Author Topic: LOW frame rates... occasionally (Read 986 times)

Chalenge · « **on:** May 29, 2006, 12:06:29 PM »

Usually I have no problem with AHII and I get 60fps even near burning refineries. I have my system set for 1280x1024, unlimited frame rates, 512 texture size, preload, preload, preload, hardware vertex processing, optimize objects, optimize terrain. Recently when I load the game up and first run into enemies I will see fram rate drop to 1-3fps which is hard to fly with. I also auto-download skins in the background.

My system is an ASUS A8N 32 SLI Deluxe (PCI Express). I have cut back from an X2 processor to an Athlon 64 3700+ (I heard X2 is not supported). My memory is Corsair TwinX2048-3500LL 2GB KIT (1GB x 2) 437MHZ Matched Pair CL2. My Video cards are eVGA GeForce 6800 GS CO SE 256MB DDR3 PCIe (I tried cutting back to a single card but it makes no difference even when removed from the system). My sound card is a SB Live 5.1. My controllers are CH Fighterstick USB, CH Pro Throttle USB, and CH Pro Pedals USB. My OS is Windows XP X64. My HD is a SATAII 300 optimized with O&O Professional Defrag (background defrag disabled).

I also have the problem of screenshots causing a system freeze and loss of connection with host.

Can you suggest anything?

Roscoroo · « **Reply #1 on:** May 29, 2006, 12:16:03 PM »

you need to get all the skins dled 1st ..

dropping to below 10 fps wow ... mine never did that it just stuttered when it came by a new skin ..

Rumer has it theres a bug with the newest nvidia drivers though too ... you may want to check there also ..

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 29, 2006, 12:36:20 PM »

Stop preloading to the video card. Preload to system memory is fine, you have plenty.

Does your monitor support a refresh rate higher than 60 at your current resolution setting? If so bump up your refresh rate for higher fps. If your screen resolution is 1280x1024 and 60hz is the fastest refresh rate for that setting, try going down to 1024x768 and bump up the refresh to 85.

Check to make sure you dont have too many background processes running. Make sure your Antivirus is disabled.

The problems I'm guessing at are your fps are capped at 60 by your refresh rate, you are overloading the video card's memory with high resolution and preloading to the card, and its doing ALOT of swapping to system memory. Its putting a huge load on your CPU, which possibly is partially tied up with something else running in the background.

Just my guess.

*edit

I meant knock your INGAME screen resolution down to 1024x768, not necessarily your desktop. Ingame is where you want to make the change.

I re-read my post and decided it sounded confusing.

Chalenge · « **Reply #3 on:** May 29, 2006, 12:57:14 PM »

Why then does my video memory counter stay below the half used mark? Well you gave me a few things to try anway.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 29, 2006, 01:17:11 PM »

You talking about the ingame numbers? They are useless, ignore them.

Chalenge · « **Reply #5 on:** May 29, 2006, 01:51:20 PM »

I downloaded the entire skins file and emptied the AH cache folder. I was thinking the one time I tried 1024 textures might have messed stuff up.So far everything seems better but Ill try turning off the preload textures setting too. Thanks

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 29, 2006, 02:54:29 PM »

I have a 6800 also, and only half the memory you do, and nowhere near the processor power you do. The only difference I can see is that I only preload to system memory (not video). I'm usually pegged at 85 fps when flying, mid 40s at takeoff and low 40s during a furball. Thats with my ingame detail sliders all nearly maxxed.

Other possibilities include your video card settings, but start with the obvious first.

Chalenge · « **Reply #7 on:** May 30, 2006, 09:08:59 AM »

The only thing I dont have on is water animation. Every other setting is nearly maxed out. Clearing my cache seems to have done the trick. I also found in the Nvidia settings how to set my refresh rate higher so now Im getting a constant 85fps.

Thanks for help.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 30, 2006, 01:07:36 PM »

Cool!

Chalenge · « **Reply #9 on:** May 30, 2006, 01:14:23 PM »

I'm thinking of upgrading to the new 7900 with 512MB on each card. Then maybe I can try out the 1024 textures. Ive tried it with what I have and the controls lost precision or definition or whatever and made flying a chore.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 30, 2006, 01:54:48 PM »

What do you have your AA and AF set to? Also, I'm not sure AH takes advantage of SLI, you might want to check with Skuzzy before you spend a bunch of money. I'd think with 2GB of system RAM, upgrading to a 7900 with 512 on it would be sufficient. I'm not sure you'd even notice an increase. By the time you had just one of them installed you are going to be limited by the CPU. I dont think they make a CPU that can keep up with the newest video cards. Yet.