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Reducing SC2 CPU Usage

Blogs > R1CH
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R1CH
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
Netherlands10340 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-03-27 00:07:36
March 26 2010 23:51 GMT
#1
EDIT: I should have tested this more before .

If you want to reduce CPU usage, you can edit your Variables.txt in My Documents / Starcraft II and add the line "frameratecap=60". This also reduces CPU usage as well as GPU usage, contrary to how I thought it worked.

+ Show Spoiler [Waste of time] +
Since SC2 runs at full frame rate, I figured it might be worth trying something similar to my CPU Savior plugin for Brood War. The results weren't anywhere near as impressive, since SC2 needs a lot more CPU time for its own use, but it still provides a possible benefit if you are streaming or recording games.

[image loading]

I forced SC2 onto CPU 1 (right hand side graph). Half way through the graph I loaded SC2Sleepy - you can see it reduces the CPU usage, but at the same time reduces the frame rate (the spike at the end is when I took a screenshot, so ignore that ). As SC2 units have infinitely more possible animations and frames than BW, this may be a lot more noticeable than a reduced FPS in BW was.

Also, rather than risk hooking Starcraft II itself (especially in beta where the versions are so volatile), this time around it hooks the Direct3D drawing interface, so it can guarantee a delay after each rendered frame. This works similar to FRAPS and other overlay programs, however hooking Direct3D reliably is not so easy, since the offsets differ between Windows versions. The current version only works for 32 bit Windows XP, which is why I'm posting it here rather than a more public place.

By default it introduces a 10ms delay, capping you to a theoretical max of 100 fps. Since SC2 also needs CPU time, your actual FPS will be lower than this. You can configure the delay by passing a number on the command line, eg 'loader.exe 5' would introduce a 5ms delay.

http://r-1.ch/Sc2Sleepy-0.1.zip

To use: Run SC2 Beta, then run Loader.exe. You will here a Windows beep sound if it loaded successfully. An error dialog will appear if it did not.

If you get a code -2 or -6 error, it means the program doesn't recognize your Windows or Direct3D version. To help me accommodate this, download HookShark and run SC2 with FRAPS open. Use HookShark to pick the SC2.exe files, Scan, then highlight the two lines mentioning d3d9.dll, right click, copy line and reply with them here including your Windows version, service pack, 32/64 bit, etc. Since this has limited use, I will likely only support 32 bit XP/Vista/7.


*****
AdministratorTwitter: @R1CH_TL
boesthius
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States11637 Posts
March 26 2010 23:55 GMT
#2
--- Nuked ---
Chuiu
Profile Blog Joined June 2003
3470 Posts
March 26 2010 23:59 GMT
#3
You could also modify variables.txt and add the line "frameratecap=60".
♞
R1CH
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
Netherlands10340 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-03-27 00:02:47
March 27 2010 00:00 GMT
#4
On March 27 2010 08:59 Chuiu wrote:
You could also modify variables.txt and add the line "frameratecap=60".

This doesn't actually reduce CPU usage though since SC2 sits in a spinloop, this reduces frame rate only.

EDIT: Wtf, I just tested this again to be sure and it does seem to affect CPU now. I wonder if that was changed in a patch...
AdministratorTwitter: @R1CH_TL
Chuiu
Profile Blog Joined June 2003
3470 Posts
March 27 2010 00:09 GMT
#5
Well the game uses the CPU to render certain things so it makes sense that limiting the framerate would reduce CPU usage as well.
♞
deathgod6
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
United States5064 Posts
March 27 2010 00:09 GMT
#6
I don't get any of this shit but god damn R1CH you are so awesome.
4.0 GPA = A rank 5.0 GPA = Olympic --------- Bisu, Best, Fantasy. i ♥ oov. They can get in my BoxeR anyday.
R1CH
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
Netherlands10340 Posts
March 27 2010 00:10 GMT
#7
On March 27 2010 09:09 Chuiu wrote:
Well the game uses the CPU to render certain things so it makes sense that limiting the framerate would reduce CPU usage as well.

