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[Chiggs]

It'd be amusing if it was just some placebo effect.

I'm always scared of that. I did some .ini modifying and it improved my performance when I dedicated more texture memory to the game.

Still, you always have to wonder.

 

[SoulClap]

Location: Kings camp (By The Kings Will)

Before Gog:

Framerate: Min - 24, Max - 47, Avg - 33

After Gog:

Framerate: Min - 26, Max - 61, Avg - 39

 

[TheExodu5]

Got a link to the DRM-less exe.

I can confirm there is no difference (between GoG and Steam), at least on my hardware:

i5 2500k @ 4.8GHz
2x GTX 570 (only single card running for Witcher 2)
8GB RAM
Windows 7 64-bit

There's a chance that the DRM is only taking extra CPU cycles, and since my 2500k is much faster than needed for the game, there would be no difference. I might try running the test again with a downclocked CPU.

 

[Chiggs]

Got a link to the DRM-less exe.

I can confirm there is no difference, at least on my hardware:

i5 2500k @ 4.8GHz
2x GTX 570 (only single card running for Witcher 2)
8GB RAM
Windows 7 64-bit

Placebo'd.

 

[Varna]

Until I see proof, same here.

Just tested on the steam version. Frame-rate is the same.

Loading seemed better... but it's always been a bit inconsistent with me.

 

[TheExodu5]

Ran another test. I set core affinity to a single core, ensuring that I was CPU limited.

Again, no difference.

Gonna have to call bogus on this one.

One thing surprised me: setting only 1 CPU core made the loading take at least 2-3 times longer.

 

[830920]

Damn, I love this game so much! I was never able to get into the first one but this has blown me away with its combat, art direction, writing, quests and underlying systems. Pay attention BioWare, this is what a good fantasy RPG should be like.

 

[TheExodu5]

I tried running the Steam version with the paul.dll file removed, and it runs. I guess the Steam version is not using the Securom DRM whatsoever, so my comparison is useless. The claim is that Securom is causing the slowdown, so we'll need a comparison with retail.

 

[Ryuuga]

Guys I heard if you set the "DRM_Performance_Inhibitor" to 0 from the user config you can play the game with 120 fps using ubersampling on a 8800 gtx.

 

[K.Jack]

Btw, this is proof, to me:

1. Screenshots taken in the same environment, at the same time. FRAPS overlay included.

2. With each .exe, run a 5 to 10 minute FRAPS benchmark, in which you use the same save, and do the same exact things. Post the logs.

 

[Minsc]

I don't have the game yet, but I plan to soon. It sounds like it will run "all right" on my 560 Ti, but not at 60 FPS. So is there a way to clamp the framerate to 30? I would prefer to have that than a fluctuating framerate, which tends to make me ill. :\ I wish more games had that built in (or that that FPS Limit program worked on Windows 7). EDIT: I did read the first post, but it says to use FPS Limiter which doesn't work on Windows 7 as far as I know? Is there an updated version?

EDIT2: Seems DXTory might do what I'm looking for. I'll give it a shot when the time comes.

FPS Limiter from the OP works perfectly for me, just tested it (Win 7 64-bit). If your program works post, and I'll add that in as well.

 

[Yurt]

The claim is that Securom is causing the slowdown, so we'll need a comparison with retail..

made a huge difference for me. +15 fps.

 

[BoobPhysics101]

Proof:

First screenshot with DRM'd Direct2Drive Witcher2.exe and paul.dll

Second screenshot with GOG Witcher 2 exe and paul.dll

Exact same settings. Did not touch controller after loading save. Both were taken within 5 seconds of loading the save, shadows look like they moved I'm guessing because of the 1-2 second delay between where each pic was taken after saving.

So much for placebo.

Will post more pics/proof (even videos) if required. Going to do FRAPS benchmarks for 45 seconds. I will run from that location in Flotsam back to Roche's boat in the forest. Benchmark will automatically end in 45 seconds.

 

[TheExodu5]

Looks like it's confirmed for the Securom DRMed versions of the game, then.

Are Steam and GoG the only non Securom versions?

 

[BoobPhysics101]

Looks like it's confirmed for the Securom DRMed versions of the game, then.

Are Steam and GoG the only non Securom versions?

Tell you what... I'll send you (and anyone else) my Direct2Drive Witcher2.exe and paul.dll. Make backups of your versions and then try running the game with Direct2Drive DRM'd versions.

 

[Narag]

Are Steam and GoG the only non Securom versions?

I believe so, yes.

 

[TheExodu5]

Tell you what... I'll send you (and anyone else) my Direct2Drive Witcher2.exe and paul.dll. Make backups of your versions and then try running the game with Direct2Drive DRM'd versions.

