Re: Cpu does not have POPCNT! help

Still no official aknowledgement. We need a definitive answer.

Any one knows when the next update is ?

Alrite, so I opened a support ticket about this. I've been asked about the error, provided a picture of it and a link to this thread. This is what I got:

"I would like to inform you that currently we do not have information regarding however I will share your feedback to the concerned team so that they can look into it and make necessary changes"

Obviously it's a macro, but this tells us that this issue is probably not aknowledged from the higher ups so we do actually need more attention for this. I think everyone concerned should open one ticket, send a twitter about this, open or reply to threads about this on Reddit, anything to draw attention. I understand some of you have been let down for weeks now, but don't let your negative feelings get the best of you: be polite, be patient, be clear and direct.

Where to open ticket: https://help.ea.com/en/contact-us/

How to open ticket: 
- Select "Apex Legends"
- Make sure the selected platform is "PC" (Origins logo)
- Select "Technical support" as topic

- Select "Game won't launch" as issue

- Press the blue button "Select contact options"
- Select "Chat" in the "Other support options" panel
- Write something explicit and clear in the ticket subject such as "I'd like to know whether older CPU missing the POPCNT instruction will ever be compatible.‎"
- Add a picture of the error at your discretion, this one should do
- Press "Chat now", wait for a reply and answer any question they might ask you

I don't know if and how the fact that this thread is marked as solved is affecting the process of gathering informations about this issue.

Consider joining this thread on Reddit

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@Cozzolino92 wrote:

Still no official aknowledgement. We need a definitive answer.

---

The system requirements are an answer. Demanding a new answer because you don't like the one you received isn't going to fix it.

You can edit the game as previously suggested, but if you get banned for editing files you're not supposed to, you're probably not going to like the responses you get when you complain about that, either.

@Psyrecx 

"Demanding a new answer because you don't like the one you received isn't going to fix it."

---------------------------------------------

^ Heh, can you imagine if every client in customer support history was satisfied with the above?

Also, just imagine if the customers of PUBG, Fortnite, Destiny 2, Final Fantasy XV, MGS V, Black Ops 4, No Man's Sky - to name a few - didn't demand a new answer (or a better answer)?

Those are all games that received a patch or hotfix to add support for older CPUs, thanks to players expressing their concerns, doing research, and validating themselves.

Also, @Psyrecx  is the fellow posting:

"60FPS isn't even passing. It's been passed. 75hz would be sluggish these days. Enjoy your dated technology, while I play Apex at 180FPS, on a computer that can handle it."

- so he's just blanket-condemning any and all older rigs, while waving his schlong around with a spec superiority complex.

Almost like he's pro-Corporation instead of pro-gamer, defending their inaction towards a very fixable situation.

Well. Since my thread does not seem to come up in the newsfeed in the ApexLegends Reddit (even after 4 reposts), I'll have to paste it all here.

A collection of all the info available on the POPCNT error from various sources.

- What is POPCNT?

POPCNT is a CPU instruction. Afaik an instruction is a fixed operation that the CPU can use at any point while gathering an input, elaborating and producing an output. This is the description of the instruction:

This instruction calculates the number of bits set to 1 in the second operand (source) and returns the count in the first operand (a destination register).

POPCNT is not a fundamental instruction and, while the check is there in the launcher, it most likely isn't being used at all in the actual game. Disabling the POPCNT check in the launcher would most likely have no impact on the game performance for anyone.

- What is POPCNT error?

This is POPCNT error , it prevents machines with older CPUs from launching the game. Other forms of similar instruction errors (such as the Phenom CPUs issue) have been shown to crash the game upon starting any match.

- Have other games been affected?

Plenty.

*Black Ops IV
*Final Fantasy XV
*Resident Evil 7
*Agents of Mayhem
*Dishonored 2
*Mafia 3
*EDF
*Metal Gear Solid V
*No Man's Sky
*PUBG

All of these games have been patched and now can be launched on the affected machines.

- Is there a solution?

Yes.Client sided solutions:
* SDE emulator is an Intel software that emulates the entire Nehalem architecture.
* POPCNT emulator is a 0% performance hit solution that only emulates POPCNT instruction and has been successfully used in the near past for other games.
Disclaimer: None of these solutions can be applied because they would trigger the anti cheating program.

Dev sided solution:Private coders testify that this is a trivial problem with an easy fix, all the sources I've found claim that it is as easy as

simply setting "-arch=SSE2 -axSSE4.1,SSE4.2,SSSE3,SSE3"  instead of something like "-march=corei7" in the compiler options.