Most games that introduce an FPS limiter simply avoid rendering every so often, so the game loop still consumes 100% CPU. It's nice to see Blizzard doing it the right way, now they just need to make this a menu option instead of an obscure .txt file.
AdministratorTwitter: @R1CH_TL
3FFA
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
United States3931 Posts
March 27 2010 00:37 GMT
#8
R1CH is ur first name Rich cause I know a guy named rich who also plays SC and is as awesome as you! I'll use this as soon as SCII finally comes out. Bookmarked.


R1CH- He's R1CH with information.
"As long as it comes from a pure place and from a honest place, you know, you can write whatever you want."
CursOr
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United States6335 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-03-27 00:48:11
March 27 2010 00:44 GMT
#9
Are you fuckin' kidding me? Just like that?
Dude... seriously... WTF thank you. If you ever need a backrub send me a PM.

edit: noob question... I noticed these variables are in alphabetical order... does that matter?
CJ forever (-_-(-_-(-_-(-_-)-_-)-_-)-_-)
YPang
Profile Blog Joined April 2007
United States4024 Posts
March 27 2010 00:47 GMT
#10
will try trhanks.
sMi.Gladstone | BW: B high| SC2: gold T_T
Ares[Effort] *
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
DEMACIA6550 Posts
March 27 2010 01:55 GMT
#11
On March 27 2010 09:47 YPang wrote:
will try trhanks.


Lol yang you even got a key? :D

Thx R1CH!
Moderatorgold coin
YPang
Profile Blog Joined April 2007
United States4024 Posts
March 27 2010 02:11 GMT
#12
On March 27 2010 10:55 Ares[EffOrt] wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 27 2010 09:47 YPang wrote:
will try trhanks.


Lol yang you even got a key? :D

Thx R1CH!

nope shared xD
sMi.Gladstone | BW: B high| SC2: gold T_T
CharlieMurphy
Profile Blog Joined March 2006
United States22895 Posts
March 27 2010 07:04 GMT
#13
now all we need is Lan Latency/Chaos Launcher, sc2Chart, and a dedicated host for replays like http://repdepot.net/
..and then I would, ya know, check em'. (Aka SpoR)
Marradron
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
Netherlands1586 Posts
March 27 2010 10:42 GMT
#14
BTW what happens if you edit any of the other variables in that textfiles.
somewhere is normalmap=0 if you set it at 1 do you only get normal maps ?
R1CH
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
Netherlands10340 Posts
March 27 2010 14:41 GMT
#15
Normal mapping is a type of graphics effect, don't get your hopes up .
AdministratorTwitter: @R1CH_TL
sob3k
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
United States7572 Posts
March 28 2010 08:14 GMT
#16
On March 27 2010 19:42 Marradron wrote:
BTW what happens if you edit any of the other variables in that textfiles.
somewhere is normalmap=0 if you set it at 1 do you only get normal maps ?


I chuckled quietly to myself.
In Hungry Hungry Hippos there are no such constraints—one can constantly attempt to collect marbles with one’s hippo, limited only by one’s hippo-levering capabilities.
Marradron
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
Netherlands1586 Posts
March 28 2010 11:51 GMT
#17
On March 27 2010 23:41 R1CH wrote:
Normal mapping is a type of graphics effect, don't get your hopes up .


But are these more hidden things you can change or are they just stored data from the option menu. Things like modelsellect and such
Magnificent
Profile Joined March 2010
United States41 Posts
March 28 2010 13:06 GMT
#18
nice this will come in handy
endo8910
aike
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States1629 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-28 22:12:10
June 28 2011 22:11 GMT
#19
I figured I'd bump this thread because it does have some useful information in it.

Most people SHOULD do this. I have an amazing computer that can run SC2 like a champ, but why let it run at 150+ FPS and overuse the GFX card if I can't tell the difference? If you use this little fix you can cap it at 60FPS which will reduce the heat produced when playing SC2. So it's a lot better on your parts

It's just a shame this is a blog so most people wont see it :'(
Wahaha
Trozz
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Canada3454 Posts
June 29 2011 01:22 GMT
#20
I missed this before.
If this works, thanks for the bump!
If it doesn't, blarg.
A build is not a guess, an estimation or a hunch, a feeling, or a foolish intuition. A build is a dependable, unwavering, unarguably accurate, portrayer of your ambition.
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