Demo first Impressions

[Zakhal]

ORIGINAL: AstroCat

My system is still on the higher end overall and all other games, like the Total War series, CMSF, various FPSs, etc... all run right where they should performance wise. It's not jerky or anything like what 10fps would be like, it's just expectations. Given the graphics of PCO and the 580gtxSSC card I have plus Q9650@3.6Ghz you'd think I'd be able to coast at 30+ fps...

I have i7@2.8Ghz,6Gt ddr3 and 580GTX. The game runs fast on all settings maxed. I havent noticed a single performance issue.

ORIGINAL: Richie61
I have a feeling the demo isn't putting much of a load on the GPU for example. My fps are around 26, but the GPU and fan loads/ speeds doesn't ramp up much at all.

That could explain it though.

[Zap]

I definetly need to upgrade my computer for this one. AI processing was slow on mine. This will definitely take away from the enjoyment of this game. And I really want to give this game every chance to impress me.
Atholon xp 3000+

I've really have to get used to game play. Because ,as it is ,I can't immerse myself into this game. I have to say that I let Combat Mission go after a few tries because it was akward. This one has the same feel to me.
By akward ,I mean, I find it hard to keep track of things on the battle field. So one demo battle I left all my troops where they were. And just let my troops and tanks fire away. Funny I got a major victory.
Lol, I would have faired much worse if I controlled things more.

[Mad Russian]

There is an immersion factor in PCO if you play it very much. There are multiple options in the UI that allow you to keep track of what's going on in the battle.

Like you said. Sometimes it just takes time is all.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Zakhal]

With the right settings and little learning curve Ive had no trouble keeping track of the game. In the winter defense scenario everything went perfectly according to my plan. 45mm ATGs fired at the germanic invaders from right flank while platoon of T-26 rushed at them from the left flank and ATR fire rained upon them from the front and mortar barrage from above. It was quite fun to watch the german vehicles get hits and blow up one by one.

For record I have to say I didnt really like either of the previous PC games. I tried hard but things like reaction turns and lack of infantry immersion killed it. This game though seems to draw me in and I dont even have to try like it.

[diablo1]

I have i7@2.8Ghz,6Gt ddr3 and 580GTX. The game runs fast on all settings maxed. I havent noticed a single performance issue.

This ^ is not a common machine for most wargamers so this input is pretty useless to the main load of gamers buying or playing this. Wargamers don't usually upgrade like mainstream FPS or RTS players.

[Zakhal]

ORIGINAL: diablo1

I have i7@2.8Ghz,6Gt ddr3 and 580GTX. The game runs fast on all settings maxed. I havent noticed a single performance issue.

This ^ is not a common machine for most wargamers so this input is pretty useless to the main load of gamers buying or playing this. Wargamers don't usually upgrade like mainstream FPS or RTS players.

How do you know? Many here have good PCs and play more than just wargames. And mainstream or not its three years old.

Also it might prove that the game engine is dependant on good processor not GPU.

I wonder what system requirements the new CM will have. It looks even more graphics intensive than Panzer Command.

[AstroCat]

New CM has its performance issues as well but they are similar to CMSF.

I have i7@2.8Ghz,6Gt ddr3 and 580GTX. The game runs fast on all settings maxed. I haven't noticed a single performance issue.

Have you checked your fps, I have a similar system and for sure get into the low 20's at times, to me that is not running fast. I know my system is ok, because in all other games, most of are much more graphically challenging, including CMSF and now the CMBN demo it performs as expected.

[diablo1]

ORIGINAL: Zakhal

ORIGINAL: diablo1

I have i7@2.8Ghz,6Gt ddr3 and 580GTX. The game runs fast on all settings maxed. I havent noticed a single performance issue.

This ^ is not a common machine for most wargamers so this input is pretty useless to the main load of gamers buying or playing this. Wargamers don't usually upgrade like mainstream FPS or RTS players.

How do you know? Many here have good PCs and play more than just wargames. And mainstream or not its three years old.

Also it might prove that the game engine is dependant on good processor not GPU.

I wonder what system requirements the new CM will have. It looks even more graphics intensive than Panzer Command.

Well just reading others posts on their systems specs for one. I myself wait 5 years before I'll even think about upgrading and even then buy around mid level of the times since high end systems are way over priced and they just aren't worth it for one or two mainstream games that "might" use 50% of their capabilities. But, of course I can't be 100% sure of what anyone has unless they post them, but, I'd still wager most wargamers are below the high end computer systems vs those that play FPS and RTS games. I don't play FPS or RTS games so I don't need the high end systems either. Waste of money if you're not into those.

