What is the 2023 schedule for Johns Hopkins men’s lacrosse team. How does the schedule compare to previous seasons. Which key matchups should fans watch for in the upcoming season. What are the team’s prospects for success in 2023.
Johns Hopkins’ 2023 Men’s Lacrosse Schedule Overview
The Johns Hopkins University men’s lacrosse team has unveiled an ambitious 15-game schedule for the 2023 season. This lineup promises to challenge the Blue Jays with a mix of traditional rivals, new opponents, and a slate of competitive Big Ten conference matchups.
The schedule features:
- 8 home games at Homewood Field
- 7 away games
- 5 consecutive Big Ten games to close the regular season
- 7 opponents who participated in last year’s NCAA tournament
Head coach Pete Milliman emphasized the strength of the schedule, stating, “We are fortunate to have the opportunity to play the most challenging schedule in the nation, and I believe that is evident in the 15-game schedule we’ve put together for the upcoming season.”
Key Dates and Matchups in the 2023 Season
The Blue Jays’ 2023 campaign kicks off with several notable games:
- January 28: Preseason scrimmage vs. Denver at Homewood Field
- February 4: Season opener at Jacksonville
- February 11: Home opener against Georgetown
- March 25/26: Big Ten conference play begins at Michigan
- April 22: Regular season finale at rival Maryland
Why are these matchups significant? The season opener against Jacksonville allows the Blue Jays to start their campaign on the road, testing their mettle early. The home opener versus Georgetown pits Hopkins against a strong non-conference opponent, setting the tone for the season. The Big Ten opener and the finale against Maryland bookend a crucial stretch of conference play that could determine the team’s postseason fate.
The Big Ten Challenge: Conference Play and Tournament
How does the Big Ten schedule impact Johns Hopkins’ season? The Blue Jays face a gauntlet of five consecutive Big Ten games to close out their regular season. This stretch will be crucial in determining their conference standing and postseason prospects.
Key aspects of the Big Ten schedule include:
- All six Big Ten teams qualify for the conference tournament
- The top two teams in the final league standings earn byes to the semifinals
- Teams finishing 3rd through 6th play quarterfinal games on April 29
- Johns Hopkins will host the Big Ten tournament semifinals and championship on May 4 and 6
This format provides the Blue Jays with a guaranteed opportunity for postseason play, but also puts pressure on them to perform well in conference matchups to secure a favorable tournament seed.
Television Coverage and Streaming Options
How can fans follow the Blue Jays throughout the season? Johns Hopkins continues its partnership with ESPN, ensuring broad coverage of their games:
- All home games will air on the ESPN family of networks
- Games not broadcast live on ESPNU will stream on ESPN+
- ESPN+ broadcasts will be tape-delayed on ESPNU within 24 hours
- Away game coverage will be announced as it becomes available
- Games not televised will be streamed live by the host school
This comprehensive coverage ensures that Blue Jays fans can follow the team’s progress throughout the season, regardless of their location.
Analyzing Johns Hopkins’ 2023 Opponents
Who are some of the standout opponents on the Blue Jays’ schedule? The 2023 lineup features a mix of traditional rivals, conference foes, and challenging non-conference matchups:
- Georgetown (Feb 11): A strong non-conference opponent to test the team early
- North Carolina (Feb 14): A matchup against an ACC powerhouse
- Loyola Maryland (Feb 18): A local rivalry game with postseason implications
- Virginia (Mar 7): Facing the 2021 national champions
- Syracuse (Mar 11): A classic rivalry renewed
- Maryland (Apr 22): The regular season finale against the defending national champions and bitter rivals
These games will not only challenge the Blue Jays but also provide valuable opportunities to build their resume for NCAA tournament consideration.
The Road to Success: Keys for Johns Hopkins in 2023
What factors will be crucial for the Blue Jays to improve on their 7-9 record from last season? Several elements will play a role in determining the team’s success:
- Strong start: Winning early non-conference games to build momentum
- Home field advantage: Capitalizing on 8 games at Homewood Field
- Conference performance: Navigating the challenging Big Ten schedule
- Offensive firepower: Improving on last season’s scoring output
- Defensive stability: Limiting opponents’ scoring opportunities
- Adapting to travel: Managing 7 away games effectively
- Player development: Younger players stepping up to complement veterans
By focusing on these areas, Johns Hopkins can position themselves for success in both the Big Ten and on the national stage.
The Impact of Hosting the Big Ten Tournament
How does hosting the Big Ten tournament semifinals and championship affect Johns Hopkins? This presents both an opportunity and a challenge for the Blue Jays:
- Home field advantage: Potential to play in familiar surroundings
- Reduced travel: Less strain on the team if they advance
- Increased pressure: Expectations of performing well at home
- Logistical responsibilities: Balancing hosting duties with competitive focus
- Fan support: Opportunity to play in front of a supportive home crowd
Successfully leveraging the home-field advantage while managing the associated pressures could give Johns Hopkins a significant edge in their pursuit of a Big Ten title.
