Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: UnclBone on February 06, 2012, 05:24:35 PM

Title: screen stutters
Post by: UnclBone on February 06, 2012, 05:24:35 PM
I am having issues on a new computer just built motherboard is a evga 680i 250 gigs ram 4 gig memory 1 gig nvidia 9400 graphics card its a bit older my question is is this whats causeing my screen stutters/freezes when i shoot it seems its more of when i go to shoot .
All advanced grapics are turned down anyway i can fix it for now so i can fly a normal sortie.
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: Ack-Ack on February 06, 2012, 05:27:12 PM
Are you using a custom sound pack?

ack-ack
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: TwinBoom on February 06, 2012, 05:27:29 PM
I am having issues on a new computer just built motherboard is a evga 680i 250 gigs ram 4 gig memory 1 gig nvidia 9400 graphics card its a bit older my question is is this whats causeing my screen stutters/freezes when i shoot it seems its more of when i go to shoot .
All advanced grapics are turned down anyway i can fix it for now so i can fly a normal sortie.

try defraggin hard drive and cleaning up processes
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: TwinBoom on February 06, 2012, 05:29:42 PM
Are you using a custom sound pack?

ack-ack


why does everyone always jump on the sound packs do you guys think we dont test them?

see above post his system is older i defrag after every patch
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: Ack-Ack on February 06, 2012, 05:34:05 PM

why does everyone always jump on the sound packs do you guys think we dont test them?

see above post his system is older i defrag after every patch

My, aren't we a little defensive? 

The reason I asked if he was using a custom sound pack is because he says the skips happen when he fires his gun.  As a step in helping him trouble shoot the issue, it is smart to eliminate any potential causes, such as asking if he's using a custom sound pack to at least eliminate that from the cause of his problems.

Sheesh, some people.

ack-ack
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: TwinBoom on February 06, 2012, 05:40:34 PM
My, aren't we a little defensive? 

The reason I asked if he was using a custom sound pack is because he says the skips happen when he fires his gun.  As a step in helping him trouble shoot the issue, it is smart to eliminate any potential causes, such as asking if he's using a custom sound pack to at least eliminate that from the cause of his problems.

Sheesh, some people.

ack-ack

Guess you didnt see the chalenge attacks, sorry but i am abit touchy on this subject
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: UnclBone on February 06, 2012, 05:40:45 PM
the computer was just built 1 yr ago all parts bought from new egg  and i think i am running a custom sound pack anyway to remove that ?
Im running windows 7 64 bit aswell if that matters. Thanks Gents! :cheers:
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: TwinBoom on February 06, 2012, 05:43:22 PM
Bone

pulled from another Frame Rate Stutter thread
wil3ur: We are not sure what the issue is yet, right now we are trying to gather information on what systems have the issue.
We are also looking for someone with the issue to test with.

HiTech
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: Bino on February 06, 2012, 07:29:28 PM

The following is from the Hints and tips (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,71591.0.html) thread in the Technical Support forum, under "SCREEN STUTTERS/PAUSES", and I have added the bold emphasis...

Quote
There is probably nothing more exasperating than to have a bogey lined up in your sites, about to pull the trigger, then the screen freezes/pauses!

Pauses like that are normally attributable to resource starvation in the computer. That can be CPU, memory, video card, and/or sound card related.

The freeze or stutter itself is caused by the computer having to make room for a new resource, or load something from the hard drive.  A short pause/stutter is normally just a texture or sound being loaded. Once loaded, the texture/sound data will stay resident in memory, unless the computer runs out of resources.

In most systems, it is probably system memory related. Cutting down the "Maximum Texture Size" in the game's "Video Settings" is the quickest way to determine if it is resource related.

On NVidia video cards, the 9x.xx drivers can also cause massive stuttering as well, particularly if you have a multi-core CPU.  These were the first drivers where NVidia tried forcing multi-threading and they were a mess.

