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Surface Pro Gaming.

For anyone here with a Surface Pro 4, have you tried running Metal Gear Rising? I can't seem to get it to launch. I wonder if it's something to do with Windows 10 or the wonky Intel HD520 graphics driver, but it just will not start. It should work, as far as I know, because there are youtube vids of people playing MGR on their Surface Pro 3.

Any advice?

Hmm maybe try launching it directly from the folder instead of steam or, if that doesn't work, try reinstalling the game. I have zero issues getting it to run on mine.

Speaking of which, at 720p, I'm getting ~30fps on medium setting but a nice solid 60fps on low. I've only tried the tutorial though, I'll check later to see how level 1 performs.
 
Hmm maybe try launching it directly from the folder instead of steam or, if that doesn't work, try reinstalling the game. I have zero issues getting it to run on mine.

Speaking of which, at 720p, I'm getting ~30fps on medium setting but a nice solid 60fps on low. I've only tried the tutorial though, I'll check later to see how level 1 performs.

Yeah, I've tried both of those several times and no dice for me. When I try to launch from within the folder, I get errors looking for something that looks like files related to DirectX (I don't remember the exact name, I'm away from the surface at the moment). I figured it had something to do with be a fresh install of Win10 instead of an upgraded Windows, but I really have no idea.
 
I only have SF4...would that help at all?

Edit:
I loaded up Fallout 4 on my surface book. It set everything to low but it runs and looks fine to me.. I only played about 15 minutes before class started. Decent frame rate. I'll get more details this week over the holiday.

It's all good. I got my own surfacebook. Couldn't resist. :)

It runs SF4 at full resolution @ 60fps with some things turned down, lol. SF5 will probably be okay. Didn't get it in time for the beta.
 
It's all good. I got my own surfacebook. Couldn't resist. :)

It runs SF4 at full resolution @ 60fps with some things turned down, lol. SF5 will probably be okay. Didn't get it in time for the beta.

Did you get the one with the gpu? I feel like it should be way more than capable of sf4 with everything maxed. I may overestimate it, or be underestimating sf4 though.
 
Did you get the one with the gpu? I feel like it should be way more than capable of sf4 with everything maxed. I may overestimate it, or be underestimating sf4 though.

Yeah. When I say full resolution, I mean 3000 x 2000. It runs it no sweat at 1080p with everything maxed. It dipped just a little with everything maxed out at 3000 x 2000...but not much.

I'm hoping that I can run SF5 at 720p. Mostly just for travelling.
 
Woohoo. Dota runs great. GalCiv III runs great. OOTP runs great! I'm all set!

Now if only the keyboard didn't reek of chemicals.
 
Ok put more time in MGR, the verdict, I'm getting console like performance at console like setting. That is 720p, no AA, 4xAF, Shadows medium. So things waver between 40-60fps. MSAA absolutely kills performance, even at 2x, so that stays off and AF settings make a few frames difference so I'm keeping it low. Overall pretty solid, though not as buttery smooth as DMC4 (the same was true on consoles anyway).
 
Yeah. When I say full resolution, I mean 3000 x 2000. It runs it no sweat at 1080p with everything maxed. It dipped just a little with everything maxed out at 3000 x 2000...but not much.

I'm hoping that I can run SF5 at 720p. Mostly just for travelling.

Cool, thanks.

I wouldn't expect native res on any gaming (particularly with it's 1gb video ram) but it's good to know 1080p is playable. I'm still debating the book vs 4, but if video performance is there I may just have to go book.
 
Ok put more time in MGR, the verdict, I'm getting console like performance at console like setting. That is 720p, no AA, 4xAF, Shadows medium. So things waver between 40-60fps. MSAA absolutely kills performance, even at 2x, so that stays off and AF settings make a few frames difference so I'm keeping it low. Overall pretty solid, though not as buttery smooth as DMC4 (the same was true on consoles anyway).

Good to know thanks for the update glad to have someone willing to test all of these :)
 
Does anybody know how effective the Surface Book (i5/8gb ram/dGPU) would work in Dolphin/PCSX2's basic settings (No AA or 1080p), or do I need to up to the i7 in order to run things like Xenoblade?
 
