Aces High Bulletin Board

Help and Support Forums => Technical Support => Topic started by: Changeup on January 26, 2012, 12:36:11 PM

Title: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Changeup on January 26, 2012, 12:36:11 PM
Hey fellas,

I've looked through the nVidia forums and here and can't figure out why this might be happening.  I would think these two cards in SLI plus an i7 950 would be plenty for this patch but it's not.

Are there any special setup requirements in the nVidia Control Manager that should be dealt with I order to make sure both cards use are maximized?  The NCM is recognizing both cards and I have plenty of power...850W with 4X12 volt rails....

Suggestions?
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Skuzzy on January 26, 2012, 01:11:10 PM
Can you better define "getting clobbered"?

How much video RAM is on each card?

Precisely what options/config choices are set in "Video Settings", "Options->Graphic Details", and "Options->Graphic Details->Advanced"?

What about any anti-alias settings outside of the game?


My initial guess will be it is not performance related, but resource related.


By the way, there is a very good chance the NVidia suppied SLI configuration file, for Aces High, is no longer correct with this new update.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Buzzard7 on January 26, 2012, 01:15:54 PM
How many amps can each 12volt rail handle? I have a single 12 volt rail rated for i think 40 amps. Enough for a GTX 560 according to nvidia. I have seen where split rails are not hot enough for the big cards.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Skuzzy on January 26, 2012, 01:17:10 PM
I doubt this particular issue is power related.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Changeup on January 26, 2012, 01:28:06 PM
Can you better define "getting clobbered"?

How much video RAM is on each card?

My initial guess will be it is not performance related, but resource related.

1gig each card, DDR 5

All graphics options pegged, flew at TT last night and frame rate went from 60 to 0 and the game discod me....three times.  I stepped the graphic options down and moved fields and it happened again, twice, with 12 friendlies and cons in viewing distance.  The graphics were moving one frame at a time right before the disco...don't know if that's relevant.

I just wondered if there were settings that needed adjustment in NCM that I missed or if these cards weren't enough in SLI

I'm in Austin on biz...I will post those settings you're requesting when I get back tonight...love day trips.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Changeup on January 26, 2012, 01:30:18 PM
How many amps can each 12volt rail handle? I have a single 12 volt rail rated for i think 40 amps. Enough for a GTX 560 according to nvidia. I have seen where split rails are not hot enough for the big cards.

My PS is on the nVidia SLI approved list and meets they're power requirements for my MB.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Skuzzy on January 26, 2012, 01:32:11 PM
I need all the details of how you have the game configured, including any and all anti-alias settings (in game or in the video driver).

The game can easily consume 1GB of video RAM (which is all you really have), if you just madly bump everything to its max.  Anti-aliasing settings will have the greatest impact.  Shadow texture size next.

Using SLI also chews up more of the video RAM.  You might be able to run with higher settings on one video card versus using SLI.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Changeup on January 26, 2012, 01:35:53 PM
I need all the details of how you have the game configured, including any and all anti-alias settings (in game or in the video driver).

The game can easily consume 1GB of video RAM (which is all you really have), if you just madly bump everything to its max.  Anti-aliasing settings will have the greatest impact.  Shadow texture size next.

Using SLI also chews up more of the video RAM.  You might be able to run with higher settings on one video card versus using SLI.

I honestly don't know the answer to this question so please don't hear it as being a smarty....why would anyone want SLI if you only get the real use of one card?

I have it at 2048 too...maxed aliasing in the video settings...NCM is LET APPLICATION DECIDE

FOR SALE:  1 slightly used GTX 460....cannot be used in SLI...lol
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Skuzzy on January 26, 2012, 01:38:10 PM
Are you referring to the video RAM amount?  Or the fact SLI uses up more video RAM?

From NVidia's point of view, they sold another video card they normally might not have sold.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Changeup on January 26, 2012, 01:40:32 PM
Are you referring to the video RAM amount?  Or the fact SLI uses up more video RAM?

From NVidia's point of view, they sold another video card they normally might not have sold.

I mean from a practical viewpoint...I bought a new card and had to buy a new PS unit as well...heck, these fellas are making out like bandits.

Yes, the video RAM...why isn't there 2 gigs from two cards with 1 gig each?  That's kinda what they lead you to believe will happen along with a tremendous increase in performance, which apparently didn't happen in my case, lol
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Skuzzy on January 26, 2012, 01:47:31 PM
Think about it.  Regardless of the rendering method AFR (alternate frame rendering) or ASLR (alternate scan line rendering) or any combination of partial frame rendering, both video cards need all the same data in order to render the frame or any part of the same frame.

