[GUIDE] Optimizing ArmA 2 for newcomers

[DesertEagle (DayZ) 2]

Commandline parameters

Add them after .exe file in command line example : ...arma2oa.exe -nosplash -showscriptErrors -exThreads=7

-exthreads=x is option to define extra threads.

Example:

-exthreads=3 for dualcore

-exthreads=7 for quadcore

-cpuCount=x - is option which allows define number of CPUs/cores available. (Note: I `ve heard that from OA cores are autodetected properly but never know what will arma do :) )

Example:

-cpuCount=4

-world=empty - if you want faster initial game loading. The game will be loaded with empty world.

-maxMem = x

Defines memory allocation limit to number (in MegaBytes). 256 is hard-coded minimum (anything lower falls backs to 256). 2047 is hard-coded maximum (anything higher falls back to 2047). Engine uses automatic values (512-1536 MB) w/o maxMem parameter.

Example:

-maxMem=2047

Non-command line features

( see %userprofile%\Documents\ArmA 2 (expansion maybe)\arma2oa.cfg . All changes must be done and saved without running game)

-AToC is a vegetation render, enabled by default ( working only when AA enabled in in-game settings )

By default it is set to 7 means it applied to all OA and A2 trees and grass. I would recommend you to use AToC = 6 ( only for trees ) becuase IMO grass doing significant performance drop. Or you can disable it by setting AToC = 0 and use usual vegetation.

Postprocess Anti-Aliasing

If enabling AA in in-game UI too much lower your FPS and you still want smooth picture, you can try these ( from 1.61 beta 89223 ):

PPAA=x

0 - Disabled

1 - FXAA

2 - FXAA + sharp filter [4] (hard-coded strength of sharpen is now 0.15)

3 - SMAA

PPAA_Level=x

0 - LOW

1 - MEDIUM

2 - HIGH

3 - ULTRA

Example:

PPAA=3;

PPAA_Level=3;

----- SMAA with Ultra quality ----

Some advices

1. Check your 3D resolution, it is better to set it 100% if it is lower. 2 my friends that are not totally new in arma didn`t knew that and were play with 3D lower than 100 % ( usually happens when usilng general ( high, low, very low ) video settings. Use detailed.

2. If you wnat to raise your fps without getting all your graphic settings down - try to lower Object Detail. For me it causes the most fps drop( I have set it to very low, almost other settings - to very high )