Comparing the 2023 Schedule to Previous Seasons
How does the 2023 schedule stack up against recent years? While maintaining many traditional rivalries, the 2023 slate introduces some new elements:
- Consistent Big Ten presence: Continuing the challenging conference schedule
- New opponents: The addition of Utah to the schedule brings fresh competition
- Balance of home and away: A nearly even split provides diverse challenges
- Strong non-conference lineup: Maintaining Hopkins’ tradition of facing top programs
- Strategic timing: Placement of key games to build momentum throughout the season
This schedule maintains the Blue Jays’ commitment to facing top competition while introducing new elements to keep the team challenged and engaged.
Spotlight on Key Players for the 2023 Season
Which players will be crucial to Johns Hopkins’ success in 2023? While the full roster impact remains to be seen, several players are likely to play significant roles:
- Returning offensive leaders: Building on last season’s production
- Defensive anchors: Providing stability and leadership in the backfield
- Midfield contributors: Bridging offense and defense effectively
- Goaltender performance: Consistent play between the pipes
- Emerging young talent: Freshmen and sophomores stepping into larger roles
The development and performance of these key players will be a major factor in the Blue Jays’ ability to navigate their challenging schedule successfully.
The Role of Tradition in Johns Hopkins Lacrosse
How does Johns Hopkins’ storied lacrosse history influence their approach to the 2023 season? The program’s rich tradition plays a significant role:
- High expectations: The legacy of success creates a standard of excellence
- Recruiting advantage: Top players are drawn to the program’s prestige
- Alumni support: A strong network of former players provides resources and motivation
- Rivalry intensity: Long-standing matchups carry extra significance
- National spotlight: The program’s prominence ensures consistent media attention
Balancing this tradition with the need to innovate and adapt to the modern game will be crucial for the Blue Jays’ success in 2023 and beyond.
Preparing for the NCAA Tournament
How does Johns Hopkins’ 2023 schedule position them for NCAA tournament consideration? Several factors come into play:
- Strength of schedule: Facing multiple tournament teams from last year boosts their resume
- Big Ten performance: Success in one of the toughest conferences carries weight
- Quality wins: Opportunities to secure victories against highly-ranked opponents
- Consistency: Maintaining a solid record throughout the challenging schedule
- Late-season momentum: Strong performance in the final stretch and conference tournament
By successfully navigating these elements, Johns Hopkins can strengthen their case for an NCAA tournament bid and potentially a high seed.
The Importance of Non-Conference Games
Why are non-conference matchups crucial for Johns Hopkins in 2023? These games serve several important purposes:
- RPI boost: Victories against strong non-conference opponents improve tournament resume
- Diverse challenges: Facing different playing styles prepares the team for various scenarios
- Early season development: Opportunity to fine-tune strategy before conference play
- National exposure: Matchups against traditional powers attract attention
- Rivalry maintenance: Continuing long-standing series keeps traditions alive
Success in these non-conference games can set the tone for the entire season and provide valuable experience for the challenges ahead.
Adapting to the Evolving Lacrosse Landscape
How is Johns Hopkins adjusting to changes in college lacrosse? The program is taking several steps to remain competitive:
- Embracing analytics: Utilizing data to inform strategy and player development
- Innovative training methods: Incorporating new technologies and techniques
- Recruiting strategies: Adapting to changes in the recruiting landscape and transfer portal
- Style of play: Evolving tactics to match modern trends in the sport
- Player development: Focusing on versatility and adaptability in player skillsets
By staying at the forefront of these trends, Johns Hopkins aims to maintain its status as one of the premier programs in college lacrosse.
The Fan Experience: Following the Blue Jays in 2023
How can fans engage with Johns Hopkins lacrosse throughout the 2023 season? Several options are available:
- Attending home games: Experiencing the atmosphere at Homewood Field
- TV and streaming: Following games on ESPN networks and streaming platforms
- Social media: Engaging with team accounts for updates and behind-the-scenes content
- Alumni events: Participating in program-related activities and reunions
- Youth clinics: Opportunities for young players to learn from the program
These various touchpoints allow fans to stay connected with the team throughout the season, whether they’re able to attend games in person or following from afar.
As the 2023 season approaches, excitement builds around Johns Hopkins men’s lacrosse. With a challenging schedule, a mix of experienced players and new talent, and the weight of tradition behind them, the Blue Jays are poised for an exciting campaign. Fans and opponents alike will be watching closely as Hopkins navigates its way through this demanding slate of games, aiming to add another chapter to their storied lacrosse history.
