Understanding Ultra Mode
Will Ultra mode require DirectX 11? I use Windows XP, and I have no desire or plan to upgrade to Vista or Windows 7 (Vista do-over) for now. Maybe on my next PC but not on my current one.
Will the Ultra Mode make COH no longer work on Windows XP (i.e. use DirectX 11)?
Thanks,
Lewis
Random AT Generation!
"I remember... the Alamo." -- Pee-wee Herman
"Oh don't worry. I always leave things to the last moment." -- The Doctor
"Telescopes are time machines." -- Carl Sagan
I have an i7 and can see through the task manager that only two threads are being used.
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Also, how large is your power supply?
Zombie Man, what do you think of your i7? I'm in the market for a new MB/processor combo and I was looking at a low end i7 but was a little worried about the whole "multi-core not used" thing. Are programs smart enough to use a non-used (or less used) core or does everything try to cram through the same path? I'd be running the the i7-920 which is only 2.67GHz per core... Wasn't sure how worried I should be. (would be on a Win 7 OS)
Also, how large is your power supply? |
While CoH doesn't use more than 2 threads (for now), if I have other programs running in the background, and they use the extra threads so I no longer have to shut everything down just to run CoH.
---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.1.1.8---
DxDiag gathered at February 26, 2010 11:10 (-05:00)
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: BIOS Date: 11/11/09 17:22:03 Ver: 08.00.15
Central Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 920 @ 2.67GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
Memory: 12288MB
.Net Memory Report: 10643MB out of 12279MB available
Page File: 22781MB (1774MB currently in use)
C Drive: (INTEL SSDSA2M160G2GC ATA Device) 105909MB out of 152524MB (69%) free
D Drive: (Hitachi HDS721010CLA332 ATA Device) 953742MB out of 953866MB (99%) free
E Drive: (ATAPI DVD A DH24AAS ATA Device) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\Windows
DirectX: DirectX 11
DirectX Diag version: 6.01.7600.16385 (64-bit version)
Display Notes: No problems found.
Sound Notes: No problems found.
No problems found.
No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.
Monitor:
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: ATI Radeon HD 5900 Series
Manufacturer / Chip: ATI Technologies Inc. / ATI display adapter CrossFire Secondary (0x689C)
Video Memory: 3816 MB
Driver Version: 8.681.0.0
Driver Date: 11/24/2009 9:50:14 PM
Driver Language: English
Sound Device Description: Speakers (SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio)
Driver File: ADIHdAud.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.0002.6585
Driver Date: 6/5/2009 4:42:04 AM
Sound Device Description: SPDIF Interface (SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio)
Driver File: ADIHdAud.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.0002.6585
Driver Date: 6/5/2009 4:42:04 AM
Sound Device Description: Digital Output (SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio)
Driver File: ADIHdAud.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.0002.6585
Driver Date: 6/5/2009 4:42:04 AM
WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: P6TD DELUXE
Motherboard Version: Rev 1.xx
BIOS Manufacturer: American Megatrends Inc.
