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Shadow of Mordor offers Ultra texture optional download, recommends 6GB VRAM @ 1080p

Rootbeer

Banned
It's not a minimum requirement dude. They are offering an optional ultra-HD texture download. It doesn't even ship with the game normally. 6GB cards do exist at the ultra high end (via Titan, or 6gb 780 variants), but they are not common. Assuming we take this at face value (we don't have benchmarks yet, so it could easily be exaggerated), that would mean you think of this as a "nice to have" option for the next video card you get 2-3 years down the line when you play this again. It's a way to future proof the game. Like Ubserampling in Witcher 2, it's not supposed to be running on normal computers, not even fairly high end ones. It's for the future, or for ultra high end rigs that cost 2000 dollars or more.
I know it's not the minimum. But for me, playing on PC should offer better visuals and performance, that is a core goal of going PC over console. If you can't get more than marginally better with the current crop of hardware then it feels like a waste. This is coming from someone really itching to build a new PC when the new Intel chips hit the market.
 

Serandur

Member
I've said it before, but I think the problem isn't with developers (except Ubisoft), but with GPU manufacturers (especially Nvidia) skimping out on VRAM. It's quite ridiculous how stubborn they're sticking to their predictable VRAM gains schedule just to maintain incremental improvements in their most lacking area for people who need them.

The 780 Ti costing $700 and only having 3GB of VRAM is a reprehensible and intentionally restrictive move and today's top cards could and should be rocking more VRAM than they are... from launch and as reference. We could substantially move a baseline of texture quality forward if GPU manufacturers pushed a jump in standardized VRAM amounts and wecwouldn't be looking at these bizarre situations with vastly more powerful hardware hamstrung by something so trivial to change. But instead, Nvidia will be content to lock that privelage behind a $1000 wall.
 
Are the 4GB 770 crew still allowed to fly the flag though? I knew the extra 2GB would be worth it.

They were the sensible ones. You were probably screwed by Nvidia on price but it's not as if you had a decent alternative. The last 12 months has been full of bad GPU choices and inflated prices. The 970 finally saw an end to that.
 
SLI doesn't double the VRAM. You will still only have 4gb even if you have 2 cards. The texture load is mirrored on both cards.


True ! But my point was that with these 2 cards had a total of 8GB of VRAM. Of course, SLI doesn't take that into account, that was just that his point was stupid to begin with. Like if you added 2 cards, it wasn't enough.




I know it's not the minimum. But for me, playing on PC should offer better visuals and performance, that is a core goal of going PC over console. If you can't get more than marginally better with the current crop of hardware then it feels like a waste. This is coming from someone really itching to build a new PC when the new Intel chips hit the market.




Then again, there's nothing that shows that PS4 represent the highest settings you know. Even if you don't put Ultra textures on... what about framerate ? IQ ? shadows ? tesselation ? the list can go more and more.
 
I know it's not the minimum. But for me, playing on PC should offer better visuals and performance, that is a core goal of going PC over console. If you can't get more than marginally better with the current crop of hardware then it feels like a waste. This is coming from someone really itching to build a new PC when the new Intel chips hit the market.

The textures will be better than or comparable to PS4 anyway. You can still run fancy tessellation, MSAA, etc and still have it look nicer than the console versions.

Have fun chasing max settings 24/7 though, it ain't gonna be easy. Unless you're Smokey.
They were the sensible ones. You were probably screwed by Nvidia on price but it's not as if you had a decent alternative. The last 12 months has been full of bad GPU choices and inflated prices. The 970 finally saw an end to that.
I got mine from a Gaffer for ~$250, so I got a good deal out of it. Remember folks, second hand is an option!
 
I know it's not the minimum. But for me, playing on PC should offer better visuals and performance, that is a core goal of going PC over console. If you can't get more than marginally better with the current crop of hardware then it feels like a waste. This is coming from someone really itching to build a new PC when the new Intel chips hit the market.

Why are you acting as though the Ultra HD textures are the only thing it has over the console versions? And that disabling it will mean you're getting a PS4 experience? We don't have any detailed analysis of the versions yet. One setting being designed for the ultra high end PCs doesn't mean your high end PC is getting an inferior product, it means they've gone the extra mile to get more options for more powerful machines.
 

Anteater

Member
You know it's actually pretty cool they are giving people an option for the higher res textures, people used to complain a lot about crappy textures even on consoles last gen, and to be honest they have been kind of shit the entire last generation outside of character faces like in mass effect games due to technical limitation.
 