I'd be interested in trying it out.

 

[Minsc]

I expect CDP would address this ASAP, hopefully monday. If their forums ever got back up, there'd probably be a huge, huge thread of people demanding refunds and swearing left and right.

I know they were planning on removing all DRM eventually. Would be a nice gesture if they did that sooner rather than later, but I doubt Atari will have any of that so soon.

 

[Nekrono]

Tell you what... I'll send you (and anyone else) my Direct2Drive Witcher2.exe and paul.dll. Make backups of your versions and then try running the game with Direct2Drive DRM'd versions.

I'd be interested too.

 

[Yurt]

BOOBPHYSICS101

Spoiler

don't even think about posting a gif too many mods here

Looks like it's confirmed for the Securom DRMed versions of the game, then.

Are Steam and GoG the only non Securom versions?

Hopefully they'll patch it for everyone. I bet a lot of people don't even know about this "fix".

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Ran another test. I set core affinity to a single core, ensuring that I was CPU limited.

Again, no difference.

Gonna have to call bogus on this one.

One thing surprised me: setting only 1 CPU core made the loading take at least 2-3 times longer.

Maybe it is placebo. In the boss I was getting 2fps more, odd. Now it's raining and I'm getting the same FPS regardless.

LOVE THE RAIN

 

[BoobPhysics101]

I'd be interested in trying it out.

Here's the upload for you and anyone else who wants to check it out:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RUGLVWPP

Please make sure to back up your Witcher2.exe and paul.dll before replacing them with these DRM copies.

Also note the size difference between the SecuROM exe and your non-SecuROM exe. Also check out how long it takes to load the game from Windows with the DRM'd copy... even for SSD users it takes 5x longer than the non-DRM exe.

 

[Narag]

Will the rest of SecuROM need to be in place for them to test accurately? I recall the Steam version had dummy files but no idea if it matters.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Here's the upload for you and anyone else who wants to check it out:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RUGLVWPP

Please make sure to back up your Witcher2.exe and paul.dll before replacing them with these DRM copies.

Also note the size difference between the SecuROM exe and your non-SecuROM exe.

I don't have the paul.dll so this may make a difference.

 

[BoobPhysics101]

Will the rest of SecuROM need to be in place for them to test accurately? I recall the Steam version had dummy files but no idea if it matters.

No idea to be honest. I'll start digging around and try to find the files if I can. The DRM exe is about 23 MB and the non DRM exe is 15~ MB so it might just need the different exe.

Edit: Odd... I have the D2D version and yet in my bin folder I have the Steam client api dll. I'm going to guess all copies have the exact same files and the exe is the only difference? That'd explain why I have a Steam api in my non-Steam version.

 

[Ryuuga]

Omit. Exceeded my bandwith for the month, but looking forward to comparison vids.

 

[BoobPhysics101]

I'll do a comparison vid with ubersampling since I have the retail version.

Don't use FRAPS to record it, because FRAPS causes a FPS hit while recording so this may skew results. Use your cell phone or another video camera.

 

[brotkasten]

Got a link to the DRM-less exe.

I can confirm there is no difference (between GoG and Steam), at least on my hardware:

i5 2500k @ 4.8GHz
2x GTX 570 (only single card running for Witcher 2)
8GB RAM
Windows 7 64-bit

There's a chance that the DRM is only taking extra CPU cycles, and since my 2500k is much faster than needed for the game, there would be no difference. I might try running the test again with a downclocked CPU.

It's not doing anything for me either and I have only a C2Q with 3,6 GHz. Tested at the camp in By The King's Will and the fps didn't change one bit. It's still around 30 fps.

 

[Ryuuga]

Okay it definitely runs better with the GoG execution file. The game boots up noticeably faster and I'm able to get a stable 30 fps with ubersampling as opposed to the 20-25 fps I was getting while FRAPS was on.

 

[SoulClap]

Retail comparison (Downscaled screenshots from 1080p to 720p):

Before Gog:

After Gog:

 

[StriKeVillain]

Yeah - I'm not seeing any considerable change when switching the .exe file. Still around 30fps with high/ultra settings at 1080p.

 

[Narag]

Yeah - I'm not seeing any considerable change when switching the .exe file. Still around 30fps with high/ultra settings at 1080p.

Which version did you purchase?

 

[StriKeVillain]

Which version did you purchase?

Hard copy from Amazon.

 

[Fix The Scientist]

For me it's a strange change from retail to gog exe. When i stand still in flotsam i get approx 35 fps, with retail exe it was around 26-28 at best. But while running around and moving from area to area, the fps is only slightly improved from the retail version, it still stays just below 30.

