As you may already know, the initial version of Mafia 3 was locked at 30fps, something that frustrated a lot of PC gamers. Thankfully though, Hangar 13 was quick to react and released – in a matter of days – a patch that removed that ridiculous framerate lock. Therefore, it’s time now to see how this title performs on the PC platform.
As always, we used an Intel i7 4930K (turbo boosted at 4.2Ghz) with 8GB RAM, NVIDIA’s GTX980Ti, Windows 10 64-bit and the latest WHQL version of the GeForce drivers. NVIDIA has not included any SLI profile for this particular title, so there was no point testing our GTX690. And given the game’s high GPU requirements, we strongly suggest avoiding this title if you own GPUs equivalent to a GTX680.
Mafia 3 is one of the few titles that stresses both the GPU and the CPU. As we can see below, our hexacore was used to its fullest in towns. The game was using all of our six CPU cores, something that really surprised us (considering there was nothing mind-blowing happening on screen). In fact, there were some scenes – during the first night mission – in which we were majorly limited by our CPU. As such, we expect a lot of i5 or i7 owners to be CPU bottlenecked, and to experience low framerates.
In order to find out how the game scales on various CPUs, we simulated a dual-core and a quad-core CPU. In this particular scene – in which we were CPU limited – our hexa-core ran Mafia 3 with 53fps, our simulated quad-core system ran it with 44fps, and our simulated dual-core system was unable to run it.
Things got a bit interesting when we enabled Hyper Threading. In that very same scene, our hexa-core ran the game with 44fps, our simulated quad-core system ran it with 43fps and our simulated dual-core system was able to offer a constant 30fps experience.
We also found out that the game is optimized for hexa-cores. As we can see below, the game mainly scaled on six of our twelve threads. This basically explains why our hexa-core and our simulated quad-core systems performed similarly (when Hyper-threading was enabled).
As we’ve already said, Mafia 3 also requires a high-end GPU in order to be enjoyed. Our GTX980Ti was simply unable to offer a constant 60fps experience (at 1080p with Max settings) as we had various drops to 50fps, even when we were not CPU limited. Yes, most of the time the game did run with more than 60fps, however the game’s visuals do not really justify these ridiculous GPU requirements.
This basically means that PC gamers will need a really high-end system in order to enjoy this title at 60fps. Hangar 13 has included a limited amount of options to tweak, however all of them have an effect on the GPU side. As such, there is no way to improve performance if you are CPU limited (apart from overclocking your systems).
PC gamers can tweak/adjust the quality of ambient occlusion, geometry detail, shadows, reflections, volumetric effects and anti-aliasing. PC gamers can also enable/disable Motion Blur and Depth of Field, and there is also an option to adjust your Field of View.
The differences between Low and High settings are really minimal (only reflections are easily noticeable when driving), so we strongly suggest lowering some if your systems are unable to offer an acceptable performance. On Low settings, our GTX980Ti was able to push 100fps and was used to its fullest (when we weren’t CPU limited). We also suggest using Low Anti-Aliasing as the higher options blur the entire image (unless you’re using a Reshade to counter this side effect). Below you can find a comparison between the game’s Low (left) and High (right) settings. Spot the differences.
Graphics wise, Mafia 3 is a big disappointment. Even though the game requires a really powerful GPU, its visuals do not justify these requirements. The game already looks dated and does not come close to other open-world titles, like Grand Theft Auto V or The Witcher 3. While the characters are made of a high amount of polygons, they look like plastic dolls. There is noticeable pop-in of objects, and the lighting effects did not impress us at all. What also surprised us was the fact that there is no option to adjust the game’s textures. Not only that, but the game is filled with low-resolution textures.
All in all, Mafia 3 is a huge letdown. While the game performs and looks better on the PC than its console brother, it’s nowhere up to what we’ve expected. Furthermore, the game comes with some ridiculously high and unjustifiable PC requirements (regarding 60fps). Mafia 3 already looks dated, ugly and so blurry, and that’s a real shame!
John is the founder and Editor in Chief at DSOGaming. He is a PC gaming fan and highly supports the modding and indie communities. Before creating DSOGaming, John worked on numerous gaming websites. While he is a die-hard PC gamer, his gaming roots can be found on consoles. John loved – and still does – the 16-bit consoles, and considers SNES to be one of the best consoles. Still, the PC platform won him over consoles. That was mainly due to 3DFX and its iconic dedicated 3D accelerator graphics card, Voodoo 2. John has also written a higher degree thesis on the “The Evolution of PC graphics cards.”
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Russian Crowbcat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixlszwKVVP0
LOL Mafia 2 looks better than this crap caled Mafia 3 😉
when Mafia II came out , it was so well optimized for PCs that people were saying that this is how GTA4 should have been, polished from day 1.
Now its completely opposite, looks like 2K Czech did a hell lot of work on that PC version. Shame hanger 13
Wow, I forgot how good Mafia 2 looked! And it’s a 2010 game. Could’ve passed for a current gen title easily with some minor changes.
tiny map very linear
Yeah, I remember that being the main criticism on the game back when it launched. Not that the map was tiny, but that it had nothing to do in it. It was basically a linear action game with a ‘decorative’ open map that didn’t have side activities.