Cant seem to sync my DS4 to my SP4 even though it says it should work. I'm probably doing it wrong.

I get an error trying to boot up PES2016 about my GPU not being good enough, which is to be expected, but at the same time the device runs GTA5 to some degree which should be significantly heavier.
 
Does anybody know how effective the Surface Book (i5/8gb ram/dGPU) would work in Dolphin/PCSX2's basic settings (No AA or 1080p), or do I need to up to the i7 in order to run things like Xenoblade?

I have the i7/16gb version book. Dolphin runs pretty well on that on basic settings.
 
Does anybody know how effective the Surface Book (i5/8gb ram/dGPU) would work in Dolphin/PCSX2's basic settings (No AA or 1080p), or do I need to up to the i7 in order to run things like Xenoblade?

I've run some dolphin games at 1x ir at the lowest possible settings on an atom so I would say yes you should be able to play at least lighter games on it.
 
Hmm maybe try launching it directly from the folder instead of steam or, if that doesn't work, try reinstalling the game. I have zero issues getting it to run on mine.

Speaking of which, at 720p, I'm getting ~30fps on medium setting but a nice solid 60fps on low. I've only tried the tutorial though, I'll check later to see how level 1 performs.

So I stumbled across a solution for my MGR Problem. I needed it to install DirectX, which is weird because I installed some version of DirectX manually, like some other folks around the web suggested. Well, today, I bought Doom3 BFG edition and when I launched it, it took off and downloaded whatever version of DirectX it needed. Immediately afterwards, I launched MGR and, bam, it worked like a champ.
 
Any chance that a Surface 3 (non-pro) would run Psychonauts? I know it handles all my 2d games fine, but I wonder if a 3d game, no matter how old, would give it trouble.
 
Is there a way to right click when using the SP4 without a keyboard or mouse? I'm trying to play Book of Unwritten Tales 2 but it requires right clicking. It runs amazing by the way!

Also, Rebel Galaxy, Invisible Inc and Chaos Reborn also run perfect! I love this thing.
 
Is there a way to right click when using the SP4 without a keyboard or mouse? I'm trying to play Book of Unwritten Tales 2 but it requires right clicking. It runs amazing by the way!

Also, Rebel Galaxy, Invisible Inc and Chaos Reborn also run perfect! I love this thing.

Long tap usually functions as a right click.
 
Any chance that a Surface 3 (non-pro) would run Psychonauts? I know it handles all my 2d games fine, but I wonder if a 3d game, no matter how old, would give it trouble.

Don't know, i had a Surface 3 and it couldn't even run Grow Home with all setting low and 720p resolution at an accettable frame rate, even worse with Oddworld New'n Tasty.
I sold it indeed and my Surface Pro 4 i5 should arrive next week, even if i didn't buy it causei plan on playing a lot on it but cause i was bothered buy the Surface 3 slowness in booting and especially opening apps and software like Photoshop etc, i think due not only to the Atom CPU but also for the eMMC storage
 
Don't know, i had a Surface 3 and it couldn't even run Grow Home with all setting low and 720p resolution at an accettable frame rate, even worse with Oddworld New'n Tasty.
I sold it indeed and my Surface Pro 4 i5 should arrive next week, even if i didn't buy it causei plan on playing a lot on it but cause i was bothered buy the Surface 3 slowness in booting and especially opening apps and software like Photoshop etc, i think due not only to the Atom CPU but also for the eMMC storage

Grow Home is a current title with long draw distances that chugs on the PS4, let alone a stripped down laptop. Psychonauts is a relatively ancient title that ran on the OG Xbox.

But is the Surface 3 that slow to boot or launch programs? I'm looking to get off the iOS train and retire my aging iPad 3, and the Surface 3 looks mighty appealing. Would be doing minimal gaming on it, mostly want it for media consumption and for a better web browsing experience than what iOS can offer. And while the Surface Pro 4 is also mighty appealing despite its higher price, it just doesn't seem as much like a casual "on the couch" or "in bed" tablet experience.
 