 

[BoobPhysics101]

Uploading a comparison video now. I think motion blur fucks with the FPS sometimes (when turning) but you can see the FPS gain in many parts, it's huge. Whereas before it'd only hit 29-30 FPS max it spikes up to 40-41 FPS a few times, and avg FPS is much higher.

For me it's a strange change from retail to gog exe. When i stand still in flotsam i get approx 35 fps, with retail exe it was around 26-28 at best. But while running around and moving from area to area, the fps is only slightly improved from the retail version, it still stays just below 30.

Try disabling Motion Blur...

Yeah - I'm not seeing any considerable change when switching the .exe file. Still around 30fps with high/ultra settings at 1080p.

Which exe did you switch it with? Only people with Steam or GOG versions should be switching their exe and dll with the ones I uploaded (which are DRM'd versions from Direct2Drive and Retail). I will PM you the link to the GOG exe.

 

[Ryuuga]

Retail:

Initial boot time: 20 seconds
Loading screen: 7 seconds

GoG:

Initial boot time: 5 seconds
Loading screen: 4 seconds


Seriously how the hell?

 

[Kabuki Waq]

did you guys replay the exe file in the bin folder?

 

[LiquidMetal14]

did you guys replay the exe file in the bin folder?

I did that with the GOG but not the D2D, gonna try now.

Too lazy to take the screens but I noticed a 2fps increase with the D2D exe.

 

[BoobPhysics101]

Shitty FPS comparison video I made using my cell phone, back to back between DRM and non-DRM (you can see every change I make, nothing is hidden.)

4:30 minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRgmkiV6J8g

Enjoy.

Be sure to check out the FPS upon initial load, when moving around, near the end of movement, and especially check out the boot time differences between DRM and non-DRM.

 

[Coldsnap]

this page belongs in the "Console only gamers, what keeps you from PC Gaming?"

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Shitty FPS comparison video I made using my cell phone, back to back between DRM and non-DRM (you can see every change I make, nothing is hidden.)

4:30 minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRgmkiV6J8g

Enjoy.

Be sure to check out the FPS upon initial load, when moving around, near the end of movement, and especially check out the boot time differences between DRM and non-DRM.

There's a difference there. Even if 5fps or so, still.

this page belongs in the "Console only gamers, what keeps you from PC Gaming?"

Get out of here with that. This is something we do voluntarily. For the enthusiast. Failed point noted.

 

[Coldsnap]

It's just insane though that one exe of the game might be performing that another. I think it's rad that you guys are inspecting it and your method is very professional, don't get me wrong.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

It's just insane though that one exe of the game might be performing that another. I think it's rad that you guys are inspecting it and your method is very professional, don't get me wrong.

You're back on my good side.

 

[Domcorleone]

how do i run an fps test?

 

[Coldsnap]

So that means Steams version DRM is always on, always checking? Since it gets a performance hit?

 

[LiquidMetal14]

I think it's not worth it for me to deviate from what I use BUT the GOG exe launches way faster than my retail exe. I can still launch both without having to swap as long as I put the GOG exe in the bin folder. I think I may do this from now on. I hate waiting on that LOGO in the desktop for like 10-15 seconds.

 

[ZERATUL PL]

Game is sick! best looking game ever... awesome rpg... kicks Dragon's Age ass!

I just need to buy xbox 360 controller receiver now.


trees



village




playin on TV rocks!

 

[BoobPhysics101]

There's a difference there. Even if 5fps or so, still.


Get out of here with that. This is something we do voluntarily. For the enthusiast. Failed point noted.

Don't look at the difference when moving, look at the difference when I stop running and it's still. It's about 5 FPS when moving, and anywhere from 10-15 FPS when still.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Don't look at the difference when moving, look at the difference when I stop running and it's still. It's about 5 FPS when moving, and anywhere from 10-15 FPS when still.

I noticed. I get lesser but similar sporadic jumps myself with my retail. The best seems to be the GOG exe given how fast it loads. I can still launch the retail exe which gets me the DLC and patches too so it's a win, win.

 

[BoobPhysics101]

I noticed. I get lesser but similar sporadic jumps myself with my retail. The best seems to be the GOG exe given how fast it loads. I can still launch the retail exe which gets me the DLC and patches too so it's a win, win.

You can still use the patches and DLC with the GOG version. You can just switch back to retail, update, then get an updated GOG version.



Load times difference between DRM and non-DRM

With DRM: 48 seconds from the time I hit start game to when it actually gets to the opening movies

Without DRM: 6 seconds

You can measure it yourself in my comparison video. And that's with a fast SSD.