BF4 Driver Prep! Hope this helps

[NotAnalGrap]

So I was putting this together for my buddies, and thought this would benefit you all.


1. Need to uninstall old drivers, sweep, and install new drivers.
Basically, when old drivers are installed/uninstalled a lot of old junk is left over. This can greatly impact performance across some or all games.

2. Download (but don't install) your latest driver.
Nvidia: Pick your OS (Win7 or Win 8, or Win 8.1) from nvidia's site. This is no longer a beta driver: Drivers - Download NVIDIA Drivers

AMD Select your OS, card, etc: AMD Graphics Drivers and Software

3. Download Driver Sweeper here: Guru3D - Driver Sweeper (no installer) download
Extract it from the zip/winrar but don't run it yet.

4. Uninstall current driver. If you get an error, restart and then uninstall ALL Graphics Drivers.
(make sure you only uninstall Graphics drivers....) and related software (physx, 3d vision, gforce experience, etc).

Once you have restarted and your screen looks like shit (awful resolution, etc) and there are no more graphics related drivers. Then:

5. Run Driver Sweeper.
For Nvidia Select "nVidia Display" and "Nvidia PhysX" but not "Nvidia chipset" and hit "anaylze. Then run sweeper/cleaner. It should ask you if you want to reboot. Yes.
For AMD Select "ATI Display" and analyze. Then clean. Reboot.

Upon reboot go make sure no nvidia software is installed.

6. Then install the driver you downloaded in Step 2. For Nvidia Select "Custom install" NOT "Express install" make sure you uncheck everything except the Driver and PhysX (no 3d Vision stuff, etc).

Let me know if you have questions.

 

[NotAnalGrap]

More Settings/Info
Most of you are way ahead of the game on this, but this is helpful for people who are new to PC gaming, etc. I will update this (Head Admins are welcome to as well) as I can and learn more.

Hardware:
So I discovered by buddies computer was down clocking his 1333 memory to 800mhz in the bios. Changing this made a night and day difference for him in BF4 beta. CPUID/CPU-Z will allow you to check all your hardware info without going into the bios.

Keep an eye on your CPU usage, temps, etc. If you aren't using CPUID/CPU-Z and Coretemp (or equivalent) to see your system settings and temps you should.

Graphic Settings:
Obviously know the capabilities of your Graphics card. If you are running a GTX 460, don't expect to run ultra or high (at least not at playable frame rates.

Full Screen vs Window: If you are having unavoidable performance issues even on Low, trying window mode. It will help a lot. Obviously not ideal, but until you (or Dice) gets your issues sorted (CPU throttling, old GPU, etc)this will make the game playable.
Field of Vision (FOV): Change increase this to at least 90. Game will seem way too slow and annoying without doing this.

Resolution Scale: This is new. Turning this down makes the game look like ASS. I would recommend not adjusting this. Instead decrease your screen resolution if you haven't already.

Gameplay Settings:
If you are having performance issues and or are easily annoyed you will find many helpful things to disable here.

Hint System: Off (annoying)
Reload hint: (this isn't part of the hint system???) Obviously user choice.
Minimap type: Anyone know what this does? I never messed with it in beta. Will update.
Kill Log: Turn off if you want a very very slight performance increase and want to decrease junk on the screen.
VOIP: If you play with TBG, just turn it off....annoying. Reminds me of being stuck back in Xbox land with 12 year old kids!
Battledash: Social tool - I think for telling you when friends join various servers, etc.
Soldier sprint: Change to click - SAVE YOUR PINKY!!!!!