Author Topic: Hardware upgraded, framerate not? (Read 385 times)

Badfish1 · « **on:** July 21, 2004, 07:48:33 AM »

My original configuration was

MSI k7n2 Delta
1.2 GHZ Athlon
64MB GeForce3
512 DDR Ram (Not sure but I thinks it's 2700, I have had it about 1 1/2 years)

So I upgrade the cpu and graphics card to:

Athlon XP 3200 512k 400fsb
BFG Geforce FX5500 OC

AHII seems to run smoother without as much lag/warping of enemy planes but I didn't see much of an increase in framerate (stayed around 59 for the most part). Could my RAM be limiting me that much, or does that framerate calculation accurately represent performance? Maybe somebody could help me understand what type of RAM I can put on my board and make any suggestions as well. I am not too savy when it comes to all the different hardware options out there. Any help is appreciated.

Again, gameplay was noticably improved but I expected my framerate numbers to increase more.

straffo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2004, 08:13:41 AM »

Did you reinstalled your OS ?

ChasR · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2004, 08:24:04 AM »

The predominant limit in your system is the video card. You've got a good processor and adequate ram. The 5500 is considered to be the top of the lower end cards. Roughly half as fast as a 5700 Ultra or a 9600 XT, both upper mid range cards.

Here's a quote from a review:

Gaming wise, what you can expect from the card is that you'll be able to play most older games perfectly fine. Even quite a few of the newer games will have no big problems with this card under two conditions. The first; you need to stay at 1024x768 maximum and secondly you do not enable Antialiasing features as the card simply does not have enough processing power. It's not at all bad though. Heavy upcoming games you say ? Forget about it, this card is not suitable for it.

Badfish1 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2004, 08:29:19 AM »

I didn't re-install XP. Is that required?

Bummer about my card, I guess I should have spent the extra $50 for the 5700. Crap.

Will faster RAM help out? Also, on Crucial.com, what is the difference in RAM. There is 3 different prices for 512MB of PC3200. There is unbuffered, registered, non-parity. What is up with all that?

straffo · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2004, 08:33:48 AM »

Sorry I misread your post , I though you had changed your motherboard.
In this case it can help to reinstall windows, but not in your case.

IMO ChasR is right your would better try to change your video card.

214thCavalier · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2004, 08:34:56 AM »

If your fps is staying around 59 its is VERY likely that your monitor refresh rate is set at 60 hz.

If so no matter what you do you will never see fps any higher.

Try setting the refresh rate higher in your vid cards setup area for the resolution you play at.

Badfish1 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2004, 08:51:07 AM »

As far as refresh rates go, does hertz equal framerate? i.e. 60 hertz = 60 fps max?

And could anyone fill me in on the RAM questions I had earlier in the post?

Thanks

straffo · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2004, 09:01:26 AM »

Right , vsync is on and your monitor is set to 60hz your max FPS will be 60.
check your display properties to see if your monitor can go past 60hz
btw what model of monitor do you have ?

Concerning memory you won't likely see an FPS increase ,but it will reduce stutter for example.

Badfish1 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2004, 09:08:35 AM »

I don't know the monitor specs off the top of my head, but it's not very good. I have had it for close to 5 years I think. Where do I enable/disable vsync? I really want to buy a good 21" CRT but don't want to spend a boatload (this upgrade is already getting more expensive!) Any suggestions on monitors?

straffo · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2004, 09:13:16 AM »

You don't need to turn vsync off , if you do so it will have side effect like image tearing.

got to control panel => display properties => Display tab
click on the advanced button
Next on the monitor tab you will see a combobox showing all the frequency your monitor support,choose the highter frq possible.

Badfish1 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2004, 09:14:35 AM »

So vsync is something that is on by defualt? Is that an OS feature or a monitor feature? Sorry for my ignorance on the subject!

straffo · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2004, 09:30:50 AM »

no problem I'm here to help you

Usually Vsync is on.

If cavalear hypothese is right the problem is not the VSync but more the fact that the maximal refresh rate is locked to 60hz.
It's a not uncommon problem (don't ask me why

)

To fix this you need to know the real maximal refresh rate supported by your monitor (just do what I've described in my previous post)
Then set it to the maximal frequency possible

Badfish1 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2004, 09:33:21 AM »

Cool, thanks. I will give it a shot when I get home tonight.

ChasR · « **Reply #13 on:** July 21, 2004, 12:20:05 PM »

Badfish,
Upgrading your ram will improve system performance but you won't see that as an increase in fps in games because the 5500 is the bottleneck in games.
You've got enough processor power to get everything out of a 9800 Pro/XT or 5900/50 Ultra.
The Athlons are sensitive to ram latency. To get the most out of them you should get CL2 or CL2.5, Non-ECC, Unbuffered ram. You mother board supports dual channel ram so invest in a matched pair (generally refered to as a dual channel kit) of 256 MB sticks . Ram by Corsair, Mushkin and OCZ is considered best (I sure there are some others but Crucial is not among them and buying direct from Crucial is not the least expensive way to get ram. Try newegg). Good ram is expensive, around $155 to $180 for 512MB. You'd get a 10 to 15% increase in overall system performance from upgrading to the best ram. Maybe half that by upgrading to value series PC3200 ram. You may see a difference of a few FPS in AH2. If you spent that kind of money on a video card, you'd see far greater improvement in AH2, 15 to 20 fps AND the ability to run it with most of the eye candy

Any 5 year old monitor will do at least 75Hz at 1024 x 768. If as you say you want to upgrade to a 21" CRT, the Samsung 1100DF is a very good monitor that goes for $459.

WhiteHawk · « **Reply #14 on:** July 25, 2004, 07:46:10 AM »

If your frame rate stays at 59 throguh rain or shine, hyour refresh rate is set at 60. If you have an older monitor or a LCD, this could be your max refresh. I wouldnt mess with VSync unless you just want to see what the improvement in your systme is.
Try to focus on the minimum frame rate and you will be able to better gage the upgrades you have made.