WoW 3.1 Visual Changes

[Blackstone]

Can anyone describe the graphical changes in WoW 3.1. I understand there is a new ultra mode and some new character model settings.

Please post your impressions and possibly, screenshots. I do not presently subscribe but I would consider renewing my subscription to finish Lich King if the graphical improvements are worth it.

 

[Yoshiyuki Blade]

I played around with 3.1 on the PTR. The higher resolution textures on gear only apply to newer stuff (some of the current Northrend gear and the new stuff including tier 8), but I think *none* of the tier 7 gear since theyre based on old stuff.

Another improvement would be an extra notch up in shadows (one notch below the new maximum = old max shadows quality). I don't think there's a difference in the actual quality, but the shadow draw distance of objects extends a lot further. Right now, you'll see shadows of buildings at a pretty good distance, but the shadows of NPCs, other players, and doodads cover a small radius from your character. That radius is much larger with shadows maxed out, and is much more taxing on your framerate.

They've also made some other changes that are a bit fuzzy in my memory. I think they removed the "spell detail" adjustment bar completely. I dunno whether it was combined with another bar or not.

But overall, I think those 2 new additions = the new "Ultra" quality mode.

I won't be able to take any screenshots till the patch goes live, but it's not a spectacularly new experience. In fact youll notice the huge drop in framerates more so than the extra shadows and higher res gear that you can't appreciate 99% of the time you're playing.

 

[Deleted member 143938]

I played around with 3.1 on the PTR. The higher resolution textures on gear only apply to newer stuff (some of the current Northrend gear and the new stuff including tier 8), but I think *none* of the tier 7 gear since theyre based on old stuff.

Another improvement would be an extra notch up in shadows (one notch below the new maximum = old max shadows quality). I don't think there's a difference in the actual quality, but the shadow draw distance of objects extends a lot further. Right now, you'll see shadows of buildings at a pretty good distance, but the shadows of NPCs, other players, and doodads cover a small radius from your character. That radius is much larger with shadows maxed out, and is much more taxing on your framerate.

They've also made some other changes that are a bit fuzzy in my memory. I think they removed the "spell detail" adjustment bar completely. I dunno whether it was combined with another bar or not.

But overall, I think those 2 new additions = the new "Ultra" quality mode.

I won't be able to take any screenshots till the patch goes live, but it's not a spectacularly new experience. In fact youll notice the huge drop in framerates more so than the extra shadows and higher res gear that you can't appreciate 99% of the time you're playing.

Just wondering, how come you have a 120 cooler but only run your CPU at 3.0? You can get 3.0 with the stock cooler. Why put the best air cooler on the market for that speed?

 

[Jake]

The bits about graphics in the patch notes:

Here is the info about spell detail:
# Spell Effect Level setting has been split into Particle Density and Projected Textures. Previously, Spell Effect Level controlled both of these features.

# Added new Video Mode Ultra (should only be used on the highest-end systems).

# Shadow Quality has a new higher level of detail. The slider for adjusting Shadow Quality remains the same, though there is an additional step at the high end of the spectrum.

# New high-resolution player textures for Northrend armor sets have been added. Players can enable this feature by setting Player Textures to High in the Effects Panel of the Video Options.

 

[Spewn]

But does it run any better? Who will use these options if not? 1% of their customers?

 

[Yoshiyuki Blade]

Just wondering, how come you have a 120 cooler but only run your CPU at 3.0? You can get 3.0 with the stock cooler. Why put the best air cooler on the market for that speed?

Apparently I have god-awful luck in overclocking. I can't seem to get anything stable beyond 3.0 unless I really bump up the vcore (like beyond 1.4 or something crazy). When I do, I still get temperature issues. After reading the guides and tried bumping up other voltages (NB, FSB, etc.) and disabling some of the fluff, nothing seems to improve it.

Both the Q6600 and TRUE are unlapped so there's really bad contact as well. I haven't really bothered to see how far I can truly push it ever since I built the system. Can't really tell whether its the board's problem or the CPU's and I don't have a spare mobo to test it on.

I did, however, build a cheap system for a friend sometime afterwards and did some nice OCs without a hitch. So I dunno what the issue is exactly.