[Mobius]

I don't think you really have to set the graphics to ultra. This mostly just determines the distance that grass, trees go out of sight and high detail models turn into less defined models. It doesn't make the bolts on the tanks any more boltier.
You really can't see any change to lower detailed models at the high setting.

[Zakhal]

ORIGINAL: diablo1
Well just reading others posts on their systems specs for one. I myself wait 5 years before I'll even think about upgrading and even then buy around mid level of the times since high end systems are way over priced and they just aren't worth it for one or two mainstream games that "might" use 50% of their capabilities. But, of course I can't be 100% sure of what anyone has unless they post them, but, I'd still wager most wargamers are below the high end computer systems vs those that play FPS and RTS games. I don't play FPS or RTS games so I don't need the high end systems either. Waste of money if you're not into those.

I had many reasons for upgrading three years ago. One of them was the native 1920x1080 resolution in my to-be new HDTV. Old pc even though it was mid to highend couldnt have handled that well in most games.

As for games there are plenty of graphics intensive wargames too. But of course if you stick to 2D wargames then you dont need high end PC.

But in anycase if people are having performance issues with this game it might be because of lack of gpu utilization. Its very taxing to run game engine on cpu.

[Erik Rutins]

It's true that Panzer Command overall is more CPU-bound than GPU-bound. There are a lot more optimizations that can be made though and we'll continue to optimize whereever possible in the future.

Regards,

- Erik

[AstroCat]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

It's true that Panzer Command overall is more CPU-bound than GPU-bound. There are a lot more optimizations that can be made though and we'll continue to optimize whereever possible in the future.

Regards,

- Erik

I agree this is what is going on, if you were able to unload some of the load onto the GPU I think this game would really fly with performance. I'll keep a look out for improvements moving forward. Although my CPU is barely being taxed while running the game... 25% of 1 core on average.

[Mobius]

ORIGINAL: AstroCat

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

It's true that Panzer Command overall is more CPU-bound than GPU-bound. There are a lot more optimizations that can be made though and we'll continue to optimize whereever possible in the future.

Regards,

- Erik

I agree this is what is going on, if you were able to unload some of the load onto the GPU I think this game would really fly with performance. I'll keep a look out for improvements moving forward. Although my CPU is barely being taxed while running the game... 25% of 1 core on average.

That may not be possible. It might not be the graphics bit but the relative sighting. I'm not the programmer but my guess is that even in replay the relative sighting has to run in order to draw the rubber bands. I don't think that can be handled by the graphics cards as there are things that reduce sighting factors that need floating point calculations.
But that is only a guess.

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: AstroCat
I agree this is what is going on, if you were able to unload some of the load onto the GPU I think this game would really fly with performance. I'll keep a look out for improvements moving forward. Although my CPU is barely being taxed while running the game... 25% of 1 core on average.

Interesting. It uses multiple cores on every system I've tested it on. Do you have something set affinity-wise that's telling it to use just one core?

Regards,

- Erik

[BigJ62]

Ditto mine is using muti cores

[AstroCat]

Your prob right, I will double check that to make sure later today... I apologize if I read it wrong. I think I just looked at the 1st core reading... still though not maxing out the cpu.

[eniced73]

I have every setting maxed out and am running at around 30FPS up high. When I bring it down and the grass kicks in I am getting about 15FPS. This is a pretty good drop but it is bearable. In fact it does not really bother me at all. Just for another reference. My specs are below.

[JMass]

ORIGINAL: eniced73

I have every setting maxed out and am running at around 30FPS up high. When I bring it down and the grass kicks in I am getting about 15FPS. This is a pretty good drop but it is bearable. In fact it does not really bother me at all. Just for another reference. My specs are below.

I am running at the same fps, grass is a recently add and I am sure it will be optimized, the drop of 15 fps is noticeable only if I watch at the number show by F1 or Fraps. My specs are Windows 7, i5@2.67GHz, 8GB RAM, NVidia 250GTS no overclocked.

[Zakhal]

After playing new CM demo I have to say that while its impressive its not just all-good. Controls are sluggish and replays are so fast that its hard to keep up what happening in combat.

There is no slow down of replay like in CO so its hard to enjoy the small details. Perhaps I need som more adjustment to CM but for now Id rather play PC if they would just release it.

[diablo1]

How do you check to see how many cores it's using? I have quad cores myself.