| BASIC GAME INFORMATION |
We tested the game Stormgate at maximum graphics settings with GeForce RTX and Radeon RX series video cards. During our tests, we also assessed the performance and quality of the graphics display of the game itself.
| NEW PRODUCTS PROVIDED FOR TESTS BY ASUS |
In our review we present you with the motherboard ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming Wi-Fi. ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi includes 4 DDR5 DIMM modules with a maximum capacity of up to 64 gigabytes and a frequency of up to 6400 MHz. For the file subsystem, the motherboard supports 3 M.2 PCIe 5.0/4.0 x4 slots and 4 SATA 6 Gb/s ports. You can directly view the testing of this motherboard on our website.
In our review we present you with motherboards ASUS Z790-A GAMING DDR4. We use this motherboard as a test bench for testing new generations of processors. Intel.
This time the company’s top video card is participating in our test. ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4070 Ti OC. The GeForce RTX 4070 Ti is based on the AD104 GPU and features 7680 CUDA cores and 12GB of GDDR6X memory. Test this video cards on our website.
This time the company’s top video card is participating in our test. ASUS TUF Gaming Radeon RX 7900 XT OC Edition 20 GB.. This video card is based on the RDNA 3 architecture, operates at a frequency of 2500 MHz and has 20 gigabytes of video memory.
| NEW PRODUCTS PROVIDED FOR TESTS BY GIGABYTE |
In our review we present you with the motherboard Gigabyte X670E AORUS PRO X. We use this motherboard as a test bench for testing new generations of processors. AMD.
Its testing on our website.
| NEW, SUPPLIED FOR TEST BY KINGSTON |
In our review we used RAM: 32 GB DDR4 3600 CL16 Kingston FURY Renegade, 32 GB DDR4 4000 CL18 Kingston FURY Renegade,32 GB DDR5 6000 Kingston FURY Renegade, 16 GB DDR4 4600 CL19 Kingston FURY Renegade и 32 GB DDR5 7200 Kingston FURY Renegade. And for game tests we use an external Kingston XS2000 Portable SSD 1TB.
In our review we used RAM Kingston Fury Renegade DDR5 48GB 7200MHz. Her review is available at this link.
In our review, for the full variety of our test benches, we use SSD drives Kingston KC600 256GB 2.5″ SATAIII 3D NAND TLC и SSD drive Kingston NV3 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 , which are an ideal choice for use when there are a large number of components.
| THE GRAFICAL PART |
This subsection of our review highlights the main graphical aspects of this game. Particular attention is paid to the version of the graphics engine used, the version of the API used, graphic settings and the quality of development of the main visual aspects.
| Supported OS and Graphics API |
stormgate supports modern operating systems and graphics APIs:
- OS: Windows 10+ (64-bit)
- Graphics APIs:DirectX 11
Stormgate System Requirements
Minimum system requirements
- Operating system: Windows 10+ (64-bit)
- Processor: 6 cores, 2.3 GHz
- RAM: 16 GB RAM
- Video card: GeForce GTX 1060
- DirectX: Version 11
- Disk space: 15 GB available space
Recommended System Requirements
- Operating system: Windows 10+ (64-bit)
- Processor: 8 cores, 3 GHz
- RAM: 16 GB RAM
- Video card:GeForce RTX 2060
- DirectX: Version 11
- Disk space: 15 GB available space
| DEVELOPMENT HISTORY |
stormgate is an ambitious real-time strategy game from Frost Giant Studios, which was founded in 2020 by former Blizzard developers responsible for such legendary games as Warcraft III и StarCraft II. The idea for the game came about as a response to the lull in the real-time strategy (RTS) genre, which has seen no major releases in recent years. The developers set themselves the goal of creating a game that could breathe new life into the RTS genre, offering players both familiar elements and innovative mechanics.
Announcement stormgate took place in 2022 at the Summer Game Fest, where the game immediately attracted the attention of both genre veterans and new players interested in the revival of classic strategies. Frost Giant Studios actively used community feedback to improve the project at all stages of development. The main focus was on creating a game accessible to all types of players – both eSports athletes and those who just want to enjoy the single-player campaign or cooperative modes.
The game’s campaign will take place in the distant future, where humanity has encountered an alien race known as the Infernals. Players will fight epic battles, controlling both mechanized armies and futuristic technology, which will give the game a variety of units and tactics. In addition to traditional battles, stormgate will also offer co-op campaigns and online battles with a ranking and league system, making the game attractive for eSports.
