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Deathloop in the test: VRAM can only be replaced by more VRAM

Sep 16, 2021

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With Deathloop, Arkane Studios bring the next game that goes its own way. ComputerBase took a closer look not only at the gameplay, but also at the technology, because it is tough on paper: In addition to DirectX 12, there is ray tracing and AMD's upscaling technology FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR).

Table of contents

1 VRAM can only be replaced by more VRAM
1. Void engine with FXR ray tracing, AMD FSR and further upgrades
2. There is no more than 120 FPS – or is there?
3. A good graphics menu with a lot of choices
2 ray tracing and AMD FSR in detail
1. The image quality of ray tracing
2. The performance of ray tracing
3. The image quality of AMD FSR
4. The performance of AMD FSR
3 benchmarks in Full HD, WQHD & amp; Ultra HD, frame times and VRAM
1. The test system and the benchmark scene
2. VRAM: 10 GB fast mandatory, worry-free only with 16 GB
3. Benchmarks in Full HD, WQHD and Ultra HD
4. Benchmarks in Full HD, WQHD and Ultra HD with ray tracing
5. Big differences in frame times
4 Game review and conclusion
1. Game review
2. Conclusion

With Dishonored (test) and Prey (test), Arkane Studios have repeatedly brought out favorite critics that never achieved resounding success with the mass of players, but found their fans in the niche. With Deathloop the situation could repeat itself this year. The preliminary reviews of the once again unusual game are consistently very good. As known from ComputerBase, this article is primarily about technology.

Void engine with FXR ray tracing, AMD FSR and further upgrades

Arkane again uses the in-house Void engine for Deathloop, which is based on the id Tech 5 engine, but has updated it comprehensively since the last appearance in Dishonored 2. Instead of DirectX 11, for example, only DirectX 12 is now supported and there is also visible news: The game can handle ray tracing, the rays are used for shadows and the surrounding area.

However, the modern ray tracing option can't hide the fact that Deathloop's graphics look dusty. The developers try to compensate for this with a unique artistic style, but there is a noticeable gap compared to current flagship titles. The lighting in particular is always convincing in the game, but animations, character details, surfaces and much more are simply out of date.

In addition to ray tracing as a technical feature, Deathloop can also handle AMD's upscaling technology FidelityFX Super Resolution (test) in order to increase performance with the lowest possible loss of quality. In addition, Nvidia's Reflex API is supported, with the help of which the latencies of the engine on GeForce graphics cards can be reduced. This shows, as the test by Nvidia Reflex showed at the end of 2020, especially in the GPU limit effect.

There is no more than 120 FPS – or is it?

Aside from the graphics quality, the Void engine has to struggle with another disadvantage: At very high FPS it tends to produce graphics errors and a stuttering image output. This also applies to Deathloop, so more than 120 FPS cannot be displayed in the game at first. This is implemented using a frame limiter that cannot be switched off at first and does not allow more than 120 frames per second.

But there is one strange exception: If VSync is activated, this image synchronization technology takes control of the frame output and the FPS limiter is switched off – even if the monitor supports more than 120 Hz. This works up to 360 FPS on a 360 Hz display.

If you want, you can switch off the frame limiter via the configuration file (entry “com_timeScaler” in the blackreefConfig.cfg file). However, this setting always jumps back when any option in the graphics menu is changed in the game. Since errors can occur due to the high frame rate, this step is not recommended anyway.

This also applies to the “VSync trick” and the question arises as to how the Developers could overlook this connection. It has been shown that 144 FPS at 144 Hz and active VSync still run without problems. When the frame rate goes towards 150 FPS, however, the first graphics errors and frame time problems appear. But you are not immune to mistakes. A system is not recognizable.

A good graphics menu with a lot of choice

Deathloop offers a good graphics menu on the PC with a lot of choices and useful options. In addition to the classic graphic presets (6 pieces), there are numerous individual options. Sample screenshots for individual options are missing, but each one offers a meaningful description. In addition, there is the already mentioned FPS limiter (30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120 FPS), while the game's downscaling is missing.

Deathloop is breaking new ground at FSR

The developers have taken an innovative approach with the integration of AMD's FSR technology. It is true that the well-known FSR presets can also be activated across the board in this game, but it can also be “smarter”. FSR can be set in Deathloop so that the upscaling only takes effect when the frame rate either falls below the VSync limit or below a manually specified frame rate between 30 and 120 FPS. The option can be configured in 1-FPS steps.

If you choose one of the two intelligent options, one of the well-known FSR quality levels does not automatically apply. Instead, Deathloop throws three of its own quality levels into the ring, which reduce the resolution to a maximum of 85 percent, 75 percent or 50 percent.