On-board sound chips use more CPU cycles than a good PCI card would. So if your CPU is at the edge of having too much to do, these chips will push it right on over the edge. Adjusting the hardware sound acceleration down a notch from 'Full' will help reduce the CPU load.  Note, in Vista/Windows 7 it is no longer possible to adjust the hardware acceleration as Microsoft as gotten rid of DirectSound and plays all sounds through the normal Windows sound API.  Best guideline is to never use custom sounds with Vista/Windows 7 in conjunction with onboard sound devices.

If you have loaded custom sounds, you could experience all manner of resource issues, regardless of the operating system, as most of the custom sound packs use very large sound files at high sample rates.  Onboard sound chips just cannot process that many of those types of sound files without running into resource issues.  And those files take up enormous amounts of memory in your computer as well, which could exacerbate any resource related issue.


...



Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: TwinBoom on February 06, 2012, 07:53:11 PM
The following is from the Hints and tips (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,71591.0.html) thread in the Technical Support forum, under "SCREEN STUTTERS/PAUSES", and I have added the bold emphasis...




 left out the Processes part of this reply hmmm yes sounds could cause this with "on-board" sound as you have in bold

but a dirty over processed pc and messy hard drive will cause more stutter
My system

System Model   Dimension XPSGEN5
System Type   X86-based Pc
Processor   x86 Family 15 Model 4 Stepping 4 GenuineIntel ~2999 Mhz
Processor   x86 Family 15 Model 4 Stepping 4 GenuineIntel ~2999 Mhz
Adapter Description   NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT
Adapter RAM   1.00 GB (1,073,741,824 bytes)
Resolution   1280 x 1024 x 75 hertz
Name   Creative Audigy Audio Processor (WDM) ZS2
3.00 gb Ram

about 8yrs old I run 75fps

Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: Bino on February 06, 2012, 08:27:41 PM
left out the Processes part of this reply hmmm yes sounds could cause this with "on-board" sound as you have in bold
...

I did include a link to the entire post.  But OK, no problem.  You want the rest, here it is:

Quote
...
Lastly, the number of and type of background processes is a contributing factor to poor performance. Open the Windows Task Manager (Ctrl-Alt-Del), select the "Processes" tab. In the lower left corner is the total number. It should be around 19 to 21 for a reasonably clean Windows XP/2000 system.  A fairly clean Vista/Windows 7 system will have around 35 processes.

Right next to the total count is the CPU usage percentage. For Windows XP/2000/Vista/Windows 7, it should be bouncing like a heartbeat between 0 and 1 (maybe 2 on occasion) percent.  If there is any deviation to this, then something is amiss. You can also start the game, minimize it (ALT-TAB), then check the game's CPU usage. It should be at 99 to 100%. In a dual-core computer system, due to the way Microsoft displays CPU usage, the game should be at 50% CPU utilization without any deviation.

If the processes look good and the CPU usage is fine, then you are probably pushing the video card too hard. Simply uncheck the "Detailed Terrain" option in the Options->Graphic Details->Advanced panel. Reduce the "Maximum Texture Size" in the game, disable any anti-aliasing you have forced on, as well as any anisotropic filtering you have forced. Then go from there.

The "Detailed Terrain" option requires a video card to be able to process a high number of calculations per frame.  If the video card's GPU (graphic processing unit) is too slow, it will cause massive stutters in the game.  A general guideline is, if the video chip is an onboard video chip, such as an Intel, or NVidia 61xx series, then do not bother trying to run the game with this option enabled.  Onboard video chips are not designed to be powerful units.  They are designed to be cheap.

Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: UnclBone on February 06, 2012, 08:55:48 PM
Would Llike to give a big Thanks to those of you who helped did a fresh install seemed to have fixed the problem fresh install meaning no skins no custom sounds everything reset like it had never been downloaded.   :cheers:  :cheers:  :salute
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: guncrasher on February 06, 2012, 09:58:24 PM
too many movies saved in your ah folder will cause stutters also.


Semp
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: Getback on February 06, 2012, 10:57:27 PM
Get rid of any tool bars like Google. Those things use an amazing amount of resources. I got rid of mine and problem solved. Further look at your AV. Avast is a hog as well.
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: Ack-Ack on February 06, 2012, 11:08:53 PM
too many movies saved in your ah folder will cause stutters also.