One of the most important aspects of the development is the creation of a unique balancing system between classic RTS and modern network capabilities. Frost Giant set itself the task of creating a game that would offer depth and complexity for hardcore players, but at the same time would be accessible to beginners. This is achieved through intuitive interfaces, a flexible control system and a variety of game modes. At the same time, network capabilities include support for clans, custom games, tournaments and integration with major streaming platforms.
| GRAPHICS |
Graphic component stormgate takes it to the next level with a powerful engine Unreal Engine 5, which became a real revolution in the industry. Unreal Engine 5 provides extensive capabilities for rendering and simulating graphics in real time. Using this engine allowed developers to create huge maps with a high degree of detail, where players can enjoy not only the variety of units, but also the environment. With support for 4K resolution and advanced lighting and shadow systems, every scene in the game looks lively and dynamic.
One of the key features of the graphics stormgate became the integration of the particle system Niagara. This system allows for complex particle effects such as explosions, magic attacks, and atmospheric effects to be created without the need for complex programming. This allows artists to work more freely and make changes to visual effects more quickly. This way, every magic strike or projectile in the game not only has physical interaction with objects, but also looks like an impressive visual show.
Additionally, stormgate supports environment deformation systems and object physics, allowing players to feel the real impact of combat on the map. Impacts and explosions will destroy walls, leave craters and modify the landscape, which adds depth to the gameplay and creates unpredictable conditions for battles. Frost Giant also worked on unit animations, allowing them to move smoothly and naturally, even in large-scale battles, while maintaining high performance.
| GAME ENGINE |
To create a unique gameplay experience, Frost Giant Studios developed its own engine SnowPlay, which is responsible for all in-game mechanics and network interactions. Unlike Unreal Engine 5, which is used for the visual and graphical aspects of the game, SnowPlay focuses on gameplay mechanics, combat simulation, and network integration. This is a key element for an RTS, as it requires processing huge amounts of data in real time.
One of the key achievements of the SnowPlay engine is the ability to simulate thousands of units simultaneously, creating the feeling of large-scale battles. This system was specifically designed to maintain smooth gameplay, even with huge armies moving and fighting on the battlefield. SnowPlay also provides precise control of units, including their behavior, tactical actions, and interaction with the environment.
Another important feature of SnowPlay is its support netcode rollback — a network interaction system that minimizes delays and lags in online play. This technology predicts the actions of players and instantly corrects them in case of discrepancies. This provides incredibly responsive and dynamic gameplay in multiplayer modes, where every second is important for decision-making. Rollback netcode makes online matches smoother and less dependent on the quality of the Internet connection, which significantly improves network interaction and the possibilities of eSports competitions.
SnowPlay also supports integration with data analysis and artificial intelligence systems, allowing the game difficulty to be dynamically adjusted based on player skill. This is especially important in co-op modes and when creating custom matches, where you can adjust enemy strength and create unique scenarios for different types of players.
| DIFFERENT QUALITY MODES |
Minimum settings
At minimum graphics settings stormgate Players can expect basic texture quality, simple lighting and shadows. Visual effects such as explosions, magic and water movement may be less detailed. Distant objects in the frame may appear more blurry, and the overall atmosphere of the game will be more “flat”. This is done to ensure stable performance on devices with minimal resources.
Maximum settings
At maximum graphics settings, the game shows complete visual superiority. Textures become detailed, the environment is drawn with a high degree of detail, and objects at long distances remain clear. Light effects, shadows and reflections become more realistic, adding a cinematic effect to the game. This creates an immersive effect, where every detail of the environment and the actions of the characters becomes part of a living world.
| TEST PART |
| Test configuration | |
| test stands |
ROG Strix X570-E Gaming Z490 AORUS PROAX GIGABYTE Z590 VISION GIGABYTE Z690 AERO G GIGABYTE Z790 GAMING XAX MSI MPG Z790 Edge WiFi ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming Wi-Fi ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Encore |
| Sponsorship video cards |
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4070 Ti OC ASUS TUF Gaming Radeon RX 7900XT 20G Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 Ti GAMING OC |
| Multimedia equipment |
Monitor Philips 326M6VJRMB/00 Power supply ASUS TUF Gaming 750W Gold PSU 16 GB DDR4 4600 CL19 Kingston FURY Renegade 32 GB DDR4 3600 CL16 Kingston FURY Renegade 32 GB DDR4 4000 CL18 Kingston FURY Renegade 32 GB DDR5 5600 CL40 Kingston Fury Beast 32 GB DDR5 6000@6400 CL30 Kingston FURY Renegade 32 GB DDR5 7200@7600 CL36 Kingston FURY Renegade Kingston FURY Renegade PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD Kingston NV3 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 MPG CORELIQUID K240 housing Case DeepCool CH510 WH SVO DeepCool LS720 WH |
| Software configuration |
|
| Operating system | Windows 11 24H2 |
| Graphics driver |
Nvidia GeForce/ION Driver Release 560.94 WHQL AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 24.8.1 |
| Monitoring programs |
MSI Afterburner |
Our video cards were tested at different screen sizes 1920×1080, 2560×1440 и 3840×2160 with maximum graphics quality settings without upscales.
| GPU TEST |
In the video card test, the default resolution is 1920×1080; other resolutions are added and removed manually. You can also remove and add any positions of video cards. You can also select any of our test processors from the list in the drop-down menu, comparing its performance with the given video card tests (by default, the most productive solution is selected). The test is carried out on the most powerful CPU in this game and is scaled to other processors, taking into account their testing on NVIDIA and AMD video cards.
