Large FPS dips in BL2 with Tri-Fire 7970s and a 650Ti for hybrid PhysX

[AdamK47]

Setting up hybrid PhysX was incredibly easy. The way I setup the hybrid PhysX was to install the latest nVidia Forceware, which includes the latest PhysX drivers, and then run a utility called Hybridiz. Once that was done I removed all default PhysX DLLs from the Borderlands 2 executable directory except for PhysXExtensions.dll. Set PhysX to high and I was on my way. I was really expecting more out of adding a dedicated PhysX card. Instead of a constant 60 FPS (with PhysX set to Low) I now see dips in the 40s. Perhaps there is more to it? Here's a shot of MSI Afterburner showing framerate and GPU usage. GPU 4 is the 650Ti.

This is with everything maxed in the game at 2560x1600 with vsync off and the FPS limiter off. What do you think? Is the GPU usage low, or is this normal for a 650Ti as a dedicated PhysX card? Is there something that can be done to reduce the dips?

 

[thilanliyan]

Maybe the 650Ti is not powerful enough?

 

[lavaheadache]

maybe nvidia programmed that to happen ... lulz.

seriously though, if I had Borderlands 2 I woud try it out with my crossfired 7970's and hawk 460 at it.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Maybe the 650Ti is not powerful enough?

It should be plenty if all it's doing is physx especially with new drivers that have the optimizations specific to Kepler and Borderlands 2.

However, I remember reading about many cases of slowdown with physx on. I wonder if the card's relative lack of bandwidth compared to a 660ti or 670 is the difference for this title?

Here is a roundup of various sites testing physx performance. Note that even with a GTX680 some sites report below 40fps for the minimums.
http://physxinfo.com/news/9653/borderlands-2-physx-benchmark-roundup/

 

[badb0y]

Have you tried it without the 650Ti?

 

[wand3r3r]

I was using the gtx 690 with one gpu dedicated to physx it still dropped to stutterfest on occasion (actually no matter how it was setup).

I would expect that setup to be fine a lot of the time, but in heavy battles/elemental areas it would certainly drop being the 690 can't even handle it fully.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I ran physx high and everything maxed out at 2560x1440 and didn't notice a much fps drops. Not like what is described here.

 

[wand3r3r]

I ran physx high and everything maxed out at 2560x1440 and didn't notice a much fps drops. Not like what is described here.

Well I did experience stuttering on the 690, and it's documented in this forum along with data to back it up. It was less prevalent in single player in the little I played solo, but was drastic in heavy battles with 4 players.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I believe it is not hardware related at all. Just another example of poorly optimized software.

 

[notty22]

There are reviews that show decent performance.
http://www.hitechlegion.com/reviews/software/pc-games/30901-bordlands2-physx?showall=&start=2

Resolution: 5760 x 1080 (2D Surround)

 

[biostud]

I have no problem running it with physX high, but maybe I just don't spam enough debris while playing

 

[wand3r3r]

Sitting back and not getting in the middle of heavy battles, single player mode, etc. the FPS are fine. The reviews are not even in multiplayer, much less meleeing or getting into heavy action up close.

Feel free to start benching 4 player in the heavy battles. I have bothered to benchmark it because sadly it was a major issue in the intense battles.

We can all sit and nod our heads and agree that reviews have shown 500 fps, but they are not the scenario I have experienced. I can sit back and play with high fps, or I can get in the thick of it with 4 players where the FPS tank. I recognize that you can play with very high fps, it's down to playing style and how much physx crap is littering the screen. Half the time in the big battles I could hardly see over the elemental goo and effects blocking the view. These are the scenes where nothing can handle it atm, at least not a 6 core i7 @4Ghz with a GTX 690.

Given my experience, I am not surprised the OP's physx tank the FPS.

 

[Grooveriding]

Are the FPS drops during combat ? I get big drops with physx on high during firefights that have all that debris flying everywhere.

 

[AdamK47]

Yes, the big dips are during combat. Almost all the dips I see are in heavy fighting when a goo barrel explodes.

There is another configuration I want to explore. I'll post shots when I can.

 

[wand3r3r]

Are the FPS drops during combat ? I get big drops with physx on high during firefights that have all that debris flying everywhere.

In my experience it was only then too.

 

[Makaveli]

Hey Adam,

I've been using the hybrid setup for awhile now and did quite a bit of testing.

What I've noticed is when in Multiplayer 4 players and alot of explodes and debris you will get Fps dips in combat when set to high and it seems to happen on all computers regardless of how powerful your setup.

On Single player I don't really notice it.

For me I player with it on med which gives more consistent performance in multiplayer.

I tried a different combination NV drivers and physx drivers also which seemed to help abit.