Guild Wars 2

Hello!

Before I begin I’d like to state that this topic is aimed primarily at people using AMD builds (CPU + GPU ). This includes builds with Intel processors and AMD graphics.

I’ve been playing Guild Wars 2 for a month and a half, and finally I decided I wanted to look into frame rate improvement beyond what I currently have. I didn’t get anything to improve FPS beyond installing the game. Outside of Lion’s Arch I usually hover at 40-60 across most areas and occasionally take a 30 to the knee. In Lion’s Arch itself, usually a 30-34 in the common areas I hang around in. In some other areas of Lion’s Arch I can see up to as high as 60 but this isn’t common. (I also read that LA is a bad place to experiment FPS so not really important).

World Versus World plays very good up until a zerg battle erupts and then my FPS get’s speared square in the face. Though running around in a zerg it is around 30 or better FPS.

I’ve read elsewhere that overclocking my processor may help so I will give that a try sometime soon.

I play with Vertical Sync on because I can’t stand tearing either.

The build I play my game on is,
AMD FX-8350 @ 4.5 GHz
Reference AMD Radeon HD 7970 (two cards not in crossfire because GW2 doesn’t favor CF)
16 GB 1600 MHz RAM
The game itself is on an HDD (I don’t mind the loading times of course but it’s not bad)

My general curiosity is, if you are an AMD user, or have an Intel machine with an AMD graphics card, what is your specs? What frame rates do you get? And what frame rates do you get if you have changed anything outside of the game to increase your FPS? I’m looking to tweak mine as well hopefully.

There is nothing you can do besides overclock. When I overclock my 7970, I can get a 3-5fps increase. When I overclock my 3770k, I can get some extra FPS as well.

The problem with your CPU is dismal single-threaded performance. This game demands single-threaded performance which your CPU just can’t provide.

I upgraded from a Phenom II quad core and I read the single threaded performance is slightly better on my new one. but I’m sure overclocking can fix something for me.
I wouldn’t doubt those Intels have good single threaded performance either.

Avelos.6798:

I upgraded from a Phenom II quad core and I read the single threaded performance is slightly better on my new one. but I’m sure overclocking can fix something for me.
I wouldn’t doubt those Intels have good single threaded performance either.

When Bulldozer first came out, I heard the single-threaded performance of the 1090T bested that of the 8150. Your 8350 may have “some” improvements, but the single-threaded performance is not ANYWHERE near the latest Intel processors such as a 3770k.

If you are truly truly truly serious about massively boosting your FPS, you have to switch to Intel.

God Of Fissures.8627:

When Bulldozer first came out, I heard the single-threaded performance of the 1090T bested that of the 8150. Your 8350 may have “some” improvements, but the single-threaded performance is not ANYWHERE near the latest Intel processors such as a 3770k.

If you are truly truly truly serious about massively boosting your FPS, you have to switch to Intel.

I think I might be able to get something through overclocking though. I already did after knocking it up 500 Mhz. without V/sync, the little boost was good. I understand that Intel likely has the better single threaded performance but I’m content with my AMD hardware. I mean, 30 FPS for me is still enjoyable. Just when it drops to around 10 it’s very bad. Persistence!

I’m still experimenting with OC-ing at the moment too and it’s looking alright.

I’m sure you realise that using vertical sync lowers fps by some degree.

But honestly, you guys are getting awesome fps compared to some. I agree, 10 is pretty crap, but the rest is hardly bad by any means. 30 mostly consistently is pretty sweet. WvW is taxing to even the best systems.

Btw, what settings are you running the client with? And if you vary from low, med, high, ultra, what is your variation of performance at each quality step?

Kyllaa.1385:

I’m sure you realise that using vertical sync lowers fps by some degree.

But honestly, you guys are getting awesome fps compared to some. I agree, 10 is pretty crap, but the rest is hardly bad by any means. 30 mostly consistently is pretty sweet. WvW is taxing to even the best systems.

Btw, what settings are you running the client with? And if you vary from low, med, high, ultra, what is your variation of performance at each quality step?

Quite aware that V/sync keeps my FPS synced at 60 or synced at all and reduces screen tearing. That’s exactly why I use it, because of tearing not being there.
I can’t play a game without it. Even on computers with bad spec I still used it.

My performance on all levels, when looking at Divinity’s Reach from the Fields Waypoint in Queensdale;
Low: 61 FPS
High: 40 FPS
Maximum (tweaked) : 40 FPS

these numbers taken without V/sync.

30 consistent everywhere is nice. 60 whenever is great.

I’d be stoked to run those numbers consistently lol. I get excited when I can hover around 30 and I feel compelled to shout it from the rooftops when I get 40-60 on the rare occasion (I even did). I hope you find what you are looking for.

I know Anet has been working some optimisations and such, so hopefully things will only get better

Kyllaa.1385:

I know Anet has been working some optimisations and such, so hopefully things will only get better

I’m hopeful that this is true. I’d love 60 FPS on this machine considering how much money I put into it.

Well I used to use fx8120 @4,7ghz was dipping 10s with medium settings now Im running 3570k at 4.5ghz with Radeon 6950 modded to 6970shaders and speed I get 50-60any (locked frame) anywhere without too much action 45ish with moderate action(shatterer and that sort of things) and 20ish with zerg vs zerg these with Full settings without supersampling and Fxaa, with them I still dip to low 10s, However, with some culling and some lower settings I get low 30s high 20s with zerg vs zerg battles.

Ps: I still believe that Anet can optimize the engine so it can run zerg vs zerg ~40ish fps without hiccups but they have to put some efforts on it. Because the hardware we run the game on is more than enough to pull that off the coding isnt.

muslumgurseks.4951:

Well I used to use fx8120 @4,7ghz was dipping 10s with medium settings now Im running 3570k at 4.5ghz with Radeon 6950 modded to 6970shaders and speed I get 50-60any (locked frame) anywhere without too much action 45ish with moderate action(shatterer and that sort of things) and 20ish with zerg vs zerg these with Full settings without supersampling and Fxaa, with them I still dip to low 10s, However, with some culling and some lower settings I get low 30s high 20s with zerg vs zerg battles.

Ps: I still believe that Anet can optimize the engine so it can run zerg vs zerg ~40ish fps without hiccups but they have to put some efforts on it. Because the hardware we run the game on is more than enough to pull that off the coding isnt.

I was testing a bit with my FX-8350 at 4.5 GHz last night and got a few more frames which was nice. On my 7970 I run the game full maxed and I don’t get what you had unless I step into a zerg fight o..o

Also yes I totally agree that this game can play a lot better, and it should on our hardware. GTA 4 is better optimized >:F