- Ultra
At 1920×1080 resolution:
- Average FPS (25 frames): Reached on video cards of the level of Radeon RX 6600 or GeForce RTX 2060.
- Minimum FPS (25 frames): Provide video cards at the level of Radeon RX 6600 or GeForce RTX 2060.
- Comfortable average FPS (60 frames): Possible with video cards of the Radeon RX 6600 or GeForce RTX 2060 level.
At 2560×1440 resolution:
- Average FPS (25 frames): Reached on video cards of the level of Radeon RX 6600 or GeForce RTX 2060.
- Minimum FPS (25 frames): Provide video cards at the level of Radeon RX 6600 or GeForce RTX 2060.
- Comfortable average FPS (60 frames): Possible with video cards of the Radeon RX 6750 XT or GeForce RTX 2060 level.
At 3840×2160 resolution:
- Average FPS (25 frames): Reached on video cards of the level of Radeon RX 6700 or GeForce RTX 2060.
- Minimum FPS (25 frames): Provide video cards at the level of Radeon RX 6800 or GeForce RTX 2060.
- Comfortable average FPS (60 frames): Possible with graphics cards of the level Radeon RX 7900 XTX or GeForce RTX 3080
| VIDEO MEMORY CONSUMPTION |
Testing of video memory consumed by the game was carried out by the program MSI Afterburner. The indicator was based on the results on video cards from AMD and NVIDIA with separate screen sizes 1920×1080, 2560×1440 and 3840×2160 with various anti-aliasing settings. By default, the graph displays the most current solutions. Other video cards are added and removed from the schedule at the request of the reader.
- Ultra
GameGPU
Resolution 1920×1080:
- Video cards with 8 GB of video memory: consume 3 GB
- Video cards with 12 GB of video memory: consume 3 GB
- Video cards with 16 GB of video memory: consume 3 GB
- Video cards with 24 GB of video memory: consume 3 GB
Resolution 2560×1440:
- Video cards with 8 GB of video memory: consume 4 GB
- Video cards with 12 GB of video memory: consume 4 GB
- Video cards with 16 GB of video memory: consume 4 GB
- Video cards with 24 GB of video memory: consume 4 GB
Resolution 3840×2160:
- Video cards with 8 GB of video memory: consume 5 GB
- Video cards with 12 GB of video memory: consume 5 GB
- Video cards with 16 GB of video memory: consume 5 GB
- Video cards with 24 GB of video memory: consume 5 GB
| CPU TEST |
Testing was carried out at a resolution of 1920×1080. In the processor test, you can remove or add any processor positions. You can also select any tested video card from the list in the drop-down menu, comparing its performance with the given processor test results (by default, the most productive solution from NVIDIA is selected). Testing takes place on the most powerful NVIDIA and AMD video cards and scales to low-end models.
- Ultra
When using NVIDIA video cards:
- Processors for acceptable FPS (not lower than 25 frames per second):
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100
- Intel Core i3-10100
- Processors for comfortable FPS (at least 60 frames per second):
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100
- Intel Core i3-10100
When using AMD video cards:
- Processors for acceptable FPS (not lower than 25 frames per second):
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100
- Intel Core i3-10100
- Processors for comfortable FPS (at least 60 frames per second):
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100
- Intel Core i3-10100
- Ultra
GameGPU
Loading and using streams:
- Maximum load: The game can load up to 16 streams.
- Optimal loading: Uses up to 8 threads as efficiently as possible.
| RAM TEST |
The test was carried out on the basic configuration of Core i 9 13900K with 32 GB DDR5 6400 MHz pre-installed memory. All used RAM was taken as an indicator. The RAM test on the entire system was carried out on various video cards without launching third-party applications (browsers, etc.). In the graphics, you can add and remove any resolutions and video cards as desired.
- Ultra
GameGPU
Resolution 1920×1080:
- Video cards with 8 GB of video memory: consume 12 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 12 GB of video memory: consume 12 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 16 GB of video memory: consume 12 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 24 GB of video memory: consume 12 GB of RAM
Resolution 2560×1440:
- Video cards with 8 GB of video memory: consume 12 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 12 GB of video memory: consume 12 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 16 GB of video memory: consume 12 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 24 GB of video memory: consume 12 GB of RAM
Resolution 3840×2160:
- Video cards with 8 GB of video memory: consume 12 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 12 GB of video memory: consume 12 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 16 GB of video memory: consume 12 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 24 GB of video memory: consume 12 GB of RAM
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