Pixelated/blocky shadows on every setting (1080p, 4K, MIN-Ultra)

[Leco]

Hello, everyone!

Please,
HELP.

I've been searching for info and trying to fix a terrible issue with SOTR rendering shadows for weeks and I'm exhausted. I have tried EVERYTHING IN MY POWER, at least I think I did... so please, lemme know yr thoughts.

Cry for help successfully put, the problem:
I've changed my GPU quite recently but, to be fair, I have changed a whole lot of hardware (to be fair, I had a Dell XPS 8920 which I managed to insert an RTX 2080 Ti well enough but after some wrong turns with a new mid-tower, ruining my mobo, I had to change all of the main components).

Finally putting everything together, I've started to test the game of the hour, OC'ing, changing NVIDIA Control Panel, in-game options etc. Once I did find a way to play it 4k 60 FPS w/o ray tracing and then - forest scenarios aside - with RT on as well, I started playing my final hours.

For my complete sadness, I started to notice jaggy, blocky shadows, horrendously pixelated mostly with the plants in San Juan, but not only. Some parts of the game would have Lara's own shadows awfully rendered. I've used NVIDIA GeForce Experience to record some in-game seconds to better portray the issue.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PolIYIlpn1nouYq69QdEnWgjTqex2v7A/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R-KQiW93bo5mWt0CZ3GqoObtuvStXo8h/view?usp=sharing

The thing is: I've read a lot and I really, really, really tried everything until I've posted this.

- I've changed NVIDIA Control Panel, specially antialiasing, filtering, LOD and DSR. It still happens no matter how low or high the setting are, the performance setting or the quality one, app controlled or panel controlled etc;
- I've tried Full HD on my LG monitor (really simple one, 21:9 UltraWide™ Full HD IPS Monitor 25UM58) and a 4k Samsung Q7FN 55" - both 60Hz, using different cables, having the same results even with different resolutions;
- I tried with a single PCIe cable from my PSU, that one that has an end with two 8-pin connectors AND then I reset to my usual 2 separate PCIe cables from my PSU;
- I underclocked my processor to 4.3GHz instead of its normal overclock boost of 5GHz;
- I underclocked my DDR4 RAM from 3866 MHz to 3600 MHz and then to its non-OC frequency, 2133 MHz;
- I've uninstalled NVIDIA driver and then did a clean installation;
- I changed Windows energy setting from Ultimate Performance to High Performance as well as balanced;
- I accessed the game many times without overclocking my GPU and stable overclocking it as well;
- I've looked for any apparent damage on my card or the PCIe x16 slot and not even dust was found (alright, ONE hair of my beloved cat was lying around and that's pretty much it);
- I ran a different game to spot any possible similarities with this issue, choosing Resident Evil 2: Remake and no stutters, no blocky shadows, everything went 60FPS fine (I don't have a higher frequency monitor);
- And finally I've tried the onboard graphics, but while it appeared to have the same issue, it was inconclusive for the Intel Graphics can't handle the same level of detail needed.
EDIT: I've just tried w/ a differente GPU (GTX 1070 MSI Aero 8GB) and I've found the same issue with the pixelated shadows.

EDIT2: Gonna try: running it from a HDD instead of my SSD and if it doesn't work, I'll try a clean reinstall of the Windows 10 and then start it from scratch...
I have searched for videos online and did not find any results with the same issue (different games, really, like Skyrim) so that makes me believe it to be hardware bound over here.

EDIT3: considering to remove my neweste DDR4 memories to insert the older ones, a random couple of 8GB Micron that came with my former XPS 8920. Do you believe that RAM could've been causing this?

EDIT4: what I can't test hardware-wise,
Different processor and different motherboard. If those are possibles culprits I'd need a guidance from you all.

I mean,

I really don't know what else I could do.

My specs are:

Windows 10 Pro 64 bit version 10.0.18363
Motherboard: Gigabyte Aorus Z390 Ultra rev. 1.0 F9 Bios version
GPU: ASUS RTX 2080 Ti ROG Strix 11GB RAM (a couple months of usage)
Processor: Intel i9-9900KS 4GHz 8-core 16-thread cooled by a Corsair Watercooler H150i Pro
plus two top fans and one on the back (exhaust)
SSD: 1TB Aourus NVMe Gen3 model GP-ASACNE2100TTTDR (recent, it's been only 54 hours of usage)
Memory: 2 x DDR4 8GB 3600 MHz Corsair Dominator Platinum with a Corsair Dominator Platinum Airflow cooler (also recent, a bit more than the SSD)
PSU: CORSAIR 850W RMX 80 PLUS GOLD MODULAR

I'm lost. Please send help.