BIOS Name: BIOS Date: 11/11/09 17:22:03 Ver: 08.00.15
BIOS Version: 111109 - 20091111
BIOS Release: 20091111000000.000000+000
Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1920x1058
3D Resolution: 1920x1058 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: No
Maximized: Yes
Screen Position: 0, 0
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: No
Physics Quality: Very High
Maximum Particles: 50000
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No
Anti-aliasing: Unknown (0)
Anisotropic Filtering: 16x
Texture LOD Bias: Smooth
Water Effects: Low Quality
Bloom: 0.890 (turned off)
Depth of Field Enabled: No
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: No
Shader Detail: High
World Texture Level: High
Character Texture Level: High
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 2.000
Entity Detail Level: 2.000
Shadows Enabled: Yes
Gamma Correction: 0.820
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: Yes
Suppression of Extra Player FX Enabled: No
Suppression of FX When Camera Close Enabled: Yes
Close Suppression Range: 70.000
Show Advertisements: Yes
Audio Mode: Performance
3D Audio: Yes
FX Sound Volume: 0.530
Music Sound Volume: 0.240
Show Advanced Graphics Options: Yes
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.600
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: Unknown bytes/second
Current Game Version: 1600.20091102.9T4
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\City of Heroes
Mod files in the Data directory
. has 8 files
.\fonts has 1 file
.\texts\English\Menus has 4 files
.\texture_library\GUI\Icons\Powers has 217 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\city has 1 file
.\texture_library\MAPS\Midnight_Squad has 1 file
.\texture_library\MAPS\Safeguard has 9 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\sewers has 44 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\Static has 34 files
.\texture_library\V_MAPS\Outdoor_Missions has 9 files
.\texture_library\V_MAPS\Static has 16 files
.\texture_library\WORLD\V_COV\Bases\Details\Functi onal\base_tele_arc_aux has 28 files
.\texture_library\WORLD\V_COV\Bases\Details\Functi onal\base_tele_aux has 28 files
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Just wondering if anyone can tell me how these specs will work for Ultra Mode;
# Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 945 3.0ghz 4000MT/S 6mb Cache SKT AM3
Processor Interface : Socket AM3
# Memory: Major Brand 4gb DDR2 800 PC6400 CL6.0 Memory Module
# Hard Drive: Branded 1tb Sata 7200rpm 16mb Cache HDD
# Graphics Card: Nvidia GTX260 896mb DDR3 Graphics Card Dual DVI HDMI
# Motherboard: Asrock K10N78 Full HD-HSLI AM2 5200MT/S Nvidia 8200 Chipset SKT AM2
# Max Memory Support: 16gb DDR2 1066
# Motherboard Expansion Slots: 1x PCI-E 16x, 1x PCI-E 1x, 2x 32-bit PCI
# Network Card: 10/100/1000 Giga PHY RTL8211B
# Audio: 5.1 CH Windows Vista Premium Level HD Audio (Realtek ALC662 Audio Codec)
# Optical Drive: 20x Lightscribe DVD Writer with Buffer Underrun Protection
# Power Supply: Branded 750w 24Pin Power Supply Unit
Much appreciated!
Will Ultra mode require DirectX 11? I use Windows XP, and I have no desire or plan to upgrade to Vista or Windows 7 (Vista do-over) for now. Maybe on my next PC but not on my current one.
Will the Ultra Mode make COH no longer work on Windows XP (i.e. use DirectX 11)? Thanks, Lewis |
What I wanna know about i17 is, with the ultra mode will we be getting updated Character models (I don't want mittens anymore!) and will we be getting improved lighting effects like where you fire off a power and the light from it shines around the room kinda thing...
Remember when upgrading anything, to make sure both your motherboard and power supply can take it.
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I think I'll just kick this box to the curb and swap parts with a much bigger one that should have an equally good motherboard. I don't have much to keep, currently, apart from two hard drives and a sound card. A sound card I'm not using, mind you, sine my video card is using the only PCI slot. I HATE compact models!
Also, City of Heroes currently only uses two threads, but do we actually know whether Ultra Mode programming won't let it use more? From what I've seen, they're digging VERY deep inside the engine to swap out parts and bolt on upgrades, so maybe we'll get a bit of a tune-up of the existing game? What better way to please customers than a graphics upgrade that makes the game run BETTER?
Samuel_Tow is the only poster that makes me want to punch him in the head more often when I'm agreeing with him than when I'm disagreeing with him.
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The Nvidia GTX 2xx cards, the GTX 260, GTX 275, GTX 280, GTX 285, and the dual chip GTX 295 all have been end-of-lifed. No more chips are being made. The starting point for these cards, if you can find them, is around $200.
More importantly, these cards do not support DirectX 11 or OpenGL 3.2, and they cost more for the same performance than the old RadeonHD 4x00 cards that do not support DX11 or OpenGL 3.2. |
It is true that the 200 series cards you list only support DX10.1, not DX11. Since City of Heroes doesn't use DirectX, this is irrelevant to the direct discussion, but many people play other games. What this actually means even indirectly is pretty debatable; the majority of games don't require anything better than DX9, because that basically means writing off all the potential buyers running Windows XP. There's less than a half-dozen games out that even support DX11, and none of them seem to require better than DX9; even the list of announced games that will support (not require) DX11 is pretty short. I'd guess the absolute earliest we'd see a major AAA DX11-required game would be Christmas 2010, likely to be a FPS of some sort; but it wouldn't surprise me if it's up to a full year later than that, and more like two years before it's more than a niche. Remember, DX10 came out back in 2006, and here in 2010 very few games require it.