Men’s lacrosse: Johns Hopkins unveils 15-game schedule for 2023
By
Hub staff report
/
Published
Dec 9, 2022
Johns Hopkins’s 15-game men’s lacrosse schedule, unveiled Friday, includes eight games at Homewood Field, seven away games, and five consecutive Big Ten games to close the regular-season schedule, concluding with a game at rival Maryland on April 23.
The Blue Jays, 7-9 a year ago, face seven teams that participated in the NCAA tournament last season, including the defending national champion Terrapins. Hopkins will also host the Big Ten tournament semifinals and championship on May 4 and 6.
Final game times for several games and television schedules will be announced at a later date. In some instances, the schedule announced today notes the weekend on which a game will be played, but the exact date has not been finalized.
“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to play the most challenging schedule in the nation, and I believe that is evident in the 15-game schedule we’ve put together for the upcoming season,” Hopkins coach Pete Milliman said. “We continue to maintain some of the greatest rivalries in our sport, have added exciting new games, and will of course be challenged in league play.”
After a scrimmage at Homewood Field against Denver on Jan. 28, the Blue Jays will officially open the 2023 season at Jacksonville on Feb. 4, then kick off their home schedule on Feb. 11 against Georgetown.
Hopkins opens Big Ten play on March 25 or 26 at Michigan. As they have the last two years, all six teams in the Big Ten will qualify for the 2023 Big Ten tournament. The top two teams in the final league standing will earn a bye into the semifinals with the teams that finish third through sixth playing quarterfinal games on April 29.
As they have every year since 2006, all Johns Hopkins home games will air on the ESPN family of networks.
While that exact schedule has not been finalized, any games that do not air live on ESPNU will air live on ESPN+; the ESPN+ broadcasts will then air via tape delay on ESPNU, generally within 24 hours. Television schedules for away games will be announced when available. Games not available on TV will be streamed live by the host school.
Johns Hopkins 2023 men’s lacrosse schedule
Saturday, Jan. 28—Denver, noon (scrimmage)
Saturday, Feb. 4—at Jacksonville, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 11— Georgetown, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 14—North Carolina, 5 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 18—at Loyola Maryland, noon
Saturday, Feb. 25—Utah, noon
Saturday, March 4—Saint Joseph’s, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, March 7—Virginia, 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 11—at Syracuse, 4 p.m.
Friday, March 17—at Navy, 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 19—Delaware, 7 p.
m.
Saturday, March 25—at Michigan, TBD
Saturday, April 1—Rutgers, 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 8—at Penn State, TBD
Saturday, April 15—Ohio State, 2 p.m.
Saturday, April 22—at Maryland, TBD
Posted in Athletics
Tagged men’s lacrosse
No. 17 Ohio State, No. 7 Johns Hopkins Meet Saturday in Baltimore – Ohio State Buckeyes
ADDITIONAL INFO: Ohio State Lacrosse Stadium | Schedule | Roster
No. 17 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Johns Hopkins
Date: Saturday, April 15
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Venue: Homewood Field
Watch: ESPNU
Live Stats: HopkinsSports.com
Rosters: Ohio State | Johns Hopkins
Stats: Ohio State | Johns Hopkins
Game Notes: Ohio State | Johns Hopkins
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No.
17 Ohio State men’s lacrosse team travels to Baltimore, Md. this weekend to take on No. 7 Johns Hopkins Saturday at Homewood Field. The Buckeyes (5-6, 1-2 B1G) and Blue Jays (9-4, 2-1 B1G) faceoff at 2 p.m. ET.
The game will be televised on ESPNU with Joe Beninati and Mark Dixon on the call.
Briefly on the Buckeyes
- Saturday’s contest is the first of two road games Ohio State has to close the 2023 regular season.
- Forty-four Buckeyes were named Ohio State Scholar-Athletes on Monday for earning a grade-point average of 3.00 or higher. Jack Myers was also named a finalist for the Big Ten Medal of Honor at the awards ceremony.
- The Buckeyes boast one of the toughest schedules in the NCAA this season, facing eight ranked opponents in 11 games. The team is 15th in the RPI and has already played seven teams in the top-10.
- Twenty-six players have recorded a point this season for Ohio State, including 21 with at least one goal on the year.
Seven players have recorded 10 or more points. - Ohio State ranks second in the Big Ten on the extra man advantage, converting 45.2% in man-up situations.
- Jack Myers and Ed Shean are tied for the team lead in points with 32.
- Myers has recorded a team-high 18 assists and scored 13 goals for Ohio State. He is sixth in the league in assists per game (1.64).
- Shean has tallied a team-high 24 goals this year. He’s also dished seven assists this season for the Buckeyes. He is tied for sixth in the Big Ten in goals per game (2.18).
