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Digital Foundry: Starfield Performance Mode Upgrade - 40FPS, 60FPS, VRR And More - The Complete Breakdown
- Thread starter adamsapple
- Start date
Tarnpanzer
Member
Clearly CPU-limited in cities and open environment. 30fps lock in the release version makes sense.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
- 'Dazzling array of options'
- On/off toggle for V-Sync also present
Quality vs Performance General:
- Quality modes adds extra clutter compared to Performance mode in distant terrain
- There are some 'terrain sculpting' difference between the two modes, not a 'quality' divide, but just a difference in terrain sculpting, DF noticed a similar difference in SS and SX comparisons.
- Quality mode has higher LoD for some distant objects and some texture mips
- Biggest difference is quality of reflection cube maps
- Other basic settings like shadows are a match with no visible difference
- Crowd density seems identical between the two modes (despite patch notes saying otherwise)
- Changing modes in real-time sees lighting change on the spot, lighting can look 'broken' during this transition
Resolutions:
- Visuals: 1440p reconstructed to 4K using FSR2
- Performance: 900p reconstructed to 4K using FSR2
- No DRS spotted in DF testing, both modes use VRS
- Both modes 'deliver a clear 4K like final image'
- DF are surprised FSR2 is targeting a high resolution in Performance mode
- Performance mode can show occasional shimmer in motion and some textures don't resolve as well as Quality
- DF did not notice any difference in permutations like using Quality mode at 60hz vs 30, so the above applies to different frame rate targets too.
Performance:
- Performance mode generally hits 60 FPS with minor single frame drops in most areas
- Akila and New Atlantis City run more poorly than the rest of the game with drops to 30s
- Visuals mode runs nearly the same in Akila and Atlantis which shows the game is more CPU bound
- Smaller scale interiors runs Quality at 60 but larger worlds and environments can drop to the 40s when using Quality mode
- No real issues aside from single frame drops seen when using either Performance and Quality mode at 30 FPS. Akila and Atlantis can show a single frame drop here and there
- Visuals 40hz mode similarly runs at its target in most interiors and general traversal with bigger drops in Atlantis and Akila with some small drops outside of the cities during combat
- VRR:
- Frame time issues are mostly ironed out when using VRR
- 'Wobbly 35 or 45 FPS can feel quite consistent with VRR enabled'
Uncapped:
- Only available when running 120hz with VRR
- Interiors can run the game at 90 to 100 FPS in Performance mode
- Visuals mode is largely sub-60 when uncapped
- Playing this with VRR in Performance mode seems like the most smoothest way to play
Conclusion:
- Fairly sensible visual options but the 30FPS lock option feels redundant now
- DF are disappointed that Series S didn't get any of these options
- On/off toggle for V-Sync also present
Quality vs Performance General:
- Quality modes adds extra clutter compared to Performance mode in distant terrain
- There are some 'terrain sculpting' difference between the two modes, not a 'quality' divide, but just a difference in terrain sculpting, DF noticed a similar difference in SS and SX comparisons.
- Quality mode has higher LoD for some distant objects and some texture mips
- Biggest difference is quality of reflection cube maps
- Other basic settings like shadows are a match with no visible difference
- Crowd density seems identical between the two modes (despite patch notes saying otherwise)
- Changing modes in real-time sees lighting change on the spot, lighting can look 'broken' during this transition
Resolutions:
- Visuals: 1440p reconstructed to 4K using FSR2
- Performance: 900p reconstructed to 4K using FSR2
- No DRS spotted in DF testing, both modes use VRS
- Both modes 'deliver a clear 4K like final image'
- DF are surprised FSR2 is targeting a high resolution in Performance mode
- Performance mode can show occasional shimmer in motion and some textures don't resolve as well as Quality
- DF did not notice any difference in permutations like using Quality mode at 60hz vs 30, so the above applies to different frame rate targets too.
Performance:
- Performance mode generally hits 60 FPS with minor single frame drops in most areas
- Akila and New Atlantis City run more poorly than the rest of the game with drops to 30s
- Visuals mode runs nearly the same in Akila and Atlantis which shows the game is more CPU bound
- Smaller scale interiors runs Quality at 60 but larger worlds and environments can drop to the 40s when using Quality mode
- No real issues aside from single frame drops seen when using either Performance and Quality mode at 30 FPS. Akila and Atlantis can show a single frame drop here and there
- Visuals 40hz mode similarly runs at its target in most interiors and general traversal with bigger drops in Atlantis and Akila with some small drops outside of the cities during combat
- VRR:
- Frame time issues are mostly ironed out when using VRR
- 'Wobbly 35 or 45 FPS can feel quite consistent with VRR enabled'
Uncapped:
- Only available when running 120hz with VRR
- Interiors can run the game at 90 to 100 FPS in Performance mode
- Visuals mode is largely sub-60 when uncapped
- Playing this with VRR in Performance mode seems like the most smoothest way to play
Conclusion:
- Fairly sensible visual options but the 30FPS lock option feels redundant now
- DF are disappointed that Series S didn't get any of these options
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The truth is that they have done a very good job. The IQ in performance mode is pretty decent. Within the impediments of the graphics engine and how demanding it is with the CPU, they achieve a fairly stable 60 fps in most situations. Even in some cities. But of course, it's clear that NEW ATLLANTIS is another story. Of course, the patch is a win-win for those of us who enjoy 120hz VRR TV, but it's a great addition also for those who don't.
Finally, I missed a section where they would have compared the graphical improvements that the game has seen compared to the launch because there have been many (lighting, texturing, etc...)
Finally, I missed a section where they would have compared the graphical improvements that the game has seen compared to the launch because there have been many (lighting, texturing, etc...)
digital_ghost
Member
Loadfield.
