How to choose the right texture setting in game?

[PLAfiller]

Hi all,

I have this GPU on my lappy: GT630M 2GB:

1. Core- 660mhz
2. Shader- 1320mhz
3. Memory 1800mhz
4. Pixel- 2.6 GP/s
5. Texture- 10.7 GT/s
6. Bandwith- 28.8 GB/s (128 bit DDR3)

I usually play Warframe and Blacklight Retribution. I have all the "goodies" turned off: like DirectX11, ambient occlusion etc.... BUT on the texture side I usually have options ranging from: minimum-low-medium-high-ultra. The card has 2GB of memory. How do I know which is the optimal setting for the game? I mean how do I know when I saturate the bandwith? Like, can I turn off everything, but crank up the textures to ultra? Is there a formula? Or just try each setting and see?- If it chops, then no?

 

[BiggieShady]

Is there a formula?

Formula for low end GPUs with enough VRAM is: set maximum texture detail and minimum shader detail. Then lower the texture detail until playable. The problem is that often in games "shader detail" or similar setting also turns off usage of some texture layers completely (detail maps and such)

 

[erocker]

I mean how do I know when I saturate the bandwith?

Poor performance, stuttering, etc.

 

[PLAfiller]

Formula for low end GPUs with enough VRAM is: set maximum texture detail and minimum shader detail. Then lower the texture detail until playable. The problem is that often in games "shader detail" or similar setting also turns off usage of some texture layers completely (detail maps and such)

Interesting. I will try that. True for the shader detail though. I guess you could try the same thing until mid-level GPU's as well. (like gtx 6/7-50)

 

[P4-630]

Hi all,

I have this GPU on my lappy: GT630M 2GB:

1. Core- 660mhz
2. Shader- 1320mhz
3. Memory 1800mhz
4. Pixel- 2.6 GP/s
5. Texture- 10.7 GT/s
6. Bandwith- 28.8 GB/s (128 bit DDR3)

I usually play Warframe and Blacklight Retribution. I have all the "goodies" turned off: like DirectX11, ambient occlusion etc.... BUT on the texture side I usually have options ranging from: minimum-low-medium-high-ultra. The card has 2GB of memory. How do I know which is the optimal setting for the game? I mean how do I know when I saturate the bandwith? Like, can I turn off everything, but crank up the textures to ultra? Is there a formula? Or just try each setting and see?- If it chops, then no?

I use Nvidia GeForce Experience for the settings of the supported games, not sure if it works for your card though.

 

[PLAfiller]

I use Nvidia GeForce Experience for the settings of the supported games, not sure if it works for your card though.

Yeah it works, but the list of supported games is pretty skimpy. And I don't think it always "offers" the best solution. Sometimes it activates AA when I don't think it is necessary for example. On a third note, there are effects I generally don't enjoy. Like: "bloom" and "blur"- when these are on, I don't know what's going on my screen . Even if the card supports them, I turn them off right away.

 

[droopyRO]

Install MSI Afterburner, follow this

or a similar tutorial play the game and check at what usage your vRAM averages, if it is at or beyond your onboard vRAM then lower the textures, antialiasing and/or resolution.

 

[BiggieShady]

Install MSI Afterburner ... check at what usage your vRAM averages

This is a great advice, if you want to go by the numbers instead of subjective feeling.