- Kyle Borda (18), Dillon Magee (11) and Colby Smith (11) have also recorded over 10 goals for Ohio State this year. Borda leads the offense with six goals and nine points in conference play.
- Skylar Wahlund has started all 11 games in goal for the Buckeyes. He has a save percentage of .481 on the year with 113 saves this year and is fourth in the league with a 10.27 goals against average.
- Wahlund leads the team with 35 ground balls on the year, followed by Cullen Brown with 24.
- Marcus Hudgins leads the team with 14 caused turnovers on the year. His 1.27 caused turnovers per game rank fourth in the conference.
Seven players have recorded 10 or more points.
Last Time Out
- Ohio State and Maryland battled to overtime last Friday, with the Terrapins coming out on top, 12-11.
- The Buckeyes led by as many as five goals in the game, thanks to a five-goal game from Ed Shean, but were unable to hold off Maryland in the end.
- Skylar Wahlund posted eight saves for the Buckeyes.
- Ari Allen recorded his first points of the year with two assists in the game.
- The teams played in front of a record crowd of 2,456 at the Ohio State Lacrosse Stadium in the regular season home finale.
History vs. Johns Hopkins
- Ohio State is currently on a four-game win streak against Johns Hopkins.
- In the Big Ten era of the series, the Buckeyes hold a 6-4 advantage over the Blue Jays.
- Six of the last seven games between the teams have been decided by three or less goals.
- Ohio State has left Homewood Field victorious in its last two trips.
Up Next
The Buckeyes will play at Michigan on April 21 at 8 p.m. to close the regular season. The game will be televised on Big Ten Network.
#GoBucks
reasons how to adjust graphics and improve performance, good games for a weak computer
Technology
And keep the locations looking decent
Yuri Kulagin
plays at maximum speed
Modern video games are becoming more beautiful, more realistic and… harder.
Powerful gaming PCs still somehow cope with them, but owners of working laptops and outdated computers have to sacrifice something: either performance goes under the knife for the sake of high resolution, or image quality – otherwise the number of frames per second cannot be increased. But here you can find a balance, and the secret lies in the correct graphics settings.
In this article, we will tell you which options you can sacrifice and not notice the difference, and which ones are better to touch at a minimum so as not to spoil the impression of the game with poor-quality visuals.
What you will learn from this material
- Why the game can slow down
- How to improve performance without much loss in graphics quality
- How to adjust anti-aliasing
- How to improve performance, but lose quality
- Good games for a weak computer
9002 3 How to squeeze a little more
Why a game can slow down
Performance in video games is usually measured by FPS values - frames per second. This is the frame rate, that is, the number of frames per second. The higher the FPS, the smoother the picture.
During the game, the FPS values change: if the load on the computer increases in a more complex game scene, the number of frames per second drops. The human eye picks up the slightest changes in the frame rate: we perceive a sharp decrease in the level as those very “brakes”.
Let me explain with an example. Let’s say you’re exploring a game level where nothing is happening – FPS is consistently high. Then a dynamic scene with a bunch of special effects begins, and the frame rate drops because the load on the PC increases dramatically. The action on the screen becomes more ragged and jerky, which is annoying.
To avoid stuttering, it is customary in games to limit the FPS “ceiling”, even though the computer may give higher values from time to time. The eye gets used to a certain frame rate, so a low but stable FPS is more pleasant than a “floating” one.
There are two ways to achieve a stable FPS: either lower the graphics settings so that the computer can easily give out 60 FPS, or make them moderately medium or even high – but set a limit of 30 FPS. In the first case, the image will be smooth, but not too detailed, and in the second case, it will be more detailed and clear, but at the same time more jerky.
60 FPS
The unspoken standard for frames per second.
If the game is very demanding, a stable 30 FPS is enough
The more powerful the machine, the more FPS it can handle. But the demands of games are growing every year: computers that were the most powerful a few years ago no longer work so well with modern gameplay. For example, on the top PC for 2014 (i7 4770k, GTX 980, 16 GB RAM), the recent Cyberpunk 2077 can slow down: to avoid this, the player will have to tinker with graphics settings that will increase performance.
There are comic experiments on the Internet to radically degrade graphics. The picture becomes absolutely unacceptable, but even a prehistoric PC can pull it. The game in the screenshot is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Source: youtube.com
30 FPS is enough if you are playing a story-driven or cinematic game: the image quality will be better and the gameplay will not suffer. But some games are designed for at least 60 FPS – for example, multiplayer shooters Counter-Strike or Call of Duty, where reaction speed is important.
Comparison of the minimum and maximum graphics settings in Forza Horizon 4. Source: youtube.com
There is no point in raising the graphics above 60 frames per second: most monitors simply cannot reproduce the FPS higher. The fact is that each display also has a screen refresh rate, which is often 60 Hz: this means that the picture on the display is updated 60 times per second. Accordingly, if the frame rate is higher than the screen refresh rate, the monitor simply will not see the difference.