Is it possible to be the SSD in any way? SSD Tool Box (from Gihabyte) tells the drive health is good and with 100% of estimated remaining life.
I've reinstalled the game pretty recently so I don't believe it to be a corrupt file.

As I've pointed out before, RE2 was just fine, no crashes, nothing pixelated as I'm experiencing with SOTR. Also played Dolphin before and it was smooth all the way.

Any possibility that it's my card?

Thanks in advance.

[Halcyona]

quick question

1) what cable are you using to connect your monitor to your pc
2) is that cable connected to the correct port or did you accidentally put it into your mobo

[Leco]

Originally posted by Yule:

quick question

1) what cable are you using to connect your monitor to your pc
2) is that cable connected to the correct port or did you accidentally put it into your mobo

Hi, Yule! Thanks for inquiring.

I've considered that as well.

1) I tried to check with 2 different cables for different ports/displays, so in that way we can disconsider the possibility of the cable or specific port being the cause. I don't have the specs anymore but both are HDMI cables and both give me 4K/60Hz - one for the TV, one for the monitor (in this case topping at 1080p)

2) My GPU has 2 HDMI ports, so they're constantly plugged in. My mobo port is way above and I did try onboard graphics just for the sake of testing and IGFX barely runs the game - I had to set it to 800x600 with lowest settings to enter a scenario;

3) Also for testing purposes, I've used an DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0 4K adaptor by DELL on both DisplayPorts - the'yre both functional and the problem persists.

4) Tried running from a different SSD, it remains pixelated; tried then with my HDD, same problem.

I'll try the fresh install (OS),... I'm utterly lost, here.

[Leco]

Originally posted by Leco:

Hello, everyone!

Please,
HELP.

I've been searching for info and trying to fix a terrible issue with SOTR rendering shadows for weeks and I'm exhausted. I have tried EVERYTHING IN MY POWER, at least I think I did... so please, lemme know yr thoughts.

Cry for help successfully put, the problem:
I've changed my GPU quite recently but, to be fair, I have changed a whole lot of hardware (to be fair, I had a Dell XPS 8920 which I managed to insert an RTX 2080 Ti well enough but after some wrong turns with a new mid-tower, ruining my mobo, I had to change all of the main components).

Finally putting everything together, I've started to test the game of the hour, OC'ing, changing NVIDIA Control Panel, in-game options etc. Once I did find a way to play it 4k 60 FPS w/o ray tracing and then - forest scenarios aside - with RT on as well, I started playing my final hours.

For my complete sadness, I started to notice jaggy, blocky shadows, horrendously pixelated mostly with the plants in San Juan, but not only. Some parts of the game would have Lara's own shadows awfully rendered. I've used NVIDIA GeForce Experience to record some in-game seconds to better portray the issue.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PolIYIlpn1nouYq69QdEnWgjTqex2v7A/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R-KQiW93bo5mWt0CZ3GqoObtuvStXo8h/view?usp=sharing

The thing is: I've read a lot and I really, really, really tried everything until I've posted this.

- I've changed NVIDIA Control Panel, specially antialiasing, filtering, LOD and DSR. It still happens no matter how low or high the setting are, the performance setting or the quality one, app controlled or panel controlled etc;
- I've tried Full HD on my LG monitor (really simple one, 21:9 UltraWide™ Full HD IPS Monitor 25UM58) and a 4k Samsung Q7FN 55" - both 60Hz, using different cables, having the same results even with different resolutions;
- I tried with a single PCIe cable from my PSU, that one that has an end with two 8-pin connectors AND then I reset to my usual 2 separate PCIe cables from my PSU;
- I underclocked my processor to 4.3GHz instead of its normal overclock boost of 5GHz;
- I underclocked my DDR4 RAM from 3866 MHz to 3600 MHz and then to its non-OC frequency, 2133 MHz;
- I've uninstalled NVIDIA driver and then did a clean installation;
- I changed Windows energy setting from Ultimate Performance to High Performance as well as balanced;
- I accessed the game many times without overclocking my GPU and stable overclocking it as well;
- I've looked for any apparent damage on my card or the PCIe x16 slot and not even dust was found (alright, ONE hair of my beloved cat was lying around and that's pretty much it);
- I ran a different game to spot any possible similarities with this issue, choosing Resident Evil 2: Remake and no stutters, no blocky shadows, everything went 60FPS fine (I don't have a higher frequency monitor);
- And finally I've tried the onboard graphics, but while it appeared to have the same issue, it was inconclusive for the Intel Graphics can't handle the same level of detail needed.
EDIT: I've just tried w/ a differente GPU (GTX 1070 MSI Aero 8GB) and I've found the same issue with the pixelated shadows.

