The AT Battlefield Bad Company 2 F.A.Q.

[Termie]

Hey all - I posted this in the CPU forum, but I thought some of you might find it interesting, particularly those of you who are upgrading systems to play BC2. All of these tests are on the vanilla version - as we all know, Vietnam produces higher frame rates.

Starting with my e8400/GTX460 system:

Here are the settings:
Resolution: 1920x1080
2xAA, 4xAF, HBAO off

Here are the results:
(1) Avg FPS: 35
(2) Avg GPU usage: 60%
(3) CPU usage: 100% the entire time

Then I upped the settings
Resolution: 1920x1080
4xAA, 16AF, HBAO on

Here are the results:
(1) Avg FPS: 35
(2) Avg GPU usage: 65%
(3) CPU usage: 100% the entire time

Then I upped the GTX460 clocks to 800/950

Here are the results:
(1) Avg FPS: 35
(2) Avg GPU usage: 55%
(3) CPU usage: 100% the entire time

In comparison, here are numbers from my i7-860/5850 (clocks listed in sig):
Resolution: 1920x1200
4xAA, 16AF, HBAO on

(1) Avg FPS: 57
(3) Avg GPU usage: 99%
(3) CPU Usage: ~50%

Could I play BC2 on my e8400 at the settings I wanted? Well, I made it through a few games (and got an Ace Pin in my last one - Gully can be my witness on that), but it was choppy and I definitely couldn't react as fast.

My GPUs are very, very close in power, and yet my FPS is 63% higher on the 5850 (and the resolution is actually slightly higher due to the 16:10 monitor). More importantly, overclocking the GPU got me no return in FPS, and upping the quality did not lower the FPS. That would be ok if I were playing at a comfortable FPS, but I was not.

Another fascinating tidbit: my undervolted e8400 with an underutilized GTX460 only uses 175 watts while gaming in BC2. This is 90 watts lower than what my i7-860/5850 combo uses with the very same settings, despite the GTX460 typically showing higher power use in benchmarks. Obviously, this is partly due to the undervolted e8400, but it also shows that the GTX460 simply isn't working at full capacity.

I'm not trying to start an argument here - I love my e8400, which I moved to an HTPC. I mean, heck, look at those wattage figures. Just amazing for the power the system has. But in a modern game like BC2, a quad is necessary to allow a new graphics card to really let loose.

 

[stag3]

whatever makes it run smoother i'm all for
i'd rather also have less destruction 2.0 in main bc2 if it speeds it up like vietnam runs

 

[minmaster]

I'm not trying to start an argument here - I love my e8400, which I moved to an HTPC. I mean, heck, look at those wattage figures. Just amazing for the power the system has. But in a modern game like BC2, a quad is necessary to allow a new graphics card to really let loose.

do a test with your new CPU and the old 460.
many nvidia cards including 460 yours have trouble being utilized fully in BC2.
ATi on the other hand gets utilized very well, as i have seen in many benchmarks.
so the issue here is not just the quad core allowing better performance, but also you switching to the ATi card that is known to have a much higher GPU usage in this particular game when compared with the GTX 460.

 

[RavenSEAL]

do a test with your new CPU and the old 460.
many nvidia cards including 460 yours have trouble being utilized fully in BC2.
ATi on the other hand gets utilized very well, as i have seen in many benchmarks.
so the issue here is not just the quad core allowing better performance, but also you switching to the ATi card that is known to have a much higher GPU usage in this particular game when compared with the GTX 460.

Nah man, the BC2 MP gives hell to Dual cores, even with my E8500 OC'd to 3.8, the MP still handles horribly, i've given up.

 

[Termie]

do a test with your new CPU and the old 460.
many nvidia cards including 460 yours have trouble being utilized fully in BC2.
ATi on the other hand gets utilized very well, as i have seen in many benchmarks.
so the issue here is not just the quad core allowing better performance, but also you switching to the ATi card that is known to have a much higher GPU usage in this particular game when compared with the GTX 460.

You've mentioned this before, but I don't think you're right. As benched by Anandtech on an i7-920@3.33 (very similar to mine), the 5850 is only 26% faster than the GTX460 768: http://www.anandtech.com/show/3809/nvidias-geforce-gtx-460-the-200-king/11.

In my test, with similar GPU overclocks (both ~17%), I get a 63% difference. It's not worth it for me to switch the GPU back and forth just for benchmarking. I'm pretty convinced it's the CPU. From a google search, I can see that people have been talking about low GPU usage in BC2 for six months. Many of these people have dual-cores. If this were really a driver issue, nVidia would have fixed it. Furthermore, it doesn't show up in any benchmarking articles on the web. The HD5850 is never more than 30% faster in BC2.

For example: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/evga-geforce-gtx-460-ftw-01g-p3-1378-tr-overclocked,2795-7.html. The GTX460 FTW (the 1GB version clocked a bit higher than mine) is equaling an HD6870 (which is equivalent to my HD5850). Verdict: it's not the drivers. My CPU is pegged at 100% the entire time, versus 50% on the i7. It's the CPU.

 

[minmaster]

trust me, the 460 and other nvidia cards have a known problem of GPU not being utilized fully in BC2 and nvidia has said the next driver update will address this. for this game, ATi cards have been known to be utilized far more than nvidia. all you have to look at is the GPU usage %, yes i'm sure the new CPU helped, but the main problem is the difference in GPU usage.