Some graphics settings are resource-intensive, while others are not. Moreover, lowering some parameters may have almost no effect on the quality of the picture, but remove the notorious “brakes”.
For example, options for highlights, shadows and reflections. They greatly affect performance, but their changes are not always noticeable on the screen – some scenes will only lose beautiful highlights and midtones.
Below I have listed the most common graphics settings in order of their impact on graphics quality.
Lossless settings usually free up a lot of FPS, but don’t spoil the picture much. And where it is indicated “With noticeable losses” or “Squeeze a little more”, you will have to make compromises.
It is important to remember that tips may not be suitable for all games: graphics work differently in different projects. The effect of changing parameters can be either weaker or much stronger. To be sure of the result and not spend a lot of time setting up, you can use a special guide for a specific game – for example, for Cyberpunk 2077.
But not all games have ready-made solutions. This article will help you set up the game yourself, taking into account the capabilities of a particular computer. Here’s what you can sacrifice for the sake of performance without losing quality – or intentionally degrading the image.
NO LOSS
background shading
In the English interface: ambient occlusion
What loads: video card
Background shading makes the lighting in the game scene more realistic.
Objects cast shadows where there are obstacles in the way of light: details in the corners or in the environment of other objects become darker, and everything that is exposed to light sources becomes lighter.
Shading is most noticeable indoors, so for open world games, this effect can be turned off or at least set to the lowest value.
Background dimming settings can be hidden behind different abbreviations in the game interface. SSAO is the oldest dimming technique, HBAO/HBAO+ is newer but more demanding and only suitable for Nvidia graphics cards, and HDAO is similar to HBAO but for AMD graphics cards.
| SSAO is enabled. Game – Control. Source: nvidia.com | SSAO is disabled. Pay attention to the light near the feet. Source: nvidia.com |
SSAO included. Game – Control. Source: nvidia.com SSAO is disabled. Pay attention to the light near the feet. Source: nvidia.com
NO LOSS
Shadows
In the English interface: shadows
What loads: video card
If you turn off the shadows completely, there is a risk of getting too “flat” picture.
But you can set them to a medium or low value: then the game will start to work noticeably faster, and the shadows themselves will also remain, except that their edges will look sharper or insignificant shading in the distance will disappear.
High quality shadows. Source: nvidia.com Poor shadow quality. There is not much difference – it is visible only by the lack of shading under the trees: this is easiest to notice on the large stone in the center of the picture. Source: nvidia.com Shadow quality is average. The game is Destiny 2. Source: nvidia.com Poor shadow quality. The shadow on the trees in the middle and behind disappeared. Source: nvidia.com
NO LOSS
Reflections
In the English interface: reflections
Loads: video card and processor
Reflections are one of the most resource-intensive effects. But medium and low reflection settings are often not that different from high ones, and the difference in performance is significant.
The secret is that developers often “bake” reflections – that is, they preload them into the textures of the desired surfaces so as not to load the system. Even if you completely disable this option, some mirror surfaces still retain their properties.
| The maximum parameter of reflections. The game is Rise of the Tomb Raider. Source: nvidia.com | Reflections are off. Only part of the mirror surface on the water disappeared. Source: nvidia.com |
Maximum reflection parameter. The game is Rise of the Tomb Raider. Source: nvidia.com Reflections off. Only part of the mirror surface on the water disappeared. Source: nvidia.com
NO LOSS
Motion blur
In the English interface: motion blur
What loads: video card
Motion blur is a trendy effect that blurs the image during sharp blows, turns and other action to make the gameplay look dynamic. This technique does not look good in all games, and many players prefer to turn it off altogether and get up to 10 additional frames per second in return.
Another problem with motion blur is that the effect only looks good at high FPS: if the computer slows down, disable this setting in the first place.
Blur enabled. The game is Destiny 2. Source: nvidia.com Blur is off – the feeling of speed is gone, but otherwise the graphics look great. Source: nvidia.com
With noticeable losses
Smoothing
What loads: video card and processor
Anti-aliasing is an important and complex parameter: depending on the method by which the computer will process the image, the maximum anti-aliasing settings can either worsen or improve performance.
I don’t recommend disabling anti-aliasing completely: this option removes “ladders” from the game – ribbed lines that appear due to the square shape of pixels. Objects located exactly vertically and horizontally look smooth, but the slightest deviation causes the pixels to line up in a kind of “steps”. And in motion, these “ladders” also flicker – this is distracting.
Anti-aliasing blurs the colors of the pixels around the “ladders” to mask sharp transitions. Source: adobe.com
I’ll tell you about the main types of anti-aliasing that can be found in games, and how to set them up correctly.