True, and the amount of filler is mental. Why oh why does everyone in the city have Playboy magazines lying around?!
Also, I remember the PhysX effects blew me away when it came out.
Because pornhub didn’t exist yet 😛
I actually prefer that to a mindless and empty open area.
What kind of Antialsing were they using It literally blurs the whole game.They must be using alot of FXAA.
John why aren’t you Overclocking your card to 250Mhz?
Shame, shame, shame!
*ding ding ding*
Actually, it is “shame! *ding ding ding* shame! *ding ding ding*” and so on.
It isn’t, she says “shame” two or three times and the “dings” come after.
Yep, you’re right. My mistake. The pauses between “shames” made me remember it differently.
Only 4 GoT fans notice this..niiice….
Lol never watched one single episode.
Garbage game and garbage porting! Wait for Shadow Warrior 2 and Dishonored 2.
and battlefield 1 and titanfall2
Source engine = gtx 660 as minimum.
Master race optimization right there.
i bet its gonna have the same problems as other id tech 5 games.”OPTIMIZATION ISSUES” master race right there.
Mafia 3 – Nvidia Performance Analysis
there fixed the title for you
wrong on so many levels.
He don’t have Radeon, thats why.
John Pick some Fury or Polaris -> Then you will satisfy all of audience.
Indeed!
Where is that AMD card, Johnny-boy? 🙁
Our plan was to get AMD’s high-end GPU by the end of 2016. However, Vega was delayed. Once the high-end Vega is out, we’ll include it 😉
OHO, so it’s AMD’s fault, eh?
Nice one! ;D
😛
master race can’t afford new gpu’s.
He was talking about VEGA which was DELAYED you idiot he could probably by a 480 right now.
show me his bank account bro.
If he could buy a Vega card which the price point will probably be what 350 to 400 MSRP he could probably buy a 200 graphics card.
Yep, Master Race too busy waiting for new-generation GPU’s, which the Master Race can insert into their Master Race PC’s any time they want, unlike you Peasant Scum, who need to sit around & wait for your Divine Overlords to take a break from counting all the Peasant Money you throw at them long enough to approve a new round of low-grade greed-gimped APU’s.
So, tell me one more time, who’s got the short end of that particular stick, exactly?
have fun buying 300 dollar gpu’s then playing the same graphical quality as consoles in 2 years. TOP KEK MASTER RACE.
Max settings = staring at rocks and trees rather than play the game.
Rip, Not buying.
Everything is pointing to this game being mediocre at best AND a headache to play on PC too. Good thing I waited for reviews!
A shame, I was in the mood for a new open world shooter. /: Hopefully Watch Dogs 2 won’t follow the same path… but being Ubisoft, we’re dealing with a 50/50 chance here.
I actually think this game is far worse then the original watch dogs when it comes to performance and graphics at least we got a game that used are actual native resolution with watch dogs
I didn’t play WD on the PC so I wouldn’t know, I remember hearing of stuttering and stuff like that on launch.
And we all know how bad Ubi’s track record on PC is, thought they DO sometimes learn with mistakes — That’s why I think there’s a 50% chance of WD2 being a bad experience.
After upgrading to a 970 from 680 2gb i had no more stuttering(i could run it also without stuttering with the 680 if i lowered textures from ultra to high)
Ridiculous the game is 100% maxing out 6 cores. I’d try it on my 8 core 5960X and report back… But no way am i buying this mess.
It’s pretty sad that recently the only very well optimised AAA multi-platform game released on PC has been Gears 4, and that’s a UWP game…
Mafia 2 looks way better imo… i mean… its not a blurry mess. What a SHAME
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7d13e17389a9ae9ddb349c0568fb0a44cf7a4aa1b6a8624f7b06bdbd0f7ff1f0.jpg
plus it was well optimized from the very first day
Let’s not forget the whole “you have to periodically re-install physx to get any more than 20 fps on the most powerful systems.” problem. my gtx 980 and i5 can’t break that fps when in certain sections of the game and during the benchmarks i always see huge drops (both with and without physx even being on).
Typical game release nowadays —__— . A sad, sad truth
Hey! Show some respect!
It’s boobs.
Damn, I figured approval on that was totally a coin flip, at best, but wow, it actually went through O.O
lol, I guess it was understood that it is just a silly joke.
Arghh, this game is causing my a decent amount of cognitive dissonance. Right now I’m playing it at 1440 w/ setting on high and averaging about 40 fps. This article is correct, it doesn’t look like it should be anywhere near as taxing as it is, and in that sense it’s a major dissapointment.
But,(yes it’s a big but like Caitlin Rice big) it’s a really good game excluding the above. The writing is much more serious and nuanced vs gta’s approaching Red dead redemption levels. It instantly grabbed me. I’m sure partially because of my own background as a vet, but everything from the conversation on your way to the very first mission, to just hanging out at Sammy’s bar it just flows. The setting is detailed in that cars,music, dress and language all help to set you in that time (late 60’s) and place (Louisianna) and even the accents (hurt = hoit) are spot on.
