Author Topic: Alienware computers (Read 950 times)

Fulmar · « **Reply #15 on:** August 01, 2007, 04:16:43 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by COndor06
I average about 140-160 FPS. Divide in half because of the duel cards (each one running half the monitor screen).

Sorry, SLI and SLI with multi monitors doesn't necessarily double your your FPS. You'd probably get around 100 FPS (guesstimate) on one card with 1 monitor.

COndor06 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 01, 2007, 04:31:59 PM »

I don't fly with multiple monitors as the game doesn't support it. Instead of three different views you get one cockpit spread across three screens. I just use the main monitor with SLI engaged. You have to disengage the SLI configuration to use multiple monitors. The right and left monitors work off one card and the center monitor works off the other.

When I first used the SLI configuration AH didn't support the video demand of a two card system. They did something in their newest patch that now allows the use of the two cards during gameplay. NVIDIA even wrote a code line for AH and included it in their newest driver release. It works great.

When I am in SLI mode on a single monitor I get 140-160 FPS. I am just guessing you would divide in half for something close on a single monitor.

Sorry, didn't make that clear.

OOZ662 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 02, 2007, 01:05:38 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by COndor06
When I am in SLI mode on a single monitor I get 140-160 FPS. I am just guessing you would divide in half for something close on a single monitor.

No, because actual performance gains for an SLI/Crossfire system have been tested to be no higher than around 10%, generally under 5%.

COndor06 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 02, 2007, 03:06:30 AM »

I don't understand what you are saying OOZ662. The control I function shows 140-160 fps. I know the monitor won't be able to do much more than 65 or 70 but I am not sure I get your meaning. Help me out if you don't mind. I would like to understand it better. Thanks.

Roscoroo · « **Reply #19 on:** August 02, 2007, 03:19:57 AM »

depends on the hz of the monitor ... mine runs at 85 hz at home ..and at work I've got one thats cranked up to 120 hz . when your fps exceeds the hz then its not synced .

Krusty · « **Reply #20 on:** August 02, 2007, 08:48:44 AM »

Condor,

OOZ is saying this:

If you have ONE card, non SLI, you will get X fps.

If you have TWO cards, SLI, you will get only 10% more performance over X.

It doesn't double them. Doesn't work that way. It gives you MORE performance, to be sure, but it's not like saying "2 cards is twice as good" -- one reason I'm not a fan of SLI, but that's another subject altogether

COndor06 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 02, 2007, 02:21:53 PM »

Hey Krusty, Thats what puzzles me. Whats all the hupla over SLI. The theory sounds great. Doesn't make it real but it sells. They got me done and I am still a believer, ha ha. I can tell you that I get a large difference in AH.

Single card numbers around 45-60 and SLI numbers around 140-160. I realize that doesn't really mean much but I would really like to know your take on SLI. Is it not much gain for the price but still a better gain than using one card?
IYO is their a better single card option that gives better gains?

Keep in mind that I didn't purchase the system to play AH but rather to provide video production for my Rodeo Company.

http://www.CowboyProductions.org

Thats what I told the wife anyway,

I like using multible displays on duel cards in my work but use SLI in AH on a single monitor.

Just for giggles here is my current setup.

AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 Dual Core Processor
4 gig ram
Foxconn motherboard
Creative Sound Blaster X-FI Platinum
Duel 7950 NVIDIA GeForce w/512 ram total
(not 1 gig on cards as I said earlier, I was wrong)
Samsung DTV LN-R238W 23 inch running at 60Hz

I am running the AMD Optimizer for the processor

Other than the cash from my wallet, I feel like somethings missing.

any suggestions?

Krusty · « **Reply #22 on:** August 02, 2007, 02:45:53 PM »

Keep in mind you've got a 7600GS. Just one isn't going to be as good as a 7600GT, or a 7800, or 7900, etc.

Taking a high-end system with SLI support and comparing 1 card vs 2 cards, you get very little benefit, for a very large price increase. On the other hand, putting just one Ge8800 GT 320MB into one slot will be better than your dual SLI 7600 GSs. Probably cost about half the SLI setup, to boot.

You're paying DOUBLE the money for just a hair over NORMAL performance. That's my beef

It's a gimmick. It's hype. Buzzwords, catchprases. It sells. It doesn't add up. It's like quad-core and 8-core PC systems.... You're paying (in some cases) 4x-6x the price for about 1.25x the performance.

My view: It's a way of making suckers out of consumers, hence why I dislike it.

EDIT: But if you GOT it (already), use it!

COndor06 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 02, 2007, 03:29:11 PM »

Thanks Krusty

OOZ662 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 02, 2007, 11:22:49 PM »

Here's a hint; turn the Vertical Sync (Vsync) on for your video cards. It's supposed to help with a few things in the game, including "rubber bullets," and matches your video card FPS to your monitor's Hertz.

Basically, if you're running a monitor 60 Hz and the video card is pumping 140 FPS, in reality the monitor is only displaying 60 FPS. With Vsync on, you will produce 60 FPS on a 60 Hz monitor. (The human eye can only see something like 32 FPS, by the way.) I don't know if it'll improve performance all that much, but it's generally accepted as a good thing to have on and will make your FPS reports true.

COndor06 · « **Reply #25 on:** August 02, 2007, 11:28:50 PM »

Rgr That. Thanks OOZ. BTW really cool avatar

eskimo2 · « **Reply #26 on:** August 12, 2007, 09:37:59 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Citabria
bought my wife an alienware laptop.

Wife? I've been out of the loop for awhile; how long have you been married? Congratulations BTW!

wabbit · « **Reply #27 on:** August 12, 2007, 10:45:55 AM »

Gol Dang Right you've been outta the loop!!!!

And it's about Gol Danged Time, ya got back in!

Sincerely,
your squadmate,

Wabbit

eskimo2 · « **Reply #28 on:** August 12, 2007, 11:50:58 AM »

Wabbit!

Just the guy I’m looking for. That Windows 98 machine that you built me 8 or 9 years ago just died the other day. I feel cheated; only 8 or 9 years of daily use on a PC? It should have lasted 20.

Anyway, I’m going to get a new machine but am not sure I can afford enough to build/get one powerful enough to run AH. Everyone here seems to indicate that it takes at least $1500. I really need it to run Vista as well. Our school lab is going Vista so I need to get familiar with it before the school year starts – in less than 2 weeks! I’m thinking about getting an Office Max $900 HP or something similar at Best Buy. Can you recommend parts for a complete system? ($800 without monitor, $1,000 with) I don’t really need a new printer.

Also, please read and comment on my refrigerator thread in the O’ Club, I’d appreciate your opinion.

Thanks,

eskimo

wabbit · « **Reply #29 on:** August 13, 2007, 12:05:01 PM »

Does this mean you're coming back to Aces?

I'll be in touch...

Wabbit