Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: branch37 on February 17, 2009, 06:19:47 PM
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my system runs an average of 50 FPS........usually not a problem but sometimes it can dip as low as 20 and this can be a problem.......any tips for improving my FR?
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What cpu are you using and vc card? Check task manager for resource usage and processes running.
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Start Here: On the Left pick the Operating System you have.
http://www.blackviper.com/ (http://www.blackviper.com/)
Use this for the above:
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm (http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm)
This is a start. AH is CPU intensive, although having a Good VC helps, it can be "worked-around".
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Post what you got, and maybe someone can help you tweak it.
Dxdiag, will show drivers CPU, and video card info. (run dxdiag, save text output, post first third)
In game settings, resolution used, texture size used, preloads to memory, hi-res pak (click on video settings on the clipboard)
Windows task manager, shows processes running and cpu usage. (hit cntrl, alt, delete then click processes tab)
There is a lot of info and that means there is a lot of things that can cause slowdowns. Post it, and they will come :aok
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Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.080814-1236)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: ELITEGROUP COMPUTER SYSTEM CO.,LTD.
System Model: NFORCE6M-A
BIOS: )Phoenix - Award WorkstationBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4600+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 614MB used, 3325MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode
------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: 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 7300 GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 7300 GS
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_01DF&SUBSYS_C4363842&REV_A1
Display Memory: 512.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.9163 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 10/31/2006 00:35:00, 4493952 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 10/31/2006 00:35:00, 3964256 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-429F-11CF-3978-3CE400C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x01DF
SubSys ID: 0xC4363842
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
Deinterlace Caps: {212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: 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
{212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: 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
{212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: 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
{212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: 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: Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: USB\Vid_045e&Pid_070f&Rev_0100&MI_00
Manufacturer ID: 65535
Product ID: 65535
Type: WDM
Driver Name: usbaudio.sys
Driver Version: 5.01.2600.5512 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 4/13/2008 12:45:12, 60032 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Microsoft
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
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
Description: SigmaTel Audio
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7682&SUBSYS_10192608&REV_1036
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: sthda.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.5407.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 3/5/2007 22:38:50, 1228296 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: SigmaTel
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xB5B
Min/Max Sample Rate: 44100, 192000
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
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run
Video Res.- 1280X1024
1024 Textures
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onboard sound may be an issue.
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That's a low end vid card.
The cpu is fine. Skuzzy says that the amd X2 cpus have a problem that impacts AH, but if you're not having big issues (the old spinning clipboard problem) then that cpu is plenty fast.
I'd point my finger at the vid card.
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Yeah, a 7300GS isn't much of a video card. This is the bottleneck of your system (for gaming).
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So what they are saying, is you might want to turn down some of the eye candy. This is where the video setting of the game comes in. Also, if your running a lot of processes in the background your CPU which ok, might be getting over loaded with extra unnecessary work. Thats why you need to post the other info too.
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ive got the processes tuned down to around 25 or so....so that shouldnt be the problem.........any recommendations for a vid card?
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ive got the processes tuned down to around 25 or so....so that shouldnt be the problem.........any recommendations for a vid card?
Depends. If you want anything with any horsepower and your current computer is an off the shelfer (HP, Dell, whatever), you're more than likely going to have to upgrade to a more powerful Power Supply to support a beefier video card. Stock Power Supplies in brand name computers are designed for its current power needs. A new video card is going to require a bit more power and you'll need a bigger PSU.
So if you have a budget, remember that you may need to spend $50+ on a new PSU as well.
Either give us the model number of your computer, or take the side off your computer case and tell us the Wattage and Amps on the 12V, 5V etc rails listed on the PSU.
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A GT9600 or Radeon 4830 would be a good budget card. I've been really impressed with my 4830, the card can run all the games my son is playing, including AH2 with maxed out settings, 8xAA and 16xAF at 1680x1050.
I even run Crysis demo with highest possible graphic settings and it produced almost playable framerates on Windows7 / DX10. With almost playable I mean that if I was desperate I could have played the game easily through with those settings but probably would have wanted to back some settings off the 'very high' to increase fps a bit. Nevertheless very impressive for a budget card running on Beta OS and drivers.
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If you are on a budget, a Radeon 4670 is a very nice card with plenty of power for AH with very reasonable power consumption. It should fit to your CPU very well. If you want to spend some extra bucks, a Radeon 4830 or a Geforce 9800GT do offer even more performance but have higher power demands.
