Downsampling / Resolution Scaling

[AdrianIscariot]

Hi guys,

I've been doing a bit of research this evening on downsampling and have gotten pretty confused. I'm hoping to run a resolution of 2560x1440, and it seems downsampling may be the answer. I feel my cards are capable of more than 1080p and really want to stretch their legs, so to speak.

So, first, what is the difference between controlling this via the Nvidia Control Panel (making a new custom resolution etc) and an in-game option such as the resolution scaling feature of BF4? Also, how does it work if you add a .cfg file which forces the game to run at say 1.3 times the default resolution?

Second, is this potentially damaging to the monitor? As I understand it, the GPU/s are doing all the work; creating an image at a higher resolution than the monitor's native res and then downsampling it? It's just I've heard lots of people refer to downsampling as overclocking the monitor, and that it carries the same risks as OC'ing a CPU/GPU.

Finally, are there any viable alternatives to downsampling in games where decent AA is not provided? NFS: Rivals springs to mind, but I guess any console port would fit here. I've heard SweetFX is amazing but that it's incompatible with Windows 8.1...

Thanks in advance for any advice / pointers! I need an excuse to run SLI again and can't afford a new monitor!

 

[Gregster]

I ran a near 4K resolution on my 1080P 120hz monitor and it does make the games look better but after getting a 4K monitor, the downsampled image isn't a patch on a proper resolution.

It will not damage the monitor but upping the refresh rate potentially could. Also, make a custom resolution in the NCP and off you go. It works just like any othewr monitor and no need to mess about with cfg files and just set the resolution from the game menu. As simple as that.

 

[AdrianIscariot]

Brilliant, thank you. I'm not sure if I'll be able to go as high as 4K with my rig and maintain good framerates, but am definitely going to try!

I don't plan on touching the refresh rate - although I have a monitor capable of 120/144hz to be honest I rarely play games that make use of it. I'd rather have higher IQ and framerates in the 50-60 range for the majority of the games I play. Probably not the right monitor for me, really! I may well follow your example and plump for a 4K screen when funds allow.

Looking forward to getting home and having a go. So all I need to do is set up a custom resolution in NCP (at 2560 x 1440, for example) and use it, then pick 2560 x 1440 as my in-game resolution in whatever game I play?

 

[Five.Stars]

Brilliant, thank you. I'm not sure if I'll be able to go as high as 4K with my rig and maintain good framerates, but am definitely going to try!

I don't plan on touching the refresh rate - although I have a monitor capable of 120/144hz to be honest I rarely play games that make use of it. I'd rather have higher IQ and framerates in the 50-60 range for the majority of the games I play. Probably not the right monitor for me, really! I may well follow your example and plump for a 4K screen when funds allow.

Looking forward to getting home and having a go. So all I need to do is set up a custom resolution in NCP (at 2560 x 1440, for example) and use it, then pick 2560 x 1440 as my in-game resolution in whatever game I play?

Yes, when you create your custom res you will have to put a refresh rate also. With my Samsung S27A950D I could run it at 2560x1440 @112Hz.

Then all subsequent resolutions, I had to gradually reduce the frequency. Got 4K @38Hz.

Here is simple wee guide: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=509076

 

[SkeeterUK]

The hud and text get smaller so be wary of that unless the game can scale it for u.

 

[AdrianIscariot]

I gave this a go last night but couldn't get a stable image at anything over 2560x1440. I tried the custom setting in Tomb Raider and while it had the expected hit on fps (80 dropped to around 55) IQ was actually worse; there were glitches on Lara that aren't usually there.

I then tried it on Need For Speed Rivals and could immediately see an improvement, however later I had some issues were textures popping in and out of distant scenery.

Going to try again tonight with the settings included in that guide and see if that works a little better. Thanks again for the tips, guys!

 

[BaDBoY_uK]

BF4 has an in-built res scale. Does this do the same thing?

 

[AdrianIscariot]

Yeah, that's what I was wondering. I believe it does, which is why it's a very demanding option, performance-wise, but also a very impressive one. It's basically applying OGSSAA which affects the entire image. Typically AA only works its magic on edges etc, but this benefits anything that relies on resolution - textures, shadows, lighting effects etc etc.

It was BF4 that piqued my curiosity - I thought it'd be great to have something that worked like the resolution scaling option on every game, especially those that have either no AA options of ones where they AA is not up to snuff.

Hoping I can figure it out a it'll be a great way to tide me over until I can afford a 4K display, and also give me some guidance as to what my frame rates would be like - if I'm able to create a 4K custom resolution, that is!