Installing it might help with the framerate issue. Not sure. I got the 360 version and no problems. Though the 360 tends to get better PC ports as its apparently closer in architecture and whatnot. PS3 always seems to get robbed in this boat. But the environments are supposed to look drab as its a very processor heavy game. There's a lot going on behind the scenes. Pretty sure they cut the graphics to avoid much of the chugging. Maybe you're -supposed- to install to get the full effect