Godawful performance

[Gennadius Wigberht]

ELEX II is uniquely running incredibly poorly on my machine, everything else runs *great*. The system is about as good as they get, 7800X3D, 4090, plenty of fast RAM, plenty of fast storage, on Windows 10, with recent drivers, and so on. Still the game struggles to keep a smooth framerate and it regularly stutters down to the 40s for no reason, and during normal gameplay doesn't often run above 80.

At the same time, none of the following have been even close to 100% usage:
- Any single CPU core
- GPU core load
- GPU memory controller load
- VRAM
- RAM

I've also tried the DX12 beta, and noticed no obvious improvements. Tried to check online for guides and nothing seems relevant or applicable, e.g. I found some suggestion to enable "EnableAsyncRendering" but it seems to be enabled by default now.

I've got a frame rate limit on Nvidia control panel set to 117, and when I start the game, it often runs somewhere near that, around 110-115 FPS, but then I can e.g. teleport to the entrance to the Fort and run in and see the frame rate drop all the way to 80. Then I run around the world, framerates fluctiating unpredictably around 90-110 mostly, I see some random creature sleeping, fire an arrow at it, and instantly frame rate plummets all the way down to **15**, and stays there for a good 10-15 seconds, randomly skyrocketing to 100+ momentarily, then plummetting down to 15 again, until I run away from the area.

Settings I'm using:

- Full screen
- 3820x2160
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Scaling: 100%
- VSync: Off

- Depth of Field ("Field depth", fix this stupid misspelling): Off
- "PostAA" (...): Off
- Anisotropic filtering: 16x
- Ambient occlusion: Low
- Fog quality: Low
- Shadow quality: Low
- Texture quality: High
- Vegetation quality: Medium
- Shader quality: Medium
- Render range: High
- Environment render range: High

[kris.aalst]

I understand your sentiment very well. The problem is that there are an almost infinite amount of combinations of hardware and software in this world, and some combinations WILL cause problems for one or more games. The problem is not the quality of your hardware per se, but something doesn't like playing nice together.

It could be a huge number of things but for example, there may be an issue when combining your specific AMD CPU and your specific Nvidia GPU for this one game. Or some hardware and software (drivers or other software that impacts gaming) don't get along. Or there is one or more settings that cause a problem with your particular setup by total coincidence.

To be specific, I think you could experiment with:

• Vsync: I usually turn this on to avoid the GPU going searing hot in game menus and such, where you can easily get thousands or tens of thousands of FPS.
  
• Anisotropic filtering 16x: shouldn't be a problem in theory, but lowering it a bit may give a huge boost to performance.
  
• Render range = High & Environment render range = High: should be fine as well, but again, maybe you have some sort of combination of hardware and software that causes rig to struggle with this game, so try lowering it for the hell of it and see what happens.

I've had some games where my pc exceeded the recommended specs but the game only worked when I played it in 'borderless window' instead of 'full screen'. The problem and its solution could be so many things... I hope you find what's causing problems for you so you can join us people who've experienced Elex 2 and liked it a lot.

Edit: I read you limited your FPS through the Nvidia Control Panel. Same thing: it shouldn't cause any problems but sometimes it does. So another thing you may try is disabling that, especially combined with switching VSync on.

[Gennadius Wigberht]

The GPU isn't going searing hot, it is not rendering thousands or tens of thousands of FPS. I already said there is a frame rate limiter, and I am monitoring the GPU temps, it has peaked at 57C for the hot spot.

[kris.aalst]

Originally posted by Gennadius Wigberht:

The GPU isn't going searing hot, it is not rendering thousands or tens of thousands of FPS. I already said there is a frame rate limiter, and I am monitoring the GPU temps, it has peaked at 57C for the hot spot.

Too bad you didn't read my post except for the second-to-last paragraph (likely before I edited in the last paragraph, so I assume it was the last paragraph at the time you replied). It wasn't a moronic 'TL:DR' paragraph but just a chain in the whole train of thoughts I posted.

Ah well, I understand if you don't want to read the entire post because even if you did you'd most likely still be stumped. As I clearly mentioned, there are near-infinite possibilities that cause problems with running a game. I just wanted to get you thinking and/or Googling instead of just giving up at the first sign of trouble.

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Originally posted by kris.aalst:

The problem is that there are an almost infinite amount of combinations of hardware and software in this world, and some combinations WILL cause problems for one or more games.

So true. Combinations of hardware alone can be the culprit already. Adding to it drivers, OS level settings, enhancement tools that try to mess with things on-the-fly, in-game graphics quality settings possibly enabling individual features that reduce stability due to hardware and/or driver issues.

And curiously, regardless of which game it is about, when somebody complains about "issues" and someone else cannot confirm any issues at all, the former always blames the game and doesn't even wonder why it works well on someone else's machine. *g*

Originally posted by Gennadius Wigberht:

I've also tried the DX12 beta, and noticed no obvious improvements.