Teremap

Banned
I'd say hyper texture quality will be one of the reasons which will drives AAA game studios or projects (or viability) to bankruptcy (failing to meet projected profits or just not feasible).

There I said it now

Expecting it to come up in some Kotaku or some article up on some gaming website in four to five years from now, citing "AAA game development isn't keeping pace along side visual processing hardware advancement".

Then I'd laugh in my chair and say "Didn't give shit about extreme visuals, its all about the gameplay".
This really has nothing to do with this thread, and besides that, an ultra resolution texture pack is one of the easiest things for a developer to put out since the source textures are often at extremely high resolutions.
 

Larogue

Member
The PS3 has 8 gigs of normal RAM not VRAM.



You expect textures to change how a game is rendered too?

8gb of GDDR5 ram, that has insane bandwidth compared to a typical DDR3 ram in PC. That's why developers are mostly utilizing the VRAM in PC which has similar bandwidth speeds.
 
Quick Google search tells me 2 gigs can only get high with fxaa.
uy8zcs.jpg

You got some more of that fxaa?
 

Pimpbaa

Member
It's clear these requirements really have nothing to do with the power of consoles since they physically don't even have 6 GB of VRAM

Um, they have 8 gigs of ram for both the GPU and CPU. So they physically have more than 6 gigs. Developers have access to much less than that due to ram being reserved for OS features. It's also entirely probable they will free up more ram for games in the future.
 
Two $3000 Titan's it is!

lol man the specs for these PC ports are just ridiculous these days! My old GTX 590 weeps! :/

Old days are 720p ports but now its 1080p ports, so developers are using high resolution assets for games which needs more RAM because PS4/XB1 has 5GB+ RAM for game. Seems like a lot of users are not going to play with settings like PS4/XB1 due to RAM limitation even though they have powerful cards than PS4/XB1 buts its waste now.
 
I know it's not the minimum. But for me, playing on PC should offer better visuals and performance, that is a core goal of going PC over console. If you can't get more than marginally better with the current crop of hardware then it feels like a waste. This is coming from someone really itching to build a new PC when the new Intel chips hit the market.

But it will still look miles above what the consoles are putting out.

Not max =/= console settings. There is a gradient here.
 
8gb of GDDR5 ram, that has insane bandwidth compared to a typical DDR3 ram in PC. That's why developers are mostly utilizing the VRAM in PC which has similar bandwidth speeds.

True. I keep forgetting its DDR3 in most PCs and DDR5 in PS4's. Alright fair point.
 
8gb of GDDR5 ram, that has insane bandwidth compared to a typical DDR3 ram in PC. That's why developers are mostly utilizing the VRAM in PC which has similar bandwidth speeds.



And it also has higher latency. Developpers are also using system ram. And your GDDR5 on PC also has a lot higher bandwith that your PS4 8GB of GDDR5... which in fact is 5 because of OS footprint.
 

GHG

Member
I've said it before, but ai think the problem isn't with developers, but with GPU manufacturers (especially Nvidia) skimping out on VRAM. It's quite ridiculous how stubborn they're sticking to their predictable VRAM gains schedule just to maintain incremental improvements in their most lacking area for people who need them.

The 780 Ti costing $700 and only having 3GB of VRAM is a reprehensible and intentionally restrictive move and today's top cards could and should be rocking more VRAM than they are... from launch and as reference. We could substantially move a baseline of texture quality forward if GPU manufacturers pushed a jump in standardized VRAM amounts and wouldn't be looking at these bizarre situations with vastly more powerful hardware hamstrung by something so trivial to change. But instead, Nvidia will be content to lock that privelage behind a $1000 wall.

Nvidia also sell high end GPUs for $1000. What do you expect?

These guys basically have free reign of the market at the moment so they can do what they want. Profit margins are more important to them than anything else.

It's the same story on the CPU side with intel basically rehashing the same processors for the last 5 years and selling them at the same premium prices. They don't have affordable 6/8 core CPUs out at the moment because they simply don't have to. Nobody is pushing them.

The whole market is in need of a shakeup.
 

Cronox

Banned
What was the point in doing this if only 10% of all people actually have a chance to play this game on at least high settings? It's 2018-2020 already when such requirements will be norm?

An 8gig GTX 970 will probably sell for around $400 in a month or two. Nothing wrong with some future-proofing, regardless.

