STILL STUTTERING WTF!

[TwinBoom]

Complete reformat of windows fresh everything still same stutter wth is going on ran smooth as a baby's ass
b4 this terrain update
tried detail on off
stock and custom sounds

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 8/23/2009, 15:49:54
       Machine name: TWINBOOM-F560B5
   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.090206-1233)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.               
       System Model: Dimension XPSGEN5           
               BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A04
          Processor: Genuine Intel(R) CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
             Memory: 3070MB RAM
          Page File: 214MB used, 7300MB 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: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
     Manufacturer: NVIDIA
        Chip type: GeForce 8800 GTS
         DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0193&SUBSYS_22521682&REV_A2
   Display Memory: 320.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (75Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0011.8250 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 3/28/2009 00:03:00, 6186880 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 3/28/2009 00:03:00, 6280416 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-42D3-11CF-0855-590203C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x10DE
        Device ID: 0x0193
        SubSys ID: 0x22521682
      Revision ID: 0x00A2
      Revision ID: 0x00A2
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
 Deinterlace Caps: {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) 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
                   {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) 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: SB Audigy 2 ZS Audio [CCC0]
 Default Sound Playback: Yes
 Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_20021102&REV_04
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1241 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 4/10/2007 04:20:38, 520488 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: Creative
         HW Accel Level: Standard
              Cap Flags: 0xF5F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 4000, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 64, 62
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 64, 62
              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: SB Audigy 2 ZS Audio [CCC0]
  Default Sound Capture: Yes
  Default Voice Capture: Yes
            Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1241 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
          Date and Size: 4/10/2007 04:20:38, 520488 bytes
              Cap Flags: 0x41
           Format Flags: 0xFFF

[Chalenge]

Its hard to believe you have stutter with that beast! I hate to ask you to do this but could you look at the hard drive and tell us the make and model? I think its possible you got a substandard drive and Im a big believer in bigger and faster.

[AirFlyer]

Have you tried a different driver version?

Perhaps Service Pack 3 would help?

Just random suggestions, not promising anything.

[The Fugitive]

Twin, my Dxdiag looks almost identical to yours, but there are a few differences.
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 8/23/2009, 19:38:59
       Machine name: DAD-XHD5FC9SIO0
   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
       System Model: P5K-E
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 03/21/08 09:56:22 Ver: 08.00.12
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU     E6850  @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
             Memory: 3328MB RAM
          Page File: 401MB used, 4809MB 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
Mine ID's the CPU, shows a bit more ram (believe you said you have 4 gig too?), and my page file is different. I'm sure I have more background stuff due to your being a fresh install, but my available is smaller. Not that I think any of this is a problem, just different.

The video is something that bothers me....
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
     Manufacturer: NVIDIA
        Chip type: GeForce 8800 GTS
         DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0193&SUBSYS_C8293842&REV_A2
   Display Memory: 640.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0011.7779 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 7/26/2008 14:48:00, 6047360 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: n/a
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 7/26/2008 14:48:00, 6097536 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-42D3-11CF-9145-22E803C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x10DE
        Device ID: 0x0193
        SubSys ID: 0xC8293842
      Revision ID: 0x00A2
      Revision ID: 0x00A2

Same card, but look at the memory. That I think "might" be a problem. Hopefully one of the guru's around here can comment on that. I have everything cranked up and have no troubles at all.....other than my poor aim, but I doubt even HT could fix that 

[TwinBoom]

Its hard to believe you have stutter with that beast! I hate to ask you to do this but could you look at the hard drive and tell us the make and model? I think its possible you got a substandard drive and Im a big believer in bigger and faster.

standard 7200 seagate 120

Have you tried a different driver version?

Perhaps Service Pack 3 would help?

Just random suggestions, not promising anything.

skuzzy said service pack 3 was a nightmare
yes i tried driver that came with card and the very latest

Twin, my Dxdiag looks almost identical to yours, but there are a few differences.
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 8/23/2009, 19:38:59
       Machine name: DAD-XHD5FC9SIO0
   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
       System Model: P5K-E
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 03/21/08 09:56:22 Ver: 08.00.12
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU     E6850  @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
             Memory: 3328MB RAM
          Page File: 401MB used, 4809MB 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
Mine ID's the CPU, shows a bit more ram (believe you said you have 4 gig too?), and my page file is different. I'm sure I have more background stuff due to your being a fresh install, but my available is smaller. Not that I think any of this is a problem, just different.

