Performance Tips/Tricks for DayZ/ARMA 2

[ultimateburger 0]

I've done a fair bit of searching in order to try to maximize the number of frames per second that ARMA 2/DayZ will give me. As we know, this game engine can run systems ragged. There are tons of things that can be done to increase performance in the ARMA 2 engine, but all these suggestions can't be found in once place. I thought it might be helpful to try to compile all the tips/tricks/settings adjustments that people have used with succes to increase FPS in DayZ. Hopefully we can make a useful list of tips worthy of being stickied.

Keep in mind that every system is different, so what works for one person may not work for you.

I recommend using FRAPS to keep track of your in-game FPS. That way, you can make adjustments and see their impact on the fly.

Without further ado…the list:

If you have more than one GPU (dual-GPU card, or SLI or Crossfire configuration), add in the tag "-winxp" (minus the quotes) to the command line, the same place you add in the -mod=@dayz tag. This is the single biggest tip that worked for me (I have a 295 GTX), adding around 15 FPS. The -winxp tag makes ARMA 2/DayZ take advantage of your second GPU.

Adjust shadows from Normal to High or Very High. When setting shadows to Normal or below, the CPU is used to render shadows. Setting them to High or Very High forces them to be rendered by the GPU.

Disable Hyperthreading. I think the only way to do this might be in your system's BIOS. Apparently this can increase FPS in a variety of games, not just ARMA 2/DayZ. In addition to increasing FPS, this may actually decrease the power your CPU is using, and lower your CPU's temperature.

Disable Postprocessing in-game. This should boost FPS.

Ensure your 3D resolution and interface resolution match.

Setting AA/AF as low as you can stomach always increases FPS.

Defrag your hard drive. Apparently ARMA 2 can make a bit of a mess on your hard drive, and defragging can improve performance. My hard drive was 9% fragmented, and defragging it did result in a little less "stutter" in DayZ.

Here's another helpful thread: http://dayzmod.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=1355

[Cormac McCarthy 15]

nvm im blind

[usspfnorman 0]

I feel completely retarded right now but where do you add the -winxp

[ultimateburger 0]

I feel completely retarded right now but where do you add the -winxp

If you're running the game through Steam, you add it in the Launch properties command line (where the -mod=@dayz tag goes)...if you're running it through a regular shortcut, you add it in the "target" line I believe.

[Guest]

nvm im blind

Where we're going....you don't need eyes!! (someone please tell me you saved the comic about this where the guy sees a drop of 1 fps and turns down the settings to crayon drawings)

[ultimateburger 0]

Bumping this thread. A lot of people post on here with performance issues, and I'm hoping this thread can help. Keep posting your tips here if you don't see them listed already...I just added defragging your hard drive to the list. It helped me.

[usspfnorman 0]

Will that work if you launch through the 6 launcher instead of steam

[ultimateburger 0]

I have no experience with the 6 launcher, so I don't know.

[Keurk 4]

if i use the arma II launcher from spirited machine , and select more core CPU here

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Do i have to enter the -winxp command line?

or maybe i can check the "XP compatibility mode" on the launcher? (just over CPU cores on the screen)

[urbanfox 116]

I'm running a 2500K @ 4.7 GHz, 8GB DDR3 1600, and a 7970. I cannot confirm this for all machines, but any start-up parameters like video memory, CPU count, threads, etc have absolutely no performance difference on my machine. Same thing on a stock i5-2400/6950 machine. Just some food for thought.

[ultimateburger 0]

if i use the arma II launcher from spirited machine ' date=' and select more core CPU here

Do i have to enter the -winxp command line?

or maybe i can check the "XP compatibility mode" on the launcher? (just over CPU cores on the screen)

[/quote']

I imagine that the "XP Compatibility Mode" in the launcher just adds the -winxp command. You could try both though and see what happens. Do you have dual GPUs?

[Undeadstab 0]

Didn't know that setting shadows to high made a performance boost, thanks!

Also, for the best FPS what should "Video Memory" be at?

[urbanfox 116]

Didn't know that setting shadows to high made a performance boost' date=' thanks!

Also, for the best FPS what should "Video Memory" be at?

[/quote']

It shouldn't matter on newer cards. But, if you want to add it, then however much your GPU has (max you should put is "2047", though).

[ultimateburger 0]

In-game, the video memory setting should be set to "default".