On another related subject; as for the "go ahead and buy now" commenters, the rumors seem to be flying around as to an ATI refresh in either April or mid-year (June / July). This may make more attractive cards available, reduce the price of existing cards, or both. This really isn't a good time to buy a graphics card unless you need one, especially if your main reason is Ultra Mode; I'd suggest saving up for at least another month or two.
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On another related subject; as for the "go ahead and buy now" commenters, the rumors seem to be flying around as to an ATI refresh in either April or mid-year (June / July). This may make more attractive cards available, reduce the price of existing cards, or both. This really isn't a good time to buy a graphics card unless you need one, especially if your main reason is Ultra Mode; I'd suggest saving up for at least another month or two.
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Samuel_Tow is the only poster that makes me want to punch him in the head more often when I'm agreeing with him than when I'm disagreeing with him.
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I asked this a while ago and it turns out CoH/V uses OpenGL which is completely different, but it utilises some of the same technologies (e.g. Ambient Occlusion, which I think is Dx10(or 10.1) not sure. Either way I'm pretty sure you'd need such a high end card like a Radio 5000 series because they support whatever the latest OpenGL version is.. I think it may be 3.0 or something like that.
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I guess what I'm really trying to figure out is that, with only Windows XP, which situation will occur for me with Ultra Mode:
1) I will be able to play COH in Ultra Mode with Windows XP (in other words, without needing DirectX 11)
2) I will be unable to play COH in Ultra Mode but can still play in Normal mode in Windows XP
3) The Ultra Mode code base will prevent ALL COH gameplay for everyone using Windows XP, whether Ultra is enabled or not, by introducing a 100% unavoidable code/driver dependency on DirectX11 and/or Windows 7.
Which one of those would apply to me?
Lewis
Random AT Generation!
"I remember... the Alamo." -- Pee-wee Herman
"Oh don't worry. I always leave things to the last moment." -- The Doctor
"Telescopes are time machines." -- Carl Sagan
Windows 7 is superior to XP.
Be that as it may, I just want to know what will happen with my current setup (Win XP):
1) Ultra Mode OK
2) Normal Mode only
3) Totally screwed
Thanks
Lewis
Random AT Generation!
"I remember... the Alamo." -- Pee-wee Herman
"Oh don't worry. I always leave things to the last moment." -- The Doctor
"Telescopes are time machines." -- Carl Sagan
If your gfx card power supply and everything else is good, i believe you will be fine with XP.
Sorry for being dim-witted, but I'm not sure about your answer. Did you mean that I'll be OK?
I guess what I'm really trying to figure out is that, with only Windows XP, which situation will occur for me with Ultra Mode: 1) I will be able to play COH in Ultra Mode with Windows XP (in other words, without needing DirectX 11) 2) I will be unable to play COH in Ultra Mode but can still play in Normal mode in Windows XP 3) The Ultra Mode code base will prevent ALL COH gameplay for everyone using Windows XP, whether Ultra is enabled or not, by introducing a 100% unavoidable code/driver dependency on DirectX11 and/or Windows 7. Which one of those would apply to me? Lewis |
Basically, your version of Windows is irrelevant in regards to how much of Ultra Mode you can see, so long as your system is powerful enough to handle the load.
Samuel_Tow is the only poster that makes me want to punch him in the head more often when I'm agreeing with him than when I'm disagreeing with him.
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Sorry for being dim-witted, but I'm not sure about your answer. Did you mean that I'll be OK?
I guess what I'm really trying to figure out is that, with only Windows XP, which situation will occur for me with Ultra Mode: 1) I will be able to play COH in Ultra Mode with Windows XP (in other words, without needing DirectX 11) 2) I will be unable to play COH in Ultra Mode but can still play in Normal mode in Windows XP 3) The Ultra Mode code base will prevent ALL COH gameplay for everyone using Windows XP, whether Ultra is enabled or not, by introducing a 100% unavoidable code/driver dependency on DirectX11 and/or Windows 7. Which one of those would apply to me? Lewis |
Defiant 50's
Many and varied!
