PC V1.6 and graphics performance impact

[genedjr]

Now drop in v1.6 - frame rate performance went from 55+ FPS to 20-25 FPS.  So I turned off DX12 and frame rates jumped to 35-50 FPS depending on the depth of field.  When really snowy outside, frame rates plummet to 25-30.  Barely playable.  Game settings High with whatever is default for High.

I like high settings as I get to snipe from very long distances.  Literally to the max range of the weapon.  This is where I have alot of fun and would love to keep it.

My box (which has gone through many upgrades) - HP xw8400 with dual xeon X5355 @ 2.66GHz for a total of 8 cores, 32GB server ecc corrected RAM, 256GB SSD for OS, AMD HD7970 with 3GB DDR5 RAM.  Monitor - HP2335 1920x1200 LCD flat panel display 60Hz max refresh - probably locked refresh.  Second monitor HP2035 1600x1200.  Right now the network is wireless Linksys WUSB6300 with USB v2 connection.  The access point is a stand alone that I don't have access to ATM - in another bedroom.  In general I get 50Mb/s (yes mega-bits) to 80Mb/s  download and 20Mbs+ upload.  There are other pieces involved with this box but not sure of importance.  This box and screens were obtained as part of a project I was running in 2005.  Yep, 12 years ago.

Oh yeah, I use a Wal-Mart Logitech stupid controller /sigh, I know, don't beat me to badly.

Now my questions

- What the h@@@ changed?  
- Are there specifics graphic attributes I can tune to have the reach and lower the impact?

I am going to experiment with lower settings to see if it really makes a diff, but it seemed to a month ago when I played with this last.

Thoughts?

...gene

 

[g1nt3r]

Hmmm it really doesn't seem like you should have such low fps with your system specs. Can you provide a link to your video cards product page?

 

[genedjr]

Here is the official AMD link: http://www.amd.com/en-us/products/graphics/desktop/7000/7900

Take a look at the specs page.  I have a HD7970.  

...gene

 

[Callsign_Gloves]

Hey gene,

Tell me if you don't, but do you have a AMD Control Panel of any sort? Something were you can set settings for programs?

I assume you've done all the obvious. Verified game cache/files, drivers, firmware, software, are all up to date, reboots, etc?

A program I started using long ago that sometimes increases my FPS in games is Razer's Cortex program. Could possibly help. Although I am not a Razer fanboy, both Cortex and the Surround programs I find excellent. Install it, and you'll get a icon for it in your system tray (bottom right corner), before you start the game, click on it, and there will be a "BOOST NOW" option. Use that, and see what happens.

 

[genedjr]

OK - here is a review with a slightly more powerful PC but same graphics card - https://www.pcgamesn.com/the-division/the-division-pc-port-review 

This guy seems to have much better results.

Yes, I have verified everything from steam, UBISoft and game files.
I did clean everything up using ccleaner.  
Loaded new graphics drivers for 1.6 on the 28th
Tried moving from High to Med - no real difference - in heavy snow, 20-25 fps.

Now here's a new one on me - in W10 you need to enable your processors - go figure.  I also did that, but no real change.

With that done and resource monitor turned on, The Division consumes 84% in all 8 cores when running around.  This also seems very high.

Radeon does have a monitor/tuner - just running around it constantly bangs against the GPU limiter (925MHz) and 100% activity.  I have not tried tuning it yet.  There do seem to be a few knobs to turn, more on that later.

I am still running tests - but nothing so far seems to make a difference.

...gene

 

[genedjr]

OK, more results - after about 5 min in game the processor requirements suddenly drop to around 50% across the 8 cores.  Memory usage also dropped from 9GB+ to 7.5GB and holds steady.  In game frame rates vary from a low of 20fps right up to 60fps.  I don't have a way to see how much graphics memory is being used.  I am going to look up overclocking the HD7970 and see what I can find.  

The odd thing is, it seemed to run OK before drop v1.6.  Now I am having issues especially in foggy and heavy snow.  And while the frame rates dip into the 30s, that does not seem to impact my game play.  More testing needed.

...gene

 

[Callsign_Gloves]

Now here's a new one on me - in W10 you need to enable your processors - go figure.  I also did that, but no real change.

Topic of processors, have you unparked your CPU's cores?

 

[genedjr]

Topic of processors, have you unparked your CPU's cores?

unparked CPU cores ? no idea what that means.

With radeon tuning, I moved from 24 to 35 fps - kinda consistent, good for now.but this 6 year old is dead - time to move on.  I believe I can get more from game tuning, so I am declaring victory.

and that I need a new GPU ;(

...gene

 

[Callsign_Gloves]

unparked CPU cores ? no idea what that means.

With radeon tuning, I moved from 24 to 35 fps - kinda consistent, good for now.but this 6 year old is dead - time to move on.  I believe I can get more from game tuning, so I am declaring victory.

and that I need a new GPU ;(

...gene

I originally played The Division on a GTX 560 Ti. My motherboard is about 9 years old now I think. You really just have to squeeze all of the performance out.

Windows will "park" your CPU cores. Essentially locking them for OS use, so your game doesn't use them.

I've attached a folder, inside, there is a program called UnparkCPU.exe. Run it, and click "Check Status". It will eventually bring up your parked cores, and you can click "Unpark all". I'm not sure how much of a performance boost it will give you, but it's pretty quick and painless.

View attachment Unpark CPU.zip

 

[genedjr]

Windows will "park" your CPU cores. 

