Curse

AgentLemon921 · Jul 11, 2008, 04:49 PM // 16:49

So I recently bought EotN, and for the most part, the game has run pretty smoothly. But I've been having problems with certain graphics being just really poor in quality. It's kinda hard to describe what I mean, so I've taken a couple screenshots to illustrate:

The "edges" of the smoke being really pixellated

The beams of light appearing as actual rectangles

Gwen and Jora having correctly lighted faces, but incorrectly bright bodies. In fact, all of my heroes in general (except for Vekk) appear much brighter than they should.

I've had these issues every time I've run GW since I upgraded to EotN, so it's not an on-and-off thing. I've tried updating my graphics driver but that didn't seem to have any effect. So does anyone have any idea what is going on? Any help would be appreciated.

Lord Sojar · Jul 11, 2008, 04:52 PM // 16:52

Post your PC specs, and we can start to have a looky. Without specs though, it is impossible to even diagnose.

Aera · Jul 11, 2008, 04:58 PM // 16:58

We should add a sticky with a form to fill in before posting threads, or at least make it mandatory to post pc specs

moriz · Jul 11, 2008, 05:18 PM // 17:18

pretty sure you are running in DX8 mode. it will definitely cause that funky smoke.

EotN is pretty much strictly DX9/DX9c.

Crimson Flame · Jul 11, 2008, 06:14 PM // 18:14

That's exactly what happens on the smoke/fog on the loading screen when I run the -dx8 switch. That's my guess.

AgentLemon921 · Jul 11, 2008, 07:07 PM // 19:07

The thing is, I am running DX9C (or so I think O_O).

Here's the rest of my specs:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 7/11/2008, 12:02:02
Machine name: HAMILTON
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
System Model: Dimension 4600
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz
Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 679MB used, 1782MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP8X
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP8X
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0181&SUBSYS_01B610DE&REV_A2
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (16 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor

moriz · Jul 11, 2008, 07:14 PM // 19:14

yeah, geforce4 only supports DX8. you have DX9c installed, but it won't actually use it since your card can't run it.

Aera · Jul 11, 2008, 07:20 PM // 19:20

Conclusion: there's nothing you can do ( but upgrade )

Lord Sojar · Jul 11, 2008, 07:49 PM // 19:49

New graphics card or entirely new PC. I would go with a new PC if you have the money. AGP graphic cards are extinct. You have an AGP slot, not a PCI-Express (PCIe)

Tamuril elansar · Jul 11, 2008, 08:23 PM // 20:23

or he has both, but that'd be weird.

i'd say either build a new computer or buy a PCI vid card(the new 8000 series for PCI slot)

Painbringer · Jul 11, 2008, 08:48 PM // 20:48

You have plenty of cards on the market to choose from still. If you want to upgrade to a direct x 9 card. Some are cheap. One thing is I am sure you will need a card that uses low power so check your power supply. Let them us know what you have, and I am sure someone can give you some ideas on decent cards to purchase.

Lord Sojar · Jul 11, 2008, 10:55 PM // 22:55

It is a Dell PC guys. The power supply wont support much. And they are proprietary, so he would have to get a new one through dell. Not worth the cost. 600-800 bucks will get him/her a new PC that slaughters that old one.

deluxe · Jul 12, 2008, 12:38 AM // 00:38

If the only thing you play is GW, it's kind of a waste to buy a completely new pc. Try and get a 2nd hand radeon 9700, 9800 or a gf fx5900. A few bucks and you have one. About the psu, i've ran a r9800pro + xp2500+ in a shuttle with iirc a 200watt psu. (although those are high quality)

Lord Sojar · Jul 12, 2008, 01:08 AM // 01:08

A lower powered CPU the 2.4GHz P4 isn't. Dell builds their systems to be exact to the PSU, to save money. Throwing in something with twice the power requirements is risky.

Quaker · Jul 12, 2008, 03:24 PM // 15:24

Note too that some (if not all) Dell's use a proprietary motherboard power connector, so if you want to upgrade the PS, get one that specifies it fits Dells or get an adapter cable. (The mobo power connector is the same as standard ATX, but is wired differently)

AgentLemon921 · Jul 12, 2008, 05:07 PM // 17:07

Thanks for all the help guys =). I was already considering looking into a new PC, I guess this gives me even more reason to.

Edge Martinez · Jul 13, 2008, 10:15 AM // 10:15

They also have AGP and PCI 9200 cards at Walmart. Saw them the last few times near the digital cameras.

moriz · Jul 13, 2008, 12:25 PM // 12:25

radeon 9200 cards are DX8.1, so those won't help.

Edge Martinez · Jul 13, 2008, 08:18 PM // 20:18

Well, knowing that now introduces the mystery factor. Do all 9200 series cards have the same graphical problems like the OP?

EDIT: Just wanted to know why my 9250 didn't have the same problems. Apparently it is DX9 compatible, but not 100%. Results of my googling follows:

"Yes, the 9250 is indeed DirectX 9.0 compatible.

It's not 100% compliant, but it is indeed compatible.. i.e. you can install DirectX 9.0 and there are DirectX 9.0 drivers available for it.

The 9250 only supports pixel and vertex shaders V1.4, which puts it slightly above DX8.0 (DX8.1 to be exact), but not quite up to PS/VS 2.0 of DirectX 9.0. This isn't a big concern though as *most* DX9.0 games will use PS1.4 if available."

moriz · Jul 13, 2008, 09:18 PM // 21:18

after some further research, i found that the radeon 9200 supports dx8 only. the 9250 supports dx8.1, which won't have the problems.

either way, it's a good idea to aim for dx9c if possible. dx9c introduces shader model 3.0, which is more efficient (and therefore faster) than shader model 2.0.

for the OP: you might still be able to find an ATi 9800 Pro somwhere, but they are pretty rare these days.