AMD workarounds

* AMD CPU
* AMD GPU
 Author:

This thread contains possible solutions for players who have had performance problems running Conan Exiles with AMD CPUs, AMD GPUs or Realtek onboard audio.

## Background

During May, we used an external QA company to run compatibility tests across systems equipped with various combinations of AMD, Nvidia and Intel hardware. We put together hardware for this test based on DxDiag reports received from players who had previously reported performance problems.

## I. AMD CPU + ONBOARD AUDIO (Realtek)

For everyone with AMD CPUs who are having issues with `Alt` + `Tab` alt-tabbing causing freezes, please do the following to eliminate the problem.

If you have followed any of the previous workarounds posted in the forums, revert those changes. (For example restoring `XAudio2_7.dll` if you have removed it)

Locate your Engine.ini file, which should be found in your `ConanExilesInstallPath>/ConanSandbox/Saved/Config/WindowsNoEditor/Engine.ini` folder.

### Example

`C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/steamapps/common/ConanExiles/ConanSandbox/Saved/Config/WindowsNoEditor/Engine.ini`

Edit it in notepad, and add the following to the end of the file:

`[/script/engine.audiosettings]
bDisableMasterEQ=True`
Save the file, and start the game. You should no longer experience freezes when alt tabbing.
We plan to make this an in game client setting in a future patch.

Save the file, and start the game. You should no longer experience freezes when alt tabbing.

We will make this an in game client setting in a future patch.

## II. UPDATED (CPU) SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

AMD CPUs from the last generations differ between the “big core” (Bulldozer, Steamroller etc) and the “small core” (Bobcat, Jaguar used in PS4/Xbox1 etc). This makes it more challenging to specify system requirements without going into too much detail. Based on our compatibility tests we have an updated version of the Conan Exiles CPU system requirements:

### Minimum system requirements

*Main article:* System requirements

* Old: Intel Quad Core i5 or AMD equivalent
* New: Intel Quad Core i5-2300 or AMD FX-6300

### Recommended system requirements

*Main article:* System requirements

* Old: Intel Quad Core i5/i7 3.3 GHz or AMD equivalent
* New: Intel Quad Core i7 3770K or AMD Ryzen 7 1600X

## III. AMD GPU PERFORMANCE

When playing older versions of Conan Exiles on AMD GPUs you may experience low frame rate on High or Ultra presets.

### Workaround #1

Switch shadow presets to Medium or Low while keeping the other settings at High/Ultra.

### Workaround #2

Open console with `Insert` “insert” key and type `r.AllowPointLightCubemapShadows 0`.
With the latest Steam version [which upgrades from Unreal Engine 4.12 to 4.15] you should no longer experience performance issues when playing on High or Ultra settings on AMD GPUs [and the workarounds should no longer be required].

### Test results

* AMD RX480 old Steam [Unreal 4.12] 2560x1440@High: 13 FPS
* AMD RX480 new Steam [Unreal 4.15] 2560x1440@High: 28 FPS

## IV. DIY PERFORMANCE TEST

The results on AMD RX480 above were captured using the method described below.

### Test walkthrough

1. Start (or continue) a single player game.
2. Activate the cheat menu/admin panel with `Ctrl` + `Shift` + `C` and teleport to Dsouth.
3. Activate console with `Insert` key and type `stat fps`, and `stat unit`
4. The fps will be printed top right on the screen and below it, you will see additional debug info which indicates if you are CPU-bound or GPU-bound
5. Rotate your character a few times to cache the 3D assets
6. Move west/east along the river while reading out the frame rate

We encourage you (both using AMD, Intel or Nvidia) to run the same test and post your results in this thread.

### Format

Please use the following format when posting your results

CPU / GPU / OS / Resolution@GFX-presets / Fps min / Fps max / Fps avg

* Example:

Intel i5-2500K / Nvidia GTX 970 / Win 10 64-bit / 1920x1080@HIGH / 26 / 45 / 37