EDIT2: Gonna try: running it from a HDD instead of my SSD and if it doesn't work, I'll try a clean reinstall of the Windows 10 and then start it from scratch...
I have searched for videos online and did not find any results with the same issue (different games, really, like Skyrim) so that makes me believe it to be hardware bound over here.

EDIT3: considering to remove my neweste DDR4 memories to insert the older ones, a random couple of 8GB Micron that came with my former XPS 8920. Do you believe that RAM could've been causing this?

EDIT4: what I can't test hardware-wise,
Different processor and different motherboard. If those are possibles culprits I'd need a guidance from you all.

I mean,

I really don't know what else I could do.

My specs are:

Windows 10 Pro 64 bit version 10.0.18363
Motherboard: Gigabyte Aorus Z390 Ultra rev. 1.0 F9 Bios version
GPU: ASUS RTX 2080 Ti ROG Strix 11GB RAM (a couple months of usage)
Processor: Intel i9-9900KS 4GHz 8-core 16-thread cooled by a Corsair Watercooler H150i Pro
plus two top fans and one on the back (exhaust)
SSD: 1TB Aourus NVMe Gen3 model GP-ASACNE2100TTTDR (recent, it's been only 54 hours of usage)
Memory: 2 x DDR4 8GB 3600 MHz Corsair Dominator Platinum with a Corsair Dominator Platinum Airflow cooler (also recent, a bit more than the SSD)
PSU: CORSAIR 850W RMX 80 PLUS GOLD MODULAR

I'm lost. Please send help.

Is it possible to be the SSD in any way? SSD Tool Box (from Gihabyte) tells the drive health is good and with 100% of estimated remaining life.
I've reinstalled the game pretty recently so I don't believe it to be a corrupt file.

As I've pointed out before, RE2 was just fine, no crashes, nothing pixelated as I'm experiencing with SOTR. Also played Dolphin before and it was smooth all the way.

Any possibility that it's my card?

Thanks in advance.

Originally posted by Leco:

Escrito originalmente por Yule:
quick question

1) what cable are you using to connect your monitor to your pc
2) is that cable connected to the correct port or did you accidentally put it into your mobo

Hi, Yule! Thanks for inquiring.

I've considered that as well.

1) I tried to check with 2 different cables for different ports/displays, so in that way we can disconsider the possibility of the cable or specific port being the cause. I don't have the specs anymore but both are HDMI cables and both give me 4K/60Hz - one for the TV, one for the monitor (in this case topping at 1080p)

2) My GPU has 2 HDMI ports, so they're constantly plugged in. My mobo port is way above and I did try onboard graphics just for the sake of testing and IGFX barely runs the game - I had to set it to 800x600 with lowest settings to enter a scenario;

3) Also for testing purposes, I've used an DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0 4K adaptor by DELL on both DisplayPorts - the'yre both functional and the problem persists.

4) Tried running from a different SSD, it remains pixelated; tried then with my HDD, same problem.

I'll try the fresh install (OS),... I'm utterly lost, here.

I just tested some other possibilities...

Now, I've ruled out (for the issue continued):
- Memory, changing back to 2 x Micron 2400 MHz from the 2 x Corsair Dominator Platinum 3600 MHz;
- SSD both old and new + HDD:
I tried the old SSD with Windows and the HDD with the game;
New SSD with the game on the old SSD and HDD;
I removed the new SSD (Aorus AIC NVMe Gen3) and tested with only the old SSD/HDD connected.

I'll try the reinstall of the OS...

But I'm really worried that I just WON'T find the answer.

Any possibilities of PSU malfunction? They're brand new, as well, just bought them on December and installed the setup this January. PSU cable malfunction can cause this? How could I test it? Why Shadow of the Tomb Raider is affected on shadows while other games, such as Resident Evil 2 are not?

I'm nearly losing my mind over here...