Also, the idea some in this thread seem to have that they should just buy the PS4 version instead of running the game on their GTX 700 series or higher is laughable. If you have a lower version 500 series then you can start talking pros and cons of buying a console version.

For the second time, people, read Durante's thread on this topic. (the point of which is- it's a good thing if new games can't be maxed out)
 
So, realistically, does this hints that people will have to settle for just mere 1080p down the road for some titles?
Don't think it really sets a precedent. Ryse requires 4GBs of video memory for 4K, and the textures in that game are pretty unparalleled. Benchmarks and impressions are 3 days away, we will find out soon enough.
 

Beepos

Member
Can I get PS4 quality @ 60 frames with a gtx670 and an i7 4770? Of course no one truly knows, but it may be better to get a console then invest in a new card.
 

Horp

Member
I keep seeing people in this thread misunderstand what effect output resolution have on VRAM requirements.
Higher resolution (like how 1440p is higher than 1080p) increases the size of the framebuffer, which is a static value. It doesnt increase the size required by other textures.

Thus, going from 1080 to 1440 will not increase the required ram by more than the difference in frame buffer size. Should be 100MB difference max assuming HDR buffer wih a deferred buffer.

Also, this means that a comparison with other games at higher resolutions (like the BF4 at 5880x2160) is pointless.

The textures of characters/objects/environment is what drives VRAM. And this game seems to have really high res textures on enemies, seen in those close ups.
 

hepburn3d

Member
Denial
I'll believe it when I see some tests.

Anger
Fuuuuuuck. I REALLY don't want to spend $400+ from my current 680 just to get more VRAM.

Bargaining
I'll want to see (a) screenshot comparisons of High vs. Ultra and (b) benchmarks at High and Ultra.

I suspect that High and Ultra textures will look similar to each other in the eyes of most of us. Ultra's clearly meant for enthusiasts and for future proofing. Shadow of Mordor should still look very good on High, likely better than PS4.

Some of you need to chill. Your shiny new GTX 970 isn't obsolete.

Depression
Damn fuckin' straight.

I saw the 970, but thought it would be better to wait until 2015 for a 20nm GTX 1070 with 6GB VRAM and a 384 bit bus at sub $400. Nvidia will probably charge at least $500 for 6GB cards next year though. :(

Acceptance
You guys realize that you dont have to max everything right?

I just went through all these stages with you all! I can't afford a new card so Medium settings it is.

Edit: The 5 Stages of Loss and Grief
 

knitoe

Member
Can I get PS4 quality @ 60 frames with a gtx670 and an i7 4770? Of course no one truly knows, but it may be better to get a console then invest in a new card.

PS4/X1 may have more than your 670 VRAM, but they do have much weaker processing power. So, on your PC, you might have to run lower textures, due to limited VRAM, but can get offer higher FPS, polygons, shadow, particles and etc., due to more processing power. Overall, the experience on your pc should be better.
 

Damaniel

Banned
So unless you have a GTX Titan Black/Titan Z (or that one MSI version of the R280X with 6GB), Ultra is off-limits - even with a 970/980.

Looks like Nvidia needs to get to work on the 980Ti, stat. For now, I'll be stuck at medium textures with my 2GB 680 (if that - I'm rendering to a 1440p, not 1080p, target).

I'm not complaining, though - we spent long enough with 8800GTs as minimum and a lack of motivation to move to ever faster, more RAM-laden cards. Glad to see the consoles are actually driving PC specs forward this time around...
 

RVinP

Unconfirmed Member
This really has nothing to do with this thread, and besides that, an ultra resolution texture pack is one of the easiest things for a developer to put out since the source textures are often at extremely high resolutions.

Of course, but they aren't all on the same levels of details. To pump out highly detailed textures packed with the game, the minimum quality of acceptance is bit higher than normal (so that everything is cohesive on screen when put together with everything else).

There are so many games already, which doesn't have the same level of texture details for the target game rendering resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. Certain objects have low detailed compared to other objects on screen at specific locations, this gap will only increase if an even higher level of texture details are mentioned to be in the game.
 
So unless you have a GTX Titan Black/Titan Z (or that one MSI version of the R280X with 6GB), Ultra is off-limits - even with a 970/980.

Looks like Nvidia needs to get to work on the 980Ti, stat. For now, I'll be stuck at medium textures with my 2GB 680 (if that - I'm rendering to a 1440p, not 1080p, target).

