Stuttering (bad frametiming) Fix + "GOG or Steam Version" Answered

[The Alchemist]

tl;dr:

- As of May 2020, TEW2 still has profound performance issues and oddities regarding frametiming.
- The GOG version is identical to the Steam release in terms of performance.
- The GOG version DOES NOT have DRM, so I'd recommend picking it up over the Steam release, but NOT re-buying the GOG version if you already own it on Steam.
- Turn "on" v-sync in your nVidia Control Panel
- Limit TEW2's FPS cap to 53 or below using RivaTuner or nVidia Inspector (explained more below)
- Running in exclusive fullscreen seemed to help
- Increase controller/mouse x and y axis sensitivity to mitigate the "input lag" feel of sub-60FPS

Hello all!

Was a big fan of the original TEW and played it on release (PC) despite the terrible launch performance.

Say what you want about how TEW and it's strange design and technical decisions - TEW2 has far more profound and enjoyment-ruining performance issues that were never officially addressed by Bethesda or Tango.

Hopefully this post can give you an idea of the testing I've done in TEW2 to determine the performance issues, as well as how I've solved (for the most part) them...

Specs:

4k 60Hz Monitor w/ native G-Sync
RTX 2080 Ti
i9 9900k @ 5.0GHz
32GB DDR4 RAM
TEW2 is installed on a 970 PRO NVMe

Resolution:

3840 x 2160 (4k native)

The Issue:

The frametiming (aka: framepacing) in this game is horrendous. It has been so since launch. I believe the frametiming inconsistencies are related to how this game handles v-sync. Given that I have a G-Sync monitor, I tested with it both enabled as well as disabled. I saw no difference in either mode.

Simply put: the the framerate (FPS) will remain mostly at 60FPS but will almost never maintain a consistent frametiming of 16.6ms - often jumping radically into the 20's or 30's. As a result of this 60FPS doesn't "feel" like 60FPS. Far from it, in fact. It mostly feels unplayable.

After testing with various framerate capping software (RivaTuner, nVidia Inspector, nVidia Control Panel), as well as the in-game framerate cap via v-sync, NOTHING WORKED.

The ONLY solution to the poor frametiming for users wishing to run the game at 4k is to lock the framerate to a number NO HIGHER than 53.

Yes - taking a 7-frame hit on a game that looks like a PS4 launch title is a bummer, but after literal hours of testing (check my game time; I'm only on chapter 3 lol), I've determined the 7FPS hit is much better than suffering through this game at 60FPS with constant stuttering.

Steam vs. GOG Version:

In my wild pursuit of making this game bearable at 4k, I repurchased this game on GOG.com. Other than not having DRM (which doesn't make a big difference now anyway), there is no difference in terms of performance between the two versions. Some people on the GOG forums erroneously claimed the GOG version ran better than the Steam version, but after further investigation, I found out they were actually referring to the original TEW.

But regardless, GOG is a great platform and if you're still undecided on which version to pick up, I'd say go for the GOG version simply on the basis that it will eliminate DRM as a variable in the game's performance.

Hope this post helps anyone agonizing on whether to purchase the game given it's poor performance reputation.

Cheers

[oropay-]

Let me first note that V-sync is not really a framerate cap, but more of a frame buffer system to prevent tearing. Its main purpose is the present the entire frame onscreen at the same time. Unless you're using Nvidia's "adaptive V-sync"*, every time the game can't maintain that 16.6ms frametime required for 60FPS, V-sync switches to 30FPS locked, which is known as V-sync stutter.

If you own an adaptive sync monitor (which you do), the correct solution is to disable in game V-sync and make sure that G-sync (in your case) is enabled in the Nvidia control panel, and then limit the framerate either to just under your panel's native refresh rate or a good baseline if the frametimes are fluctuating wildly, which can be determined using Riva Turner's frametime plot in the OSD. G-sync will make sure that complete frames are displayed on screen while varying the monitors refresh rate to match the frametimes you're getting in the game.

Also I would suggest these optimizations -- LoD: On; Shadows: High; Volumetric lighting: Off; the first two for performance reasons and the last for appearance, as detailed here https://steamcommunity.com/app/601430/discussions/0/2245552086114018648/.

*Adaptive V-sync is available via the Nvidia control panel, and it can be forced on 3D apps. It works by disengaging V-sync every time you drop below 16.6ms, such that you might get tearing, but less of a jarring stutter

[The Alchemist]

Originally posted by oropay-:

If you own an adaptive sync monitor (which you do), the correct solution is to disable in game V-sync and make sure that G-sync (in your case) is enabled in the Nvidia control panel, and then limit the framerate either to just under your panel's native refresh rate or a good baseline if the frametimes are fluctuating wildly, which can be determined using Riva Turner's frametime plot in the OSD.