- What you can do about it

Send a ticket to EA support teamI have opened a ticket regarding this issue and, after providing all the information required, I've been told that:

I would like to inform you that currently we do not have information regarding however I will share your feedback to the concerned team so that they can look into it and make necessary changes

This is the step by step guide to opening your own ticket:

Where to open ticket: https://help.ea.com/en/contact-us/

How to open ticket: 
- Select "Apex Legends"
- Make sure the selected platform is "PC" (Origins logo)
- Select "Technical support" as topic
- Select "Game won't launch" as issue
- Press the blue button "Select contact options"
- Select "Chat" in the "Other support options" panel
- Write something explicit and clear in the ticket subject such as "I'd like to know whether older CPU missing the POPCNT instruction will ever be compatible.‎"
- Add a picture of the error at your discretion
- Press "Chat now", wait for a reply and answer any question they might ask you

Send a Tweet at your favorite developer or the main Apex tweetter page @PlayApex

Upvote this thread to increase awareness on Reddit

Join the discussion on EA Answer HQ at this thread.

Please be polite and spare pointless negativity about this issue. We are but simple users who want to enjoy the game as much as you do.

"System requirements is a statement about performance.
This problem is not about performance, it's about compatibility."

^ Yes.

There are people blocked out by POPCNT with PCs ranging from well below recommended spec to well above recommended spec in terms of performance.

As evidenced by how these people run PUBG, Fortnite, Blackout, etc. - all of the Battle Royale competition for Apex, and games that feature a similar generation/range of engine technology and system demands.

People using these older CPUs in PCs to run those games anywhere from 1440p to 720p, and anywhere from 144fps to 30fps. That's PC gaming.

But this is not a granular issue like performance. A lot of those people know what to expect in Apex, for better or worse.

POPCNT is a problem of compatibility, of re-addressing the instruction to allow loading of the engine/gameplay.

To allow entering the game.

As previously mentioned:

"I think it's important for people to realize that this "problem" is very trivial.

very likely could be solved by simply setting

"-arch=SSE2 -axSSE4.1,SSE4.2,SSSE3,SSE3" instead of something like "-march=corei7" in the compiler options.

I'm not really sure why Respawn decided to target the feature-set the way they did, seems like an oversight, costs them basically nothing to be compatible with more CPUs."

A collection of all the info available on the POPCNT error from various sources.

- What is POPCNT?

POPCNT is a CPU instruction. Afaik an instruction is a fixed operation that the CPU can use at any point while gathering an input, elaborating and producing an output. This is the description of the instruction:

This instruction calculates the number of bits set to 1 in the second operand (source) and returns the count in the first operand (a destination register).

POPCNT is not a fundamental instruction and, while the check is there in the launcher, it most likely isn't being used at all in the actual game. Disabling the POPCNT check in the launcher would most likely have no impact on the game performance for anyone.

- What is POPCNT error?

It prevents machines with older CPUs from launching the game. Other forms of similar instruction errors (such as the Phenom CPUs issue) have been shown to crash the game upon starting any match.

- Have other games been affected?

Plenty.

*Black Ops IV
*Final Fantasy XV
*Resident Evil 7
*Agents of Mayhem
*Dishonored 2
*Mafia 3
*EDF
*Metal Gear Solid V
*No Man's Sky
*PUBG

All of these games have been patched and now can be launched on the affected machines.

- Is there a solution?

Yes.
Client sided solutions:
* SDE emulator is an Intel software that emulates the entire Nehalem architecture.
* POPCNT emulator is a 0% performance hit solution that only emulates POPCNT instruction and has been successfully used in the near past for other games.

Disclaimer: None of these solutions can be applied because they would trigger the anti cheating program.

Dev sided solution:
Private coders testify that this is a trivial problem with an easy fix, all the sources I've found claim that it is as easy as

simply setting "-arch=SSE2 -axSSE4.1,SSE4.2,SSSE3,SSE3"  instead of something like "-march=corei7" in the compiler options.

- What you can do about it

Send a ticket to EA support team

I have opened a ticket regarding this issue and, after providing all the information required, I've been told that:

I would like to inform you that currently we do not have information regarding however I will share your feedback to the concerned team so that they can look into it and make necessary changes

This is the step by step guide to opening your own ticket:

Where to open ticket: https://help.ea.com/en/contact-us/

How to open ticket:- Select "Apex Legends"

- Make sure the selected platform is "PC" (Origins logo)

- Select "Technical support" as topic

- Select "Game won't launch" as issue

- Press the blue button "Select contact options"

- Select "Chat" in the "Other support options" panel

- Write something explicit and clear in the ticket subject such as "I'd like to know whether older CPU missing the POPCNT instruction will ever be compatible.‎"

- Add a picture of the error at your discretion

- Press "Chat now", wait for a reply and answer any question they might ask you

Send a Tweet at your favorite developer or the main Apex tweetter page @PlayApex

To: Mods

This message has been deleted once, I assume for the reason that I directly linked to an external site. I've deleted every instance of direct third party link and reposted. If you still think this post breaks any rule, I apologize and will never repost this again, but I would like to receive feedback about it because I just can't tell what's wrong about it.

