Optimizing Performance for Odyssey
Preface: This is very much a YMMV guide and I cannot guarantee significant performance increases as hardware performance varies with each unique setup, but the aim here is to optimize on your end as much as possible.
First we’ll start with your GPU Drivers, mainly focused on NVidia users, but this will also apply to AMD users as well. I cannot speak for iGPU users regarding this step.
First, let’s download DDU from Guru3D. As of the current date of publication (30-May-2021), the most up to date version is 18.0.3.9 (https://www.guru3d.com/files-details/display-driver-uninstaller-download.html)
DDU is a GPU driver cleanup and uninstaller that will completely remove registry entries, files and any other miscellaneous items from your GPU driver installation.
Once this is downloaded, download another utility called NVCleanInstall
(https://www.techpowerup.com/download/techpowerup-nvcleanstall/)
NVClean install will allow you to install the most recent driver or one that you can select manually from a drop-down menu. This utility also allows you to make the selection of what components will be installed, so you can bypass all the telemetry garbage that is normally unavoidable and also if you wish, bypass the GeForce Experience component from installing.
These miscellaneous items usually take up resources that would otherwise be used elsewhere.
Once you have these two items downloaded, we’re going to proceed to uninstalling your GPU drivers with DDU in Windows Safe mode.
1 - On the Windows sign-in screen, press and hold the Shift key while you select the Power > Restart .
2 - After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
3 - After your PC restarts, you'll see a list of options. Select 4 or F4 to start your PC in safe mode. Or if you'll need to use the Internet, select 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
Once in Safe Mode, launch the DDU executable you downloaded earlier, Select your Graphics Driver, then select Clean and Restart. This will completely remove your GPU drivers.
Once your PC has been rebooted, open the NVCleanInstall executable you downloaded earlier as well. Choose your driver version or use the first selection “Install best driver for my hardware”. The download should begin and you should be able to select the components you want to have installed. The defaults should be fine unless you would like to install other components like GFE or Ansel. Make sure to leave the Telemetry option unchecked though as it is entirely useless from a gaming perspective.
Once you’ve completed the previous steps, you should see an NVidia installer screen appear. Make sure to select Clean Install here. After that your GPU drivers should be at a clean state of install.
Now we’ll move into the next few steps to ensure you’re optimizing as well as you can for Windows 10 and your hardware.
Right click the Start menu and select Settings
In the search bar, type Graphics and select the Graphics Settings result. In this menu, make sure to enable the Hardware-accelerated GPU Scheduling and add your Elite Dangerous executable into the Graphics Performance Preference settings by clicking Browse and then navigating to your E:D Executable.
Once added, make sure to select the E:D entry and click Options, followed by selecting the High Performance button, then select Save.
Almost done!
Enable Ultimate Performance power mode
(Note: You need to have adequate cooling to better support this mode. If your CPU cooler does not have a high wattage rating, use High Performance instead. AMD Ryzen users should stick with the Recommended AMD Balanced, preferably.)
Right Click the Start Menu and select Command Prompt (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin)
Copy and paste the string below and enter it into the command-line:
powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61
This will work for W10 Home and Power users
Once that’s done, open the Control Panel and select Power Options and select the Ultimate Performance button.
High Precision Event Timer (HEPT)
This bit is a bit more of an advanced move but if your motherboard and processor support HPET (High Precision Event Timer), it might be worth your time to go through the steps of disabling it.
For this, I’ll leave you with an LTT post from 2018 about how to go about seeing if your hardware supports it and if it is enabled. It is important to note however, that you will need to refer to your motherboard’s manual to see if your board supports this function so that you can disable it at the hardware level before you move to disabling it at the OS level.
IT IS HIGHLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO NOT DISABLE IN ONE AREA AND NOT THE OTHER
(https://linustechtips.com/topic/915727-common-stutter-lag-crash-fix-hpet-guide/)
For NVidia users:
Open the NVidia control panel and select Manage 3D settings. I’ll include screenshots here of my settings. Again, YMMV but these settings work for me:
Windows services to disable (Win+R, services.msc) :
Windows Defender & Firewall
Windows Mobile Hotspot Service
Bluetooth Support Service (If you do not use BT devices)
Print Spooler (Required for Printing)
Fax
Remote Desktop Configuration and Remote Desktop Services
Windows Insider Service
Secondary Logon
Downloaded Maps Manager
Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service
Offline Files
Windows Connect Now
Remote Registry
Application Layer Gateway Service
Smart Card
Windows Image Acquisition
Security Center
Connected User Experiences and Telemetry
Retail Demo Service
Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service
AllJoyn Router Service
Geolocation Service
Windows Biometric Service (Required for Fingerprint logon)
Program Compatibility Assistant Service
Enterprise App Management Service
Final notes and thoughts:
While completing these steps might not give you the ultimate performance in Odyssey, they will hopefully assist in improving your hardware performance potential in not just this game but others as well.
There is no doubt or misunderstanding that E:D Odyssey needs a significant optimization pass in areas that significantly impact performance, but I can say, sitting here using an 8700k and GTX 1080ti that while in space and on surfaces that do not have a large settlement in front of me, the performance is at an acceptable level and it’s only when approaching those large settlements where I notice a significant decrease in the UX regarding framerates and frametimes.
Hope this helps!
o7 - CMDR Crunch Buttsteak / Buff Plankchest