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While I agree that is a weak card. You still have to have your computer as clean as possible. He should really start with a sound card and check resource usage as well and then move to the vc.
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ive got the processes tuned down to around 25 or so....so that shouldnt be the problem.........any recommendations for a vid card?
a simple thing like changing the texture settings might be enough to get you running smooth. What are your in game settings? Does your variance jump around in the game? Do you have anti-alising turned on on your video card?
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While I agree that is a weak card. You still have to have your computer as clean as possible. He should really start with a sound card and check resource usage as well and then move to the vc.
Yep.
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While I agree that is a weak card. You still have to have your computer as clean as possible. He should really start with a sound card and check resource usage as well and then move to the vc.
I respectfully disagree.
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Fulmar, take my PC. I used onboard for about 3 weeks and could not stand the bad sound. During games when explosions came up, the sound would go blank. I am now considering getting a better soundcard to replace my Audigy Gamer from 2004.
He may have a trojan, but I doubt McAfee would find it. He's probably better off installing ESET NOD32 or Smart Security suite. I agree with Skuzzy in that especially those two AV's, should be considered viruses.
Where he'd benefit most from is an 8800GT or comparable ATi card, depending on his liking. Also, 4GB of matched RAM and a beefier PSU. But, this might move the bottleneck to his CPU.
I guess I should have been this clear. His problem doesn't seem to be in "one area".
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Try running the free Nod32 online scan tool at http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/
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I respectfully disagree.
What disagree with me. Why you ...... I oughta. :rofl :rofl
Here's my thinking and please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Now I know that the VC and cpu are bound by each other. I'm not sure why but they are. I even read an article on it. When I was over clockinging my CPU I found that my video card could be further over clocked using the auto tune feature. So if I oc'd my cpu to 3.3 my vc could be increased and if I oc'd to 3.7 the vc could be auto tuned even faster. Of course at some point the vc says no, not going to happen and the same for the cpu. So my thoughts are that if you have something affecting the resources such as on-board sound then that will affect the vc as well. Now I'm sure there is more to it but that just seems logical.
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Fulmar, take my PC. I used onboard for about 3 weeks and could not stand the bad sound. During games when explosions came up, the sound would go blank. I am now considering getting a better soundcard to replace my Audigy Gamer from 2004.
He may have a trojan, but I doubt McAfee would find it. He's probably better off installing ESET NOD32 or Smart Security suite. I agree with Skuzzy in that especially those two AV's, should be considered viruses.
Where he'd benefit most from is an 8800GT or comparable ATi card, depending on his liking. Also, 4GB of matched RAM and a beefier PSU. But, this might move the bottleneck to his CPU.
I guess I should have been this clear. His problem doesn't seem to be in "one area".
Sum of Benchmarks at 1280x1024. Feel free to check out the rest of the benchmarks on this site. The fact is the 7300GS is at the very BOTTOM of almost every single game benchmark.
Tom's Hardware - Benchmark Sum of FPS Benchmarks 1280x1024 (http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/gaming-graphics-charts-q3-2008/Sum-of-FPS-Benchmarks-1280x1024,796.html)
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Almost every computer can benefit from a little clean up and running antivirus/spyware scans routinely is always a good idea, however in this specific case it's pretty clear that the "symptoms" of low and variable framerates can be directly attributed to having a slow video card. Even a fresh install of a "lite" stripped down version of winXP would still suffer low and variable framerates because of that video card.
The relevant questions then are what kind of video cards would be suitable replacements (ie. AGP or PCI-e and are there any other limitations such as a small or otherwise non-standard case), do any other components such as the power supply need to also be upgraded, and what is the upgrade budget. Answer those three questions and we're on track to boosting framerates to where they belong. The ram and cpu is fine, and if he discovers that his windows installation is infected or otherwise damaged then he can work on that too, but he'll NEVER get decent framerates with that video card unless he turns down all the graphics options and even then, he might still have slow or variable framerates and an unsatisfying playing experience.
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Sum of Benchmarks at 1280x1024. Feel free to check out the rest of the benchmarks on this site. The fact is the 7300GS is at the very BOTTOM of almost every single game benchmark.
Tom's Hardware - Benchmark Sum of FPS Benchmarks 1280x1024 (http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/gaming-graphics-charts-q3-2008/Sum-of-FPS-Benchmarks-1280x1024,796.html)
The Video is known to be a poor performer. But like I said, it seems he could benefit from a couple other upgrades as well. I'm not trying to start an "I'm right and you're wrong" type thing here. I should have typed what I did, instead of a "Yep."