SSAA, or super-sampling anti-aliasing, is the heaviest anti-aliasing method: it processes objects at a higher resolution.
For example, if you have a 1080p display, with SSAA enabled, the graphics card can render objects in 4K and then upscale them back to FullHD. It looks very nice, but only the most powerful PCs can digest this setting, so SSAA is increasingly being discontinued in games.
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SSAA is the best option if you want to play an old game: it will require few resources, so anti-aliasing will not hurt, and the image will be pleasing to the eye.
Comparison of disabled anti-aliasing and SSAA. The game is Half-Life 2. Source: ignboards.
com
MSAA, or multisampling anti-aliasing – “multiple anti-aliasing sampling”, works on the same principle as SSAA, but is not applied to the entire frame, but only to that its part where the engine notices “ladders”. The system loads less, it looks good, but exactly until the moment when grass, hair and other small objects appear on the screen: MSAA does not always cope with them.
No smoothing – pay attention to the wires and the front sight. The game is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Source: media-xyz.com MSAA listed. Source: media-xyz.com
TAA, or temporal anti-aliasing, analyzes consecutive frames to avoid object flicker. It works well in static episodes, since the scene hardly changes, but during the action, the load on the system greatly increases – the picture may turn out to be too “soapy”.
No smoothing: pay attention to the wires. Source: media-xyz.com TAA included. Source: media-xyz.com
FXAA, or fast approximate anti-aliasing – “fast approximate anti-aliasing”, determines the most contrasting boundaries between pixels and blurs them.
However, even those contrasting areas where there are no “ladders” are blurred, so the picture becomes very soapy. But FXAA requires a minimum of resources.
FXAA solved the problem with “ladders”, but blurred the picture. Source: radeonpro.info
MLAA, or morphological anti-aliasing, recognizes contrasting areas with patterns in the shape of the letters Z, U and L and blurs them. This is a slightly more advanced analogue of FXAA, which uses the resources of the processor, not the video card.
How MLAA works. Source: intel.ru
SMAA, or subpixel morphological anti-aliasing – “improved subpixel morphological anti-aliasing”, works on the basis of MLAA, but additionally connects supersampling to restore clarity to the image. This anti-aliasing option uses color information to better recognize the edges of objects, but it also wastes more computer resources: the video card is also involved in the work. The result is better than the classic SSAA and MSAA, but the algorithm is a little slower.
Comparison of a picture without anti-aliasing and with it. Source: b44.ru
Nvidia DLSS 2.0, or deep learning super sampling, is one of the latest and most innovative types of anti-aliasing. It is based on a neural network, which is pre-trained on tens of thousands of frames of reference images.
It not only “cleans” the image from ladders, but also significantly increases the number of frames per second. That is, this type of anti-aliasing does not worsen performance, but, on the contrary, improves it.
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This is because the neural network also artificially increases the resolution: the computer does not have to spend resources on actually rendering the picture. If the machine can’t render “native” 4K resolution, only FullHD, DLSS can pull up what it turns out to almost the same 4K.
Sorry, DLSS is only available on Nvidia RTX 2060 series graphics cards and above.
Comparison of a picture without DLSS and with it – in the same resolution. In the upper right corner is the FPS counter. Source: nvidia.com
With noticeable losses
Vertical Sync
In the English interface: V-Sync
What loads: video card
V-sync forces FPS to be limited to the screen refresh rate. If the screen cannot display more than 60 FPS, the video card will not work in vain, and there will be no “tears” in the picture – glued parts of two different frames.
Usually tears appear in the background and are difficult to see, but sometimes objects in the foreground can also be cut. Source: medium.com
But V-Sync is a resource intensive option. If the FPS is not enough, you can turn it off: the stability of the picture will improve, and tears may not appear.
With noticeable losses
Texture quality
In the English interface: texture quality
What loads: video card
The parameter is responsible for the quality of all textures in the game.
The higher the value, the “cleaner” the picture, and vice versa – at low values, the image becomes too soapy.
It makes sense to set textures to high quality only if the video card has a large amount of video memory – otherwise, clearer, and hence heavy textures will not have time to load. Depending on the game, it is worth experimenting with the settings – the picture may remain acceptable even with the minimum quality setting.
There are three levels of texture quality in the picture: low, medium and high. It will no longer be possible to read the text at low, but medium and high differ slightly. Source: playground.ru
With noticeable losses
Lighting quality
In the English interface: lighting quality
What loads: graphics card
Lighting quality affects all light sources in the game: from a candle on a table to car headlights. The parameter makes the picture many times more realistic – each virtual light bulb illuminates its own part of the space, adds the necessary highlights, the play of light and shadow.
But the maximum lighting settings can reduce the FPS value by 20-30 frames.