[Leco]

I did a clean installation of Windows 10 then proceeded to download only Chrome, Steam and Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

The issue with the shadows persisted.

Only things I didn't test and cannot test are the PSU and the motherboard, both brand new.
I'm starting to believe it's a bug of the game? But if so, many more would be complaining...

Gonna leave SOTR behind for a while and then test/play other games :(

Originally posted by Leco:

Originally posted by Leco:

Hello, everyone!

Please,
HELP.

I've been searching for info and trying to fix a terrible issue with SOTR rendering shadows for weeks and I'm exhausted. I have tried EVERYTHING IN MY POWER, at least I think I did... so please, lemme know yr thoughts.

Cry for help successfully put, the problem:
I've changed my GPU quite recently but, to be fair, I have changed a whole lot of hardware (to be fair, I had a Dell XPS 8920 which I managed to insert an RTX 2080 Ti well enough but after some wrong turns with a new mid-tower, ruining my mobo, I had to change all of the main components).

Finally putting everything together, I've started to test the game of the hour, OC'ing, changing NVIDIA Control Panel, in-game options etc. Once I did find a way to play it 4k 60 FPS w/o ray tracing and then - forest scenarios aside - with RT on as well, I started playing my final hours.

For my complete sadness, I started to notice jaggy, blocky shadows, horrendously pixelated mostly with the plants in San Juan, but not only. Some parts of the game would have Lara's own shadows awfully rendered. I've used NVIDIA GeForce Experience to record some in-game seconds to better portray the issue.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PolIYIlpn1nouYq69QdEnWgjTqex2v7A/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R-KQiW93bo5mWt0CZ3GqoObtuvStXo8h/view?usp=sharing

The thing is: I've read a lot and I really, really, really tried everything until I've posted this.

- I've changed NVIDIA Control Panel, specially antialiasing, filtering, LOD and DSR. It still happens no matter how low or high the setting are, the performance setting or the quality one, app controlled or panel controlled etc;
- I've tried Full HD on my LG monitor (really simple one, 21:9 UltraWide™ Full HD IPS Monitor 25UM58) and a 4k Samsung Q7FN 55" - both 60Hz, using different cables, having the same results even with different resolutions;
- I tried with a single PCIe cable from my PSU, that one that has an end with two 8-pin connectors AND then I reset to my usual 2 separate PCIe cables from my PSU;
- I underclocked my processor to 4.3GHz instead of its normal overclock boost of 5GHz;
- I underclocked my DDR4 RAM from 3866 MHz to 3600 MHz and then to its non-OC frequency, 2133 MHz;
- I've uninstalled NVIDIA driver and then did a clean installation;
- I changed Windows energy setting from Ultimate Performance to High Performance as well as balanced;
- I accessed the game many times without overclocking my GPU and stable overclocking it as well;
- I've looked for any apparent damage on my card or the PCIe x16 slot and not even dust was found (alright, ONE hair of my beloved cat was lying around and that's pretty much it);
- I ran a different game to spot any possible similarities with this issue, choosing Resident Evil 2: Remake and no stutters, no blocky shadows, everything went 60FPS fine (I don't have a higher frequency monitor);
- And finally I've tried the onboard graphics, but while it appeared to have the same issue, it was inconclusive for the Intel Graphics can't handle the same level of detail needed.
EDIT: I've just tried w/ a differente GPU (GTX 1070 MSI Aero 8GB) and I've found the same issue with the pixelated shadows.

EDIT2: Gonna try: running it from a HDD instead of my SSD and if it doesn't work, I'll try a clean reinstall of the Windows 10 and then start it from scratch...
I have searched for videos online and did not find any results with the same issue (different games, really, like Skyrim) so that makes me believe it to be hardware bound over here.

EDIT3: considering to remove my neweste DDR4 memories to insert the older ones, a random couple of 8GB Micron that came with my former XPS 8920. Do you believe that RAM could've been causing this?

EDIT4: what I can't test hardware-wise,
Different processor and different motherboard. If those are possibles culprits I'd need a guidance from you all.

I mean,

I really don't know what else I could do.