 

[Termie]

Here's some more benching data I put together, this time for Vietnam. As we all know, it's much more playable. And it's much more playable on a dual-core - I'm getting 50% higher frames than in vanilla (and only 25% more frames on my quad). Looks like the dual-core can do a much better job feeding the GPU in Vietnam than in the original. I'd say the GTX460 is getting close to reaching its full potential:

e8400@3.3/GTX460-768@800/950

1920x1080/4xAA/16xAF
Min Max Avg
39 61 53.303 (compare to 35fps at same settings in vanilla BC2)
GPU Usage: 75%
CPU Usage: 85%

1920x1080/8xAA/16xAF
Min Max Avg
38 53 46.131
GPU Usage: 85%
CPU Usage: 85%

i7-860@3.25/HD5850@850/1200

1920x1200/4xAA/16xAF
Min Max Avg
57 88 71.375 (compare to 57fps at same settings in vanilla BC2)
GPU Usage: 99%
CPU Usage: 25%

1920x1200/8xAA/16xAF
Min Max Avg
47 80 66.914
GPU Usage: 99%
CPU Usage: 25%

Overall, Vietnam is just a completely different ball game. Usually expansion packs bring the fps down (remember BF2 Special Forces, anyone?). This one just made the game much more enjoyable for a lot of people.

 

[GullyFoyle]

Whet you whistle for some Operation Hastings gameplay.

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays All!

 

[Termie]

Whet you whistle for some Operation Hastings gameplay.

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays All!

Nice! We're at 22mil and counting - heading for 69mil. Probably 5 or 6 days before we get to Hastings.

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to you as well, Gully.

 

[alfa147x]

Well bought BFBC2 the other day... Loving it so far! I'll see you guys online
Steam name and BFBC2 Player name: Alfa147x

 

[TheNiceGuy]

Worth getting Vietnam? Or just more of the same with different skins? Voice fixed?
The original Vietnam is the first online game I played, so good memories.

 

[strep3241]

Worth getting Vietnam? Or just more of the same with different skins? Voice fixed?
The original Vietnam is the first online game I played, so good memories.

I don't think it is worth getting Vietnam. I bought it and I don't care for it. One thing is you do not get any new weapons or anything. You are stuck with what you start out with. I think the weapons should have carried over from BC2.

I don't care for the maps either. Too many choke points and not enough cover if you ask me.

I do kind of like the flamethrower and the music playing in the vehicles. It kind of weird to walk next to a vehicle and hearing music playing.

 

[alfa147x]

I don't think it is worth getting Vietnam. I bought it and I don't care for it. One thing is you do not get any new weapons or anything. You are stuck with what you start out with. I think the weapons should have carried over from BC2.

I don't care for the maps either. Too many choke points and not enough cover if you ask me.

I do kind of like the flamethrower and the music playing in the vehicles. It kind of weird to walk next to a vehicle and hearing music playing.

Does it have a new campaign?

 

[strep3241]

I am not sure, I only played the MP. I just checked, there is no new SP campaign, no SP at all in Vietnam.

 

[yepp]

EA store UK currently has 50% off BFBC2 Vietnam, works on the Steam version. You activate the codes in game.

For UK use the "o3gfubinq" promo code to bring the cost down from £4.99 to £3.74. Not sure about you folks in the US.

 

[Termie]

Does it have a new campaign?

I am not sure, I only played the MP.

No new campaign, but I'd say it's worth it for $15. Different type of gameplay - much more terrain to work with (cliffs, tunnels), but fewer buildings to hide in. Whether you like it may depend on your gaming style.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

I don't think it is worth getting Vietnam. I bought it and I don't care for it. One thing is you do not get any new weapons or anything. You are stuck with what you start out with. I think the weapons should have carried over from BC2.

I don't care for the maps either. Too many choke points and not enough cover if you ask me.

I do kind of like the flamethrower and the music playing in the vehicles. It kind of weird to walk next to a vehicle and hearing music playing.

BC2 is chock full of modern weapons that have no business in a Vietnam themed game.

 

[spacelord]

I really like the BC2 Vietnam expansion. Less modern weapons.. no tracer darts, no motion sensors.
However, There are some annoying choke points, that are darn near impossible to get through if it becomes a nade spam fest.

 

[uclaLabrat]

Vietnam is amazing, the weapons are balanced almost perfectly. The assault rifles actually behave like assault rifles, etc. I love it already.

 

[CrystalBay]

Phu Bai is my only favorite need more of this type imo, Merry Xmas all..

 

[GullyFoyle]

Phu Bai is my only favorite need more of this type imo, Merry Xmas all..

If you like Phu Bai because of the vehicles, you will like Operation Hastings.

 

[Termie]

BC2 is on sale again today at Steam for $6.80: http://store.steampowered.com/.

These Steam sales run from 1pm to 1pm, so this just went active and will be good through tomorrow at 1pm.

 

[Baasha]

I played Vietnam for a little bit today and have to say it is really great.

I love BFBC2 in general and the Vietnam expansion is awesome. The maps are simply fantastic.

I just wish they had more weapons but the flamethrower is just unbelievable.

Also, any idea on why they don't make it more gory/bloody (like FEAR)? I know there's the "revive" thing but come on, a mortar strike will make mince meat out of anyone and any revival is out of the question.

IMO, they should make revivals only possible for pistol and knife attacks. Any heavy machine guns or other weapons should have "full gore/blood" mode where there are limbs, guts, and copious amounts of red mist (that doesn't disappear as well!). It should be a massive blood-bath that becomes insanely intense and just, SPLAT-tacular! :twisted:

 

[HybridSquirrel]

should i go buy this two seater mammoth from hodir?

 

[AznAnarchy99]

should i go buy this two seater mammoth from hodir?

Wrong game? lol