It’s hard to give universal advice on lighting settings: in each game, this parameter changes the picture in different ways. But at the very least, you should abandon the “ultra” and “very high” settings: the most unusual and rare sources of illumination, such as the light from the moon and the lighter in the character’s hands, will stop working, but the frame rate will increase.
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The lower the parameter level, the more it is noticeable on the screen: for example, in the PC version of Days Gone, many accompanying effects, such as reflections and shadows, disappear already at medium settings.
| Minimum lighting settings. The game is Gears of War 4. Source: nvidia.com | Maximum lighting settings: glare appeared, and objects became brighter. Source: nvidia.com |
Minimum lighting settings.
The game is Gears of War 4. Source: nvidia.com Maximum lighting settings: glare has appeared, and objects have become brighter. Source: nvidia.com
With noticeable losses
Volumetric lighting and fog
In the English interface: volumetric lighting/fog
What loads: video card
The effect is responsible for the beautiful rendering of fog, smoke, dust and light that passes through the particles. Volumetric lighting can seriously load the system – so it makes sense to turn it off if it does not change the picture much. If everything becomes bad without it, it is worth switching from high settings to medium ones: the difference between them is usually almost imperceptible.
| Volumetric lighting is disabled. The game is Rise of the Tomb Raider. Source: nvidia.com | Volumetric lighting on: more atmospheric, but this effect can be sacrificed if the game slows down. Source: nvidia.com |
Volumetric lighting disabled.
The game is Rise of the Tomb Raider. Source: nvidia.com Volumetric lighting on: more atmospheric, but this effect can be sacrificed if the game slows down. Source: nvidia.com
With noticeable losses
Render distance
In the English interface: draw distance
What loads: processor and RAM
The draw distance is responsible for the distance at which the player sees the details of the location: bushes, trees, grass and buildings. In games with large and open locations, this parameter is especially important: otherwise the hills in the distance will lose their vegetation, and objects will sometimes appear right under your nose.
But draw distance hits performance hard: it takes a lot of resources to draw an entire location to the horizon. Therefore, if the game mainly offers closed locations, the draw distance can be sacrificed.
In some games, such as Minecraft, when the draw distance is low, part of the location is hidden by fog
With noticeable losses
Vegetation detail
In the English interface: vegetation detail, terrain decoration
What loads: processor and video card
Vegetation detail controls the processing of trees and foliage.
The optimal setting of the parameter depends on the specific game, but setting it to the very minimum is not worth it – otherwise the dense forest runs the risk of turning into a clearing with a couple of bushes.
The higher the vegetation detail settings in Battlefield 3, the thicker and more varied the grass on the screen. Source: youtube.com
With noticeable losses
Ray tracing
In the English interface: ray tracing
What loads: video card
Ray tracing is the most relevant and at the same time unbearable graphic trend of recent years. Tracing imitates the real propagation of light – the path of rays, their reflection from surfaces, shadows and highlights that occur in the process. The main feature of ray tracing is the physical simulation of light and reflections, and not their imitation, as in the previous settings.
Computer games are said to be addictive. Is it true?
If the computer slows down during the game, then it is better to turn off all settings that have the abbreviation RT in their names immediately.
However, usually games do not allow them to be enabled at all – only Nvidia RTX series video cards support tracing.
Minecraft without ray tracing. Source: nvidia.com Minecraft with ray tracing. It looks nice, but it can be difficult for a computer to handle this effect. Source: nvidia.com
Squeeze a little more
Particles
In the English interface: particles
What loads: processor
Particles are the effects of explosions, fire and spells. The higher this parameter, the more sparks, chips and dust will be, so the setting here is simple: if the game starts to slow down in dynamic scenes, try to gradually reduce the quality of the particles.
| Maximum particle quality. The game is Tom Clancy’s The Division. Source: nvidia.com | Minimum quality. Note that artifacts have appeared: through the smoke you can see the reflection of the glass of the truck behind. Source: nvidia. com |
Maximum particle quality. The game is Tom Clancy’s The Division. Source: nvidia.com Minimum quality. Note that artifacts have appeared: through the smoke you can see the reflection of the glass of the truck behind. Source: nvidia.com
Squeeze a little more
Distance of shadows from vegetation
In English: foliage shadows distance
What loads: processor and video card
The parameter controls the distance at which grass and tree crowns begin to cast shadows. It is not found in all games, but if such an item is in the settings, you can turn it to a minimum: this will add a few frames per second, and the picture quality will hardly change.
| Maximum shadow distance from vegetation. The game is Destiny 2. Source: nvidia.com | Minimum shadow distance. Source: nvidia.com |
Maximum shadow distance from vegetation. Game – Destiny 2.
