Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Stiglr on September 18, 2000, 12:08:00 PM
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OK, still "re-evaluating" AH.
Still complaining about the jerky animation. Funked keeps saying it's all due to my frame rates, which, now that I look, never get higher than about 19. Odd, in Brand W, they stay around 40 except in extreme furs with tracers and explosions. and the animation is smooth as glass there.
OK, so what can I do about it to get that same animation in AH??? I tried going to 640 x 480 mode, and just locked up worse than Philadelphia on Sunday. No thanks, don't need that kind of aggravation. Or is there some kind of patch or procedure to make this less perilous??
I've got a 12MB Monster II card, a 400MHz Celery and 128MB RAM. This should be plenty to get serviceable frame rates, right?
Anyone....anyone....Bueller.. ..anyone?
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New video card.... AH is tough on video cards and I'm sure a lot of people here will comment that 32MB cards are best to get by framerate pitfalls. I have a similar 400MHz Celeron, 128MB RAM, 32MB ATI Rage video and I still get frame rate crashes when smoke fills a majority of the screen or lots of bombers are close by. I can run framerates in the 50's when flying high and alone, mid single digits when in the smoke... single digit framerates will get you killed every time.
From the computer standpoint, turn off everything not related to AH... fastfind, MSOffice toolbar, ICQ, etc.. each will cost a frame or two here or there.
Soda
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My first suggestion is to run 1024 res...everyone I've talked to gets LOWER frame rates at 800X or 640X...
2nd suggestion is a min. of 128 meg. Ram, which you have....
3rd would be a 32 meg Ram Video card, DRASTICALLY increased my FR (by 2-fold) compared to my other alternate system.
I upgraded to a 550 from a 350 since I was getting about 25 FPS with my 350...
Stigler:"Odd, in Brand W, they stay around 40 except in extreme furs with tracers and explosions. and the animation is smooth as glass there."
You get better FR in warbirds because of graphics, take a look at the two photos below, WB's and AH side by side, WB's has ALOT more water (smooth FR) and not nearly the graphic detail that AH has (not a dis, just a fact)
WB's F4U (http://Ripsnort60.tripod.com/wbf4u.jpg)
AH F4U
(http://Ripsnort60.tripod.com/f4u1c.gif)
[This message has been edited by Ripsnort (edited 09-18-2000).]
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Hia Stiglr ;=)
Just to confirm the above.
Have a PII 450 oc, 128 RAM, 32Mb TNT2 Ulta rig.Would like to tell the wife that I have to upgrade, but get minimum 30fps in 1024x768 16bit, lately even been flying 1280x1024 and have yet to regret.
Guess Ill tell the wife anyways..
danish
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Thanks, I'm gonna try the 1024 trick first (hope I don't crash the PC again.....)....and I guess a DDR GeForce card is in my future....
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Stig, I have an extra 12MB Monster II card I'd be willing to donate to you, so you could run in SLI mode. That should help things out
If you're interested, email me at dahlen@home.com
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I'm running a Intel PIII 733 (oc'd to 770 @140FSB)with 128 meg of 133mhz RAM, AGP GeForce2 GTS 32 meg videocard, 19" EV900 .26mm dot pitch monitor.
My avg FPS is 72
Low smoke covered flame racked bases drop FPS to low 20's
Zoomed in A/C explosions drop FPS to low 20's
This is what I have found:
1. I run my monitor refresh rate @ 75 hz, lower hz gives me lower FPS.
2. I run 32bit 1280x1024, if I run in 16bit mode I get lower FPS. If I run lower than 1024x768 I get a lower FPS.
3. I leave VSYNC on.
4. I run my Desktop at 16bit 800x600. And only bare needs for background apps
running. Modem icon is off as well.
5. Shift f2, Shift f3 will raise FPS, but sacrifice the horizen.
6. Make sure ya have a good connection, it SEEMS to me, that when I have a so-so conn my FPS's drop too. Although I have no idea why this would have any effect.
My suggestions to Stiglr is to find a video overclocking program for the V2 @ 3DFiles.com (http://3dfiles.com/utility/)
Warnings:
These are tips. I am not your customer support guy. Make sure you can undo this
if you have no idea what you're doing.
Using sysedit.exe located in your windows/system folder, add these to your lines to his SYS.INI file under [vcache]
[vcache]
minfilecache=2048
maxfilecache=8192
chunksize=256
Next setting up your Win98 like this also helps some:
In Control Panel, System, Performance, File system: There should be a bit asking you to say what type of computer you have. This is probably set to "Desktop Computer". Change this to "Network Server". Apparently this
makes Windows use the hard-disk more efficiently.
