Low draw distance in ALL games

[RageKage14]

I recently build a new computer. Specs are as follows.

CPU: Intel i3 4150
Mobo: MSI H81m-p33
RAM. G.Skill Sniper 8GB (4x2)
GPU: MSI Radeon R9 280x
PSU: Seasonic 620w 80+ Bronze modular
HDD: 1TB WD Black
Windows 8.1 Pro

The problem is, in every single game I play, there is a theoretical circle extremely close around the player character where everything looks fine. However, when moving, shadows and textures seem to "pop" into view or become clearer at an extremely close distance which is really disorienting. It also means that far away objects are low quality and have no antialiasing even with AA and texture quality are maxed. This makes the games really ugly.

These are some examples, although not my videos.

http://youtu.be/A8887OtQpyg

http://youtu.be/OAVeqt4Pkl0 (from a PS4 game but looks exactly like my problem)

http://youtu.be/WUNegdQAots

Now, I've looked for a solution online but everyone just says "it's the game" "that's how games do LOD". However, on my brother's computer (Athlon II x4 and Radeon HD5770) despite playing the same game at the same part with the same graphics settings, he does not have the draw distance issue that I do. I get a higher framerate, but he has significantly higher image quality.

There's no way it can just be the game if the draw distance is better on a weaker machine. I am up to date on my drivers and have tested the ram, CPU and GPU with no errors. I have no idea why this is happening.

 

[dwatterworth]

Are you both gaming on identical resolution monitors? I've had a similar issue when using a lower resolution monitor vs a higher resolution one.

 

[RageKage14]

Yes, they are both identical resolution monitors at 1920x1080.

Also, I've tried forcing settings in Catalyst Control center but the problem looks the same whether I have filtering and AA forced to max or set to use application settings.

 

[dwatterworth]

That's really strange for sure. You said you have the latest drivers, have you done a complete driver uninstall and then reinstall with the newest non-beta drivers?

Have you tried running with everything in game set to low or none for filtering and aa?

I'd also try reinstalling direct x if it is across all games.

 

[RageKage14]

I have the latest directx installed. The problem persists no matter what settings I put the game on.

I tried searching the internet for a solution and there are threads about it on other forums with people having the exact same issue and those threads are always left dead without a solution being found. I know I'm not the only one who has experienced this, and I wish I could find a solution.

 

[dwatterworth]

Any chance you can try another GPU in your machine or if there is a rig you can try your GPU in?

 

[RageKage14]

I bought a video card from Best Buy just to try out then return, an XFX 280x. The problem is still the same. I don't have another setup to put my GPU in, though.

 

[dwatterworth]

Past a full removal and reinstall of all the drivers and direct x, if you've run through all the option combinations, I would go to a backup and reinstall. Looking at all the other instances of the problem, that's the only occasional fix that I see from other people.

 

[RageKage14]

Reinstall what? Windows?

 

[dwatterworth]

Yep, a clean install. If the hardware isn't the direct problem since you tried another GPU, and a uninstall and reinstall of all the drivers and components doesn't produce any changes along with trying all the setting option configurations, that would be the next step.

 

[RageKage14]

I will try that later and report back.

 

[RageKage14]

I reinstalled Windows and the problem persisted. I installed Windows 7 which my old computer without the problem was on, and the problem is still there.

 

[RageKage14]

So yeah, I have no idea what to do.

 

[RageKage14]

Is it a lost cause? I'm considering just returning every part and starting over.

 

[dwatterworth]

Sorry for the late reply, I got in to work a bit late. I don't think you would need to return every part, but like what you said, it seems to be very specific lines or generations of each product. If completely fresh drivers and stock settings didn't fix it, I'm at a loss too.

Sorry to run you through these hunts for the problem, any chance best buy had a different card than the 280x? Nvidia 770/760 or something so you can try a completely different GPU architecture?

 

[RageKage14]

They have a GTX 760. I'm desperate at this point, so I will try that.

 

[RageKage14]

Alright, so, I tried the GTX 760 and the problem is the same. I had already RMA'd my CPU so Amazon sent me a new one in the mail, I popped in the brand new i3 and the problem is still there.

 

[dwatterworth]

Damn, there aren't many more things that are possible...this is so strange, all the parts that are related to those processes have been changed! Any chance you have a different video card to display cord type, hdmi, dvi, vga, different ones of each, try them all if possible or even a second display or TV?

 

[RageKage14]

I acidentally clicked best answer, the problem isn't solved.

I tried a different display and different ports, no change.

 

[dwatterworth]

Unchecked the best answer. Looking into other possible causes from the parts that haven't changed. Like you said, plenty of people experiencing it with not many solutions, especially solutions that are consistent.

 

[dwatterworth]

Have you recorded CPU and GPU usage at all in the games the low draw distance is happening in?

 

[RageKage14]

I haven't, because my thinking was that it's not the CPU or GPU.

 

[RageKage14]

The worst part isn't even the textures popping up right in my face. It seems like because every game is determining my LOD should be a lot closer than normal, objects at any sort of distance look low quality and no AA. I can put MSAA at 8x in the options and things still look like a jaggy mess at range. I'm playing Shadow of Mordor at 60fps, but the game looks so much uglier than what it's supposed to.

 

[dwatterworth]

I'd record the CPU and GPU usage, I wanted to know if one was fully loaded while the other wasn't, meaning a bottleneck was occurring.

 

[RageKage14]

I found out that a more specific name for the problem I'm having is "Texture Shimmering".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlg4C0_3fUM

In addition to the problem in the video is the poor draw distance.