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@RevGunthak wrote:

- so he's just blanket-condemning any and all older rigs, while waving his schlong around with a spec superiority complex.

Almost like he's pro-Corporation instead of pro-gamer, defending their inaction towards a very fixable situation.

---

Not even close. I acknowledged that older PC's had the technology. It's not a new thing. You on the other hand just ignored it because it didn't suit your agenda. Some older PCs can be used, but not all of them can. It would help if you knew what blanketing something means or a generalization of such. 

I am pro-gamer, I'm just not pro-bum. I understand that times are hard, but when they are, certain sacrifices have to be made. You can't just demand everyone else bend to your wants. It's not like this is a new thing, especially in the realm of games that are made for competition, not just something you can solo offline with no one else around. 

Some things have standards. You can't just demand that everything changes if you don't meet them. Sorry, but your antique's time has come and gone, it's time to move on. 

Your case is something like someone demanding that all games have software rendering from now on because they refuse to buy a proper GPU, or someone demanding that all apps on the play store be made to work on his Android 2.0 because a lot of newer apps are incompatible.

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@Cozzolino92 wrote:
You make it sound like we're trying to run a PS3 game on a PS2, when really what's happening is that they forgot to enable support for older CPUs when porting and about 10 minutes of coding would be enough to let us in.

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That's because it is as if you are. Hardware limitations are just that, limitations. There's tons of software that has hardware limitations. Just because you do not understand the reasoning for it, doesn't mean there isn't one. It could be a security measure. Older hardware is more difficult to secure than newer, because newer software is written more for more recent hardware. That's what happened when you try to develop new things, some old things get left behind. 

Businesses don't just upgrade their hardware for performance reasons. 

@Psyrecx  said:

"I am pro-gamer, I'm just not pro-bum. I understand that times are hard, but when they are, certain sacrifices have to be made. You can't just demand everyone else bend to your wants. It's not like this is a new thing, especially in the realm of games that are made for competition, not just something you can solo offline with no one else around.

Some things have standards. You can't just demand that everything changes if you don't meet them. Sorry, but your antique's time has come and gone, it's time to move on."

--------------------------------------------------------------

This arrogance is such poor behaviour. You don't get it. I want my Xeon 5470 to receive compatibility because it's my co-op PC downstairs.

I have an i7 7700k with a GTX 1070 upstairs.  In every other major battle royale game on the market, the Xeon is active and good to go.

Get out of the thread with your elitist garbage.

And this analogy? @Psyrecx  said:

"Your case is something like someone demanding that all games have software rendering from now on because they refuse to buy a proper GPU, or someone demanding that all apps on the play store be made to work on his Android 2.0 because a lot of newer apps are incompatible."

Part 1 - Nonsense analogy, as that machine has both a proper CPU and GPU, as evidenced by the 2019-era AAA video games it plays.

Part 2 - Nonsense analogy, as my operating system is a fully updated Windows 10 in that machine, and games that don't run are in the minority. A very small minority.

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@RevGunthak wrote:

--------------------------------------------------------------

You don't get it. I want my Xeon 5470 to receive compatibility because it's my co-op PC downstairs.

--------------------------------------------------------------

And I'm sure quite a few people want their 1994 Mustang to be able to out drag a GTR. 

@RevGunthak wrote:

In every other major battle royale game on the market, the Xeon is active and good to go.

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How many of those games are Apex?

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@RevGunthak wrote:

Part 1 - Nonsense analogy, as that machine has both a proper CPU and GPU, as evidenced by the 2019-era AAA video games it plays.

---

Anything that doesn't support your argument is 'nonsense'. The fact that it doesn't play Apex is proof otherwise.

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@RevGunthak wrote:

.

Part 2 - Nonsense analogy, as my operating system is a fully updated Windows 10 in that machine, and games that don't run are in the minority. A very small minority.

---

I can put Windows 10 on my phone, does that mean it should be supported as well? Or do you think it's a nonsense analogy because you didn't get the point of it? Android updates are not purely based on software. Some hardware is not supported in newer versions. I shouldn't have to explain this, but you're shown that you're completely oblivious to the point of things, you just start making strawman arguments as if they matter. 

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@Sorenalike wrote:
@Psyrecx
what is your problem why are you trying so hard to stop us from playing this awesome game ? we got nothing against you but you are not helping we are here to get help... you don't have to join these topics
as we said "performance" is not the issue here
These cpu's are more than enough to run these type of games

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I already gave reasons as to why it's a bad idea for them to do so. What is with you people who refuse to upgrade, ignoring everything that doesn't support your want to not?