Found out today that Deadlight runs flawlessly on my Surface Pro 4 i7 16GB Ram.

Couldn't run Shadow Complex Remastered for shit though.
 
Cool thread as I'm considering grabbing an SP3 i5 for a secondary computer when the price is right and I'd love to play PnCs and adventure games on it. Probably a dumb question but any of the PnC / adventure games like monkey island, tales from the borderlands, etc. NOT run well on that version?
 
Cool. Guess I'll add:

SP2 i5

Burnout Paradise = 60fps, 720p on med settings.
Rocket League = 50-60fps, 720p mostly low settings
Splinter Cell Blacklist = 30fps, sub720p, all low settings
South Park SOT = 60fps, 1080p, med? settings? (Can't remember)
Grow Home = 45fps~, 720p low settings
Call of Juarez = 60fps, 720p, med settings
Surgeon simulator = 30fps, sub720p, low settings
Retro Grade = 60fps, 720p, low settings

Anyone know how well Gang Beasts would run on an i5 sp2?

Cant seem to sync my DS4 to my SP4 even though it says it should work. I'm probably doing it wrong.

I get an error trying to boot up PES2016 about my GPU not being good enough, which is to be expected, but at the same time the device runs GTA5 to some degree which should be significantly heavier.
Dolphin runs well on my SP2 i5. Using one of those unnoficial builds I could play smash bros at 60fps 720p~.
 
Recently I got Surface Pro 4 with i7, 8GB for my birthday. It's an incredible tablet! I plan to install some games to see how well it runs and share the results here.
 
Got myself a surface pro 4 M3. Mostly playing light indie games on it, but I tried Tomb Raider (2013) benchmark test and...this little beast can push 35 fps on medium @720p (and I'm running my games of an sd card).
 
Guys, I have a SP3 Pro i3.

Thinking of buying either SunAge, Darkest Dungeon or Oxenfree.

Which one runs better on my Surface?

And which one do you guys recommend?
 
I wonder if you want to add the regular Surface 3 (not pro) but I play Hearthstone on it every day. Civ V runs fine as well with small to medium maps. Obviously, Shadowrun Returns runs great as well.
 
Bumping the thread because I've been doing some testing with my new pro and have some results in a few games:

Resident Evil 4- can run locked 30 with HD textures and most settings at low/medium like shadow quality and no AA. No drops. 720 resolution. Wanted to do some more testing but for some reason the game keeps crashing after the village fight.

Resident evil 6- Performs better than 4 actually (confuses me as well) with low settings giving a consistent 60 with drops to the 40's and 50's when things get tough. Again, 720 resolution wise.

Dragons Dogma: DA- everything on low, trilinear filtering, and a resolution just below 720 (1280x600 I think) gives me a 60 frame rate wise, but it has alot of dips. Putting it down to 30 gives a much more consistent experience with the potential to up some of the graphics settings like grass and effects. Lots of screen tear though.

Spec Ops: The line- Consistent 60 with the occasional drops at the low preset. Again, dropping the frame rate allows for some improvement in graphical settings, but overall it runs really well. 720.

Shadow warrior (newer one)- its playable, but even low settings see heavy frame drops and screen tear.

This is all done on the i5 4gb model btw.
 
...The pen is much improved over the SP2's pen even though, on paper, they have the same pressure sensitivity: the cheap plasticy SP2 pen was probably holding it back. The textured nib on the new pen makes it feel so much more like you're drawing on a frictional surface rather than gliding over glass. The edges are still a problem where, in the outer 1.5 cm, the cursor starts lagging a ton behind where the pen actually is.
...

On the Surface 2 pen, (or any Wacom penenable pen) you can replace the nib with felt/feel tip. In fact, Wacom Bamboo Stylus Feel Soft Nibs is compatible with Surface Pro 1 and Surface Pro 2 pens.
 
