help improve my fr

[ViZeen]

Hey yall this is my first post.

My frame rates really are a cause of fustration and wanted yall to take a look and see what I can do with this thing to get it up to usable. I am hoping to fix this one up a little instead of  going all out for a new one for the time being. I had this thing bulit awhile back and recently added a new vid card...didnt help so thought I would ask the experts.
I am a tard so talk to me like I dont know wth you geeks are saying.

Well crap I was feeling all smart cause I saved a copy of dxdiag to desktop now I cant figure out how to attach it here. I guess I need to start by asking how to do that

[Schatzi]

If you want to *attach* it you need to host it somewhere on the web (http://www.picturehangar.com for example) and copy paste the link in here.

But you can always just open it, select the first third and CTRL C/CTRL V it into your post .

[ViZeen]

Hey I have no idea what you just said about cntrl c/v

[Schatzi]

Copy / paste.

You can copy a selected text in windows with CTRL C (or right click "copy") and paste it with CTRL V (rightclick "paste").

[Schatzi]

Originally posted by ViZeen
------------------
Hey I got it in here!

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 8/16/2006, 04:12:31
       Machine name: TOM
   Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: MSI
       System Model: MS-6380E
               BIOS: Version 1.00
          Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) ,  MMX,  3DNow, ~1.3GHz
             Memory: 768MB RAM
          Page File: 202MB used, 904MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
  DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
          Music Tab: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.
        Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: RADEON X1600 Series
     Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
        Chip type: ATI display adapter AGP (0x71C2)
         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_71C2&SUBSYS_030B1002&REV_00
   Display Memory: 512.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
          Monitor: COMPAQ 7550 Color Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6587 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 12/1/2005 23:49:37, 252928 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: n/a
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 12/1/2005 23:49:18, 1412608 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-3282-11CF-096A-0123A1C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x1002
        Device ID: 0x71C2
        SubSys ID: 0x030B1002
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV8_B ModeWMV8_A ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
 Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
         Registry: OK
     DDraw Status: Enabled
       D3D Status: Enabled
       AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
 D3D7 Test Result: Not run
 D3D8 Test Result: Not run
 D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
            Description: C-Media Wave Device
 Default Sound Playback: Yes
 Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_13F6&DEV_0111&SUBSYS_011113F6&REV_10
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: cmaudio.sys
         Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0643 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Debug
            WHQL Logo'd: n/a
          Date and Size: 11/18/2002 16:51:40, 377358 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: C-Media
         HW Accel Level: Standard
              Cap Flags: 0x0
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
               Registry: OK
      Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
            Description: C-Media Wave Device
  Default Sound Capture: Yes
  Default Voice Capture: Yes
            Driver Name: cmaudio.sys
         Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0643 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Debug
          Date and Size: 11/18/2002 16:51:40, 377358 bytes
              Cap Flags: 0x0
           Format Flags: 0x0

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
        DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
     DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
    Acceleration: n/a
           Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
                  MPU-401, Hardware (Kernel Mode), Input, No DLS, External
                  MPU-401, Hardware (Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, External
                  C-Media Wave Device, Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
                  Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
                  Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
                  MPU-401 [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, External
                  MPU-401 [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Input, No DLS, External
        Registry: OK
     Test Result: Not run

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
      Device Name: Mouse
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Keyboard
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Saitek X45
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x06A3, 0x053C
        FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
         Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x1106, 0x3038
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Lower Filters: vulfntrs
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 8/4/2004 02:08:42, 57600 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 8/29/2002 08:00:00, 4736 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------
+ CMI8738/C3DX PCI Audio Device
| Location: PCI bus 0, device 8, function 0
| Matching Device ID: pci\ven_13f6&dev_0111&subsys_011113f6&rev_10
| Service: cmpci
|
+-+ Standard Game Port
| | Matching Device ID: *pnpb02f
| | Service: gameenum
| | Driver: gameenum.sys, 8/4/2004 02:08:21, 10624 bytes

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 8/4/2004 02:14:36, 52736 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/4/2004 01:58:32, 24576 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 04:01:07, 40840 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/4/2004 01:58:32, 24576 bytes
|
+ PS/2 Compatible Mouse
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0f13
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 8/4/2004 02:14:36, 52736 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/4/2004 01:58:32, 23040 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 04:01:07, 40840 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/4/2004 01:58:32, 23040 bytes

[Schatzi]

Have you gone through the tech support stickies? Thats the first thing id do to improve performance of the computer itself. Make sure theres as little processes as possible running in the background when you launch AH (And NO other open programs!).

Additionally a defrag of the HDD can help a bit.

