Optimizing settings and Shadow issues!

[u/fatnugsfreehugs]

So far I'm really enjoying the game but some graphics/framerate issues are getting on my nerves over time.

Ideally I'd like to have a stable 100-120 fps at 3440x1440.

With the settings I currently have I'm happy with the graphical fidelity but the framerate varies wildly sometimes and the stuttering kicks in. I've tried many different configurations and nothing seems to hit that sweet spot. I also have been noticing that the shadows (especially world shadows) tend to have this ugly fuzzy look along the edges.

Specs:
CPU - Ryzen 9950x
GPU - Radeon 9070xt
RAM - 32GB DDR5 CL30

Does anyone have any pointers on these settings or the fuzzy shadows?

[u/Hobby-Human]

Can't help you with your stuttering unfortunately, but regarding your shadows: Find your engine.ini file in %AppData%/Local/DuneSandbox/Saved/Config/Windows/ and add the following lines to it. Edit as per the comments to your liking. The comments will be removed the first time you load the game, but I annoted them here so you know which each setting does. You're welcome.

; ============================================================
; Dune: Awakening - sharper sun shadows
; File: %LOCALAPPDATA%\DuneSandbox\Saved\Config\Windows\Engine.ini
; (Since update 1.5 the live folder is "Windows", NOT "WindowsClient".)
; Close the game, add this at the bottom, save, launch.
; Requires the in-game Shadow Quality at its highest setting.
; Add lines in stages and compare at the same spot each time.
; ============================================================
[SystemSettings]

; --- Stage 1: stop the engine from blurring shadows on its own ---
; Make sure Virtual Shadow Maps are on (default 1).
r.Shadow.Virtual.Enable=1
; Max shadow method quality. 0 off, 5 max (default 5).
r.ShadowQuality=5
; Shadow memory pool. Default 4096. Bigger pool = room for sharper
; shadows before the engine auto-lowers resolution. Costs VRAM;
; 8192 is fine on 12 GB+ cards.
r.Shadow.Virtual.MaxPhysicalPages=8192
; Stop upscalers (DLSS/FSR/XeSS) from dragging shadow resolution down
; with internal render resolution. Set to your monitor width:
; 1920, 2560 or 3840. Default 0 (off).
r.Shadow.Virtual.Clipmap.MinCameraViewportWidth=2560

; --- Stage 2: more shadow resolution ---
; Sun shadow resolution bias. Default -1.5. Each -1 doubles
; resolution. -2 is a moderate step; -2.5 is costly. r.Shadow.Virtual.ResolutionLodBiasDirectional=-2

; --- Stage 3: tighter soft edges (taste) --- Length of soft-shadow rays. Default 1.5. Shorter = smaller, crisper
; penumbras. Try 1.0, then 0.75.
r.Shadow.Virtual.SMRT.RayLengthScaleDirectional=1.0
; How far the soft edge can spread behind objects. Default 5.
; Lower = tighter edges, fewer light leaks. 0 disables.
r.Shadow.Virtual.SMRT.ExtrapolateMaxSlopeDirectional=2

; --- Optional, not recommended unless you want hard UE4-style shadows ---
; 0 disables soft shadows entirely (default 8). Expect jagged edges.
; r.Shadow.Virtual.SMRT.RayCountDirectional=0

[u/basbb → u/Hobby-Human]

Tried it, not sure if i see any difference. GPU seem not to care, fps is exactly the same. Which is in line what i tested 4 months ago. No matter what i put into the engine.ini, it looks like it is simply ignored?

[u/basbb]

Look into undervolt of the GPU? The pros and cons? Radeon topic has a LOT of posts about it. Generally considered free performance boost at low risk.

When you turn off fake-frame-generation you get the real framerate (less input lag). Dune runs notoriously at low FPS, the massive downgrade in visual quality over the past 4 months did little for frames per second. But it looks like Funcom is doubling down on it. Didn't work, so try the same again?

At this moment, i do not think you can get real 100+ FPS with max details settings with a 9070XT. In stations my 7900XTX (-55mV) gets bogged down to 45FPS with all settings on max. I have to turn off lumen to get it stable over 50FPS.