My specs are:

Windows 10 Pro 64 bit version 10.0.18363
Motherboard: Gigabyte Aorus Z390 Ultra rev. 1.0 F9 Bios version
GPU: ASUS RTX 2080 Ti ROG Strix 11GB RAM (a couple months of usage)
Processor: Intel i9-9900KS 4GHz 8-core 16-thread cooled by a Corsair Watercooler H150i Pro
plus two top fans and one on the back (exhaust)
SSD: 1TB Aourus NVMe Gen3 model GP-ASACNE2100TTTDR (recent, it's been only 54 hours of usage)
Memory: 2 x DDR4 8GB 3600 MHz Corsair Dominator Platinum with a Corsair Dominator Platinum Airflow cooler (also recent, a bit more than the SSD)
PSU: CORSAIR 850W RMX 80 PLUS GOLD MODULAR

I'm lost. Please send help.

Is it possible to be the SSD in any way? SSD Tool Box (from Gihabyte) tells the drive health is good and with 100% of estimated remaining life.
I've reinstalled the game pretty recently so I don't believe it to be a corrupt file.

As I've pointed out before, RE2 was just fine, no crashes, nothing pixelated as I'm experiencing with SOTR. Also played Dolphin before and it was smooth all the way.

Any possibility that it's my card?

Thanks in advance.

Originally posted by Leco:

Escrito originalmente por Yule:
quick question

1) what cable are you using to connect your monitor to your pc
2) is that cable connected to the correct port or did you accidentally put it into your mobo

Hi, Yule! Thanks for inquiring.

I've considered that as well.

1) I tried to check with 2 different cables for different ports/displays, so in that way we can disconsider the possibility of the cable or specific port being the cause. I don't have the specs anymore but both are HDMI cables and both give me 4K/60Hz - one for the TV, one for the monitor (in this case topping at 1080p)

2) My GPU has 2 HDMI ports, so they're constantly plugged in. My mobo port is way above and I did try onboard graphics just for the sake of testing and IGFX barely runs the game - I had to set it to 800x600 with lowest settings to enter a scenario;

3) Also for testing purposes, I've used an DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0 4K adaptor by DELL on both DisplayPorts - the'yre both functional and the problem persists.

4) Tried running from a different SSD, it remains pixelated; tried then with my HDD, same problem.

I'll try the fresh install (OS),... I'm utterly lost, here.

I just tested some other possibilities...

Now, I've ruled out (for the issue continued):
- Memory, changing back to 2 x Micron 2400 MHz from the 2 x Corsair Dominator Platinum 3600 MHz;
- SSD both old and new + HDD:
I tried the old SSD with Windows and the HDD with the game;
New SSD with the game on the old SSD and HDD;
I removed the new SSD (Aorus AIC NVMe Gen3) and tested with only the old SSD/HDD connected.

I'll try the reinstall of the OS...

But I'm really worried that I just WON'T find the answer.

Any possibilities of PSU malfunction? They're brand new, as well, just bought them on December and installed the setup this January. PSU cable malfunction can cause this? How could I test it? Why Shadow of the Tomb Raider is affected on shadows while other games, such as Resident Evil 2 are not?

I'm nearly losing my mind over here...

[Leco]

Hello, everyone... I'd like to stress the last questions I hava made.

Searched A LOT over here on Steam and the Internet in general, what I have found is that many people state this has something to do with computational limitations. Like... many people have the same issue AND THERE IS NOT an apparent solution. NVIDIA ain't doing nothing to solve since, as my tests indicate and many others', it isn't a hardware (their hw) issue.

What I don't understand is about other players... did everyone just get used to this issue?
I mean, if that ain't case for many people doesn't experience this, why does it happen to some folks only? I saw a lot of gameplay and none of that is usually there, only when someone is pointing out the problem as I did here.

My point is should I even bother to test it any further?
I'd have to put some money that I don't have, like buying a mobo for my retired Intel i7-7700K and test with it (ruling out the motherboard and or the processor) and/or I'd have to buy new cables for my PSU and test with both specs.

How about you, guys? How's the game for you?

[Kev195pl]

I'm basically in the same boat as you. Funny enough I don't think I noticed this on my first playthrough last year just recently now that I'm replaying it. I'm focusing on troubleshooting the software (drivers and betas) right now I'm reverting to 399 Nvidia driver on my 1070. I mean shadows are bearable in gameplay but PureHair in cutscenes is horrible and what's worse the consoles were given much better solution for softening the shadow edges.Worst case scenario I can imagine is that it's nvidia exclusive issue and maybe AMD drivers are better suited here... I'll be looking into it

[proteus714]

Originally posted by Leco:

Hello, everyone... I'd like to stress the last questions I hava made.