@Miss Chief
DirectX9 is minimum requirements for CoH because it's used for GUI and sound, not 3D rendering. DX should have nothing to do with Ultra Mode.
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Samuel_Tow is the only poster that makes me want to punch him in the head more often when I'm agreeing with him than when I'm disagreeing with him.
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Vista was junk. MS doing a money grab by releasing a beta test version of Win7. Upgraded into 7 recently with new hardware (sadly, not enough to set aside for a 200 dollar vid card upgrade to play ultra mode...but just shadows and shiny water, who cares?), it seems pretty good though. This one should last through the next windows "give us money" junk release and all the way to the next good one several years down the road
Doesn't matter so much for CoX, but new games look like they're starting to be vista/7 required. If Positron is secretly working on CoH2...
One thing about video cards I'm never very sure about...
Is there going to be any notable difference between different brands of the same card, or are they all just following the same specification with different box art?
In other words, is there any real difference between a Sapphire 5770, a XFX 5770, a HIS 5770, or a PowerColor 5770? If so, which are the brands to avoid and which ones are good?
"The Hamidon is a what what of what?" - Brian the mission guy.
Best thing I can suggest leese is look at warranties. Some companies give lifetime warranties, others give 2 year ones where others only give one year. I wouldn't really pay extra for overclocked versions because you can usually do that yourself with free software without too much trouble. Often some manufacturers will install their own cooler designs compared to the 'reference' ones which can often be quieter and keep the card cooler. Some people swear by certain brands, others swear AT certain brands. I had a powercolor Ati 9600 Pro back in the day and it was fine, but powercolor are usually the cheapest and I have heard of some problems with failures and returns. Stick to a decent brand such as XFX (no endorsement, just an example) that give good warranties and you'll be fine.
Defiant 50's
Many and varied!
@Miss Chief
Does anyone know if a Intel i3 or i5 will be enough for a Radeon card 5770? I'm trying not to spend too much money on a new computer, and I'm wondering if the i3 will be enough with the Radeon card.
Also, anyone know what Gigahertz speed is recommended to run a Radeon 5770?
Acroyear
Founder/Leader of the JUSTICE F0RCE
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Just to be clear, because I haven't seen it directly quoted in this thread so far.
From the official site:
What are the system requirements for City of Heroes? For Windows PCs: Minimum System Requirements for City of Heroes:
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- For buyers looking to spend under $100, NVidia 9800 GT meets the minimum card for enabling all features at reduced quality settings.
- For $100-$200, the Radion HD 4800 and GeForce GTX 260 provide mid-grade Ultra Mode quality.
- For over $200, the GeForce GTX 285 is an excellent choice, and provides the maximum quality.
- The Radeon 5770, a mid-range card, provides excellent performance.
- The Radeon 5870 is expected to be one of the fastest for Ultra Mode.
- Ultra Mode does not support SLI configurations.
Again, don't neglect your power supply.
SLI and Ultra Mode
I see many people in various threads talking about how they're looking forward to running Ultra Mode with their SLI configurations. However, Positron has specifically stated that Ultra Mode does not support SLI configurations (see his thread, linked above). I just thought people were overlooking that, and it needed stressing.
Quick question - if my reason is Ultra Mode, wouldn't it actually make the most sense to buy now or soon, given that I17 and Ultra Mode seem to be looking at an April release date?
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There's simply too much variance in systems and users, and too little public information about Ultra Mode, to give more than suggestions. If it were my money, I'd want to be sure that what I ended up with will give the sort of experience I want, through actual testing.
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I haven't seen any posts on reccommended processor speed for Ultra Mode. I know that 2.0GHz is reccommended for the game in its current state.
I'm looking to build a new PC and would like to know the reccommended CPU speed for Ultra Mode before I start. Thanks.
I appreciate the bullet points, but what I was curious about were the degrees of detail you'd get in various graphics cards, say for example a Nvidia 250GX to a 260, and a Raedon 5750 to a Raedon 5770. I think that'd help a lot of buyers sort out their budgets for this and more importantly what bang for their buck they'd be getting.
S.
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