The video is something that bothers me....
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
     Manufacturer: NVIDIA
        Chip type: GeForce 8800 GTS
         DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0193&SUBSYS_C8293842&REV_A2
   Display Memory: 640.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0011.7779 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 7/26/2008 14:48:00, 6047360 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: n/a
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 7/26/2008 14:48:00, 6097536 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-42D3-11CF-9145-22E803C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x10DE
        Device ID: 0x0193
        SubSys ID: 0xC8293842
      Revision ID: 0x00A2
      Revision ID: 0x00A2

Same card, but look at the memory. That I think "might" be a problem. Hopefully one of the guru's around here can comment on that. I have everything cranked up and have no troubles at all.....other than my poor aim, but I doubt even HT could fix that 

joe my virtual memory is same min and max is that right? 4605 is what there set at

also i have 3 gigs crucial balistic
and my vid card is the 320meg version of that card
  

[Chalenge]

The 8MB cache version? Twin you would be a LOT better off with a 32MB cache on a 7200 drive. Even 1TB drives are dirt cheap now. If your drive is a Seagate ST3120026AS with 8MB cache then I think your due for an upgrade.

Buy two drives and install AH on the second drive and put page files on both drives with the settings you have now. 

The 320 meg version of the 8800 is better off run at the resolution you are using. I believe you already said (in another thread) you had reduced the texture size with no change in stutters? I dont think even 1024 would be a problem but just maybe it would.

[Ack-Ack]

Complete reformat of windows fresh everything still same stutter wth is going on ran smooth as a baby's ass
b4 this terrain update
tried detail on off
stock and custom sounds

Just curious, fresh install of AH or did you install it over the version prior to the update?  I know it kind of sounds off the wall but if you installed the update over your previous AH installation, the cache folder is still there.  I know the current version of AH isn't supposed to use this cache file but I went ahead and deleted it anyway because I was getting desperate in trying to stop the stutters and lock up.  All I know is that after deleting the cache folder, I have not experienced any stutters or the game locking up.  YMMV.

ack-ack

[Kuhn]

I still get the stutters occasionally. Seems to depend on the day. Been doing alright if I log in and out a couple times. Alt tab works sometimes too. If all else fails I reset my router. I can always get rid of the stutter but the same procedure doesn't work every time.

[Knite]

Hey TB, just going to consolidate some info here so I can see what you;'ve got more clearly. Please correct me if what I type below is incorrect :

CPU - Intel 2 Cpu 3.00GHz chip. Do you know specific type of chip?
Memory - 3GB Ram    - Question : 3 GB is an odd number unless you're running the newer i7 style "triple channel" memory configs... How is your memory setup? What kind / speed?
Hard Drive = Size? Speed?
Sound Card = Audigy 2 ZS
Video = 8800GTS320
Display = ? What kind of monitor do you have?
OS = Windows XP 32 Bit


Alright, a few things I'm going to start with here...
Here are my specs :
CPU - Intel C2D E6420 running at 3.2GHz
Memory - 4GB (2x2GB) PC3200 (800) Ram
Video Card - MSI 8800GTS 320 OC
Sound - Razer Barracuda AC-1
OS - Vista64 bit
This machine runs AH2 full detail, including smooth self shadowing, at 1920x1080p, no AA, without resorting to any compatibility mode in Vista64! So your video card should run AH2 just fine.


1.  Your page file looks absolutely HUGE. 7GB page file? That is remarkably high. The general rule for Windows XP has been at or below 1GB of memory, to set your page file to 1.5x your amount of memory. i.e. if you've got 1024MB of memory, your page file should be 1536MB large. Over 1GB of memory, it's a general rule to set your page file around the same size of your memory. So in this case, your page file should be around 3072MB. So my first recommendation is to change that Page File size. If you do not know how, let me know and I can get you instructions. Also make sure that you are SETTING the page file minimum and maximum to the same size, and NOT letting windows handle the size duties. That definitely can cause wonky hard drive accesses as Windows is trying to guestimate what it needs for its Page File.

2.  You may want to consider Service Pack 3 in the future. Just like any Service Pack, it's had its growing pains, but there are actual OS optimizations and security patches in there that are useful, even if somewhat invisible to 99.9% of all people. =)
 
3.  What drivers are you using for your video card? I recommend for these testing purposes, not to use your manufacturer's drivers, but to get drivers directly from nVidia.com and install those.

4.  Disconnect ALL usb devices, except for mouse and keyboard. Uninstall any mouse or keyboard software unless it is absolutely, 100% required to get functionality (most mice and keyboards with software work fine without the software, but lose their bells and whistles).

5.  Go into your services. Find a serice called "Indexing Service". Stop it and set it to manual.

6.  Backup and uninstall AH2. Download a brand new copy of the install file. Defrag your hard drive. Then install from that new install file into C:\AH2 (or if you have a 2nd hard drive, D:\AH2). Do not copy any settings files, skins, or sounds. Do not install the highres pack. Do not set the game to run in compatibility mode. Try it out to see what happens. Yes, this does mean you'll be flying with a mouse and keyboard for a few moments. But this is just to see if anything improved stutter wise.

7.  Another thing I recommend is to reduce your sound acceleration. Open up DXDiag, go to the sound tab, and move the sound acceleration bar to the left 1 notch. If the stutters do not go away, do it a 2nd notch. And so on. If you go all the way left, and stutters are not improved, go ahead and move that bar back to the right.

