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PC : Grand Theft Auto IV, Who's playing it ? And how?

Kabouter said:
Nah, you can get fine performance with an ATI card, just not on max settings like I'm assuming they're doing here. I can crank settings up quite a bit on my 4870 512MB and still get a steady ~40fps. I still prefer the look of the 360 version though, sure the textures, draw distance and AF are worse, but the PC version has no FSAA at all :/.
Click to expand...

Try pressing P
 
Well, I threw in a Q9550 today, downloaded the newest Cats and the patch, and now the game runs pretty decently. So congrats, Rockstar, you managed to make one of the worst ports in history into something reasonably mediocre. Progress!
 
Chiggs said:
Well, I threw in a Q9550 today, downloaded the newest Cats and the patch, and now the game runs pretty decently. So congrats, Rockstar, you managed to make one of the worst ports in history into something reasonably mediocre. Progress!
Click to expand...

yep its pretty bad, the 1st game that actually requires quad core, when it shouldn't at all. but managing to play it at 1080p now, medium textures, highest renderer etc and averaging 40+ fps, so it actually runs really nicely now

i went from a dual to a quad myself and the difference is huge in this game, upto 100% faster at times, probably averaging 60% faster and that's at a lower clock speed

very fun game online though
 
McLovin said:
Looks nice.. fps is a little low. Is that because of the recording software?
Click to expand...
Yeah, Fraps cuts it down to about 18-19. I usually get 25-30 on max. But I never play on max.

I get 35-60 FPS with the settings toned down.
 
Well, I ended up reformatting my pc and installing everything fresh, and now this game seems to run much better than it previously did. I think my ATI drivers were screwed up or something. The improvement has been drastic.
 
only thing that annoys me is that the game is a total fucking jag fest, hope they make a dx10 patch sometime down the line although i'm not holding my breath

1080p, high textures , highest renderer, runs great never drops below 35fps averages low 40's

mjww0p.jpg


f231bt.jpg
 
I've just bought this off Steam, and it's almost downloaded. This is my setup:

Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Q6600 2.4Ghz
4GB DDR2 Corsair
9800GTX 512mb

I'm outputting to a 24" 1920x1200 monitor (Benq FP241W). It upscales 720P particularly well; I have plenty of options as far as resolution goes. How do you think it'll cope?
 
Cataferal said:
I've just bought this off Steam, and it's almost downloaded. This is my setup:

Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Q6600 2.4Ghz
4GB DDR2 Corsair
9800GTX 512mb

I'm outputting to a 24" 1920x1200 monitor (Benq FP241W). It upscales 720P particularly well; I have plenty of options as far as resolution goes. How do you think it'll cope?
Click to expand...

quad core, you'll be fine, i would imagine you'll be able to run 1920x1200
 
When you hit the second island the pop-up gets so bad. I went from no pop-up to driving on invisible roads and bridges. also the memory leak eats up my 2gig ram in no time.

btw, when the hell do these "tutorial" missions end and I actually get to do something decent?
 
Zenith said:
When you hit the second island the pop-up gets so bad. I went from no pop-up to driving on invisible roads and bridges.
Click to expand...

I have not experienced that, actually; however, the memory leak thing is annoying, and needs to be addressed immediately. But, I have to say that after my clean install of Vista, plus all new .NET and C++ redistributable packs, everything is running pretty good at 1080p (high 30's to high 40's) and looking excellent. Too bad this port sort of shit the bed when it was released, but the new drivers and subsequent patch have both helped considerably. Still a lot of room for improvement.

Some screens:






My system:

Q9550
8 gigs of DDR2
Radeon 4870 1gb (Powercolor OC'd)
Soundblaster Xtreme Gamer
 
Just dual-booted my system with vista yesterday.
Tried to run the benchmark on both OS.

XP
Code: 
Statistics
Average FPS: 41.68
Duration: 37.07 sec
CPU Usage: 80%
System memory usage: 95%
Video memory usage: 98%

Graphics Settings
Video Mode: 1280 x 1024 (85 Hz)
Texture Quality: Medium
Render Quality: High
View Distance: 40
Detail Distance: 50

Hardware
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Service Pack 3
Video Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 
Video Driver version: 180.48
Audio Adapter: SB Audigy 2 Audio [AF00]
Intel Pentium III Xeon processor

File ID: Benchmark.cli

VISTA
Code: 
Statistics
Average FPS: 38.46
Duration: 37.26 sec
CPU Usage: 95%
System memory usage: 86%
Video memory usage: 95%

Graphics Settings
Video Mode: 1280 x 1024 (85 Hz)
Texture Quality: Medium
Render Quality: High
View Distance: 37
Detail Distance: 50

Hardware
Microsoft® Windows Vista" Ultimate 
Service Pack 1
Video Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 
Video Driver version: 180.48
Audio Adapter: Speakers (Creative SB Audigy 2 (WDM))
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU     E8400  @ 3.00GHz

File ID: benchmark.cli

Lost around 3fps on Vista, with almost same settings.
 
psy18 said:
Just dual-booted my system with vista yesterday.
Tried to run the benchmark on both OS.

