Point Light Shadows (CPU) = Massive FPS drop

[adolf102]

<p>I'm still suprised by how bad EQ2 can perform in some situations. Then I just bough new gaming computer and I was suprised how well it perform in others.</p><p>After a lot of measuring and tweaking seems that "Point Light Shadows" are the cause of 40fps drop in my case.</p><p>It maxes 1 of 2 CPU cores EQ2 is using. Leaving second, third and forth cores idle.</p><p>Are there any plans to fix Point Light Shadows? Move them to GPU or other core?</p><p>Below two screen shots with FPS reading. Just "Point Light Shadows" options altered.</p><p><img src="http://www.y76.eu/EQ2_000995.jpg" width="1920" height="1178" /></p><p><img src="http://www.y76.eu/EQ2_000996.jpg" width="1920" height="1178" /></p>

[deadcrickets2]

<p>Maybe this article may help them optimize performance:</p><p><a href="http://kourjet.sourceforge.net/2009/11/29/point-light-shadow-mapping-part-2/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://kourjet.sourceforge.net/2009...mapping-part-2/</a></p>

[TSR-JoshuaM]

<p>For questions regarding plans or upcoming changes in the system I do need to refer you to our community teams and general discussion forums (or other non-support related forums that are on topic with your inquiry).</p><p>I can help you troubleshoot issues here but the other questions are outside of my scope.  However, I don't think there is any troubleshooting to be had (but I or other players may have performance related suggestions).  If there is anything I can directly provide support for please let me know.  This does not mean I will not report your issue and/or feedback.  I just don't have the answers to the design related questions.</p><p>In my personal experience, I have the same results with the point light shadows and leave them off with the GPU shadows enabled.  I'll do more testing and feel free to post suggestions of your own or brainstorm some performance troubleshooting with me.  </p>

[Amanathia]

<p>CPU shadows have always been like this, cause a massive performance hit.  If you want to use them:</p><p>1.  Turn them to average. </p><p>2.  Turn number of light sources down very low (2-4).</p><p>3.  Turn OFF the specular off in shadows option, that kills performance.</p><p>That should be okay.  That said imho, outdoors, GPU shadows are better (and perform much much much better).  CPU shadows are great for screenshots, though, that's about it.</p>

[MurFalad]

<p>As a aside, Imago-quem (the previous graphics dev) did say it would be a 6 month project to move the currently only CPU indoor shadows to the GPU. </p><p>Unfortunately he's working on Planetside 2 now, while GermInUSA has replaced him (responsible for implementing the excellent MSAA and other things), I guess he's working on other areas of the code (and it would take some time too I guess to pick things up again on someone elses work).</p><p>EQ2 definitely could do with two graphics devs, heck 14 would be good <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" /></p>

[TSR-JoshuaM]

<p>I couldn't agree more <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[deadcrickets2]

<p>Really if they focused the entire team on fixing the game engine for performance and implementing new features like tree wind it'd take them at most two months of time.  We once had a bug fixing GU.  Let's having a client performance GU.</p>

[TSR-JoshuaM]

<p><cite>deadcrickets2 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Really if they focused the entire team on fixing the game engine for performance and implementing new features like tree wind it'd take them at most two months of time.  We once had a bug fixing GU.  Let's having a client performance GU.</p></blockquote><p>Submit a feedback ticket, get your in-game friends to do the same.  Get EVERYONE to do it <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Get the demand translated in to something tangible <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>