So I find my self contiuning to play in spite of its performance and Image quality limitations. I’ve invested time and money into building a machine that can consistantly deliver a significant improvement vs modern consoles, and yes it’s dissappointing to see a game that fails pretty hard on a tech level. Luckily I am playing on a Gsync monitor so unlocked frame rate does not = tears. Having a floor of 40 is not ideal but it is playable (for me) and I think I will play it through.
The one thing I would say, is this game does not run denuvo so there is an option to test it out for yourself and form an opinion on whether it’s worth it to you.
“And given the game’s high GPU requirements, we strongly suggest avoiding this title if you own GPUs equivalent to a GTX680.”
LOL MASTER RACE ROFL.
A 2012 gpu sporting only 2 gb of vram,apart the vram limitation most people that still have it in his pc(like my brother) runs most games better than on ps4(released 2014) you should see mgs5 maxed out or witcher 3 on high settings while you are stuck on medium with draw distance even lower than low pc setting…get educated its a 4 years old gpu and still give a very good gaming experience unlike your boxes barely 2 years old and already you are pushed to upgrade to ps4pro for a pseudo 4k and still no 1080p 60fps that were promised since e3 2013,pathetic…guess what my bro 680 can achieve 60fps at 1080p with the old 680gtx
Gears of War 4 will win the DSO most optimized Game of the Year award. Calling it now
I think it has a run for its money with Doom and Vulkan but either way.
Shadow Warrior 2 will be up there too
I hope so. Pretty decent. So far Gears 4 and Doom have been impressive on PC. We might just get 3 games this year 🙂 Hopefully BF1 will get all fixed up with DX12 to make it 4
Refunded this game on release day and purchased Shadow Warrior 2 + Pirate Warriors instead. I still plan to play Mafia 3 at some point, but I will not pay full price for this.
Yes I agree that it has its fair share of technical issues. Overall I think it would be a great game with improved AI and enemy animations. If they nailed that and a consistent optimized 60fps then it would be golden. I’ll even forgive the low-res textures here and there. Shoot outs are pretty cool, but that AI can be just uber-dumb. Hiding behind the same corner to wait for the same 5th dude to stab is a bit ridiculous.
My issue isn’t really the textures, it the horrible post processing that’s going on without the ability to turn it off. It causes ghosting and blur and I’m sure it’s one of the biggest impacts on performance. The fact that you simply cannot turn off all AA is a sign of issues.
The sky lighting is one of the worst i ve seen,if not the worst.WTF is the light changing every 10 seconds.And AI system,holy f…..
not really good graphics
This is you, right now;
*Links 4.5 years old review*
*Thinks he won an argument*
Seriously, do you even understand what we’re talking about, or are you just purposefully trolling in such a blatantly stupid manner?
Console gaming = AAA
PC = esports.
Consoles dictate the market not pc.
” This is you, right now;
*Links 4.5 years old review*
*Thinks he won an argument*”
Link me something to show me I am wrong. I don’t mind being proven to be retarded. Keep making empty assertions.
Consoles cripple the market, holding back technological progression at a steady pace in favour of stagnation, as they’ve been doing ever since the X360 started falling behind the PC.
Prove you wrong on what? You’ve been throwing out one-line “arguments” & calling PC a fail because of it. The only one making “empty assertions” here is you.
“I also like how devs make games more demanding than they actually are due to poor optimization. DEUS EX MANKIND DIVIDED on ultra LEL.”
Yeah, you’re right, it’s better to have unstable 30 FPS, & alleged 720p, even though it’s really not, because consoles aren’t strong enough 😮
mafia 3 its a total fail in terms if gameplay!
the game has worse mechanics than gta vice city ffs
beside driving wich is a copy-paste from mafia 2 lol
AHAUHAUHAUHUAHA!
4:15 & 5:13 are the funniest and saddest moment of the entire video
the gpu in a ps4 is hd 7870. It runs games at a higher graphical quality than a gtx 750. You’re stuck at low setting with most games on a Gtx 750. Not even ti
Yeah, & you know who’s responsible for that?
Sad, whiney, pathetic, insecure, immature pr*cks like you who whine to Microsoft & Sony about PC games looking too good, so Microsoft & Sony in turn whine to developers to “not make sh*t look as good” because it makes them look bad.
Remember Watch_Dogs?
Exactly.
You know why we buy those epic 1K rigs? Because we still get epic sh*t like Star Citizen, which makes it all worth it.
Nah, can’t be arsed honestly.
Maybe one day when the story reaches a conclusion I can dive in, atm I’m not interested.
Since mafia 3 runs on the same engine as gta 5, the rage engine, has anyone tried to use that sli profile to see if it will scale at all?
For me 30 fps is enough
6 years later after patches and driver updates:
1440p60 with a 5700 XT and Ryzen 5 3600.