I appreciate your reply, but as stated in my OP, I've tried all of those things and more.

Although v-sync isn't a framerate "cap" by itself, it can alleviate a large amount of frametiming issues in many games. On the topic of whether one should enable in-game v-sync or GPU v-sync should truly be taken on a game-by-game basis.

It's a myth that you should "always" enable ANYTHING regarding v-sync.

Sometimes in-game v-sync performs better.
Sometimes G-Sync doesn't play nice and introduces juttering.
Sometimes you don't even need v-sync and can simply cap the framerate with software.

In TEW2's case nothing works.

Nothing. Works.

Ten hours of testing on two separate machines and two separate versions of the game.

No one can convince me that this game can run in 4k at 60FPS WITHOUT frametiming issues on current hardware.

I've asked probably 50+ people personally on this forum through the years to provide evidence of their "buttery smooth 60FPS" experience in TEW2 and not one of them has managed to take a video that shows this game at 60FPS without frametiming issues.

Strange, wouldn't you say?

[oropay-]

I uploaded a short video of me playing at 1440p here:
https://www86.zippyshare.com/v/kAX70GcA/file.html

You can see that the framerate slowly climbs above and descends below 60FPS (simply because that's all my system* can handle), but you can also tell by the frametime graph that there's no stuttering

The key for most games (at least in my opinion) is to make sure that the only 'sync' active is G-sync. V-sync is a relic of the past.

Stuttering is ♥♥♥♥♥ though, and often super hard to completely eliminate. It can have a lot of causes, and maybe in your cause it's not just v-sync stutter, but some time of hardware or engine choke at 4K, so lessening load or taking pressure off one component (aka CPU or GPU, in the case of this game at 4K, GPU).

*My system is an R5 2600, 2x 8GB 3200MHz CL16 DDR4, and RTX 2060, connected to an XB270HU (which is 1440p 144Hz). Game is running off an SSD

[The Alchemist]

Originally posted by oropay-:

I uploaded a short video of me playing at 1440p here:
https://www86.zippyshare.com/v/kAX70GcA/file.html

You can see that the framerate slowly climbs above and descends below 60FPS (simply because that's all my system* can handle), but you can also tell by the frametime graph that there's no stuttering

There is stuttering. I'm not sure why you're claiming there isn't.

There were multiple times where the frametiming graph spiked and there was a noticeable stutter. It occurs about three times just in your short clip.

You were also being very conservative with your camera pans.

In my testing, I would purposefully spin the camera 360 degrees, fast, often while running. If you do this, you'll see those frametiming spikes occur with much higher frequency.

Finally, as I stated in my OP - I want to play this game at 4k, not 1440p. I understand 4k is more demanding, but it's not that my hardware can't keep up, but that the game doesn't handle 4k @ 60Hz well despite the powerful hardware.

PS: That website is cancer, just FYI. You might want to start using a safer file-sharing platform.

[oropay-]

The scale on the frametime graph is fairly small. As I'm playing, those spikes weren't noticeable, or perhaps G-sync helps to make them less noticeable. Also when I'm not recording they're mostly non-existent. I went to the roof because that's usually one of the more stressing areas in any game because of the long lines of sight.

TEW2 is definitely not the smoothest game, compared to something like CSGO (60FPS is actually a slideshow, which is why I'm playing with a controller - the slower movements mask the low framerate). Pretty much any non-esports title will drop frames if you spin as fast as possible, at least in my experience. This one actually does pretty well. I made another recording of spinning. (Almost) no framedrops, at least none that are perceptible
{LINK REMOVED}http://www.mediafire.com/file/zoxw1e1eops4rqe/2020-05-14_23-39-25.mkv/file

Originally I thought that you were saying that you were getting stuttering at any framerate over 60FPS, regardless of resolution. You're definitely right that the game engine or optimization sucks in general. The GPU utilization is usually around 75%.

Perhaps there's a way to slightly lower the internal resolution that the game renders at, and then you'd be able to maintain 60FPS. Anyway, hope you end up satisfied with whatever performance you can get.

[oropay-]

Sorry, steam removed my mediafire link, so back to zippy
https://www60.zippyshare.com/v/W2pFYqc5/file.html

[Finnisher]

PC Gaming Wiki says that the game has low CPU and GPU utilization, which seems about right with my experiences as well. It's like the game is perfectly content on 60 fps and little above, not going for any more than that. Rivatuner lists GPU utilization of below 80% for me as well no matter the settings.