frame rate

[nunes]

So usually i ride a frame rate of 300+ with all graphics turned up to full.  But about a week ago my frame rate has taken a turn for the worst.  I had all graphics turned down to minimal and my frame rate is 10-25 roughly.  I contacted my internet provider and they did a test and said that its actually exceptionally fast.  I did a malware, spyware, etc check and nothing comes up.  So under advice from fellow pilots I did a dxdiag and here it is.  Love the game but can't even try to fly lately.  Awaiting support.  Thankyou.

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 8/3/2010, 12:06:15
       Machine name: OWNER-PC
   Operating System: Windows Vista™ Ultimate (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.100218-0019)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO.,LTD
       System Model: MS-7516
               BIOS: Default System BIOS
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU    Q9550  @ 2.83GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
             Memory: 8190MB RAM
          Page File: 3082MB used, 13349MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 7.00.6002.18107 64bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.

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

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series       
     Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
        Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x9440)
         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9440&SUBSYS_05021002&REV_00
   Display Memory: 4081 MB
 Dedicated Memory: 1014 MB
    Shared Memory: 3067 MB
     Current Mode: 1920 x 1200 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Dell 2408WFP(Digital)
      Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,aticfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
   Driver Version: 8.17.0010.1036 (English)
      DDI Version: 10.1
   BGRA Supported: Yes
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 7/6/2010 18:53:20, 594432 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-D700-11CF-BE77-0825BEC2C535}
        Vendor ID: 0x1002
        Device ID: 0x9440
        SubSys ID: 0x05021002
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
 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
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                   {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                   {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
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
     DDraw Status: Enabled
       D3D Status: Enabled
       AGP Status: Enabled

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
            Description: Speakers (HiFi-Link)
 Default Sound Playback: Yes
 Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: USB\VID_09EF&PID_0101&REV_0100&MI_00
        Manufacturer ID: 65535
             Product ID: 65535
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: USBAUDIO.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.6002.18005 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 4/10/2009 22:39:34, 98944 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: Microsoft
         HW Accel Level: Basic
              Cap Flags: 0xF1F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 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

            Description: Digital Output Device (SPDIF) (Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio (Vista))
 Default Sound Playback: No
 Default Voice Playback: No
            Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_1102&DEV_000A&SUBSYS_1462C320&REV_1000
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: t3.sys
         Driver Version: 6.10.0000.0203 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 10/17/2008 02:44:14, 630272 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: CREATIVE
         HW Accel Level: Basic
              Cap Flags: 0xF1F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 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

---------------------

[Skuzzy]

First off, you need to enable vertical sync in the games "Video Settings" and only turn it off to do specific testing.

Next, try reading this.  While it is titled SCREEN STUTTERS/PAUSES, it also addresses how to figure out what may be killing your computer resources which leads to low frame rates.

[Ghastly]

The USB sound device looks like it's both the default sound device - and using a generic MS driver.  Can you unplug whatever usb sound device you are using (headphones, most likely?) and try playing with the SoundBlaster providing game sounds?

<S>

edit-> I can't count the number of times I've had issues with a USB controller being on the same IRQ as the video, and having a USB connected device impact system performance unexpectedly, although generally not to the degree described.  But using a generic MS driver, who knows?

[Tigger29]

I have a hard time believing you were seeing 300+ FR with graphics turned up to full unless you were either running low textures (256 or MAYBE 512), or a low resolution (such as 1024X768 or lower), or both.

I also doubt that shadows were turned on during your "full settings" experience, as even the best video cards out right now tend to get bogged down when shadow options are enabled, ESPECIALLY shadow textures of 2048 or higher, and ESPECIALLY other planes' shadows.

Fix your sound device issues, then concentrate on the settings again.  There are two places to select video settings... in the "Video Settings" link in the main menu before you log on, and in the "Options/Graphic Detail" links in the menu after you enter an arena (or offline mode).

