diff --git a/neo/framework/Common.cpp b/neo/framework/Common.cpp
index 89f75f11..95d11fb2 100644
--- a/neo/framework/Common.cpp
+++ b/neo/framework/Common.cpp
@@ -1414,6 +1414,7 @@ bool OSX_GetCPUIdentification( int& cpuId, bool& oldArchitecture );
 void Com_ExecMachineSpec_f( const idCmdArgs &args ) {
 	// DG: add an optional "nores" argument for "don't change the resolution" (r_mode)
 	bool nores = args.Argc() > 1 && idStr::Icmp( args.Argv(1), "nores" ) == 0;
+	cvarSystem->SetCVarInteger( "r_useSoftParticles", 0, CVAR_ARCHIVE ); // DG: disable soft particles for all but ultra
 	if ( com_machineSpec.GetInteger() == 3 ) { // ultra
 		//cvarSystem->SetCVarInteger( "image_anisotropy", 1, CVAR_ARCHIVE ); DG: redundant, set again below
 		cvarSystem->SetCVarInteger( "image_lodbias", 0, CVAR_ARCHIVE );
@@ -1436,6 +1437,7 @@ void Com_ExecMachineSpec_f( const idCmdArgs &args ) {
 			cvarSystem->SetCVarInteger( "r_mode", 5, CVAR_ARCHIVE );
 		cvarSystem->SetCVarInteger( "image_useNormalCompression", 0, CVAR_ARCHIVE );
 		cvarSystem->SetCVarInteger( "r_multiSamples", 0, CVAR_ARCHIVE );
+		cvarSystem->SetCVarInteger( "r_useSoftParticles", 1, CVAR_ARCHIVE ); // DG: enable soft particles for ultra preset
 	} else if ( com_machineSpec.GetInteger() == 2 ) { // high
 		cvarSystem->SetCVarString( "image_filter", "GL_LINEAR_MIPMAP_LINEAR", CVAR_ARCHIVE );
 		//cvarSystem->SetCVarInteger( "image_anisotropy", 1, CVAR_ARCHIVE ); DG: redundant, set again below
diff --git a/neo/framework/Dhewm3SettingsMenu.cpp b/neo/framework/Dhewm3SettingsMenu.cpp
index ac2e373b..66d654a4 100644
--- a/neo/framework/Dhewm3SettingsMenu.cpp
+++ b/neo/framework/Dhewm3SettingsMenu.cpp
@@ -1674,7 +1674,8 @@ static CVarOption videoOptionsImmediately[] = {
 				D3::ImGuiHooks::ShowWarningOverlay( "Capturing the Depth Buffer was disabled.\nEnabled it because soft particles need it!" );
 			}
 		}
-		AddCVarOptionTooltips( cvar );
+		const char* descr = "! Can slow down rendering !\nSoften particle transitions when player walks through them or they cross solid geometry. Needs r_enableDepthCapture.";
+		AddCVarOptionTooltips( cvar, descr );
 	} ),
 
 	CVarOption( "Advanced Options" ),