BioShock SM 2.0 Fix Beta v4.0 Mod

[Starbuck1975]

Just noticed on Gamespot that there is now an unofficial mod for BioShock, that provides the following performance fix:

"This mod alters BioShock to support Shader Model 2.0 for older graphics cards."

I have a 7900 GT KO, and can run the game fairly smoothly on medium graphics settings, with a few options tuned up to high.

Has anyone installed this mod with an older graphics card, and did it provide a performance boost? Similarly, given my system rig, would it be worth my while to install this mod? I am not sure I understand what Shader 2.0 is, or why I would need to support it.

 

[gorcorps]

7900 is a SM3 card I thought? The mod is only to enable play in the game with cards that only support SM2, like ATIs X800 series and the older 9800s. You won't get any performance boost and you'd actually lose most of the effects you enjoy now.

 

[Modelworks]

7900 is indeed a sm3 card.
No need for you to use this mod.

 

[Starbuck1975]

I checked the specs on the 7900, and apparently 7 series cards do have Shader 2.0...I believe they support up to Shader 3.0.

There is also a widescreen mod available now for Bioshock...I may install that, or wait for an official patch which I assume will address the widescreen issue.

 

[GundamSonicZeroX]

Are you able to enable AA on GeForce 7s if you use this mod?

 

[gorcorps]

Originally posted by: GundamSonicZeroX
Are you able to enable AA on GeForce 7s if you use this mod?

No... you don't understand what this mod does. It enables OLD CARDS with ONLY SM2 to play the game, when the original game requires SM3 cards. If you have an SM3 card then the original game is your best choice. This mod doesn't have certain lighting and shaders that SM3 cards use, so don't use it.

I'll repeat this, because it doesn't seem to be getting through. *THIS MOD IS INTENDED FOR SM2 CARDS ONLY. IF YOUR CARD SUPPORTS SHADER MODEL 3 DO NOT USE THIS MOD!*

 

[GundamSonicZeroX]

Originally posted by: gorcorps

Originally posted by: GundamSonicZeroX
Are you able to enable AA on GeForce 7s if you use this mod?

No... you don't understand what this mod does.

I do understand what the mod does. I wanted to know since the GeForce 7s can't support SM3 HDR + AA could using this mod allow you to enable AA.

 

[gorcorps]

Originally posted by: GundamSonicZeroX

Originally posted by: gorcorps

Originally posted by: GundamSonicZeroX
Are you able to enable AA on GeForce 7s if you use this mod?

No... you don't understand what this mod does.

I do understand what the mod does. I wanted to know since the GeForce 7s can't support SM3 HDR + AA could using this mod allow you to enable AA.

Nope, it's not a final mod and doesn't look near as good as the original. Even if it allow your AA to be enabled, you'd miss out on a lot more and it wouldn't be worth it.

 

[matas]

This is absurd. my x800xl video card on pc is better in performance in most of the games that use sm 2.0, than my video card on my laptop. MY laptop has a dedicated x1600 video card, which has no problems playing bioshock. unlike pc's

 

[gorcorps]

I know... I have an x850pro, which has plenty of power, but not the correct shader requirements. Thank god for those working on this mod, at least it's playable and looks alright for now. It keeps getting better though, so I don't think it'll be too long before the SM2 cards can play at almost the quality of SM3. With the exception of some lighting.

 

[SynthDude2001]

I wonder how many seconds it would take to render each frame on my 9700 Pro...:laugh: