5 score and when i launch it uses [AppCompatBucket5]
which is a [SystemSettings] profile located at the bottom of the PecanCompat.ini

On it's own this should make ACM run on higher settings than it was before, but for the enthusiast

Step 3 (optional)

Go feed it to [AppCompatBucket5] like it slapped ur moma
and the DAM EXE should listen and use ur new beast mode settings.
I read that these, should be changed to zero values as u see here. +there are the other options
TEXTUREGROUP_World=(LODBias=0)
TEXTUREGROUP_WorldNormalMap=(LODBias=0)
TEXTUREGROUP_WorldSpecular=(LODBias=0)

game looks better to me. gun fire seems to be really lighting up the room. havn't tested this extensively just wanted to figure this GPU detection fix out, and get it up here, in the hopes this will contribute to a larger graphics solution.
sry for the long instructions :)

Don't forget to make backups :)

[ACrimeSoClassic]

I wish I knew how to do this lol. 'm not bad with computers, but this is beyond me :P

[Spike]

Game crashes when I alter the TEXTUREGROUP settings. But I can confirm the GPU fix does work and the game looks a lot better for it. Thanks .

[Jonny Sparta]

Originally posted by GlassToTheArson:

I wish I knew how to do this lol. 'm not bad with computers, but this is beyond me :P

Figuring it out was a little beyond me. But what I wrote is EXACTLY what you need todo. Maybe the only thing I didn't mention, is you are opening and changing the config files with notepad.

[hyoko]

Interest finding. I follow your suggestion and got two fives, but i still getting this:
[0000.38] Log: PhysX GPU Support: DISABLED

[Plushie]

whelp! I tried it and I couldn't see much of a differance to be honest. I have a ATI HD 5870, so I put the device ID under the ATI cards ( I couldn't believe there were no cards above ATI HD 2600, the 9000 series is out now >< ) I changed the TEXTUREGROUP settings and it worked first time, then just kept crashing.

Resetting the file ( Deleting the CONFIG folder and re-running the game ) fixed it, I re-added my GPU to the list and the game runs smoothly. HOWEVER I still see very little graphical improvement. ( My GPU was rated 4 )

[Hatebringer]

interesting. i have a gtx460 and noticed a few changes. i decided to delve a bit deeper:

bucket 1

AmbientOcclusion=False
StaticDecals=False
DynamicDecals=False
LightEnvironmentShadows=False
DirectionalLightmaps=False
LensFlares=False
TEXTUREGROUP_World=(LODBias=1)
TEXTUREGROUP_WorldNormalMap=(LODBias=1)
TEXTUREGROUP_WorldSpecular=(LODBias=2)

bucket 2
AmbientOcclusion=False
StaticDecals=False
StaticDecals=False
DynamicDecals=False
LightEnvironmentShadows=False
DirectionalLightmaps=False
MotionBlur=False
FXAA=False
UseHighQualityBloom=False
LensFlares=False
TEXTUREGROUP_World=(LODBias=1)
TEXTUREGROUP_WorldNormalMap=(LODBias=1)
TEXTUREGROUP_WorldSpecular=(LODBias=2)

bucket 3
AmbientOcclusion=False
FXAA=False
UseHighQualityBloom=False
bForceRequestedShadowsOn=False
TEXTUREGROUP_World=(LODBias=1)
TEXTUREGROUP_WorldNormalMap=(LODBias=1)
TEXTUREGROUP_WorldSpecular=(LODBias=1)


bucket 4
CompositeDynamicLights=False
MotionBlur=False
UseHighQualityBloom=False

bucket 5
CompositeDynamicLights=False
MotionBlur=False

i changed those up .. i did notice a drop in fps but i did also notice quite a bit of a jump in lighitng. however i don't think alot of these options are working .. alteast shadow wise.

let me know if these seem to make a difference for you. (note these are my default settings i changed all falses to true and all 1's and 2's to 0) you'll have to change these settings right now that's how they read by default.

[Knight_Kin]

Well people do have to remember that even though the engine has certain support, if the developers didn't utilize those features turning them on won't do anything. If the devs had some sort of half-assed implementation, it may be buggy. I'd be surprised if someone found an actual 'gem' simply by altering settings. Just being honest.

[Cross{x}Hair]

I might be wrong bu isnt what we did in the op, mean that our game will load the settings from appcompatbucket 5 only?

[Hatebringer]

Originally posted by Cross{x}Hair:

I might be wrong bu isnt what we did in the op, mean that our game will load the settings from appcompatbucket 5 only?

yea but myself would be loading from 4. since my vidcard seems to only rate a 4 .. i did notice alot of diff settings in 1 that are not outright in 2 3 4 and 5 tho. so i'm thinking some settings have to be loaded from each.

[Cross{x}Hair]

Well my game is loading fine and looking ok, but soon as i change any video settings ingame (textures are on lowest same as sum other settings) it crashes. But I THINK the game is using better settings than ingame ones say anyway.

Also detail mode is set to 2, can it go higher?

"DetailMode=2"

[Nick Naughty]

Its looks to me that this game was sponsored by Nvidia and has more ATI settings instead.

[Cross{x}Hair]

Well game looks awesome for me now, i put detial mode on 5 and it looks GREAT!

http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/902114506627541120/B6F31CB7C448A94FA1C75B31859DE6E0A3884862/

http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/902114506627559832/3BF58B929757306322924B855E35B4401D425889/

[Nasher]

Not seeing any real difference tbh. If you look at the 2011 demo compared to the released game it's more than just detail settings.

The game we saw in 2011 was FAR higher quality than what we got, everything from textures to physics and even the story. You would have to re-make (or un-make) most of the game to fix it. Sadly it's beyond repair.

[Paul.]

^stfu being so negative the game is amazing you douche

[Nick Naughty]

Saint.f you have done a great job so far.

Do we have an idea on whats missing or not working.