It's almost as if the only acceptable answer is the one you want. Yes, performance probably isn't the issue. Performance isn't the only advancements in technology. You can stomp your feet all day about the performance numbers, and it won't help you achieve anything. Confirmation bias is not a smart form of debate.

@Psyrecx 

Haha, I was wondering when you'd bust out the accusation of "strawman arguments" and you didn't disappoint.

Right on schedule.

Strawmen claims don't have rich technical and anecdotal evidence for addressing POPCNT, such as:

*Black Ops IV
*Final Fantasy XV
*Resident Evil 7
*Agents of Mayhem
*Dishonored 2
*Mafia 3
*EDF
*Metal Gear Solid V
*No Man's Sky
*PUBG

All of these games have been patched and can now be launched on the affected machines.

Users with adequate specs had a compatibility problem, not a performance problem.

Private coders testify that this is a trivial problem with an easy fix, all the sources indicate it is as easy as

simply setting "-arch=SSE2 -axSSE4.1,SSE4.2,SSSE3,SSE3" instead of something like "-march=corei7" in the compiler options.

To further put to rest the 'performance' angle, one example of a machine affected by POPCNT:

Intel Xeon X5470 quad at 3.8 GHz.

16 GB of fast DDR3 system RAM.

RX 580 graphics card w/ 8 GB VRAM

This spec runs all these games at 1080p / High / 60fps:

PUBG

Fear the Wolves

Fortnite

H1Z1

DOOM

Killing Floor 2

Destiny 2

The Witcher 3

Dark Souls 3

GTA V

Dishonored 1/2

Deus Ex HR/Mankind Divided

Prey

Final Fantasy XIV and XV

Resident Evil 2 Remake

+ many more

RE: Minimum Requirements and POPCNT  -

When computationally it's not a performance issue here, we are actually talking about an addressable compatibility problem.

With a (recent and valid) multi-game track record of solved compatibility for POPCNT.

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@Sorenalike wrote:
@Psyrecx
You need to consider that its not a possibility for everyone to upgrade and yeah maybe ppl can afford a CPU but what about mainboard, ram etc ?

---

Yes, some people can't upgrade. Not everything is made for everybody.

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@Sorenalike wrote:

Not everyone got a rich daddy to fix that for them... its a budget build which can run pretty much everything at 60fps 1080p...

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Yes, some people have to work for things, much like your parents. Maybe it's time you got a job if you want things. You think Lamborghini should just give you one of their cars to play around it because you had a bad upbringing?

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@Sorenalike wrote:
 all we want is a legit answer from EA team that they can't do it thats all or thats what i want... we just wanna know if its possible or not .. are they going to fix it ? or not ? this is a awesome game thats why we really want an answer. well if they don't want us here they could just tell us to go away

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They have, it's called System Requirements.

I already do have a job .. jesus.. you are like one of those rich boys aren't you ? money value is not exactly the same everywhere you need to grow up
I don't even wanna argue about it with you .. do as you wish you highness
System Requirements is just a recommendation

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@RevGunthak wrote:

Haha, I was wondering when you'd bust out the accusation of "strawman arguments" and you didn't disappoint.

Right on schedule.

Strawmen claims don't have rich technical and anecdotal evidence for addressing POPCNT, such as:

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So, in other words, you knew you were making strawman arguments. Strawman arguments can have evidence. Lack of evidence isn't what makes something a strawman argument. Perhaps, you should look up what they are, because clearly you've got the wrong fallacy in you mind, though, I do imagine there's probably fairly more you frequently use.

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@Sorenalike wrote:

money value is not exactly the same everywhere you need to grow up

---

Money value is money value. Your choices what to do with your money has no bearing on anyone else, as it shouldn't. 

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@Sorenalike wrote:

 

System Requirements is just a recommendation

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No, Recommended System Requirements is a recommendation. It's in the title. There's usually two with most games; a requirement, and a recommendation. They're not the same thing.

I also found it hilarious when you told me to 'grow up'. Guess what's a part of growing up. Managing your money for the things you want. Things cost money, until you can afford them, you usually can't have them.

Yeah exactly i am managing my money perfectly thats why i don't have 1000 dollars CPU in my system .. i get what i need
also money value is not the same .. the CPU you might pay to buy there for like 300 dollars its like 1500 dollars here
So if thats requirement then why my friend with G620 CPU and gt410 playing this game ? thats just a recommendation dude there is no argument about that.

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@Sorenalike wrote:

So if thats requirement then why my friend with G620 CPU and g410 playing this game ? 

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Because they have similar architecture. You know what doesn't... a Core2 Duo, or Quad, or a Xeon from the same generation.