Lost around 3fps on Vista, with almost same settings.
Click to expand...

that's ok, you can lose/gain 1 or 2 fps just by running it a few times, never get the same result twice

but the benchmark is complete bullshit anyway, it doesn't give you a real in game performance snapshot

i get this and i certainly don't average that high in game

sqnhvc.png
 
The integrated benchmark is useless, just saying.

Anyways, is there any way to manually configure your controller with this game? The latest update was supposed to allow standard controllers (other than the Xbox 360 controller) to work with this game, but I can't get my Dual Shock (connected via USB to PS2 converter) to function properly. Either the camera is permanently tilted all the way up or down or the axis are swapped. Any suggestions/solutions for this?
 
Since this is a games for windows title, do you guys think the pc will get the DLC as well? If so I think I'll be taking a trip to ebgames tomorrow.
 
1. For those who've already played this on 360 or PS3, do you think playing it on PC adds anything at all? ...IE: the mouse and keyboard support or enhanced visuals?

2. How would my system fair?

8800gt
E6600
4gig Ram
Vista32

Thanks again
 
AgentOtaku said:
1. For those who've already played this on 360 or PS3, do you think playing it on PC adds anything at all? ...IE: the mouse and keyboard support or enhanced visuals
Click to expand...
Not really tbh. Visuals only if you have a high-end rig, and I think the benefit of better controls is less than in previous games. Not worth double dipping imho.
 
Kabouter said:
Not really tbh. Visuals only if you have a high-end rig, and I think the benefit of better controls is less than in previous games. Not worth double dipping imho.
Click to expand...

That's what I'd figured ....Judging from videos, it looks like a complete to control mouse and keyboard style...especially the driving as there is no analog based throttle
 
AgentOtaku said:
1. For those who've already played this on 360 or PS3, do you think playing it on PC adds anything at all? ...IE: the mouse and keyboard support or enhanced visuals?
Click to expand...

I don't know what it's like on the consoles but traffic on PC was at a realistic volume. When cutting across a road you have to weave to stop from being t-boned.
 
AgentOtaku said:
1. For those who've already played this on 360 or PS3, do you think playing it on PC adds anything at all? ...IE: the mouse and keyboard support or enhanced visuals?

2. How would my system fair?

8800gt
E6600
4gig Ram
Vista32

Thanks again
Click to expand...

My system is pretty much the same bar still using XP32 and my card is a GTS 320 OC.

Game is definitely more playable and smooth with the latest patch on my end. The framerate is perfect, but due to the shitty vram restrictions I can only use low textures and draw distance is locked at around 30. Thing is I can pump everything else on High/Highest at 1280.

Shadows still looking like sprawling shaved pubes though.
 
Wow. Played it for the first time since launch with the 1.2 patch and it's a world apart. Framerate is solid with vsync and never drops below 30, runs about half and half 60/30. Most importantly, I get ZERO pop in when I look a different direction now. I just hit auto-detect and left most settings as they were, turned vehicle density to max and shadow density to 0, definition off vsync on.

I may actually get around to finishing the game now.
 
Zaro said:
My system is pretty much the same bar still using XP32 and my card is a GTS 320 OC.

Game is definitely more playable and smooth with the latest patch on my end. The framerate is perfect, but due to the shitty vram restrictions I can only use low textures and draw distance is locked at around 30. Thing is I can pump everything else on High/Highest at 1280.

Shadows still looking like sprawling shaved pubes though.
Click to expand...

just remove the restrictions with the -norestriction command line then you can have medium textures with the GTS 320.
 
if they released a demo with the new patch in effect, if the difference is as drastic as is being made out here, i may be tempted.

but no way am i going in blind.
 
bee said:
patch 1.2 released http://www.rockstargames.com/support/IV/PC/patch/index.html

brings quite a few new options, so you can play around a bit more and lower some options to be able to raise view distance etc

http://i41.tinypic.com/1tt3ih.jpg

anyone playing online? having a LOT of fun with it myself

http://i41.tinypic.com/691izm.jpg
Click to expand...

nice update :)

the change log for anyone who is interested

Version 1.0.2.0

GRAPHICS FIXES / ADDITIONS:
Graphics Menu:
Added "Water Quality", "Shadow Quality" and "Reflection Resolution" sliders in graphics menu.
Added "Definition" and "VSync" toggles in graphics menu.
Rendering optimizations.
VSync optimizations.
Nvidia 7000 series
Mirrors fixed

PATCH 1 FIXES:
Direct input device support is now disabled by default and can only be enabled with the commandline: "-usedirectinput"
Supported Controllers:
Logitech Dual Action
Logitech RumblePad 2
Logitech Cordless RumblePad 2
Saitek P2500
Supported Wheels:
Note: Controls are unmapped, user must map controls using Manufacturer's mapping software.
Logitech G25 Racing Wheel
Logitech Wingman Formula GP Wheel
Logitech MOMO Racing
MOMO Force
Driving Force Pro
Driving Force
Formula Force
Added Commandline "-notimefix" which will help some users who are experiencing the fast/slow gameplay issue after patch 1 was applied.
Fixed a bug that caused some users to experience endless looping audio effects after Patch 1 was applied.
Benchmark was disabling sounds after Patch 1 was applied, this is now fixed.