Thanks, OK, now I remember - I thought I fixed this awhile ago and yes I did.  Resource Manager does not show any cores parked.  And when I run the division I can see the load distributed across all cores.

Last night using just the AMD tools I was able to overclock the GPU significantly.  Using the "Benchmark" tool under options in game I was able to go from 28-30 fps to 35-38 fps. average. And I still have plenty of heat headroom (max 71c).  I plan on installing a real overclocking tool (i.e. MSI after burner) and seeing how much I can get limiting the temp to a max of 80c.

With my system being 12+ years old, I am fairly hesitant to overclock it.  And HP does not provide very good BIOS controls, though there are some knobs to twist.  But I will research it and see what others have done.  I can get a little more by getting 3GHz CPUs (2.66GHz currently), but the gain is said to be minimal considering the price (~$60) it might be better to get another GPU and crossfire.  I can do that for just a bit more money.

Sadly, its also time to replace this ole'boy.  But that needs to wait until at least the fall.

...gene

[update] the HP BIOS has no means of overclocking.  alas - There are rumors of alternate BIOS for the x5000 chipset, but I will not go that route.

 

[Callsign_Gloves]

[update] the HP BIOS has no means of overclocking.  alas - There are rumors of alternate BIOS for the x5000 chipset, but I will not go that route.

Yeah I've never been able to overclock my workstation either. Only GPU overclocks I'm afraid.

 

[genedjr]

OK, playing with afterburner has not helped - even minor changes to GPU power is crashing, but...

The changes made with AMD tools have made the game playable again.  Either I need to spend considerable time playing with afterburner or just fork over money for a new GPU.  With the GTX 1080 dropping to $5 bills - wow - I may springs for that - naw, I really am too cheap.... [aside - so why are all the emos happy?]

My results with the processing indicate I am OK for another generation.  But I am eyeing Ryzen and Vega - not quite top tear but for $100s less.

...gene

 

[genedjr]

OK, was playing last night and noticed my frame rates jumped back up to a very playable 35-45 fps even in very intense scenes.  This was where I was at before the 1.6 drop.  I have not updated drivers - so I am wondering why?

Another thought, due to certain circumstances I am using a USB wireless connection.  Just how much traffic goes over the network?  Is there a possibility that network traffic could have that level of impact to the running game graphics?

Anyway - I am thinking of getting a RX 480 8GB for now, but planning on a new rig for Christmas when I can evaluate a total AMD approach.

...gene

 

[genedjr]

I want to revisit this a little even though this thread is a little stale.

With at least 5 AMD driver updates, I thought of giving DX12 another shot.  Supposedly TD loves DX12.  And it does - kinda  :40_rage: .

On Medium setting on DX11, I get an average 39FPS (High Setting 35FPS - but I see now real gaming advantage) on the TD benchmark and in real game experience mostly 40+FPS.  Very playable except in the most  demanding situations, oh um, like fighting 3 named.  Then the FPS drops significantly to 20-25 FPS.  I can beat the scene but very hard, not fluid, lots of tearing and shuttering.

Again on Medium but with DX12, Benchmark is 45 FPS.  I get an average of 45 - 50 FPS and no drop even on crazy scenes.

To get any kind of stability, I had to delete all the cached DX12 files.  Which UBISoft replaced as needed.

BUT - I cannot page out, go to desktop or do anything to remove focus from the game, if I do - TD crashes to desktop - every time.  Even when in menu moving the pointer off TD and the game will crash within 5 min when resuming.  Very repeatable.   :40_rage:

So with that in mind and that my xw8400 is 11 years old - I am now a happier camper (but of course Ryzen is just days away).  

But 7734 - I still need to better GPU - come on VEGA!

...gene

 

[Callsign_Gloves]

I want to revisit this a little even though this thread is a little stale.

With at least 5 AMD driver updates, I thought of giving DX12 another shot.  Supposedly TD loves DX12.  And it does - kinda  :40_rage: .

On Medium setting on DX11, I get an average 39FPS (High Setting 35FPS - but I see now real gaming advantage) on the TD benchmark and in real game experience mostly 40+FPS.  Very playable except in the most  demanding situations, oh um, like fighting 3 named.  Then the FPS drops significantly to 20-25 FPS.  I can beat the scene but very hard, not fluid, lots of tearing and shuttering.

Again on Medium but with DX12, Benchmark is 45 FPS.  I get an average of 45 - 50 FPS and no drop even on crazy scenes.

To get any kind of stability, I had to delete all the cached DX12 files.  Which UBISoft replaced as needed.

BUT - I cannot page out, go to desktop or do anything to remove focus from the game, if I do - TD crashes to desktop - every time.  Even when in menu moving the pointer off TD and the game will crash within 5 min when resuming.  Very repeatable.   :40_rage:

So with that in mind and that my xw8400 is 11 years old - I am now a happier camper (but of course Ryzen is just days away).  

But 7734 - I still need to better GPU - come on VEGA!

...gene

Hey Gene,

Pretty sure you're card doesn't even support DX12? So that is probably why it ran the way it did. You can still install DX12, but you're card isn't going to be happy about it. Once you buy a newer card though, you can be sure it will do better.

 

[genedjr]

Hey Gene,

Pretty sure you're card doesn't even support DX12? 

According to the official AMD site, all HD 7000 series GPUs are supported for DX12.
https://community.amd.com/thread/186209

Anyway, the game is playable either way.  I was just wondering if others have tried to move back to DX 12.

...gene