Hello, I've been playing TSW since TSW2, both on XBox Series X and PC (XBox app). Earlier, it would not be much of a difference: games looked pretty and played well on both. I chose to play more on XBox to use the Quick Play feature and avoid long loading times. Since TSW5, I can't play on PC anymore. Although I have a pretty powerful PC, I can't seem to find any settings with which the game to be playable. Even on low settings, there are so many drops in framerate that it makes me nauseous. Every time I stop at a station, the game freezes for a second or more before I hear the sound marking the completed objective and I can open the doors. If I try to open the doors before the game unfreezes, the game ignores my attempt and the doors remain closed. The same second-plus freeze happens when I leave the station, when the other objective completes. This while my CPU is under 15% usage, and the GPU is under 25% usage. I have the latest Nvidia drivers for my RTX 3090, and I have no apps running in the background, etc. Game is installed on a speedy NVMe drive, while Windows is installed on a separate NVMe drive. The PC is capable of running triple-A titles at High to Ultra settings (e.g. Assassin's Creed Shadows), but can't play TSW6?! So, my question for you is this: are there any settings I can change to make this game playable on this PC, or should I just give up? Thanks!
Ryzen 9 5950X ROG Strix B550-F Gaming (WiFi) RTX 3090 32GB DDR4 1TB Sabrent Rocket (PCIe 4) -> C: drive 500GB Samsung 960 EVO (PCIe 3) -> game drive Just a few more things to know, in case they make a difference: - I also own TSW6 in Steam, but older routes. Just tried Vorarlberg and it's looking OK in 1440p at High settings. The drops in framerate are still there, including the "objective completed" hiccups, but they are much shorter. - Went back to XBox app version, tried the same route, also 1440p and High settings: the game plays similarly to the Steam version, but looks slightly worse. I bet this is because XBox app version runs in DX11, while Steam runs in DX12. - By comparison, the Vorarlberg route plays really well on my XSX in 4K. - I'm trying to play on Frankfurt S-Bahn (bought in the sales), which is unplayable on both XBox and PC.
The settings that have the biggest effect on performance are sky quality (tod4 routes only) and the screen percentage option. Also there are some ini files on train sim community that will boost performance (PC only) There's always some areas on routes that are going to be a stutterfest.
The Steam version of TSW also does not run with DX12. TSW only runs on Steam with DX12 if you enter this in the TSW properties in Steam. If you do not enter this, Steam TSW will only run with DX11.
Let's assume that I already knew that, already did that, and I am running the Steam version in DX12, and I can see that in Afterburner. I have also tried to make the XBox app version run with DX12, but it doesn't work. I now know for sure that my attempt to pass command-line parameters to the TSW6 running from XBox app is working, because I have enabled the HTTP API and it works. The app simply ignores the -DX12 flag and works with DX11. I guess the build that is installed through XBox app is different in this area from the one installed through Steam.
On Xbox Series S, S-bahn Frankfurt runs ok in HD mode. The older routes (pre TSW3) I can run on 4K on Series S, but since TOD4 there is to much stutter. So it's possible the time has come, Xbox Series X also begins to struggle on 4K. Meanwile, DTG still not has implement a 2K mode or even FSR. It's different for everyone to decide if it's unplayable or not. I've limited my expectations about smoothness, when it comes to TSW. I'm playing on a VRR screen to eliminate the stutters from a inconsistant framerate, however with TSW there a still a lot of other stutters. I can really understand people are saying this is unplayable.
I'm still playing with TSW 5 (Now in part 6 with the same settings) with Jetwash graphics tweaks in DX12 and autosave disabled. There are hardware load issues in some places on various routes, causing FPS drops. But on average, the FPS is above 70. There are no terrible stutters that make it impossible to do anything. Apparently, the mod and DX12 are doing their job – the graphics card is loaded at 100% most of the time. My computer: i5 14600kf - 32gb ddr4 - Radeon RX9070
The author wrote that he needed time. The god mod is already unofficially available for new routes, but the official release is apparently delayed due to the German translation.
Ah I see, I just played the Rivera line, the loading of the trees is really bad and the actual performance on a 4090 in places is very poor. Shall I just try the god mode from Train Sim Community?
You can try it. Personally, I'm just waiting for the official release and more fixes for the new routes. I think I'll get both by the new year.
I recently upgraded my rig and there’s still stutters, it’s a TSW/UE thing no matter how good the PC, but there are ways to reduce them. So again, any other advice would be great. It looks and runs amazingly and is mostly smooth as butter with the exception of the stutters. Specs, RTX5080, i9-12900KF, DDR5, 32GB RAM, 2TB M.2 for Steam / TSW, 1TB M.2 just for the OS.
This is the answer I was looking for, thanks. If not even a top spec for 2025 will be stutter free, I don't see the point in upgrading.