Effectively, each card has to have enough RAM to do the work.  So for all practical purposes your configuration only has 1GB of video RAM.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Changeup on January 26, 2012, 02:05:31 PM
Think about it.  Regardless of the rendering method AFR (alternate frame rendering) or ASLR (alternate scan line rendering) or any combination of partial frame rendering, both video cards need all the same data in order to render the frame or any part of the same frame.

Effectively, each card has to have enough RAM to do the work.  So for all practical purposes your configuration only has 1GB of video RAM.

Gotcha...that is not cool.  SLI doesn't sound even remotely as effective as its advertised to be when you frame it from that perspective.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Skuzzy on January 26, 2012, 02:38:18 PM
Not to say there are not performance benefits.  You normally will get about 25% higher performance over a one card version.

Then you also have to deal with the game profiles.


To me it is not worth the expense or the trouble, but that is just me.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Changeup on January 26, 2012, 02:41:05 PM
Not to say there are not performance benefits.  You normally will get about 25% higher performance over a one card version.

Then you also have to deal with the game profiles.


To me it is not worth the expense or the trouble, but that is just me.

I never knew or set up or checked for a game profile.  Where would that be located for download?
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Skuzzy on January 26, 2012, 02:46:22 PM
The NVidia driver installation installs the SLI profiles.  They used to provide the SLI profiles separately.  Not sure if they do anymore.  Try looking in the NVidia WEB site "Downloads" section.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Changeup on January 26, 2012, 02:46:57 PM
The NVidia driver installation installs the SLI profiles.  They used to provide the SLI profiles separately.  Not sure if they do anymore.  Try looking in the NVidia WEB site "Downloads" section.

Will do
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Wiley on January 26, 2012, 02:55:42 PM
Based on your description of how it happened, one relatively pain-free reduction in eye candy you might try is turning off some of the building related eye candy, like shadows.  I know I've only got a 1 gig 5770 and less processor than you, but I'm running with just about everything else maxed, and 4096 shadows, and building shadows destroy my FR over towns.

Obviously Skuzzy's the smartest guy in the room, I'm just saying that might be a practical solution to get you going with minimal noticable visual effect.

Wiley.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Changeup on January 26, 2012, 03:01:46 PM
Based on your description of how it happened, one relatively pain-free reduction in eye candy you might try is turning off some of the building related eye candy, like shadows.  I know I've only got a 1 gig 5770 and less processor than you, but I'm running with just about everything else maxed, and 4096 shadows, and building shadows destroy my FR over towns.

Obviously Skuzzy's the smartest guy in the room, I'm just saying that might be a practical solution to get you going with minimal noticable visual effect.

Wiley.

Did that last... Better but not good
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Changeup on January 26, 2012, 06:29:47 PM
(http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac300/Changeup1/ahss21.jpg)

(http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac300/Changeup1/ahss20.jpg)

dxdiag output that is relevant

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 1/26/2012, 18:23:54
       Machine name: THEMACHINE
   Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110622-1506)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
       System Model: System Product Name
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 08/02/11 14:36:59 Ver: 08.00.15
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU         950  @ 3.07GHz (8 CPUs), ~3.1GHz
             Memory: 12288MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 12280MB RAM
          Page File: 5832MB used, 18723MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
   User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
 System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
    DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
     DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 64bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 3: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 4: 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: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460
       Manufacturer: NVIDIA
          Chip type: GeForce GTX 460
           DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
         Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0E22&SUBSYS_13703842&REV_A1
     Display Memory: 4065 MB
   Dedicated Memory: 993 MB
      Shared Memory: 3071 MB
       Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
       Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
      Monitor Model: W2361
         Monitor Id: GSM56FB
        Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (59.934Hz)
        Output Type: HDMI
        Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.17.0012.8562 (English)
     Driver Version: 8.17.12.8562
        DDI Version: 11
       Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
  Driver Attributes: Final Retail
   Driver Date/Size: 10/15/2011 02:53:00, 15693120 bytes
        WHQL Logo'd: Yes
    WHQL Date Stamp:
  Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4D62-11CF-807A-7C331FC2C535}
          Vendor ID: 0x10DE
          Device ID: 0x0E22
          SubSys ID: 0x13703842
        Revision ID: 0x00A1
 Driver Strong Name: oem30.inf:NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6 .1:Section005:8.17.12.8562:pci\ven_10de&dev_0e22
     Rank Of Driver: 00E62001
        Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeVC1_C ModeWMV9_C
 D3D9 Overlay: Supported
            DXVA-HD: Supported
       DDraw Status: Enabled
         D3D Status: Enabled
         AGP Status: Enabled

EDIT:  Front End video settings are as follows:

1920X1080
Max Texture 2048
Frame Auto 106
Anti Aliasing MOST

nVidia Control Panel is set to Let the 3D Program Decide
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Changeup on January 26, 2012, 09:24:51 PM
Skuzzy,

Nevermind...changing it to 1024 fixed everything.  Looks better in 2048, lol
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: PFactorDave on January 26, 2012, 10:35:05 PM
Might want to check the box that says "Disable Clutter while In flight"...

