Graphic settings don't affect FPS

When I play the demo derby mod on high settings I get 18fps. I wanted to get 30ish so I started messing with the graphic settings. I noticed that when I turned things down I was still getting around 18fps. So I stuck it in the lowest graphics setting and I still got around 18fps. I'm very confused as to why this is happening.

 

Because it's not the graphics that cause the low FPS, but the physics. Your CPU simply can't handle four cars at the same time, and no amount of lowering the graphics settings is going to help.

 

Expanding on that, you have two processors in your computer, the CPU and GPU.

In an ideal use case, both would be used exactly at their limit, though this rarely happens.

Usually, games are GPU bound. This means the CPU completes its tasks before the GPU and is stuck waiting for it before it can start work on the next frame. In a GPU bound scenario you can improve framerate by reducing the graphics settings and thus load on the GPU so the rest of the system isn't stuck waiting for it.

BeamNG is very likely to end up CPU bound due to the physics. In this case, the GPU finishes its work before the CPU, and has to wait for it to finish before working on the next frame. You won't get any benefit from further reducing the GPU's workload via graphics settings, so may as well leave them up. Unfortunately, the CPU workload is relatively fixed, and can't be changed much.

 

Thanks for the replies. I feel like I have a decent enough CPU though to handle this. Its an i7-6700HQ 2.60GHz. Is that not actually good enough? Also, when I play the jump derby scenario i get 18-20FPS and that scenario has 6 cars instead of 4. It feels like i'm capped at 18-20FPS

 

If you haven't tried disabling dynamic reflections (graphics options) yet, try that. Otherwise I think you'll have to post your GPU specs.

 

I've tried enabling it and disabling it. I get 19fps either way lol. how do i find my gpu specs? sorry I'm still new to pc gaming haha. I know i have a nividia geforce gtx 960m

 

You're using a laptop aren't you? They're not ideal for BeamNG.drive.
The processor just isn't fast enough, as some people said already. Your GPU is fine.
Try seeing if the power plan is set to High Performance. That could help.

 

Yeah haha. so far this laptop has ran everything i've thrown at it at highest settings its pretty beast for a laptop haha. thanks for the replies tho

 

Laptops are NOT designed to run BeamNG drive...look at my computer in my signature that is sort of a top 1% of this forum that can push this game at insane FPS numbers at Ultra settings your using a laptop and thats your problem its a laptop and that doesnt have the grunt required to run this game! (am I being too harsh?)

 

Not really that it lacks the "grunt", it has the processing power, but the chip is restricted from running at full potential as it's downclocked and probably thermal throttling. The point is, most games/programs don't work the CPU as hard as BeamNG does, so BeamNG can reveal just how thermally insufficient most laptop's cooling systems are.

 

you might want to set your powersaving mode to "high performance" if you didnt already, also try removing the battery and connecting your charger while playing. may do the trick if the laptop wasnt running at full potential.

 

The Thermal Throttling is the big problem with Laptops they are not designed to heat up to over 90 Degrees C my own computer runs at a relatively frosty 26 degrees C and it never gets above 30 degrees C on current loads

 

Yeah thanks guys. The reason I have a laptop is cuz I'm also a student haha. Eventually I'll build a rig tho. Not gonna lie I'm super impressed with what this laptop can handle

 

My own computer is probably the most extreme you can go for under £3000

 

try reducing resolution that works for me i have a amd A8 4500m with integrated amd 7640g and 8 gb of memory at 1600 and previously 4gb of memory at 1333.
i could get in the low 30's before the memory upgrade, but that was also before beam.ng was on steam. now i between 10 and 20 full screen at lowest graphics and a resolution of 1600X900

 

You always take every opportunity to brag about your specs, don't you?

 

He's but well nobody cares, I think.

Well check in settings if your 960m is set up as GPU for BeamNG. Then check drivers, not only for GPU, nice program to do it is "SlimDrivers", if that won't help, try to uninstall BeamNG, delete folder with BeamNG at user documents and make a fresh install. If this would fail contact support and give them logs. Also force 64bit and 84bit versions and look if there's diffrence.

 

Have you tried the nVidia control Panel option its in the Help section I believe in the game it will sort out the graphics for the game...I remember seeing it a few hours ago

 

My asus laptop runs beamng easily