BF2 hardware thread

[NikolaX]

Post here for any hardware problems with demo.

Demo requires 1.4 shader vertex gfx.
ATI - 9500 and up will run the game
NVIDIA - FX and up will run the game

workaround for Geforce4 Ti users (with many shaders missing, but it can run)
http://zox.game-deception.com/downloads/Direct3D/BF2ShaderMod.zip

Loading issues :
By default the game tries to launch at 800x600@60Hz initially, so your system must be able to run that same resolution and refresh rate, otherwise the game will abort. If you are using any refresh rate override program/method, disable it

new ATI drivers - https://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&task=knowledge&folderID=27
new nVidia Beta Forceware 77.50
http://www.3dchipset.com/drivers/nvidia/beta/nt5/7750.php

Getting BF2 in 1280x1024 resolution :
To do this, change your command line to look like this:
"C:\Program Files\EA Games\Battlefield 2 Demo\BF2.exe" +menu 1 +fullscreen
1 +szx 1280 +szy 1024

Intro removal :
go to EA GAmes/battlefield 2 demo/mods/bf2/movies and move somewhere else or rename (or even delete) the demo_*.bik EA.Bik and Nvidia.Bik
Saves load time!

Taking Screenshots:
If you want to take screenshots of the in-game gameplay, simply press the PRTSCN (Print Screen) key which by default takes a screenshot and places it in your \Documents and Settings\[username]\Documents\Battlefield 2 Demo\Screenshots\ directory.

There's also Battlefield 2 demo tactical timelimit fix&all weapons enabler for servers available

and some early benchmarks for older spec.
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=23893

Full tweak guide for demo:
http://www.tweakguides.com/BF2_1.html

 

[poseyjmac]

Loading issues :
By default the game tries to launch at 800x600@60Hz initially, so your system must be able to run that same resolution and refresh rate, otherwise the game will abort. If you are using any refresh rate override program/method, disable it

this isn't accurate for me and a friend of mine. im using ati tray tools 1.0 with refresh rate override, and it loaded at 120hz. he was using nvidia refresh rate override also and loaded the game at 100hz.

 

[J_Tweedy]

Yeah i dont get what happens to me, i set my in game video settings to 1024x768@85hz, then used Powerstrip to lock my 1024x768 resolution at 85hz, but when i quit the game, im running the 1024x768 resolution but only at 60hz. I cant seem to get the game to go any higher, meaning i get some awful tearing in game.

 

[NikolaX]

thanx SPLIZXER

patch for Geforce Ti users
http://zox.game-deception.com/downloads/Direct3D/BF2ShaderMod.zip

 

[15357]

edit: argh, nvm!

 

[SimonomiS]

Are you sure it will run on a FX 5200? xlucidx says his didn't. :|

Finally downloading it anyway....at 23kb/s. :|

 

[hungryduck]

Supposedly yes, fx5200's will run it, albeit verrrry crapily though.

 

[Raziaar]

Just noticed... "hardware tread?"

maybe a mod can change it to "thread"?

Small difference, no matter

 

[bliink]

Just noticed... "hardware tread?"

maybe a mod can change it to "thread"?

Small difference, no matter

Fixed

There's also Battlefield 2 demo tactical timelimit fix&all weapons enabler for servers available

That'll get your server delisted for 1 week for violation of EULA :\

 

[NikolaX]

EA have just posted their latest Community Update which contains, among other things, an official confirmation that hacked servers are being actively delisted from the master servers, preventing them from appearing in the game's browser

EA and DICE both fully support server-side modding in the sense that we have intentionally exposed a good deal of Python functionality to the end-user, primarily to encourage modders to tweak game types and scoring (on UNRANKED servers) once the full game is available. That said, we have come to discover that two items that were not a part of the demo feature-set were hacked in the Battlefield 2 demo. We consider both of these changes in violation of the Tools EULA that each server operator accepted in installing the server software.

The demo's feature set included a 12-minute time limit on rounds and excluded access to the weapon unlocks. Because some server operators have hacked the time limit out of their servers or hacked access to the unlocks, we have been forced to reinforce our intended feature set by delisting the offending servers. All violations of the EULA as described above will result in a 1-week ban/delisting.

