Nvidia announced an initiative that should make it easier for PC gamers to find ideal graphics settings. Unless you're fortunate enough to have a powerhouse like the company's new dual-GPU GTX 690, you probably have to put some thought into your game's detail settings. Running everything maxed likely isn't an option, so you have to increase visuals until your hardware begs for mercy, then dial it down a notch.
Developers try to remove some of the trial and error by recommending system specs, that's mostly only helpful when determining if you can play a game. In-game quality presets are also helpful, but don't offer perfectly optimized settings. Publications like TechSpot provide more insight with performance reviews, though you need a decent grasp of each effect to interpret the results and apply them to your situation.
Nvidia has recognized this issue for some time. In November 2010, the company launched GeForce.com with recommended settings for many popular video cards and games. However, this still requires you to go out of your way to find the information and adjust your software accordingly. Nvidia hopes to simplify the whole process by launching a cloud-based service that will automatically configure your games.
Dubbed the "GeForce Experience," the service will use a supercomputer to analyze your processor, graphics card, memory as well as other variables to determine and apply the best settings for your machine. According to Nvidia, 80% of PC gamers use the default settings, which supposedly breaks down to 144 million folks playing with less-than-desirable visuals. The service is expected to hit beta on June 6.