Surface Book i7 / dGPU / 16GB RAM

-Dolphin runs most games really smooth at most basic setting, even with things like the 60fps hack in Sonic Colors or the HD Texture Pack in Xenoblade, it plays perfectly fine
-Black Ops 3 and Overwatch run at near constant 60fps when everything is set to 720p and everything low detail.
 
Surface Book i7 / dGPU / 16GB RAM

-Dolphin runs most games really smooth at most basic setting, even with things like the 60fps hack in Sonic Colors or the HD Texture Pack in Xenoblade, it plays perfectly fine

-Black Ops 3 and Overwatch run at near constant 60fps when everything is set to 720p and everything low detail.

That is really surprising even high end desktop GPU's struggle with dolphin a lot.
 
Surface Book i7 / dGPU / 16GB RAM

-Dolphin runs most games really smooth at most basic setting, even with things like the 60fps hack in Sonic Colors or the HD Texture Pack in Xenoblade, it plays perfectly fine
-Black Ops 3 and Overwatch run at near constant 60fps when everything is set to 720p and everything low detail.

Are you using DX12 with Dolphin and what resolution you running the games at?

Surface Book 2 will be beastly, lol.
 
Surface Book i7 / dGPU / 16GB RAM

-Dolphin runs most games really smooth at most basic setting, even with things like the 60fps hack in Sonic Colors or the HD Texture Pack in Xenoblade, it plays perfectly fine
-Black Ops 3 and Overwatch run at near constant 60fps when everything is set to 720p and everything low detail.

Nice, getting that later this year.


Have you tried XCOM 2 or Homeworld Remasters/DoS?
 
That is really surprising even high end desktop GPU's struggle with dolphin a lot.

Are you using DX12 with Dolphin and what resolution you running the games at?

Surface Book 2 will be beastly, lol.

I've only used the DX11 backend, but most games can keep a stable framerate when I have 2x internal resolution (the only enhancement I use). Though if it's the more intensive games like Skyward Sword, Project M, Sonic Colors 60fps or Mario Galaxy, I keep it at 1x IR to play it safe.

There are exceptions like with Mario Sunshine's 60fps hack as it struggles to hold a framerate in the 40's in the main HUB and drops to the 30's in some stages like Pianta Park, though I suppose if you can use a hack to remove the heatwave effects that might help. Xenoblade kind of has frame drops too, but since the game naturally had frame drops on original hardware, having Dolphin make the game drop by a few more frames every now and then doesn't really make that big of a difference.
 
I've only used the DX11 backend, but most games can keep a stable framerate when I have 2x internal resolution (the only enhancement I use). Though if it's the more intensive games like Skyward Sword, Project M, Sonic Colors 60fps or Mario Galaxy, I keep it at 1x IR to play it safe.

There are exceptions like with Mario Sunshine's 60fps hack as it struggles to hold a framerate in the 40's in the main HUB and drops to the 30's in some stages like Pianta Park, though I suppose if you can use a hack to remove the heatwave effects that might help. Xenoblade kind of has frame drops too, but since the game naturally had frame drops on original hardware, having Dolphin make the game drop by a few more frames every now and then doesn't really make that big of a difference.

That's pretty good performance.


I hear that the OpenGL backend is what NVidia users should be using but I hear Microsoft own drivers for their surface line tend to not be optimized for OpenGL usage.
 
I'm looking to buy one of these for school (going to be doing programming) and playing League of Legends at school.

Any recommendations on which one I should buy?
 
I'm looking to buy one of these for school (going to be doing programming) and playing League of Legends at school.

Any recommendations on which one I should buy?

Well if price is no option the Book with the DGPU is the best hardware wise. If you're price constrained probably the pro 4 i5 as it is basically a souped up pro 3 without the overheating issues.
 
Surface Book i7 / dGPU / 16GB RAM

-Dolphin runs most games really smooth at most basic setting, even with things like the 60fps hack in Sonic Colors or the HD Texture Pack in Xenoblade, it plays perfectly fine
-Black Ops 3 and Overwatch run at near constant 60fps when everything is set to 720p and everything low detail.

That bold is pretty impressive for a Surface Book.
 
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