On a happier note, the update also contains the promised Linux server files for the demo. Another mirrors: 3DGamers, FileFront.

 

[NikolaX]

Some more benchmarks on amdzone

http://www.amdzone.com/modules.php?...s&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=145&page=1

 

[SimonomiS]

Supposedly yes, fx5200's will run it, albeit verrrry crapily though.

Yeah it works, it does go pretty slow but that might be due to the 500mb RAM which should be getting upgraded soon.

Doubt I'll buy the full game unless I get a new graphics card or that RAM helps it run decently.

 

[NikolaX]

Unofficial Beta NVIDIA ForceWare 77.62 driver available

It's been a period of plenty for lovers of NVIDIA drivers, and today 3D Chipset have another beta release for you to peruse, prod and poke about with. The 77.62 set they have gotten hold of contains references to the GeForce 7800 GTX, which I suppose we should feign surprise at or something.
Only GeForce 6 series and 7800 card is supported in this release

and remember, they are a beta release, so i won't be held responsible if they put your children in a blender, you can find them available for download here

 

[J_Tweedy]

These 77.30s seem to do the job fine. Havent tested them in benchmarks tho. If it aint broke tho....

 

[NikolaX]

new benchmarks
"You won't need a new PC "


http://theinquirer.net/?article=23973

 

[NikolaX]

GPU Performance

http://www.tcmagazine.info/articles.php?action=show&showarticle=155

 

[jimbo118]

GPU Performance

http://www.tcmagazine.info/articles.php?action=show&showarticle=155

ati ftw then with bf2? interesting.

 

[Jimmeh]

I just installed that GF4 quickfix - a few screens

Some funky boat screens - Check out the classy water trails.

http://img231.echo.cx/img231/6981/screen0004fq.jpg
http://img231.echo.cx/img231/3522/screen0033fh.jpg

The most normal looking screen I could get:

http://img231.echo.cx/img231/2937/screen0047oj.jpg

Tantalising ammunition box:

http://img231.echo.cx/img231/8065/screen0079sw.jpg

Amazing lighting effects:
Normal
http://img231.echo.cx/img231/2386/screen0092ak.jpg
When I shoot - WOAH!
http://img231.echo.cx/img231/1921/screen0104nc.jpg


Still, great work by the man who made this, hopefully there'll be an improved release before my new rig comes next week

It actually ran at a solid 60fps at 1280x960 with the settings "maxed out"

 

[NikolaX]

I just installed that GF4 quickfix - a few screens

Some funky boat screens - Check out the classy water trails.

http://img231.echo.cx/img231/6981/screen0004fq.jpg
http://img231.echo.cx/img231/3522/screen0033fh.jpg

The most normal looking screen I could get:

http://img231.echo.cx/img231/2937/screen0047oj.jpg

Tantalising ammunition box:

http://img231.echo.cx/img231/8065/screen0079sw.jpg

Amazing lighting effects:
Normal
http://img231.echo.cx/img231/2386/screen0092ak.jpg
When I shoot - WOAH!
http://img231.echo.cx/img231/1921/screen0104nc.jpg


Still, great work by the man who made this, hopefully there'll be an improved release before my new rig comes next week

It actually ran at a solid 60fps at 1280x960 with the settings "maxed out"

lol 60 fps,

i like the trail thing like tron

 

[Axyon]

I just installed that GF4 quickfix - a few screens

Some funky boat screens - Check out the classy water trails.

http://img231.echo.cx/img231/6981/screen0004fq.jpg
http://img231.echo.cx/img231/3522/screen0033fh.jpg

The most normal looking screen I could get:

http://img231.echo.cx/img231/2937/screen0047oj.jpg

Tantalising ammunition box:

http://img231.echo.cx/img231/8065/screen0079sw.jpg

Amazing lighting effects:
Normal
http://img231.echo.cx/img231/2386/screen0092ak.jpg
When I shoot - WOAH!
http://img231.echo.cx/img231/1921/screen0104nc.jpg


Still, great work by the man who made this, hopefully there'll be an improved release before my new rig comes next week

It actually ran at a solid 60fps at 1280x960 with the settings "maxed out"

Hahah. Battlefield on drugs.