I had more loading screens in this game than any of recent memory. If only it was like rachet and clank rift apart.
I had more loading screens in this game than any of recent memory. If only it was like rachet and clank rift apart.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
NickFire
Member
Is there a nutshell comparison of 60 FPS Quality and 40 FPS?
nosoynadie22
Member
keeps 60fps locked except when it drops to 28-35fps
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Just took this quick comparison.
Visually, they look identical to me, there might be some underlying differences in distant shadows or AO coverage etc, but it's not something I can spot looking at these images.
In terms of Performance, there's no issue of frame time spikes or judder with VRR so it doesn't feel like you're suddenly juddering in Akila or Atlantis. But if you play the same areas with VRR off, you can sure as shit feel it.
Quality 60:
Quality 40:
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Teh Chosen Juan
Member
better than 40fps quality? haven't been able to try it out yet! have an lg c2 so was planning just doing 40/Quality as i figured that'd be the best overall.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
In my very little testing of the game so far, yes. 40hz doesn't seem to have any notable visual enhancements over 60 when they're both running in Quality, and with VRR, there's no 'performance' loss when targeting 60 over 40. But there is a big gain in almost all the game outside the two hub cities.
If this was a case where 60 was only possible in Performance mode, in that case the 40hz mode would be a much more easy choice to recommend.
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Teh Chosen Juan
Member
nice! great to know.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Shimmering in motion is much more obvious but in stills, the resolve is not bad.
30hz Quality:
60hz Performance:
-
Side by side made by
Tarnpanzer
DenchDeckard
Moderated wildly
Is loading improved on series consoles?
Pc was blazing fast.
Pc was blazing fast.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Quality, 60.
Virtually no visual difference between 60 and 40 when both are running in Quality mode.
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digital_ghost
Member
SlimySnake
Flashless at the Golden Globes
Looks like the terrain level of detail and textures on par with series s and lighting quality takes a big hit. im glad they didnt ship a performance mode at launch because no one should be playing this game at series s graphics settings.
Not surprised to see indoor combat areas running at 60 fps even in the quality mode. Game was barely using my GPU when indoors.
Not surprised to see indoor combat areas running at 60 fps even in the quality mode. Game was barely using my GPU when indoors.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Honestly, I can't tell much of a difference between the Performance and Quality mode lighting.
But then again, I'm extremely happy with the game in Quality mode 60hz so there's no real need for the Performance mode for me, anyway.
Shake Your Rump
Member
Everyone knows we have the inevitable PS5 version to thank for these upgrades, right?
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
60hz VRR will only cover drops to 40fps, anything below that will judder like there's no VRR.
Bojji
Member
Shimmering in motion is much more obvious but in stills, the resolve is not bad.
30hz Quality:
60hz Performance:
-
Side by side made by
Based on the video it's a mess in motion. But that's the price of 60FPS I guess.
Visual mode with 60FPS output and 120HZ+VRR seems like the best choice.
120+VRR will fix most of the stutters.
Options for that should be there from day one.
intbal
Member
If it's a Freesync 1 monitor, it might not even work down to 40. Some of the early ones only supported 48-60hz. So even though the Xbox can output in the 40-60 range, the monitor will turn off VRR any time the refresh rate drops below 48.
Those aren't terribly common, though.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
DanielG165
Member
Really good update overall for the Series X, specifically. It’s nice that the devs went back and did some optimizations to take additional advantage of the engine and hardware here. I’m on PC, but this is a good solid update for people who may be looking to jump back in on console.
FoxMcChief
Gold Member
I see in third person my characters head still tries to look behind him 95% of the time. It absolutely ruins third person for me.
Bernardougf
Member
It takes time to give up your creative vision ... but they did thankfully
DenchDeckard
Moderated wildly
Just fired it up, it looks surprisingly sharp for a 900p fsr2 game. Unfortunately the loading is still considerably longer than my pc bit the new maps etc look really cool.
Think I'll jump back in at some point.
Think I'll jump back in at some point.
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Ashamam
Member
No it’s actually future proofing for the PS5 Pro. (And future Xbox(s))
SKYF@ll
Member
Visual Mode: 30fps in big cities, 40fps in space battles, 40-50fps in open world
I would like to try it at 120Hz (VRR).
FuzionXboxTesting
I would like to try it at 120Hz (VRR).
FuzionXboxTesting
It's still not running at 60 in Akila and New Atlantis.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Heavily CPU bound in those areas.
recursive
Member
I don't think a 400p performance mode would be worth it.
FoxMcChief
Gold Member
Bethesda made the absolute clearest IQ 900p with the patch.
SportsFan581
Member
I played about half my run through on the XSS and the other half on the XSX, there is a difference but nothing earth shattering. The game is a solid experience on XSS as well. Other than not having access to the new modes, but those weren't available when I played.
SportsFan581
Member
Agreed. This visual style, with a lot of hard edges, seems to work best with FSR.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Yep, Starfield and Scorn are two games which use FSR2 to great effect in terms of upscaling from a lower resolution but looking very clean.
FoxMcChief
Gold Member
Yeah, the upscaling used here is masterfuly executed.
Zuzu
Member
I’ve walked around Neon a bit. This is a great update. The game feels so much better at higher frame rates. And the image quality in performance mode is pretty good though I’ll be playing on visuals since it’s still noticeably sharper. But what a great update; it’s a shame it didn’t release this way. Oh well, I still have lot of quests left that I can enjoy if choose to start playing again.
Punished Miku
Human Rights Subscription Service
Really awesome start to major updates. Loving it.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
If you're fine with the drops in the big cities without VRR, power to you!
I'm not sure how feasible it is to change rendering that much in a console game, afterall we haven't had a single game that uses frame-boost on consoles yet. Immortals of Aveum has been promising it for almost half a year now but their patch is still not out yet.