They will put out 8GB models of the 970/80 in a few months. And it says "recommended", not required. There's no way to know how things are going to run until Tuesday as it doesn't seem like the high res texture pack is out for reviewers. Benchmarks galore soon!
 

Larogue

Member
So unless you have a GTX Titan Black/Titan Z (or that one MSI version of the R280X with 6GB), Ultra is off-limits - even with a 970/980.

Looks like Nvidia needs to get to work on the 980Ti, stat. For now, I'll be stuck at medium textures with my 2GB 680 (if that - I'm rendering to a 1440p, not 1080p, target).


Its coming, hold your horses, you're 680 will be fine.

Well, we've been saying that for a while now. But loose lips from an employee over at Overclockers in the UK claim that NVIDIA's GeForce 980 and GeForce GTX 970 reference cards will feature 4GB GDDR5 memory. SKUs with custom coolers and 8GB GDDR5 memory will follow at a later date and claims the 980 will be faster than the GeForce GTX 780.

According to OCUK the GTX 970 and GTX 980 with 8GB models are expected somewhere between November and December.

http://www.guru3d.com/news-story/nv...o-have-4gb-initally-and-8gb-models-later.html
 

Damaniel

Banned
They will put out 8GB models of the 970/80 in a few months. And it says "recommended", not required. There's no way to know how things are going to run until Tuesday as it doesn't seem like the high res texture pack is out for reviewers. Benchmarks galore soon!

If anything, it will give me a go-to game to benchmark when I finally do get an 8GB card.
 
Shoot. I just realized that 970/980 only have 4gb!

Not really good for Nvidia to show this just a few days after releasing those cards!

That's why its best to wait a bit longer.
 

dr_rus

Member
Yeah, I'm gonna need some screenshots and benchmarks of these "Ultra" textures before I'll cough out for an 8 gig 980.
 

xBladeM6x

Member
Until someone demonstrates the visual difference, and the performance difference between high - ultra with those textures, I call bullshit on that. I seriously doubt that's needed.
 

fedexpeon

Banned
Dang, I guess I will wait to buy that 970.
And here I thought 4GB will be fine for awhile...Guess I will wait for next year to see some good priced 6-8GB models.
 
Denial


Anger


Bargaining


Depression


Acceptance


I just went through all these stages with you all! I can't afford a new card so Medium settings it is.

Edit: The 5 Stages of Loss and Grief

We need to add Rogers swift kick in the nuts somewhere in there.
Sorry, American Dad joke
 

bobbytkc

ADD New Gen Gamer
Until someone demonstrates the visual difference, and the performance difference between high - ultra with those textures, I call bullshit on that. I seriously doubt that's needed.

Of course it is not needed. The problem is people want it.
 

RVinP

Unconfirmed Member
As time goes on, I think game developers need to put more technical information about a game's visual options at the settings page (if they don't want to alienate, they could at least put up a hover input_control over option tooltop for more information).

Instead of showing 6GB of VRAM required for this option, it would also be nice to mention more technical aspects one level down..like:
"average of value1xvalue2 resolution textures are utilized" and other information
or
"polygon mesh quality has these many polygons on average"
 
Cool. I won't be buying a 6GB card any time soon but it's always great to have options for those who do, wouldn't it be a shame if there was nothing utilizing those $1000 cards?
 
Glad to see what I was saying to people complaining about how weak the new consoles were compared to their "beast" PCs starting to come to fruition. Everyone should've known that the bar was going to be moved up big time, especially with how low its been for so many years longer than it should've been.

Still not replacing my SLI'd 460s, at least not yet, yay minimum requirements.
 

Agent_4Seven

Tears of Nintendo
An 8gig GTX 970 will probably sell for around $400 in a month or two. Nothing wrong with some future-proofing, regardless.

Also, the idea some in this thread seem to have that they should just buy the PS4 version instead of running the game on their GTX 700 series or higher is laughable. If you have a lower version 500 series then you can start talking pros and cons of buying a console version.

For the second time, people, read Durante's thread on this topic. (the point of which is- it's a good thing if new games can't be maxed out)
Look man, I really have no problem with this "making the game look as cool as possible on the PC" thing, but while you doing this you also need to consider that almost no one have a video card with such a huge amount of VRAM, almost no one, period. So what's the point in making the game look cool on the PC if almost no one can play it with at least high settings? Or do you think everyone has an enormous amounts of cash to buy a new PC just to play this on high or ultra settings (not to mention The Evil Within)? Nope, they don't.
 
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