 

[RakuraiTenjin]

I just installed that GF4 quickfix - a few screens

Some funky boat screens - Check out the classy water trails.

http://img231.echo.cx/img231/6981/screen0004fq.jpg
http://img231.echo.cx/img231/3522/screen0033fh.jpg

The most normal looking screen I could get:

http://img231.echo.cx/img231/2937/screen0047oj.jpg

Tantalising ammunition box:

http://img231.echo.cx/img231/8065/screen0079sw.jpg

Amazing lighting effects:
Normal
http://img231.echo.cx/img231/2386/screen0092ak.jpg
When I shoot - WOAH!
http://img231.echo.cx/img231/1921/screen0104nc.jpg


Still, great work by the man who made this, hopefully there'll be an improved release before my new rig comes next week

It actually ran at a solid 60fps at 1280x960 with the settings "maxed out"

Maybe it's because I've been up for 25 hours, but I am ROFLING literally at this post/screenshots

 

[AmishSlayer]

I just changed my agp aperature to 256mb from 128mb, bumped up my cpu to 2200+ and I can run at 1024x768 with most settings high quite smoothly. I have dynamic lighting and shadows low though along with textures. I'm wondering if 65-68 degrees celcius is too hot though. I don't want to cause problems with my processor or anything.

 

[bryanf445]

for some reason my shadows are all messed up, would anyone know why? ill get a ss sooner or later

 

[NikolaX]

are you using the new 5.6 drivers?
and try with omega drivers...

 

[Gunner]

IGN Optimization Guide:

I saw this over the TotalBF2 forums, I tried it and I have to say, it's incredible! It gave an average of +20fps ingame. That's something hehe :E

http://gear.ign.com/articles/626/626714p1.html

Just skip the first pages and go directly to the TuneXP tweaking.

 

[jimbo118]

IGN Optimization Guide:

I saw this over the TotalBF2 forums, I tried it and I have to say, it's incredible! It gave an average of +20fps ingame. That's something hehe :E

http://gear.ign.com/articles/626/626714p1.html

Just skip the first pages and go directly to the TuneXP tweaking.

tunexp? really? 20fps? i used it before bit it messed up my system even though i set it up like in the guide, the guides basically a copy of the hl2 one they had.

 

[Gunner]

tunexp? really? 20fps?

I shit you not!

 

[jimbo118]

I shit you not!

lol cool, i just got it and set it up, doing the ultra fast boot tweak now. Hope i dont get any problems. I could use the fps.

 

[User Name:]

1.8 ghz CELERON YEAH , 256 mb ram , 9600 xt , and some other junk

everything on the lowest you can put it. I can play and it doesnt look that bad.

 

[SimonomiS]

2.7 ghz Celeron, 500mb RAM, fx5200.
Everything lowest as well, plays decently and looks alright. Should be getting more RAM soon though.

After that I guess the graphics card is the most lacking part? Soundcard is some Realtek crap, how much are decent soundcards?

 

[User Name:]

2.7 ghz Celeron, 500mb RAM, fx5200.
Everything lowest as well, plays decently and looks alright. Should be getting more RAM soon though.

After that I guess the graphics card is the most lacking part? Soundcard is some Realtek crap, how much are decent soundcards?

Dont get a better sound card if you haven't got the setup for it.
I would only buy one if I had dolby surround.

 

[SimonomiS]

Not worth splashing out on a Creative card for EAX support?

 

[AmishSlayer]

...

I just did those TweakXP changes the first thing today (haven't played BF2 yet) and restarted with the changes.

Now I went to go and play some on some servers but every time I try to join a server it says, "Joining Server" then the message goes away and the server browser refreshes. Nothing happens. I don't get to even BEGIN to join a server before this happens.

Naturally I tried making an SP game to make sure it isn't some graphical glitch. Works just fine with a little increase in performance. Next I created a local server to make sure that works. Just fine.

