Posted February 24, 2015
The last few days, I've been reading about the performance problems realMyst: ME is having on many computers, even after the big 2.0 update. One of the main complaints is that the graphics card runs VERY hot, especially when reading books in the library.
I think I've discovered the cause, at least on my computer. I'm running a GTX 560 Ti on a Q8400, so it's not the newest rig in the world. The main problem is the SSAO setting. It has to do with the rendering of ambient light. The second problem is Focus Effect.
The resolution I'm using is 1920x1200, AntiAliasing on. All the effects are on high, except SSAO, which is off. Focus Effect is also off.
When reading a book in the library, my graphics card is hovering around 30-32% usage, 67 deg. C, and the fan is spinning at around 2000 rpm. This is a stable situation, and my computer can't really be heard if the game's sound is set to a normal level.
However, as soon as I add SSAO on the highest setting, the GPU usage shoots to 70-75%, the temperature rises to 81 deg. C, and the fan spins up to 2500 rpm. While this situation is also stable, the computer is a LOT more noisy. When adding Focus Effect (of which I even can't readily determine what it does, inside or outside...), another 15 to 20% GPU usage is added, for a total up to 95%, raising the temperature to 91 deg. C, and the fan speed to around 3000 rpm. At that point, the computer is annoyingly loud. Sometimes the temperature goes even higher, to 92-93 degrees, after which the fan goes ballistic to cool the card down again, at times hitting 3400 rpm.
And I'm only reading a book in the library.
After turning off SSAO and Focus Effect, the card's usage drops back to 30-ish percent, the temperature almost instantly drops to around 80 degrees C, and the fan starts winding down. After about five minutes, everything is back to normal again, with the temperatures at 67-ish degrees and the fan at 2000 rpm.
So, if you're having overheating issues, disable SSAO and/or Focus Effect.
Strangely enough, the framerate does not change when changing these settings.
I think I've discovered the cause, at least on my computer. I'm running a GTX 560 Ti on a Q8400, so it's not the newest rig in the world. The main problem is the SSAO setting. It has to do with the rendering of ambient light. The second problem is Focus Effect.
The resolution I'm using is 1920x1200, AntiAliasing on. All the effects are on high, except SSAO, which is off. Focus Effect is also off.
When reading a book in the library, my graphics card is hovering around 30-32% usage, 67 deg. C, and the fan is spinning at around 2000 rpm. This is a stable situation, and my computer can't really be heard if the game's sound is set to a normal level.
However, as soon as I add SSAO on the highest setting, the GPU usage shoots to 70-75%, the temperature rises to 81 deg. C, and the fan spins up to 2500 rpm. While this situation is also stable, the computer is a LOT more noisy. When adding Focus Effect (of which I even can't readily determine what it does, inside or outside...), another 15 to 20% GPU usage is added, for a total up to 95%, raising the temperature to 91 deg. C, and the fan speed to around 3000 rpm. At that point, the computer is annoyingly loud. Sometimes the temperature goes even higher, to 92-93 degrees, after which the fan goes ballistic to cool the card down again, at times hitting 3400 rpm.
And I'm only reading a book in the library.
After turning off SSAO and Focus Effect, the card's usage drops back to 30-ish percent, the temperature almost instantly drops to around 80 degrees C, and the fan starts winding down. After about five minutes, everything is back to normal again, with the temperatures at 67-ish degrees and the fan at 2000 rpm.
So, if you're having overheating issues, disable SSAO and/or Focus Effect.
Strangely enough, the framerate does not change when changing these settings.
Post edited February 24, 2015 by Katsunami