CRASH FIXES:
Unable to load game fixed - For some users, a DOS window would open and close immediately upon Game Launch, GTA IV would never launch.
Hang on Initial Game Loading Screen fixed - Some users experienced Character Art Loading screens in an endless loop.
Certain causes of the RESC10 error have been fixed (Alt-Tab, change resolution). If you experience an RESC10 error, you must restart.
Certain Instances of the "GRAND THEFT AUTO IV has encountered a problem and needs to close" error have been fixed.

VIDEO EDITOR:
Naming clips is now mandatory on Export

MULTIPLAYER:
Legitimate players being kicked from Multiplayer matches has been fixed.

GENERAL ADDITIONS / FIXES:
Wireless 360 controllers not functioning - Triggers were full on/off, fixed.
In the Options menu accessed from the Title Screen a “Game” section has been added with the ability to turn Clip capture on/off.
Click to expand...
 
Lince said:
now we're talking, this gave me a huge fps boost and fixed some minor glitches, nice.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's great. I'm having an absolute blast with multiplayer now. Smooth fps, no pop-in whatsoever. This is how it should have been at launch.
 
Zaro said:
My system is pretty much the same bar still using XP32 and my card is a GTS 320 OC.

Game is definitely more playable and smooth with the latest patch on my end. The framerate is perfect, but due to the shitty vram restrictions I can only use low textures and draw distance is locked at around 30. Thing is I can pump everything else on High/Highest at 1280.

Shadows still looking like sprawling shaved pubes though.
Click to expand...

You can get rid of the restrictions easily.

Just create a nex .txt file in notepad and add the lines:

-norestrictions
-nomemrestrict

and save it as commandline.txt in your Grand Theft Auto 4 folder. Job done. I wouldn't recommend adding high textures as they'll be glitchy on anything but a 1GB card with view distance crancked. At least that was the experience I had with my 512MB card anyway.

Going to try out the patch now with fraps running to see how performance is affected. I still fear a quad core is going to be mandatory for decent performance. Bumping up the resolution from 720p to 1080p had very little effect on my performance previously so its definitely a CPU bound game despite my Core 2 running at 3.5gz, 2 cores just isn't enough it seems.

Edit: Well it wasn't a lie, performance is MUCH improved. Its still not great on a dual core but I'm locking the framerate at 30hz and it never deviates to far from it at 1080p with high textures.
 
Since the Steam sale was going on this weekend I decided to give it a go since it was only $35

I posted my specs a few pages up and here are my benchmarks:

Benchmark said:
Statistics
Average FPS: 40.17
Duration: 37.09 sec
CPU Usage: 96%
System memory usage: 62%
Video memory usage: 86%

Graphics Settings
Video Mode: 1280 x 800 (60 Hz)
Texture Quality: Medium
Render Quality: High
Reflection Resolution: High
Water Quality: High
Shadow Quality: High
View Distance: 24
Detail Distance: 26
Definition: Off
VSync: On

Hardware
Microsoft® Windows Vista" Ultimate
Service Pack 1
Video Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT
Video Driver version: 180.48
Audio Adapter: Speakers (Creative SB Audigy 2 (WDM))
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz
Click to expand...

Pretty decent I think for my modest machine. Believe I have the sliders at 25 for everything and that already has it looking better than the 360 version. Indeed the only thing I miss is some damn AA but here's hoping they may add it back in with enough bitching.
Also wish there was a command to just Cap the framerate at 30fps as I either like 30fps or 60fps.

Overall though, aside from having to install Rockstar Social Club, I think the PC version post patch is alright. Seems like alotta Germans and other folk overseas are the only ones playing the MP ...which given the audience that played it on Playstation3, is a improvement in my eyes. =P

Also bought the GTA Classic Collection for $20
 
Flunkie said:
I would scream if I had to play it at that framerate.
Click to expand...
I was recording with FRAPS. The entire scene would play at 20-25 FPS wihtout it.

Plus that video was really just to show that you can max out GTA IV on a cheap card. I usually play at the recommended settings
 
How is everyone playing this on PC? KB/Mouse? Controller? I only tried SA on the PC and struggled a bit with KB/Mouse control.
 
pizzaguysrevenge said:
IMO, everything is better with KB+M except helicopters.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm suprised how well everything turned out as far as the implementation goes ...only wished they ditched the console auto-recentering camera ...shit is terrible
 
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