What the hell is the problem? Bah!

 

[jimbo118]

i tried it too, no real increases tbh, not in bf2 anyway or in general performance, i keep my system in good shape anyway so i didnt think this would help much, ill keep it installed anyhow.

 

[AmishSlayer]

Ok now I'm really pissed.

I went to change back the TweakXP settings...that didn't help. I decided it's time to reinstall the BF2 Demo. I goto uninstall...nothing happens. The moment the uninstall window pops up it closes. I delete it manually hoping I could just get the entry out of the list and reinstall. I go to install and the installer closes just as it opens... I test if it's the install wizard program that's messed up...other things install and uninstall just FINE... Just BF2 Demo doens't work.

EDIT: Woot! Got things under control again. When I did that disabling of windows zip stuff it screwed with all zip files. Windows didn't know how to open them so I had to register the dll again and delete some registry stuff.

 

[NikolaX]

GPU Performance:High-end Cards

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/battlefield_2_demo_performance/default.asp

First, we ran AA image quality tests with the RADEON X850 XT Platinum Edition and GeForce 6800 Ultra. In our opinion, the RADEON X850 XT PE produced sharper visuals when both cards were running in their 4xAA modes. Its not that the GeForce 6800 Ultra looks bad, rather the RADEON X850 XT looks ever so slightly crisper. You can also see this in the hillside on the left in our AF screenshots.

Performance results were also close, with the RADEON X850 XT PE outperforming the GeForce 6800 Ultra overall, but the 6800 Ultra did win a few benchmarks. The X850 XT PE clearly performed faster without AA/AF, and came out ahead in 4xAA testing, but the GeForce 6800 Ultras superior efficiency at handling 8xAF allowed it to narrow the gap separating it from the X850 XT PE once 4xAA/8xAF was turned on, ultimately coming out ahead at 2048x1536 with 4xAA/8xAF.

Based on our testing, it looks like the X850 XT PE is a little more efficient than the GeForce 6800 Ultra at handling AA, while the 6800 Ultra is more resourceful than the X850 XT when it comes to AF.

Since the GeForce 6800 GT only trails the 6800 Ultra by 50MHz in core and memory clock speeds, it was able to put up a strong fight against the X800 XL, taking the overall performance crown, but again, ATIs AA efficiency did keep things close in 4xAA testing. The GeForce 6800 GT ultimately pulled away once 4xAA/8xAF was enabled though.

 

[NikolaX]

Battlefield 2 retail servers v1.0

Electronic Arts has released the retail servers for Battlefield 2, allowing server admins to put up unranked servers. Both the Windows (local US mirror ~ 127MB) and Linux (local US mirror ~ 132MB) server files are available from the EA FTP (which is currently under heavy load). Another mirrors: 3DGamers, BFN.

With the server files, EA issue a warning: "While we encourage mod teams to discover cool things to do with the python scripts, we reserve the right to de-list servers that find ways to undermine the core features of the game using these tools."

 

[NikolaX]

new gamespot guide on bf

"GameSpot's Game Guide to Battlefield 2 is your guide to one of the biggest PC gaming releases of the year. We've got details, facts, figures, tidbits, factoids, and even some actual information in here for your reading pleasure. What's more, we'll be updating this guide in the coming days to include new information that the multiplayer community discovers, so if you stumble across something you think is worth including, feel free to hit up the Feedback link in the table of contents and send it along. Otherwise, enjoy! "

http://www.gamespot.com/features/6127838/index.html

 

[Raziaar]

My brothers comp doesnt run BF2.

I installed it, and it installed fine, but everytime I try to run the .exe file, it crashes, giving a windows crash error before it gets into the game.

It installed fine on his older dvd burner/player, but it doesnt play the game. Could the reason be the dvd player? Otherwise... besides that, his comp is better than mine.

 

[Killing2Live]

Im running Battlefield 2 on a AMD 2800+ Barton, 1 Gb of Kingston HyperX PC3200, 9700 Pro, Nforce 2 Motherboard and this baby runs like a dream on all mostly medium/high at 1024x768, couldnt be more impressed.