Frame Rate Hit After Hi Res Texture Install

[AKP]

Ok...


I have been running a high resolution texture pack from a previous AH version for quite awhile now. I was browsing around the AH website, and came across the new one, and installed it.

Now my frame rate has dropped from a solid 60, to about 45ish... and bounces like crazy.

I have set textures back to 512, and it is still doing it. I checked all my settings for my video card, and they are as they should be. Finally... I turned off VSync. When I do that, my frame rate bounces from 45 to 150.

I followed the instructions in Waffles thread...

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,231506.0.html

...and the only way to get my FR back to 60 is to turn everything off, which is not how it was before.  I had antialiasing set up to the first notch in the video settings, and everything on except self shadows. (which didnt cause a FR hit until I set them to smooth).

Anyone ever had this happen before? And if so... what did you do to fix it?

My system info is:

Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_qfe.100216-2016)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gateway
System Model: FX530
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU    Q6600  @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs)
Memory: 2044MB RAM
Page File: 1500MB used, 2437MB 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

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8600 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0402&SUBSYS_09101462&REV_A1
Display Memory: 512.0 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0012.5896 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/9/2010 18:38:00, 6343040 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 7/9/2010 18:38:00, 10604128 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4742-11CF-DA60-1C2900C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0402
SubSys ID: 0x09101462
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
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

[Ghastly]

Ok...


I have been running a high resolution texture pack from a previous AH version for quite awhile now. {snip}

As I understand things, you have not been running the Hi Resolution pack if you downloaded it some time ago - you only thought you were.  Each time there is a major graphics change, you have to download it again, or (I believe) that your system simply ignores it's presence, as it doesn't have the right stuff in it anyway.

The only thing I can think of regarding it not returning to "normal' after switching textures back to 512 is that you might want to defrag the hard disk, in case the graphics .res file is now in bits and pieces.  Other than that, the only thing I see is that the 8600 is a little underpowered for running 1920x1080 - but why it would get worse suddenly with the installation of the new hires pack even when set back to the way it was before I have no idea.

What I'd do if it were my installation would be to rename the Aces High directory, reinstall the program from scratch, and then carefully copy back over the stuff like joystick settings, gunsights, etc. that you need.  I would not copy back over video settings files though.

<S>
 

<S>

[AKP]

Thanks.... I will give that a try.

[fuzeman]

With XP Professional I believe a Page File: 1500MB used, 2437MB available is quite large. First thing I'd do is see whats running in background and trim some processes. Open Task Manager and look at the processes. It should be around 1 or 2% with an occasional jump to around 4%. That's a sort of normal response. Higher spikes or a higher 'low' value means resources being eaten up by other processes.

From this post:
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,68316.0.html  by Skuzzy.


"5) Check how many background processes are running on your computer.  For Windows 2000 and XP, it should be between 19 and 21 for a normal system.  For Windows Vista and Windows 7, if you can get it around 35 to 38, you will be in much better shape.  The more you have listed, the more resources are used up.
6) Check your CPU usage in the Windows Task Manager (under the "Processes" tab).  For Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and Windows 7, it should vary from 0 to 1% (maybe 2% on occasion) at regular intervals.  If it is spiking higher than 2%, you have other active programs (possibly spyware/malware) running on your computer and these will effect the performance of the game in a big way (stutters, pauses, freezing, loss of UDP, loss of connection, crash to desktop are but a few of the potential problems manifested by this issue)."

[AKP]

When I took that DXDiag info... I had a bunch of stuff open at the time.  It is usually much lower.  But I will check that too.

[guncrasher]

windows xp processes between 19-21 for mortals like us is impossible to get (19-21 is not the standard), try to get it as few processes as you can, lower the better.  most likely you'll do in the low 30's that's cool.  look here for ideas.  work at your own risk.

http://www.blackviper.com/

semp

[TequilaChaser]

windows xp processes between 19-21 for mortals like us is impossible to get (19-21 is not the standard), try to get it as few processes as you can, lower the better.  most likely you'll do in the low 30's that's cool.  look here for ideas.  work at your own risk.

http://www.blackviper.com/

semp

Windows XP pagefile use, should be under 200mb

getting yor process down from 25 to 20 is very easy...... getting them down to 19 to 16 is not that much harder even.....

getting them down from 16 to 13 processes is hard, but is still possible ( ask WMLute )

my windows XP Pro 32 bit runs at 18 processes running when Aces high is being played.... when I am on the web, listening to music on WMP, and doing something in MSPaint I m at 19 to 20 processes most times.... and that includesmy ESET smart Security 4 completely enabled at the same time.......


AKP,
everything fuzeman mentioned to you above is correct..... the website semp posted above is a good one to read and learn about tweaking windows XP or windows 7

I would make a personal suggestion, and set a dedicated pagfile size with that particular system , my personal opinion.....

since you only have 2 gigs or memory and a 512 meg vid card.....  I would prob use a 4 gig or 6 gig manually set pagefile size...... this will keep your HD from jumpiing al over the place and resizing your allocated pagefile size continously with Windows automatically controling it.....

hope this helps....

[Skuzzy]

19 to 21 processes, for Windows XP Pro is quite normal, for a base installation.

The 8600 video card really does not have the power to run with the "Detailed Terrain" option enabled and consistently provide frame rates above 45 FPS when running at 1920x1080 resolution.

I would set the "Maximum Texture Size" to 256, then disable the "Detailed Terrain" and shadows options.  That should provide much smoother game play.

[TequilaChaser]

Hey Skuzzy,
I just did notice the following in AKP's PC Info:

Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200

if his Max Res is  1600 x 1200, it looks as if he has it set to show all screen resolutions, and not set to hide resolutions that his monitor is unable or should not be rendering....... also, I thought it was unwise to use Microsoft's generic Plug and Play Monitor Driver, it is recommended that people download and install the specific driver  ( .inf  file ) for their particular monitor if at all possible ?

could this possibly be causing him some problems as well?

just doesn't look right to me.......

[Tigger29]

That was going to be my addition here.. that the 8600 simply isn't good enough to run the High Resolution Textures.  I would turn off AA completely and try it at 512 and see what you can get.

[Skuzzy]

Using the "Plug n Play" monitor type is always risky.  Damage to the monitor can occur if the correct valuses are not loaded to produce the signel needed to run at any given resolution.

Yes, anti-alias should be off as well.

[morfiend]

Hey Skuzzy,
I just did notice the following in AKP's PC Info:

if his Max Res is  1600 x 1200, it looks as if he has it set to show all screen resolutions, and not set to hide resolutions that his monitor is unable or should not be rendering....... also, I thought it was unwise to use Microsoft's generic Plug and Play Monitor Driver, it is recommended that people download and install the specific driver  ( .inf  file ) for their particular monitor if at all possible ?

could this possibly be causing him some problems as well?

just doesn't look right to me.......


 Yes I noticed this too and was going to comment on it!

 AKP,try a reduced resolution,you could use the native 1600x1200 but I'd suggest you try 1280x1024,IIRC Skuzzy says this is the lowest res that gives full 1024 hirez benefit. You may find that it helps with "dot" recognition from far off as well.

 If your not happy with that you could try other settings but I think  you shouldn't use a higher than native resolution.


  

[AKP]

Wow... thanks for all the suggestions guys.  The 8600 has been plugging along just fine until I installed the high res textures.  Right now, I am back to 512 textures and and am using AlacrityPC to cut down the number of processes when I run AH... and my FR is back up to 60.

I will see if I can get the specific driver for my monitor (Sceptre Flat Screen)...  and lowering my resolution.

Thanks everyone... will post when I make the adjustments.