Searched A LOT over here on Steam and the Internet in general, what I have found is that many people state this has something to do with computational limitations. Like... many people have the same issue AND THERE IS NOT an apparent solution. NVIDIA ain't doing nothing to solve since, as my tests indicate and many others', it isn't a hardware (their hw) issue.

What I don't understand is about other players... did everyone just get used to this issue?
I mean, if that ain't case for many people doesn't experience this, why does it happen to some folks only? I saw a lot of gameplay and none of that is usually there, only when someone is pointing out the problem as I did here.

My point is should I even bother to test it any further?
I'd have to put some money that I don't have, like buying a mobo for my retired Intel i7-7700K and test with it (ruling out the motherboard and or the processor) and/or I'd have to buy new cables for my PSU and test with both specs.

How about you, guys? How's the game for you?

Can you re-post working links to the google drive images / videos in your first post so we can see what you are referring to ? The links are no longer valid.

Also to clarify, does the issue go away when you play the game w/o ray tracing? It is fairly well known that SOTR's implementation of ray-tracing is pretty poor and comes at a HUGE performance cost that is likely not worth it.

[Kev195pl]

Changing drivers didn't help but I've been watching in-game benchmarks on YT and seen perfect shadows on ver 230 which is no longer available even through beta. Also finally went back to Rise to check shadows there to find they work perfectly so for me problem is with the Shadow itself.

[Kev195pl]

So to clarify this is how game looks for me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6IMRrjvWPE

You can then compare it to IGN benchmark that was made at launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5CrHwlCItg

Pay attention to Lara's hair shadows and notice poor shadow resolution from NPCs in Paititi

[Kev195pl]

Originally posted by Kev195pl:

So to clarify this is how game looks for me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6IMRrjvWPE

You can then compare it to IGN benchmark that was made at launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5CrHwlCItg

Pay attention to Lara's hair shadows and notice poor shadow resolution from NPCs in Paititi

Okay so character shadows are basically on par and it lowers with greater camera distance in each benchmark but please tell me hair shadows seemed more stable at launch. I've been watching that scene over and over it might start getting to me

[Leco]

Originally posted by proteus714:

Originally posted by Leco:

Hello, everyone... I'd like to stress the last questions I hava made.

Searched A LOT over here on Steam and the Internet in general, what I have found is that many people state this has something to do with computational limitations. Like... many people have the same issue AND THERE IS NOT an apparent solution. NVIDIA ain't doing nothing to solve since, as my tests indicate and many others', it isn't a hardware (their hw) issue.

What I don't understand is about other players... did everyone just get used to this issue?
I mean, if that ain't case for many people doesn't experience this, why does it happen to some folks only? I saw a lot of gameplay and none of that is usually there, only when someone is pointing out the problem as I did here.

My point is should I even bother to test it any further?
I'd have to put some money that I don't have, like buying a mobo for my retired Intel i7-7700K and test with it (ruling out the motherboard and or the processor) and/or I'd have to buy new cables for my PSU and test with both specs.

How about you, guys? How's the game for you?

Can you re-post working links to the google drive images / videos in your first post so we can see what you are referring to ? The links are no longer valid.

Also to clarify, does the issue go away when you play the game w/o ray tracing? It is fairly well known that SOTR's implementation of ray-tracing is pretty poor and comes at a HUGE performance cost that is likely not worth it.

proteus714, I haven't tried it myself lately, it's an issue for Kev195pl currently

I kinda... gave up? And moved on.
Control appears to have the same issue in some areas, but I saw the same thing on a lot of videos, so I'd say "poor implementation" and that's settled. As Kev said, that wasn't the case with SOTR.

And no, back then I wasn't running it with RT, my 2080 Ti couldn't handle it 4k @ 60 FPS steady if I remember right.

My rig has since changed a bit, I can give it a try if you guys want it...
(RTX 3090 + RAM @ 4000MHz... the CPU is the same, but it runs from 5GHz to 5.2GHz if needed)

[Kev195pl]

From what I can tell now it's definitely shadow maps problem. During countless updates for the game nixxes must've at some point lower/alter the resolution of samples (or depth buffer if it applies here ???) that's why shadows looked better in Rise cause the setting actually lets you control resolution of shadow maps when in SOTTR you basically swap different filters. For now only consoles retain the original sample size

[AidsOnWheels]

I have a similar problem but its only a problem when DLSS is on and RTX is on High or Ultra.