How to run PSO at 120 fps (and more)

[Martikush]

Hello forum, it's me again, I come back every two three years to post a tutorial, member' the last one? 

 

Scrolling on the internet made me discover a program called Lossless Scaling that can simply add AMD Frame Generation to a game that doesn't support it natively.

 

So I did some tests on PSOBB, stuck on 30 fps since it's original release, and believe me or not, but it works like a charm and since then, there is no going back to native 30 FPS.

 

This method is stable and has been tested, I haven't had any problems with in-game crashes, not once.

 

Step 1 : Download LossLess Scaling from Steam (not anywhere else as it may contain viruses, please support the developer of this amazing program) https://store.steampowered.com/app/993090/Lossless_Scaling/

Step 2 : Run it, and copy the settings I use  (I'm using the Default profile but you can make a custom one pointing to psobb.exe only) : 

 

 

Step 3 : Adapt your settings depending your configuration, turn off HDR and G-Sync support if your screen doesn't support theses techs, you also might need to adapt GPU & Display output if you have more than one screen. Be sure Capture API is set to DXGI, feel free to adjust sharpness as you like if you are using FSR. If you have a weak GPU, you can turn on Optimised Version.

 

Step 4 : Run PSO on Windowed Mode or Virtual Full Screen (not exclusive)

 

Step 5 : Go back to Lossless Scaling and click 'Scale' on the top right corner.

 

Step 6 : Go back to PSO Window, wait 5 sec for the program to scale PSO.

 

Step 7 : Enjoy PSO at 120 FPS.

 

TL;DR : Lauch Lossless Scaling, click Scale, and go back to PSOBB window.

 

 

Notes :

 

If you're using HDR support, be sure to turn it on in Windows settings before launching PSO and to calibrate your screen using the Windows Calibration Tool.

This soft do not modify any of your game files and only trigger the API the game is using (in that case, Directx8)

Please also note that HDR support double the usage of VRAM. 

You are not obliged to turn on the FSR, you can use the scaling you prefer.
DLDSR for Nvidia users will have MUCH better results than FSR, just google it, it's included in Nvidia 3D Panel fyi I'm running the game in 1440p upscaled to 2160p using a RTX4080 Super but a much weaker GPU can achieve the same results as me, PSO is old and runs on everything. Remember to set the upscaled resolution in Launcher.

 

As I said in the title, you can achieve more than 120 fps by choosing a higher mode in the Frame Generation section. This comes at the cost of more visual artifacts depending your resolution.

Exemple for a 240hz screen : Set mode to custom and set the value to x8 (30x8=240).

If you have a 60hz screen, set it to X2.

Turning on V-Sync seems to reduce tearing by a lot too, I suggest to turn on this feature in the software but keep it off in Game Launcher Options. I have G-Sync enabled in Nvidia Panel too.

 

X4 seems to be the best choice overall

 

 

Some issues I noted in my testings :

 

- Mini map might flickers when player camera moves
- Minor slowdowns from time to time
- Few visual artifacts on texts when the camera moves, much less visible if you set it to X3 (90 fps).

-Frametime a bit increased using Afterburner graph but not noticeable at all in game using controller or keyboard.

 

Don't hesitate to share your feelings or personalized settings if you think there's definitely still room for improvement.

 

REMEMBER THAT IT'S NOT PERFECT AND WON'T BE AS GOOD AS A REAL "NATIVE" 120 FPS, BUT STILL, THERE'S NO GOING BACK TO 30 FPS AFTER YOU TRY THIS.

 

 

Going Further :

 

Want to have you own PSOBB Remastered using Ray Tracing AND 120 FPS ? Follow this topic (You can DM me if you need RTGI files I have latest ones)

 

Updated topic : https://www.pioneer2.net/community/threads/psobb-reshade-preset-with-screen-space-ray-traced-global-illumination.16144/

 

Tons of upscaled textures exists too, Ephinea's forum have a lot of skins, I suggest to go here
Also, there's Ashenbubs' HD Mod, old version on nexus mods is still available, google it, but not everything is compatible with Ultima as it's mainly done for Ephinea so be careful. Newer releases are under a Patreon paywall.

 

Edited February 17 by Martikush
Typo, added some notes, issues corrected, Going Further section added

[Whera]

Would a 10 year old Dell(laptop) support all this? Also, do you need an AMD processor to be eligible for these protocols?

Edited March 6 by Whera