Source: nvidia.com Minimum shadow range. Source: nvidia.com
Squeeze a little more
Texture memory size, texture pool
In the English interface: texture pool
What loads: video card
The parameter does not affect the quality of textures, only the frequency of their loading. If you feel that the video card is not coping – brakes happen, the pool can be safely set to a minimum. This will reduce the load, but from time to time there may be blurry textures that have not yet loaded.
Squeeze a little more
Permission
In English: resolution
Loading: video card
Changing the resolution is a serious compromise that sometimes has to be made for the sake of performance. Of course, everyone loves when a game makes the most of the screen, especially when it comes to a new 4K monitor. But graphics output in 4K resolution (3840×2160) loads the system much more than in the usual FullHD (1920×1080).
If you already have FullHD, lowering the resolution is even more risky: the picture can become very blurry. In this case, some games have additional options.
Resolution scaling or resolution rendering leaves the interface – menu, text, health bar – in the “real” resolution, and the game world itself is processed in a reduced one. For example, if you set the scaling to 85%, then all the inscriptions and elements important for perception will remain clear, and the game itself will become more “blurred” – but it will free up system resources.
How much you earn if you buy shares of its developer instead of a computer game. If the adaptive resolution checkbox is enabled, the engine maintains a minimum number of frames per second at the cost of lowering the resolution in the most “heavy” scenes: when something explodes, burns, spells fly everywhere.
Usually the player can set the minimum FPS himself, but you need to remember that the higher the desired bar, the more blurry the image will be.
Squeeze a little more
Viewing angle
In the English interface: field of view, FOV
What loads: processor
A large viewing angle is useful in multiplayer games, and in others it can be painlessly reduced to 70 degrees. This will help increase performance: even a relatively low value of 90 degrees forces the engine to process a lot more objects in the frame.
It’s better not to make it even smaller: at low FOV values, some players start to get motion sickness.
Viewing angle – 105 degrees. The game is Destiny 2. Source: nvidia.com Viewing angle is 85 degrees. Source: nvidia.com
Squeeze a little more
Depth of field
In the English interface: depth of field
What loads: video card
Depth of field simulates focusing and blurring the background – just like on real cameras. In games that emphasize story and setting, this effect adds charm to important scenes and helps focus the player’s attention.
But since this is only an imitation of focus, it does not always look convincing and in some cases it hits performance hard. So you can safely set the depth of field to a minimum and win about 5 frames per second – or turn it off completely, if you prefer.
Depth of field enabled. The game is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Source: nvidia.com Depth of field is off. Source: nvidia.com
Bonus
5 good games that will run smoothly even on a weak computer
If you dream of playing a specific game, but your computer can’t handle it, you will have to understand the settings and spend hours trying to find the perfect balance between graphics and performance. But sometimes you just want to play on the computer and not think about anything. In this case, we have collected games that work without problems even on old and not very powerful machines:
- Hades – the graphics are made in the style of animation, and therefore do not load the system.
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an old but time-tested game.
- Minecraft – easy to customize for any system.
- Into the Breach – made in pixel style, a powerful PC is not needed.
- Cities: Skylines is not exactly demanding, but still a beautiful city builder.
Weak Dollar Pushes Bitcoin To $30.7K As Analysts Think BTC Dominates 60%0001
Bitcoin (BTC) hit 48-hour highs overnight on May 20 as weakness in the US dollar gave bulls a much-needed respite.
BTC/USD 1-hour candlestick chart (Bitstamp). Source: TradingView
Dollar strength declines after 20 year high
Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView data recorded a high of $30,725 for BTC/USD on Bitstamp.
Still trying to turn over $30,000 as credible support, the pair nevertheless avoided a deeper pullback, helping to assuage fears that last week’s capitulation event at $23,800 was not a bottom.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) provided data on the dollar index. The US dollar index (DXY) served as a backdrop for the relatively strong performance of bitcoin, which, breaking away from two-decade highs, fell by 2% in a week.
This seems to have eased the pressure on equity markets a little: the S&P 500 ended May 19 down a more modest 0.58% from the previous week, the Nasdaq 100 down.
1-hour candlestick chart of the US dollar index (DXY). Source:
While the largest cryptocurrency floats more than 50% below its all-time highs, it has punished those who came to the market late, one analyst noted.
“Today, newbies who entered the market last year are losing -34%,” Ki Yang Ju, CEO of analytics platform CryptoQuant, wrote in a series of tweets.
Key highlighted a graph of unspent transaction output (UTXO) bands showing the age of the investment. According to him, those who previously experienced only one “bear cycle” are now down 39%, while older coins are still in profit.
“So here is hope for the bears. If $BTC collapses this much due to the macro crisis and all bitcoin institutions are under water, it could reach $14K based on the historical MDD,” he added.
As reported by Cointelegraph, multiple predictions of a significant BTC price pullback continue to circulate, some of them below $14,000.