I was getting micro stutters until I put a check in that box.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Changeup on January 26, 2012, 11:14:09 PM
Might want to check the box that says "Disable Clutter while In flight"...

I was getting micro stutters until I put a check in that box.

Thanks Dave.  It actually runs max'd out in 1024...it just looks better in 2048...lol...I guess I want it all, lmao!!

Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: TequilaChaser on January 27, 2012, 12:17:07 AM

My initial guess will be it is not performance related, but resource related.



dxdiag output that is relevant

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 1/26/2012, 18:23:54
       Machine name: THEMACHINE
   Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110622-1506)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
       System Model: System Product Name
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 08/02/11 14:36:59 Ver: 08.00.15
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU         950  @ 3.07GHz (8 CPUs), ~3.1GHz
             Memory: 12288MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 12280MB RAM
          Page File: 5832MB used, 18723MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
   User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
 System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
    DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
     DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 64bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
EDIT:  Front End video settings are as follows:

1920X1080
Max Texture 2048
Frame Auto 106
Anti Aliasing MOST

nVidia Control Panel is set to Let the 3D Program Decide

good gracious Changeup,

your pagefile used for your windows 7 64 bit  OS installation is almost 5 Times  the size of what a straight up normal default windows 7 OS install would be.......

in most instances  a straight up default Windows 7 install will be around 1,200 to 1,400 MB used ...... and that is in the range of like 45 to 55 processes running........ give or take a few processes.....


just saying......... it seems you are really running alot of programs at the same time


TC
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: 2bighorn on January 27, 2012, 01:24:41 AM
TC, in win7, pagefile is not dependent on number of running processes and applications but the size of RAM (for kernel crash dump) + 300MB + whatever system determines necessary for max commit charge.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: TequilaChaser on January 27, 2012, 01:54:59 AM
TC, in win7, pagefile is not dependent on number of running processes and applications but the size of RAM (for kernel crash dump) + 300MB + whatever system determines necessary for max commit charge.

ok bighorn,
can you explain why his "pagefile used" is nearly 5 times that of a normal windows 7 OS install?

unless he had numerous app's opened like Skype, photoshop, fraps, Aces high, teamspeak3, internet browsers with bunches of tabs or browser windows, anti virus, his sytem was running a virus check or a defrag program or tweak utility, etc, etc........  at the time he copy & pasted his dxdiag report ......

I am not talking about the over all page file.sys system size........ but the pagefile in use at the time of his posting of the DXDIAG

I have found in my use of windows 7 since closed beta that processes / resources running/running in the background, are in direct relation to the size of the "Page File: ****MB used" .........  lower the processes and/or resources that are running while idle and running in the background, and you will lower your pagefile used amount........ thus taking extra un-needed load off of the cpu & ram ........ in return possibly allowing one's PC to be able to play the game with better results. Even in Windows 7  ( or any older MS OSes )

now windows 7 is alot better at it than Vista or winXP was, and it is not nearly as critical a subject as it once was, but I do find Changeup's particular pagefile used to be Alarming to say the least.....

YMMV

TC
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: 2bighorn on January 27, 2012, 02:27:39 AM
ok bighorn,
can you explain why his "pagefile used" is nearly 5 times that of a normal windows 7 OS install?

No idea, TC, and I don't want to speculate. He better look in the resource monitor and check. That said, it may not be necessarily a bad thing. It really depends on individual system usage.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Skuzzy on January 27, 2012, 06:03:05 AM
What are your anti-alias settings lset to?  With the resolution you are running, a little anti-aliasing goes a long way and reducing it might allow you to set the shadow texture back to 2048.  Also consider reducing the distance range a bit.  That also might get the 2048 shadow detail back.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Changeup on January 27, 2012, 11:41:09 AM
What are your anti-alias settings lset to?  With the resolution you are running, a little anti-aliasing goes a long way and reducing it might allow you to set the shadow texture back to 2048.  Also consider reducing the distance range a bit.  That also might get the 2048 shadow detail back.

AA is set to full in the Video Setup on the Intro page and set to Let the 3D application Decide in NCM.  I will reduce it tonight and see.  BTW, it really looks good.  You folks do such great work.  In fact, your work is so excellent, will you call Mrs Changeup and let her know the box that arrived today is a full CH setup that is required to continue playing the game?  That would really help me out....I haven't actually had the opportunity to let her in on it...so many honey-do's on my list...you know?
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Changeup on January 27, 2012, 11:44:49 AM
ok bighorn,
can you explain why his "pagefile used" is nearly 5 times that of a normal windows 7 OS install?

unless he had numerous app's opened like Skype, photoshop, fraps, Aces high, teamspeak3, internet browsers with bunches of tabs or browser windows, anti virus, his sytem was running a virus check or a defrag program or tweak utility, etc, etc........  at the time he copy & pasted his dxdiag report ......