Also, I wouldnt preload anything (video settings) and go for 256 tex res. Ingame disable all effects and disable skins. Move the detail sliders as much to the performance side as you need them.

[Skuzzy]

Set the in-game "Maximum Texture Size" to 256.  Check the option to preload textures into system RAM.

Check both the "optimize" options.

Now to the fun stuff.

A video card is only as fast as the data can be gotten to it.  If the CPU is too busy, frame rates will suffer.

Make sure all programs are shut down, then from the Windows desktop, open the Windows Task Manager (Ctrl-Alt-Del).  Select the "Processes" tab.
For Windows Xp, there should be around 19 to 21 processes listed.  Look in the lower left corner for the total count.

Next, check the CPU usage immediately to the right of the total count.  It should be bouncing, at regualr intervals, between 0 and 1 or 2 percent, and no higher.  Watch it for a minute or two.

[Roscoroo]

Do the Skuzzy checks 1st ....

now.

which video driver is this ??
  Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6587 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 12/1/2005 23:49:37, 252928 bytes


you should have the 4.12 cats or omega's  
in a 1024x768 @ 75 hz  config you should have 75 fps looking up /in clear skys and see around 25- 30 in heavy furballs /action area's even at 512 textures(I would try to use a higher monitor hz if possiable)

look at your memory ussage in game also if its getting near the max amount then you have the setting to high and its gonna slow the game down and cause stuttering.

[ViZeen]

Hey all I am very glad you are helping. I have done all the stuff in the stickys or all I could do, processes are 23 and cpu % is going from 0 -2% all programs are off including anti virus.
texture size is 256 and really looks like crap, sliders are set for perfomance. basicly I have done all the tweaking I think I can get away with.
FR is around 65 looking up in clear blue sky but let there be more than 5 guys around or somebody dropping egggs or on fire and I have a slide show going on. forget missions or furballs.
Its not clear to me but I suspect the CPU is the bottle neck here and I could benifit by getting another. I dont know how to go about figuring out if this is the case and if so can I drop in another cpu and what size could I go up to. I am going to go back through the stickys and see if there is anything I missed, but I think I already got all that.

[ViZeen]

I have gone over the tweaks a second time, dont know what else to do there.
I dont know about the ATI driver, its whatever was on the disk that came in the box.

[Roscoroo]

if your gonna go the quick cpu route

Id suggest a 2400+ t-bred or a 2500+ barton . Gonna have to go ebay or some other source because all they make is semprons now days .

you could go a sempron but you need to check thru  your mainboard spec's / updates and beshure it can support it ..most mb's have to have the bios flashed and updated for a sempron cpu .  remember that  you have a socket A CPU so it doesnt get you looking at the 64 bit cpu's .


im still suprised your getting such bad framerates .
is see 10-19fps low  on my kids pc ,1.3 morgan 512 ram ,w/4600ti card . but the game isnt stuttering .


One of the guys here may have a used cpu laying around to .


edit : heres the omega's
http://www.omegadrivers.net/archive.php

you want the
 14.9MB  Radeon Omega Drivers 2.5.97a (Catalyst 4.12) Windows 2000/XP

you may have to use a driver cleaner program 1st ... i just use safemode to remove drivers when needed.

[BigGun]

check your other thead what skuzzy said.

[ViZeen]

Hey roscoroo I have dl the driver to desktop, will workon that later and skuzzy says my sound card is total POS so maybe a newone is what I need?
I went to MSI and tried to figure out what CPU upgrade would drop in....I just confused myself completely and developed a headache.

[x0847Marine]

You can easily upgrade that AMD CPU, but only one that your motherboard chipset will support.

Check out:
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

It will list in specific detail everything about your system hardware / software, my guess is you can probably upgrade up to an XP2500 - 3200 @ the lower FSB. Also take note of your RAM, 1st that you have more than enough, 2nd that it's running at the same speed as your CPU.

If you are using on board sound, you might invest in a separate sound card that has a Digital Signal Processor (DSP).

Depending on which AMD motherboard you have, you can likely overclock it to a noticeable difference without too much hassle, for example Gigabyes has easytune that OC's in Windows.

There could be a major BIOS update for your board that could help, also with those AMDs I've found sometimes they are running at the lower FSB since it takes going into the BIOS to set. I think those should run at 166 (x2) FSB.

[Roscoroo]

Originally posted by ViZeen
Hey roscoroo I have dl the driver to desktop, will workon that later and skuzzy says my sound card is total POS so maybe a newone is what I need?
I went to MSI and tried to figure out what CPU upgrade would drop in....I just confused myself completely and developed a headache.

Look inside your case and post us the mainboard model
I know its a MSI  but thats about it .