I don't venture over here too often however, I would at least like some input on the possible optimisation or reduction of hardware strain.
Let me give you an example.
I can run SH3/GWX @ 1280x1024 with 6xAA & 16xAF and maintain a steady 100fps at sea, 30fps in port and 40-50fps in heavy seas.
In SH4 (stock & patched) @ 1024x768 with 2xAA & 0xAF I can only manage 25fps (freecam & bridge, after reducing the effect settings) and don't even get me started on when AI ships start to train their weapons on my boat.
While I appreciate, that SH4 has huge improvements in graphical aspects and that SH4 is the next evolution of the genre, this is one hell of a leap in system requirements. Incidently, when the SH4 system checker was posted, I met the recommended requirements.
I know all about freeing up system resources, infact most of the timemy system is running on about 25 processes (the highest of which is explorer.exe at around 35mb) and editing the debug issue in the cfg's. I'm relatively competent with PC's & Operating Systems.
So, bugged files or can SH4 be user optimised further?
First place to look would be the visible horizon, IIRC approx 21km. If the scene.dat is similar to SH3's, that's a huge drain on resources. Has anyone tried to pull it back to 8/16km?
Seriously, it's the only thing stopping me play. I can live with jaggies (just
) but smooth gameplay is a must.