Semp

Usually if you have too many films or screenshots, it would only stutter when starting a film or when taking a screenshot and not when you fire guns.

ack-ack
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: zack1234 on February 07, 2012, 12:27:24 AM
New install of AH

8gig of memory
Quad core Phenom
Ati HD6970

Disabled sound card

G35 headphones

No custom sounds

When someone drops a bomb I get a micro stutter
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: MrRiplEy[H] on February 07, 2012, 04:38:21 AM
New install of AH

8gig of memory
Quad core Phenom
Ati HD6970

Disabled sound card

G35 headphones

No custom sounds

When someone drops a bomb I get a micro stutter

You left out the operating system. If it's XP turn directsound acceleration back a notch.
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: zack1234 on February 07, 2012, 06:49:06 AM
windows 7  ;)
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: UnclBone on February 07, 2012, 06:54:00 PM
Try Uninstalling the Custom Sounds if you have them Downloaded worked for me. Good Luck   :salute
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: zack1234 on February 08, 2012, 12:28:58 AM
 :salute

May be downloading skins in background was causing issue on my pc?
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: Skuzzy on February 08, 2012, 06:05:30 AM
If you have an AMD CPU, you stand a very, very good chance of getting stutters if you allow the game to do background downloads.  There is nothing we can do about that.

Multi-core Intel CPU's will be less impacted by the background downloads.
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: zack1234 on February 08, 2012, 06:50:39 AM
I like bump map on planes :)

AMD or INTEL now thats another thread :)

I think skins downloading in background is probly the problem because i dont have any customs sounds as i did a fresh reinstal of the game, like UncleBone did :old:

88 guns are fun as well :)
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: Noir on February 08, 2012, 12:23:46 PM
stutters are annoying, so many possible causes! Got mine fixed with a hard drive firmware update  :huh
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: skribetm on February 08, 2012, 06:56:05 PM
If you have an AMD CPU, you stand a very, very good chance of getting stutters if you allow the game to do background downloads. 

lol right.. here we go again.
my use of AMD CPU's when playing Aces High certainly dont reflect your ignorant assertion.

see which CPU performs better; http://youtu.be/mdPi4GPEI74 (http://youtu.be/mdPi4GPEI74)
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: Tigger29 on February 08, 2012, 07:37:51 PM
lol right.. here we go again.
my use of AMD CPU's when playing Aces High certainly dont reflect your ignorant assertion.

see which CPU performs better; http://youtu.be/mdPi4GPEI74 (http://youtu.be/mdPi4GPEI74)

You are aware of who Skuzzy is and of his qualifications, right?  I'll let him tell you himself.
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: zack1234 on February 09, 2012, 12:27:50 AM
AMD or Intel, USB headphones or socket headphones, CH stick or Saitek, TrackIr or Hatswitch, Custom sounds or Game Sounds always give rise to very emotive responses :)

I have gained a lot of knowledge in regards to PC's reading these threads :old:

I also have a IPhone which my wife gave me (it's a electronic do leash).
People get emotive about phones as well :)

My pet hate is moody PMs and butterbeans :)
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: guncrasher on February 09, 2012, 04:19:00 AM
lol right.. here we go again.
my use of AMD CPU's when playing Aces High certainly dont reflect your ignorant assertion.

see which CPU performs better; http://youtu.be/mdPi4GPEI74 (http://youtu.be/mdPi4GPEI74)

he said you may not you will.  btw you may want to check the threads of other amd cpu owners who are asking for help with stutters.


semp
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: Skuzzy on February 09, 2012, 08:54:50 AM
lol right.. here we go again.
my use of AMD CPU's when playing Aces High certainly dont reflect your ignorant assertion.

see which CPU performs better; http://youtu.be/mdPi4GPEI74 (http://youtu.be/mdPi4GPEI74)

So glad to know you have access to everything related to how Aces High works.  I did not realize HiTech consults with you about it and shares the source code as well.  If I am off the mark there, then how is it you think you know more about Aces High and how it works, with all the computers it runs, than I do?