A choice that made no sense. The "beta" isn't newer, but months older than the current release of the game, which features DX12 support and DX11 support via a launcher when you start it from within your Steam games library. So, DX12 in the current release is considered "newer" - but sadly, there are no patch notes since the introduction of the DX12 stuff with the beta many months ago.

[Gennadius Wigberht]

Originally posted by kris.aalst:

Too bad you didn't read my post except for the second-to-last paragraph

I did, it was not helpful and not really worth commenting on.

Originally posted by D'amarr from Darshiva:

And curiously, regardless of which game it is about, when somebody complains about "issues" and someone else cannot confirm any issues at all, the former always blames the game and doesn't even wonder why it works well on someone else's machine. *g*

Well this game is uniquely having issues, so the issue is with the game. I'm also far from the only one complaining about very poor performance with *THIS* game.

Originally posted by D'amarr from Darshiva:

A choice that made no sense. The "beta" isn't newer, but months older than the current release of the game

How would I know if the DX12 beta is newer or not? It was suggested as an option to fix the stutter issues so I tried it. If it's obsolete and out of date, PB should delete it. Complain to PB if you think it's a bad idea for people to try the DX12 beta, not to the people who try the suggestion to the obviously still unfixed issues.

[Carlos Spicywiener]

Drop to 1440 or 60 fps should solve those problems OP is havin. At 4k? GL trying to get a solid 120fps

[Gennadius Wigberht]

Originally posted by Carlos Spicywiener:

Drop to 1440 or 60 fps should solve those problems OP is havin. At 4k? GL trying to get a solid 120fps

I don't care about solid 120 fps that much, but the constant stutters down to 15-40 is just killing the game and making the other issues with floaty controls etc. really hard to tolerate.

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Originally posted by coldcrow:

damarr, why don't you just close your trap and stop whiteknighting for PB.

For starters, why don't you learn some manners? Kindly refrain from lousy attacks.

Originally posted by coldcrow:

The amount of people reporting serious performance issues on various high-end HW is staggering and clearly not a sign of:

It's few people that make a big fuss about it, typically insisting on ~4k resolution and highest graphics quality settings. It's less people than those with truly high-end gaming rigs, who have played and completed the DX11 based release of the game with high fps.

And yes, there have been performance issues in the DX11 version already. Nobody denies that. Me included. I've specifically pointed out that the heavy lighting effects in faction villages/camps at night increase GPU requirements a lot and can decrease fps quite a bit. Still, there are reports from players, who report >100 fps, and as a last resort, the graphics quality settings are just a few clicks away. The requirements of the first ELEX are much lower.

Originally posted by coldcrow:

"they coudln't test for everything".,

True. It may be the unwelcome truth for you, but actually it is not enough to test a game with the most recent graphics drivers from Nvidia and AMD on low to ultra settings. The differences between individual pieces of graphics hardware are extremely varied. One piece of hardware may work perfectly, and player can choose any settings within a game. Another piece pretends it supports some features, but only does so in a poor/unstable way and exposes driver problems.

Originally posted by coldcrow:

but rather "oopsie, the engine is maybe a little ♥♥♥♥♥♥"

That's the negative attitude that will be a fruitless venture.

Originally posted by coldcrow:

A simple: "We are sorry, and we cannot fix the issues, please bear with us and buy the next game."

Why?! I've played the original DX11 based game without and with the first major patches, and I've had a blast. Steam players have rated the game at mostly positive 75%, which isn't bad at all.

The mess with the DX12 beta and the unexpected roll-out of that huge DX11+DX12 release of the game has been discussed before. Harping on it won't lead to anything. Yes, communication about it has been poor. There are still no patch notes. It is still not known who has done the work, but PB is part of THQ since 2019. And yes, I would appreciate minimal activity by a community manager from THQ - it would be beneficial.

[Carlos Spicywiener]

Originally posted by Gennadius Wigberht:

Originally posted by Carlos Spicywiener:

Drop to 1440 or 60 fps should solve those problems OP is havin. At 4k? GL trying to get a solid 120fps

I don't care about solid 120 fps that much, but the constant stutters down to 15-40 is just killing the game and making the other issues with floaty controls etc. really hard to tolerate.

then drop ot to 60fps. 4k alone is very taxing. I have a 3090 and have to keep res at 1440 for a mostly solid 60. May drop to 52ish in big towns

[Gennadius Wigberht]

Originally posted by D'amarr from Darshiva:

It's few people that make a big fuss about it, typically insisting on ~4k resolution and highest graphics quality settings.

People are complaining about 1080p medium running very poorly, on pretty damn high end hardware.

4k resolution or the graphics settings aren't an issue, the game randomly choking for no reason in some area from whatever 90 FPS down to 15 FPS and then jumping for a moment up to ~90 and back down again is not a resolution / graphics details issue

Originally posted by D'amarr from Darshiva:

I've specifically pointed out that the heavy lighting effects in faction villages/camps at night increase GPU requirements a lot and can decrease fps quite a bit

My issues are easily reproducible in the middle of the day, and in remote areas. The worst performance I've had in the game so far was in a pretty remote area with ~3 enemies, in the middle of the day.