Just some suggestions to get you started. =)

[TwinBoom]

The 8MB cache version? Twin you would be a LOT better off with a 32MB cache on a 7200 drive. Even 1TB drives are dirt cheap now. If your drive is a Seagate ST3120026AS with 8MB cache then I think your due for an upgrade.

Buy two drives and install AH on the second drive and put page files on both drives with the settings you have now. 

The 320 meg version of the 8800 is better off run at the resolution you are using. I believe you already said (in another thread) you had reduced the texture size with no change in stutters? I dont think even 1024 would be a problem but just maybe it would.

Chalenge
it is the ST3120026AS 8mb can i just add a second drive and just use it fir aces high instead of buying 2 drives?


ackack did a complete windows format wiped the hd clean

Knite
cpu pentium d
memory 2 gigs crucial balistic 1 gig kingston all at like 5600 i think there crucial in a1 and b1 and kingston in b1 and b2
harddrive ST3120026AS 8mb 7200
monitor 19inch viewsonic a90f CRT

[Knite]

Heya TB, can you remove all but 1 piece of memory if you haven't tried that yet? Leave in 1 crucial ballistic chip in. If that eliminates the stutters, try it with 2.
There could be a dual channel conflict, or the possibility of different sizes and manufacturers could be running different memory timings causing some quirkyness.

[TwinBoom]

what dimm slots?
there is 4 on my board

[Knite]

Reading on your desktop Twin...

It appears your motherboard has the memory slots labelled in this order
1 - 3           2 - 4

Remove the memory from slots 3 and 4, and put the Crucial memory in slots 1 and 2.

[Chalenge]

Im hoping Knite fixes your problem but I want to add a few tuning tips anyway.

Since your using XP:

Disable hidden files and folder then on the root C:\ you will find a file named: boot.ini
Open it in notepad and add the following to the end of the OS boot line:

/3GB/Userva=2560

EXAMPLE LINE EDIT:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows XP Professsional" /fastdetect /3GB /Userva=2560 <---- add it here

Save and close the file and then reboot.

If you need to set that back to default simply remove the edit.

If you are using XP SP2 and are running a dual, quad, OR a single core Intel HYPERTHREAD processor, make sure this update is applied http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=C2AB5A48-8240-4934-BBD8-34FB8A0FCE3B&displaylang=en

XP SP3 users do not need that update.

Next we come to the drive. There is some bad information on the net about the cache size and what it actually will do for you. In most applications you cant see a difference in 8mb versus 32mb but in games with heavy graphics you can and in flight simulations it becomes obvious. The fastest drive you can buy is the way to go of course and that means either a 150GB velociraptor or a 32 MB SATAII. If you go with either one you will want to move your page file to this drive as it will definitely be your fastest drive. When you first install the drive you want to format the drive as an NTFS with a cluster size of 64kb (this works best for me but I came to this conclusion without knowing what data size AH actually acquires on terrain or texture updates...etc). At 64kb you are reading the most data you can per cluster/chunk and therefore decreasing the number of reads required. Ideally you would want a RAID system with 256k striped arrays (and I contend RAID0 but others will say Im wrong due to drive failure rates increasing as drive numbers increase).

A single raptor is better than a RAID setup off of a motherboard controller so stick to a single hard drive or get ready to spend a LOT of money. I recommend getting TWO SATAIIs so your OS is not slaved to a slow hard drive and if you do follow my advice you will see improved performance with multiple page files set to the same settings (initial 1.5*RAM and max 3*RAM).

That should get you going and good hunting!

[gyrene81]

Would be nice if a hard drive made all the difference...what Chalange has forgotten in his numbers is the effects of latency, average seek time and average write time...cache aside, you can't improve the those settings and the actual timings could be +/- what the manufacturer says it is...the increased cache makes as much difference as going from 5400 rpm to 7200 rpm...that's all...and it's not that big of a difference as is illustrated by all the people still running 5400 rpm drives with no issues.

If you were talking data throughput...that would make a little more difference going from ATA133 to SATA3.0GB...that is a huge performance difference...but still no bearing the stuttering issue that TB and others have noticed.




TB part of your issue is that mixed memory...Kingston and Crucial Ballistix are totally different timings...and that will throw your memory performance off...even if it were the high perf Kingston.

Mixing econo memory isn't too bad...but when you mix performance memory every nanosecond has an effect.

Knite has made a lot of great recommendations in troubleshooting TB's issue...(sounds like he went through some issues himself)...

Aside from the memory I'm looking at that sound card...if that mobo has a built in sound chip it could be causing a DMA conflict...or there is a conflict between the driver and DirectX sound acceleration.

Do you have the specs on your power supply Twinboom? and what brand of 8800GTS is that video card?