Batman Arkham City Performance/Settings

[ClaudeWalker]

I have a GTX670, 8GB of RAM, Win8 x64 and an SSD. My weak link is an LGA775 Q9650 running at 3.0GHz (can't overclock on my mATX board). From what I understand the CPU doesn't really make or break game performance. It's mainly the GPU

I'm using the Benchmark tool in the game to get the FPS. I can't get an average of over 40 running 1920x1080. I've tried both with DX11 and without DX11.

Also, do the Nvidia proprietary AA settings help or hurt? Any idea what settings I should try? Is there anyway I can tweak my card for this game? Ideally, I'd like to run as close to 60 as possible but 15 min, 35 avg and 60 max (v-sync) is most unacceptable.

 

[futurefields]

Dx9 mode is a lot smoother in my experience.

 

[f1sherman]

Your understainding that CPU doesn't really make or break game performance is wrong.
Whenever there is PhysX involved CPU DOES MATTER.

DX9, lowering PhysX is your only chance to get closer to 60 fps.
Good news is that you can go wild with AA, pick anything you like, or even go with SGSSAA/downsampling.

 

[ClaudeWalker]

Is it possible for me to get a smaller graphics card to run in SLI dedicated for PhysX? Perhaps run my GTX670 with a (much cheaper) GTX650Ti Boost or GTX660?

I figured since 1 will be dedicated for PhysX for games it may not matter if they're different.

 

[ClaudeWalker]

Good news is that you can go wild with AA, pick anything you like, or even go with SGSSAA/downsampling.

How so? Is it because I meet the requirements and the AA doesn't impact the performance in this regard?

 

[f1sherman]

Assuming you go with DX9 (you want this because DX11 in B:AC was never patched properly),
you will be CPU limited mostly, so AA is almost free as CPU does not impact it;s performance.

Dx9 mode is a lot smoother in my experience.

What he said ^^

 

[ClaudeWalker]

Is it possible for me to get a smaller graphics card to run in SLI dedicated for PhysX? Perhaps run my GTX670 with a (much cheaper) GTX650Ti Boost or GTX660?

I figured since 1 will be dedicated for PhysX for games it may not matter if they're different.

What about this a solution for the PhysX issue?

 

[f1sherman]

That's a tricky one.
It depends on a game. For Mafia 2, you won't gain anything (much of PhysX is done on CPU)

And even for B:AC, getting additional PhysX card in LGA775 rig, does not sound healthy.

 

[ClaudeWalker]

makes sense. guess I could wait until my Haswell upgrade this summer. If I upgrade to a Haswell do I even need SLI for PhysX performance?

 

[f1sherman]

well we don't know entirely how Haswell will play out, but dedicated PhysX card (not SLI)
is usually beneficial

only in some cases where there is very powerfull GPU involved (read Titan), dedicated lower class GPU is actually detrimental.
I am guessing with Haswell you'll get 100% better game experience in many PhysX games compared to your current rig

 

[Durvelle27]

I play this game maxed out with DX11 at 1080p with no problems but its true alot of ppl do have problems with DX11 so i would recommend using DX9. Shouldn't have a problem running it and no i wouldn't justify buying a new card just for Physx as it's not worth it.

 

[ClaudeWalker]

a dedicated PhysX card (not SLI) is usually beneficial

Wait, so I can have two cards not in SLI and one just dedicated for PhysX? That would be worth it because the GTX650 boost only like $160

 

[f1sherman]

Wait, so I can have two cards not in SLI and one just dedicated for PhysX? That would be worth it because the GTX650 boost only like $160

Which is what... $150 away from brand new Ivy Bridge setup?

Yes, you could have two cards not in SLI and one just for PhysX, but I would _REALLY_NOT_ go that way with LGA 775.

You are already VERY cpu limited in many cases, and especially so in PhysX games, to have that dedicated card properly utilized.

 

[ClaudeWalker]

Which is what... $150 away from brand new Ivy Bridge setup?

Yes, you could have two cards not in SLI and one just for PhysX, but I would _REALLY_NOT_ go that way with LGA 775.

You are already VERY cpu limited in many cases, and especially so in PhysX games, to have that dedicated card properly utilized.

That’s a great point. I’ll have to weigh the costs. With a new GPU, I may need a new case and PSU. With a new setup I’ll need a new Mobo, Cpu and fan. The second option is more scalable. I’ll probably roll that way.

Thanks for helping!