Lets start with the Video Settings link.  Refer to this image and the numbers in red I've inserted:



1.  Make sure it displays your video cards.
2.  If you have an LCD monitor, make sure this is set to your monitor's native resolution.  If you have an old CRT, you'll probably want to use 1024X768 for now.
3.  Leave this set to Auto Set Field Of View.  This has nothing to do with frame rate.
4.  Make sure this box is NOT CHECKED for the time being.  Once you get everything working well, you can check it temporarily for testing purposes if you're curious as to what you maximum Frame Rates is, but there is no reason to play with it like that (and it can cause problems).  Leaving this box unchecked prevents your video cards from displaying video faster than your monitor can handle.  This is usually 60-85FPS depending on your monitor.
5.  Set your Maximum Texture Size for 512 for now.  If your frame rates become maxed out a lot of the time, you can later try upping it to 1024 (and downloading the hi-res pack) to see how it affects things, but don't expect miracles.  I wouldn't even bother with 2048 with your video card.
6.  For now keep the Anti-Aliasing slider all the way to the left.  You can adjust it up later on once you get things working.

You also want to go to your video card's settings from windows, and make sure the Anti Aliasing settings are set to "Application Controlled" or the like.

OK now to the next video settings screen:


1.  Move this slider all the way to the right at "Faster" for now.  You can adjust it to the left later on.
2.  Move this slider all the way to the right at "0.5 miles" for now.  Again, you can adjust it up later on.
3.  Gamma is basically 'brightness' and you can leave it at default... or just set it to 1.0 and you can adjust it later.  Doesn't affect frames per second.
4.  The only one of these that should be checked is "Display Horizon".  You can check the others for more performance but your video card should easily handle these.

Next, click on the ADVANCED button which brings up the menu on the left (5-11)

5 and 6.  Check these as your video card can easily handle it.
7.  Leave this unchecked for now.  This has caused a FPS hit for me in the past, but you can check it later on if you want to see what it does.
8.  Check this.
9, 10, and 11.  DO NOT CHECK THESE.  You can try them later on, but I don't think your video card will thank you much for it.  If you do chose to run shadows later on, I wouldn't pick anything higher than 512 shadow textures.

Click CLOSE, OK, and see what your frame rates do now.

OK, I just checked on your monitor, it can handle 1920X1200 resolution.  You can probably run 1440X900 without taking too much of a hit in appearance if you want to improve performance, but personally I think 1920X1200 with no eye candy looks better than 1440X900 with it all on.

[nunes]

First off, thankyou for all the ideas.  I tried to do everything as suggested but my knowledge of the fine tunings of a computer is limited.  Looking back, Tigger your right, I did not have all the shadows turned on.  I did run on 1024 the whole time though with no troubles.  The thing I don't get it, is that this issue happened all at once, not a gradual thing.  One day everything was great and then the next time I got on blamo.  It was well after the last big update and some days after the last little one.  I have some videos I made posted in the film section if that will help show as to what I was seeing when all was good (resolution is a little lower in the films but that is a lack of knowledge on getting the most out of my editing preferences I think.  That being said, this is the results so far.

I turned vsync back on (left box unchecked)

I have no custom sounds.

I do, however, notice that I have more than the 35 processes, 76 to be exact, running on my vista.  I never checked before but I can only assume that has been the case even when the game ran well.  the cpu usage at idle is around 29% which I guess isn't a good thing and probably a whole different problem in itself. 


I turned off some of the processess skuzzy recommended at the beggining of the help thread.  Some were not listed on my end. 

The audio usb thing, not sure what you mean Ghastly.  Its a link that turns my sound output to my stereo that is old school. But has never been a problem before.


Tigger, Only when I turned everything off, did my frame rate come up to 50 and even then it was still inconsistent.

The only thing I can be certain about is that it is my fault somehow.  Only thing is that I hadn't done anything to computer, I played the game the night before and the next time I got on I opened the game and it is what it is now.    Salute all ya all who have helped and if you have anymore suggestions they would be greatly appreciated.