Originally posted by D'amarr from Darshiva:

Another piece pretends it supports some features, but only does so in a poor/unstable way and exposes driver problems.

I think you mean to say "bugs with the game"

Originally posted by D'amarr from Darshiva:

Steam players have rated the game at mostly positive 75%, which isn't bad at all.

59% in the last 30 days, which is bargain bin *trash* -tier.

Originally posted by Carlos Spicywiener:

then drop ot to 60fps

I have no idea what this is supposed to mean or solve

Originally posted by Carlos Spicywiener:

4k alone is very taxing

err, ok? I already said I've tried to drop multiple of the graphics settings and they seem to have have no impact on the issues when the FPS drops to 15

The game isn't visually very impressive, and the usage of my GPU, VRAM, CPU, or RAM is nowhere near 100%.

[kris.aalst]

Originally posted by Gennadius Wigberht:

Originally posted by D'amarr from Darshiva:

Steam players have rated the game at mostly positive 75%, which isn't bad at all.

59% in the last 30 days, which is bargain bin *trash* -tier.

Happens every time a game like this goes on sale. All of a sudden people buy it because its price is reduced and only then they discover it's not the kind of game they like to play.

[schachmatt123]

Nah, there were no complaints. Can't be. thE eViL hAtERs just make them up. DX12 wasn't developed to counter the horrible DX11 performance, esp on AMD Hardware. Just a big, big conspiracy against PB. Must be.

Not that the DX12 version with it's reduced details and broken moon at certain night times is a valid alternative.

Originally posted by coldcrow:

Most commercial reviews lamented bad performance.

That's not true for the german reviews, the major german sites usually in favor for PB, ALL lamented the bad performance. PC Games, Computerbase, Gamestar and PCG Harware detailed how bad the performance was, backed up by benchmarks recorded in different scenarios.

So don't say most when in reality it's ALL of them ;-)

[Carlos Spicywiener]

Originally posted by Gennadius Wigberht:

Originally posted by D'amarr from Darshiva:

It's few people that make a big fuss about it, typically insisting on ~4k resolution and highest graphics quality settings.

People are complaining about 1080p medium running very poorly, on pretty damn high end hardware.

4k resolution or the graphics settings aren't an issue, the game randomly choking for no reason in some area from whatever 90 FPS down to 15 FPS and then jumping for a moment up to ~90 and back down again is not a resolution / graphics details issue

Originally posted by D'amarr from Darshiva:

I've specifically pointed out that the heavy lighting effects in faction villages/camps at night increase GPU requirements a lot and can decrease fps quite a bit

My issues are easily reproducible in the middle of the day, and in remote areas. The worst performance I've had in the game so far was in a pretty remote area with ~3 enemies, in the middle of the day.

Originally posted by D'amarr from Darshiva:

Another piece pretends it supports some features, but only does so in a poor/unstable way and exposes driver problems.

I think you mean to say "bugs with the game"

Originally posted by D'amarr from Darshiva:

Steam players have rated the game at mostly positive 75%, which isn't bad at all.

59% in the last 30 days, which is bargain bin *trash* -tier.

Originally posted by Carlos Spicywiener:

then drop ot to 60fps

I have no idea what this is supposed to mean or solve

Originally posted by Carlos Spicywiener:

4k alone is very taxing

err, ok? I already said I've tried to drop multiple of the graphics settings and they seem to have have no impact on the issues when the FPS drops to 15

The game isn't visually very impressive, and the usage of my GPU, VRAM, CPU, or RAM is nowhere near 100%.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ just to ♥♥♥♥♥. You obviously have little knowledge of your pc and how it works. If your game is suddenly dropping to 15 fps at a low resolution, you have other issues.

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Originally posted by Gennadius Wigberht:

People are complaining about 1080p medium running very poorly, on pretty damn high end hardware.

From your own original post: 3820x2160

I've read enough posts and some reviews, too, where players point out that get good fps using high-end hardware.

Originally posted by Gennadius Wigberht:

the game randomly choking for no reason in some area from whatever 90 FPS down to 15 FPS

Cannot reproduce that, and I use low-end hardware.

Originally posted by Gennadius Wigberht:

I think you mean to say "bugs with the game"

No. I mean hardware design issues. Poor composition of chipset features in a hardware product that doesn't perform as well as another similar product with the same/similar chipset. There are reasons why certified hardware exists and why some computer users are affected by issues whereas others are not.

Originally posted by Gennadius Wigberht:

59% in the last 30 days, which is bargain bin *trash* -tier.

42 voters only. Keep trying!

[Lisento]

Have you tried 1920x1080 res in windowed mode? I find a lot of games simply can't deal with ultra wide even if it's an option.