Author Topic: Bit dissapointed (Read 448 times)

FOGOLD · « **on:** June 06, 2005, 04:13:56 PM »

Just built new system. Athlon 64 4000, 1 gig Corsair 2.2.2 RAM, 800XL 256 graphics
A8N Sli Mobo

AH settings default, 4x AA no AF. 512 textures 1280 x 1024.

I kinda expected top out frame rates (85) whatever the action. Not so! Still dips to 30 in heavy furball especially at carriers.

Other games are great. AH must be a mother of a game to run on any rig!

Pushing sliders full left results in total slide show.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #1 on:** June 06, 2005, 04:16:47 PM »

Either turn down the AA (best option), or the texture size.

Leave all game sliders at default locations.

If you turn down the texture size, you can safely preload skins. If you do not care about skins, then disable them and preload textures to memory.
You will still need to turn down the AA, if you want to run at 512 texture sizes.

FOGOLD · « **Reply #2 on:** June 06, 2005, 04:42:48 PM »

Thanks skuzzy.
That was quick

Other funny thing was, although in game the resolution says 1280 x 1024, in the start up video settings screen it persists at 1280 x 960.

I can turn down AA.

I thought preloading skins improved performance. Clearly not! I don't really care about skins.

Thanks again for your reply. I'm reassured. One shouldn't believe all the hype about these super fast machines!

Don't anyone say get SLI, cos it is the opposite of "elegant"

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 06, 2005, 04:50:34 PM »

Skuzzy, would you mind explaining why he cant run with his current settings? He has a 256MB video card, plenty of system RAM, and a video card and CPU that should be able to handle the work efficiently and quickly. According to the video RAM formula you gave me not so long ago, he should be well within the limits of his card's memory with the current settings.

Not questioning your advice, just want to understand the why of it.

Thanks!

Skuzzy · « **Reply #4 on:** June 06, 2005, 05:03:56 PM »

The X800XL is a great card for the money. No doubt, but he has stretched the performance envelope of it by adding the level of AA in combination with the texture size.

Remember, each pixel of a texture will get re-visited by the AA algorithm, so the larger the texture, the more visits. And each AA level introduces multiple reads.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 06, 2005, 05:12:52 PM »

Ahhh. So while mathematically the setup would work (or theoretically is perhaps a better term), the actual process eats up enough resources (of the video card) at the higher AA levels, and enough time, that its going to affect the frame rates actually displayed. Makes sense.

Ty.

DAVENRINO · « **Reply #6 on:** June 06, 2005, 07:15:53 PM »

My outdated rig is able to run 4XAA @ 1024 textures with the settings below. It drops down in the mid- twenties in a heavy furball but I couldn't care less because it is totally fluid and NEVER hesitates or stutters.

FOGOLD · « **Reply #7 on:** June 07, 2005, 12:52:29 AM »

Main diff I have is 1280 x 1024 512 textures and I havn't disabled vehicle effects or plane skins. Also I have unlimited FPS.

Sliders are default, not as far to the left.

I know the 800XL is not top of the range, but I think it is an excellent efficient card requiring no extra power and great value for money.

I have a real aversion to SLI with its messy setup and 600 watt PSU requirement. Yuk! I look forward to buying a single card solution which beats the SLI set up o six months ago.

(Although I have an SLI capable board)

Don't get me wrong, I only drop to 30 FPS in a major furball, I just kind of expected the 64 4000 would have enough grunt to keep the framerate up.

Schutt · « **Reply #8 on:** June 07, 2005, 02:37:52 AM »

What sound card are you using?

FOGOLD · « **Reply #9 on:** June 07, 2005, 02:47:12 AM »

Audigy 2 ZS. Drivers only.

Ati drivers only also ( No Enhanced control panel)

AKDogg · « **Reply #10 on:** June 07, 2005, 08:15:52 AM »

XT800XL will handle all that as U and I determined Skuzzy. He has exact system as me except he a 4000+ where I have a 3200+. I even had mine up to 6xAA and had no change in framerate. Remember our test skuzzy, U said I was CPU limited. He has exact FPS as I do with alot more CPU behind him. I not a programmer or anything but it seems that the graphics are using the CPU instead of the GPU. Is this the case?. I have my object size 100% to left. Detail set at 50% and range set at about 85% to left with 4xAA. Now DAVENRINO has an 9800XT which is a slower GPU then the X800XL. I only have 18 process's running to with no AV(not even installed) or Spyware programs running.

Now I get about 28fps on ground but as soon as I hit 2K over the ground FPS climbs dramatically up to my refresh rate at 75hz. I turn VSync off I get up to 200+ FPS if I look up at sky or over water.