Author Topic: ATI 9700 Pro configuration (Read 1544 times)

heatedpitot · « **on:** December 10, 2003, 09:03:45 AM »

First Post to the Forums for a relative "Dweeb". I am in need of Tech help on the proper and best configuration for this Video board for AH I without any Overclocking or any other "tweaks" via Rage3d site. I just want to configure this board specifically for AH I using WinXP Home with all the updates applied to WinXP and ATI card. I have seen several men make posts on the forums that make me believe these individuals are very technically inclined and trustworthy. I enjoy this game very much for the small amount of time I have to play it, as opposed to other flight sims.

I had this system built in anticipation of AH II . Therefore my system spec's are as follows:

I run my Desktop @ 1024x768x32bit and AH at the same resolutions account a 71 y/o fella with bifocaled eye balls.

P4 2.6Ghz
Intel Destop Board D865PERL Motherboard
with FSB 800
512 DDR Ram
OS WinXP Home using the NTFS file system ( with all applied updates)
ATI Radeon 9700 Pro (using CATALYST 3.9)
SoundBlaster Live 5.1
and cable modem connection via local cable TV which consistently has download speed of 3000+Mbs and upload of 128Mbs.
This system is extemely stable and fast.

As said earlier, I have seen several people make posts that impress me as to their technology on these matters. I sincerely hope someone can guide me as to specific settings on ALL the configuration "tabs" in the Control Panel for the ATI Radeon 9700 Pro.

Many Thanks to ALL and ANY who reply.

SS10

F4i · « **Reply #1 on:** December 12, 2003, 04:10:14 AM »

I fell asleep after the first paragraph, but I wanna know why you would need to configure much of anything? I use an ATI Radeon 9700, & I didn't need to configure ANYTHING. Just log on a fly! The Nits are gaining too much ground, again.

TBolt

DAVENRINO · « **Reply #2 on:** December 12, 2003, 04:36:46 AM »

Personally, under the direct 3-D tab I would set Anti- Aliasing at 4x with texture & mipmap high quality and vetical sync always on. I set Truform to always off.

DJ229 - AIR MAFIA

heatedpitot · « **Reply #3 on:** December 12, 2003, 09:31:08 AM »

Thanks for the reply bud, but I like to make things work BETTER than NORM. Also, as stated in original message, I am trying to get system ready for AH II.

heatedpitot · « **Reply #4 on:** December 12, 2003, 09:32:58 AM »

Many thx guy, I'll try that and see how it goes. I appreciate you and F4i taking the time to read my post.

DAVENRINO · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2003, 02:46:07 PM »

NP,
Those are the settings I use with box in sig below. Just beware that each of those higher than normal settings will cause some reduction in FPS. Mine still runs @85 most of the time which is Max monitor refresh at 1280x1024.

heatedpitot · « **Reply #6 on:** December 13, 2003, 08:29:35 AM »

Once again Thanks;

I have tried your settings and so far so good, haven't seen any reduction in FPS. Depending on the grafix going on in the game my FPS seem to be anywhere from 80+ to around 100. From all the other guys posts about slow FPS I think I can assume this is better than the average.

I don't know much about MB's, CPU's and RAM, but that dang "box" of yours must create a great deal of "smog" in your computer room.. IT DARN WELL SMOKES !! :lol

mold · « **Reply #7 on:** December 13, 2003, 09:52:31 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by DAVENRINO
I set Truform to always off.

Hmm, I dunno what trueform is...is there any particular reason to keep it off?

SS10-- With that computer and card, you'll be happy with settings almost to the max--certainly with AH1 and probably with AH2 as well. I would take the resolution up to 1600x1200--that helps alot with the clarity of the game. Unlike your desktop, in the game the higher resolutions show the same size pictures, only with higher detail and quality. It will actually help identify cons if you have bad eyes, unlike the desktop.

One thing to keep in mind--turn anisotropic filtering off. The aniso filter screws up the clarity of the text in the game. Do this by setting the aniso filter to "Application Preferences" in the control panel.

DAVENRINO · « **Reply #8 on:** December 13, 2003, 12:57:16 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by mold
Hmm, I dunno what trueform is...is there any particular reason to keep it off?

That's why I turn it off cause I don't know either. I did try letting app control and didn't see any difference. Maybe Skuzzy can tell us what it is and if there is any reason to have it on for AH2.

I tried 1600x1200 but planes and especially text appeared to be smaller to my eyes. It won't matter anyway in a couple week when my 50" monitor arrives cause it uses 1280x720.

DJ229 - AIR MAFIA

F4i · « **Reply #9 on:** December 13, 2003, 02:03:51 PM »

These are my current vid settings in AH2. My fps max out at 78 and fall to as low as 20-something (rarely), which is when my screen starts to hang.

Let's see what you guys have.

TBolt

dracon · « **Reply #10 on:** December 13, 2003, 09:11:19 PM »

Hmmm... Just ordered a 9600 XT. I think it's going back. This is my Gainward GeForce 3 Power Pak Golden Sampler running Omega Drivers!
P-4 1.7 Ghz 512 RDRAM ABIT TH7-II MoBo

mold · « **Reply #11 on:** December 14, 2003, 09:20:41 AM »

F4--

I get a consistent 50-60 fps with default settings at 1600x1200. But that's with a Radeon 9800xt. Yeah, I'm showing off...I think, or maybe not? LOL. Anyway, I didn't realize the 9700 would be that much slower. Perhaps removing bump mapping would help?

F4i · « **Reply #12 on:** December 14, 2003, 01:49:29 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by mold
F4--

I get a consistent 50-60 fps with default settings at 1600x1200. But that's with a Radeon 9800xt. Yeah, I'm showing off...I think, or maybe not? LOL. Anyway, I didn't realize the 9700 would be that much slower. Perhaps removing bump mapping would help?

Disabling Bit Mapping didn't affect the fps much. That's why I left it on. But, thanks for the suggestion.

My 9700 came with my Dell. At the time of purchase, the 9700 was more than enough for AH...I usually get up to 75fps during the fight.

I'll keep an eye on posts from you and other 9800 owners...that may be my next upgrade in 2004.

TBolt

mold · « **Reply #13 on:** December 14, 2003, 02:02:20 PM »

F4--

I just saw your sig, and thought of something! It could be your 256 MB of memory that is limiting you. So normally the game plays at 60 fps or whatever, and then under certain circumstances you get a bunch of page swapping because of low memory, and the FR drops drastically. I wonder if an upgrade to 512 would help?

F4i · « **Reply #14 on:** December 14, 2003, 02:06:09 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by mold
F4--

I just saw your sig, and thought of something! It could be your 256 MB of memory that is limiting you. So normally the game plays at 60 fps or whatever, and then under certain circumstances you get a bunch of page swapping because of low memory, and the FR drops drastically. I wonder if an upgrade to 512 would help?

I've been wanting to buy more RAM for a while now. The low amount of RAM is my system's biggest weakness.

Damn Bush economy...

Thanks,

TBolt