I am not talking about the over all page file.sys system size........ but the pagefile in use at the time of his posting of the DXDIAG

I have found in my use of windows 7 since closed beta that processes / resources running/running in the background, are in direct relation to the size of the "Page File: ****MB used" .........  lower the processes and/or resources that are running while idle and running in the background, and you will lower your pagefile used amount........ thus taking extra un-needed load off of the cpu & ram ........ in return possibly allowing one's PC to be able to play the game with better results. Even in Windows 7  ( or any older MS OSes )

now windows 7 is alot better at it than Vista or winXP was, and it is not nearly as critical a subject as it once was, but I do find Changeup's particular pagefile used to be Alarming to say the least.....

YMMV

TC

Thanks guys.

There were 9 tabs open on the browser (wife and kids hate it when I delete their web pages, I know, I know.  New laptop is on the way for their little selves) and Outlook 2011 and MS antivirus and I'm running 67 processes.  I know that's a lot but I haven't had time to Google all of them to see if they're important or not just yet.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Wiley on January 27, 2012, 01:04:09 PM
Yeah.  The browser wouldn't be helping at all, but if it doesn't get better when you've got the browser closed down, there's something up with your system, Changeup.  Silly, simple question, but have you tried a reboot before you start up an AH session?  If you haven't, that might cure your ills.

I've got everything in the graphics there checked except buildings cast shadows, and smooth shadows, running 4096 shadow size, on a 1680x1050 monitor.  AA set to full.  Highres texture pack.  On mine, smooth shadows kills my framerate.  You might try unchecking that and seeing if you can up other stuff then.

I've done nothing special eliminating processes in my Windows at all, just got an install of Win7 64 bit and a few games on it, MSE for security.  Running an i5 2500K processor, with 4 gigs of RAM, with an ATI 5770 1GB.  The only time my frame rate dips is when I'm in a really big crowd, like on the runway at the beginning of an FSO.  The rest of the time, 50+ when things get really busy over a town, 95% of the time just knocking around, pegged at 60.

I'm not bragging, just pointing out what I consider to be a midrange gaming system does, and saying your setup there appears like it should be doing way more than it is.

Wiley.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Changeup on January 27, 2012, 01:24:25 PM
Yeah.  The browser wouldn't be helping at all, but if it doesn't get better when you've got the browser closed down, there's something up with your system, Changeup.  Silly, simple question, but have you tried a reboot before you start up an AH session?  If you haven't, that might cure your ills.

I've got everything in the graphics there checked except buildings cast shadows, and smooth shadows, running 4096 shadow size, on a 1680x1050 monitor.  AA set to full.  Highres texture pack.  On mine, smooth shadows kills my framerate.  You might try unchecking that and seeing if you can up other stuff then.

I've done nothing special eliminating processes in my Windows at all, just got an install of Win7 64 bit and a few games on it, MSE for security.  Running an i5 2500K processor, with 4 gigs of RAM, with an ATI 5770 1GB.  The only time my frame rate dips is when I'm in a really big crowd, like on the runway at the beginning of an FSO.  The rest of the time, 50+ when things get really busy over a town, 95% of the time just knocking around, pegged at 60.

I'm not bragging, just pointing out what I consider to be a midrange gaming system does, and saying your setup there appears like it should be doing way more than it is.

Wiley.

Thank you. I will do that from now on...I'm just going to have to "War and Peace" Mrs Changeup
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Wiley on January 27, 2012, 01:43:51 PM
Thank you. I will do that from now on...I'm just going to have to "War and Peace" Mrs Changeup

Did rebooting fix it?  Or was it the smooth shadows or the browser?

Wiley.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: LeDragon on January 27, 2012, 01:50:35 PM
Thanks guys.

There were 9 tabs open on the browser (wife and kids hate it when I delete their web pages, I know, I know.  New laptop is on the way for their little selves) and Outlook 2011 and MS antivirus and I'm running 67 processes.  I know that's a lot but I haven't had time to Google all of them to see if they're important or not just yet.


Firefox will reopen with whatever tabs were open upon shut-down so you can free up resources without losing the families pages.
Title: Re: GTX 460's in SLI getting clobbered by the new patch
Post by: Changeup on January 27, 2012, 02:42:44 PM
Did rebooting fix it?  Or was it the smooth shadows or the browser?

Wiley.

I'm still at the office.  I will have to do it tonight.  I will post the results after I get in.