Once you get back from your vacation, re-read what I wrote.  I did not make an absolute statement about performance.  For your information, 83% of all AMD users do suffer some form of stutter when background downloads are enabled.  Considering AMD CPU's make up a much smaller percentage of the installed base, that number takes on more significance.
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: VonMessa on February 09, 2012, 09:00:14 AM
So glad to know you have access to everything related to how Aces High works.  I did not realize HiTech consults with you about it and shares the source code as well.

Once you get back from your vacation, re-read what I wrote.  I did not make an absolute statement about performance.  For your information, 83% of all AMD users do suffer some form of stutter when background downloads ar eenabled.

(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff107/tymekeepyr/oh-snap.jpg)
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: cattb on February 10, 2012, 12:35:49 AM
I was having problems after the update. I did a uninstall, then a reinstall. Still problems. Thought to try a unistall again and then I removed AH folder from my directory. DId a new reinstall and my problems are now gone. Maybe something became corrupt in the new AH update, guessing.

Have yet to try my USB headphones yet,think thats a new battle to come.
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: hotard on February 19, 2012, 03:29:38 PM
I was having frame-freeze problems.. game would play fine then start to momentarily freeze.. frame rate showed a drop.. I suspect it was going to 0 but the on screen display only showed a downgrade.. probably sampling just didn't catch the 0 point. At first I could log out-relog and it would fix it.. then it progressed to the point I had to reboot to clear the issue.. Then in became necessary to reboot in safe mode, then restart in normal mode. I had the computer gone over, and all that was found was a couple bad sectors on the hard drive. Lastly I started getting wierd colors on my display.. Figured the graphics card was on the way out.. I went ahead and put a new system together. I pulled the HD out of the old computer to use as a 2nd drive in my new one. I left AH installed on the old HD.. I had been running the game on my new pc for a week or so, then 1 session I started getting the screen freeze big time. I un-installed the game, and re-installed on the new drive. No issues since. I think my problems may have been a combo of graphics card and hard drive.
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: cattb on February 19, 2012, 03:43:15 PM
I notice after I let my puter sleep then wake it and then log into AH I get stutter. When I start puter from a non-sleeping mode and log in AH  there is no stutter. Anyone have a idea why that is?
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: gpwurzel on February 20, 2012, 01:44:10 AM
Quite possibly due to the way hibernation/sleep was implemented. My computer dont like it either, so I never go into that mode. I do a shut down every time I finish using it.

Wurz
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: Bizman on February 20, 2012, 02:04:50 AM
I notice after I let my puter sleep then wake it and then log into AH I get stutter. When I start puter from a non-sleeping mode and log in AH  there is no stutter. Anyone have a idea why that is?
The sleep doesn't clear your RAM, a restart does. Gaming wise it is always recommendable to do a reboot before playing. Poorly coded net apps and sites may leave their memory reservations active even after closing them. You may also have a pending update waiting for a reboot. Wurz certainly has a point in his manner of shutting the puter down when not in use.



I think my problems may have been a combo of graphics card and hard drive.
Sounds reasonable. A couple of bad sectors is just what their name says: Bad. One reason might be, that there was a piece of driver code in the baddies, and the reboot replaced that piece with a backup copy from an older driver version. Insignificant but enough to cause stutters. Bad sectors per se aren't a major issue, there usually are spare sectors on the disk. But that depends on what has caused them: In the cases of the head hitting the platter or the "platter plague" tiny pieces of disk surface may get loose and cause random shortcuts. In those cases the problems tend to get worse. A stable scratch or dent on the disk surface may be replaceable. But since there is no way to tell what has caused the baddies, it's good practice to use such disks only for non essential purposes. The disk manufacturers have free testing programs which may "repair" the disk, meaning to replace the bad sectors with spare ones. I'm currently having trouble with a tested disk which "passed after repair". I doubt it wouldn't pass a new test...
Title: Re: screen stutters
Post by: Chalenge on February 20, 2012, 03:29:18 AM
OR... his PSU was the problem the whole time.

HOtard I hope you didnt migrate the PSU over?