Shadows?

Lightfoot · 11-29-2007, 11:37 PM

I've just upgraded from an Athlon 3500+ and Nvidia 7600gt to an Athlon 6400+ and Nvidia 8800 gtx. I haven't attempted running on extreme graphics yet but am running on very high quality. I can't see much difference in performance when running with shadows on or off although it does look much nicer with the shadows on.

I would just like to know if there is anyone running with the shadows on as most people seem to recommend turning them off. Just wondering how much pressure it puts on your system and how much of a hit it puts on performance?

While I'm at it, is there anyone with a similar set up to what I've got that knows whether I'll get away with running on extreme graphics?

Dragonhelm · 11-30-2007, 01:57 PM

Try it and see is the best advice.

I recently upgraded to a high spec Nvidia card and it copes with everything. All graphic settings and lighting etc on max and it runs smooth as anything. I noticed a remarkeble difference in the graphics: Nothing pops into existence late on the griffon rides, shadows everywhere and the textures are much better.

One recent poster mentioned setting particle definition at max (to see shines from a long way off) and I decided to try it. My spot/collection rate is now much higher as a result of this!

Lightfoot · 12-01-2007, 05:31 PM

It looks so much better with shadows on and I don't get any noticable difference in performance, but do you find that they seem to disappear after a while?

I think I read somewhere on the forum that it's a bug they can't seem to fix. Has it been sorted out yet, is there a way to stop it happening?

Winter12345 · 12-01-2007, 07:12 PM

Ive never seen a bug with shadows nor heard of people complaining about one.. hence why i dont put shadows on since i dont have the best graphics card. (I run smooth at High performance currently and i run pretty laggy around crowded places and not so much less lag near empty places on balanced settings, thinking of getting more ram )

aardda · 12-02-2007, 11:29 AM

People generally turn shadows off as they are one of the biggest factors in dropping frame rate.

Different people find different levels of frame rate acceptable and depending on the performance of your computer you might be starting off with a much higher frame rate to begin with.

Your new computer does have pretty good specs so even tho you're taking a frame rate hit with shadows, its not enough to make it noticable as it was already pretty high. Many other people with mid to low range computers usually sacrifice shadows to increase their graphics in other areas while still keeping a decent frame rate.

11-30-2007, 01:57 PM	#2
Dragonhelm Loremaster Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 53	Try it and see is the best advice. I recently upgraded to a high spec Nvidia card and it copes with everything. All graphic settings and lighting etc on max and it runs smooth as anything. I noticed a remarkeble difference in the graphics: Nothing pops into existence late on the griffon rides, shadows everywhere and the textures are much better. One recent poster mentioned setting particle definition at max (to see shines from a long way off) and I decided to try it. My spot/collection rate is now much higher as a result of this! __________________ Raeluna Solaran 67 Monk/75 Jeweller Undead Guild Runnyeye

11-29-2007, 11:37 PM	#1
Lightfoot General Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: UK Posts: 494	I've just upgraded from an Athlon 3500+ and Nvidia 7600gt to an Athlon 6400+ and Nvidia 8800 gtx. I haven't attempted running on extreme graphics yet but am running on very high quality. I can't see much difference in performance when running with shadows on or off although it does look much nicer with the shadows on. I would just like to know if there is anyone running with the shadows on as most people seem to recommend turning them off. Just wondering how much pressure it puts on your system and how much of a hit it puts on performance? While I'm at it, is there anyone with a similar set up to what I've got that knows whether I'll get away with running on extreme graphics?

12-01-2007, 05:31 PM	#3
Lightfoot General Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: UK Posts: 494	It looks so much better with shadows on and I don't get any noticable difference in performance, but do you find that they seem to disappear after a while? I think I read somewhere on the forum that it's a bug they can't seem to fix. Has it been sorted out yet, is there a way to stop it happening?

12-01-2007, 07:12 PM	#4
Winter12345 Loremaster Join Date: May 2007 Location: Nagafan Qeynos only Posts: 486	Ive never seen a bug with shadows nor heard of people complaining about one.. hence why i dont put shadows on since i dont have the best graphics card. (I run smooth at High performance currently and i run pretty laggy around crowded places and not so much less lag near empty places on balanced settings, thinking of getting more ram )

12-02-2007, 11:29 AM	#5
aardda General Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 189	People generally turn shadows off as they are one of the biggest factors in dropping frame rate. Different people find different levels of frame rate acceptable and depending on the performance of your computer you might be starting off with a much higher frame rate to begin with. Your new computer does have pretty good specs so even tho you're taking a frame rate hit with shadows, its not enough to make it noticable as it was already pretty high. Many other people with mid to low range computers usually sacrifice shadows to increase their graphics in other areas while still keeping a decent frame rate.