Then:
Go to the Performance/File System tab and change the these settings. I usually set the CD-Rom as 4x or higher with "no read-ahead"
Go to the Device Manager tab and open the system devices option, then look for the Direct Memory Access Controller (Usually the 1st or 2nd option) -Go to it's propeties and look for the settings tab and check the
reserve DMA buffer and get it to the max (64k).
Also check the address restriction settings and mark "Restrict DMA Transfer..." and select 4GB.
Finally
In the Device manager tab look for your CD and Drives devices and check if you have a DMA box (in the settings tab under the device's properties) and select it (you have to select it for each device - each CD and each HDD).
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Hope this helps ya some
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stiglr....
Here's a copy of an old post that I had put in the Hardware Forum. I updated it after I increased the resolution I was using with AH.
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For informational and comparison purposes only, I just finished building from scratch by buying individual components, the following system:
850MHz Intel Pentium III processor
Intel SE440-BX2V (100Mhz) Motherboard with Rev 15 BIOS
256MB 133MHz SDRAM (2 DIMMS)
300 Watt Power Supply
Microsoft Windows 98SE with DirectX 7.0a
21" Hitachi display (20" viewable, 22dpi)
1.44MB 3.5" floppy drive
Motherboard based Ultra ATA-33 HD Controller
1 x 14.4GB IBM ATA-33 hard drives (7200rpm)
1 x 37.5GB IBM ATA-33 hard drive (5400rpm)
(Primary IDE as Master and Slave)
Hitachi Model 2000 DVD-ROM drive
100 Meg ZIP drive
(Seconday IDE as Master and Slave)
Creative Labs Graphics Blaster Annihilator 2 (32 megs)
Creative Labs WIN Video Driver v5.3
Creative Labs "Gamer" Live PCI sound card
3COM 10/100 network interface card
It worked first time on power up and I installed Aces High v1.03 (now 1.04). Although I haven't played AH in over a month due to boredom with current MA only environment, I went into MA and tested FPS rates as well as system stability for about an hour. I only over clocked the CL graphics card using their provided Game Launcher software just to the "yellow" zone so as to be conservative. Hardware AA was set about half way for graphics card and SBA was turned ON.
I got 80-84 FPS with AH set at 1280x1024 (32 bit color). It drops to about 45-60 FPS in heavy screen activity and close up fights around bases with lots of smoke. Important Note: Vsync was ON for this test, which was limiting factor in FPS.
System stability was perfect and no lockups or anomalies were experienced.
Regards,
Badger
Looking for a different kind of environment to discuss your favorite on-line flight simulator? http://www.egroups.com/group/flightsimsonline (http://www.egroups.com/group/flightsimsonline)
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I had
458 mhz celeron
64mb ram
16 mb Tnt 1 card
I was trying to focus like you on one thing to upgrade. Instead I got a nice infusion of cash and
708 mhz celeron
192mb ram
Gforce DDR card(asus)
Now I am in happy 70 fps land. I dont really notice frames unless a bomber blows up arround me or somthing like that. Smoke and clouds dont seem to effect it at all. I am going to do all of the sugjustions above and see the effect...
I have seen 150+ fps at very hight alt...
at 32k I cruised along in a 190A5 at 108 fps constant...
When your fps goes up prepare to learn how to shoot again. I couldnt hit anything after the upgrade for several days...
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Wank,
Thanks, I already have the Monster running in SLI with some old, wimpy card from way back. I'd take you up on your kind offer, but I figure I might as well save a card slot while I upgrade for the future.....
but really, thanks for offering!!!
And you others, thanks also.
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And do not install Windows Millenium.
This thing porks frame rate alot in AH.
It's better to stay with Win95-98.
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wasn't planning on making the ME mistake, aper, but thanks for the warning. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
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" I already have the Monster running in SLI with some old, wimpy card from way back"
I thought you could only run SLI mode with the same brand and type of 3D accelerator card?
-Westy
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Stiglr,
Damn it is funny how slightly differant hardware makes a huge differance in performance in two differant sims. I'm running a Celron 300@450 mhz and a viper 550 16 meg TNT1 card. In WB to run 3d 1024x768 I have to run vsync off and I get a horrible FR studder whenever I switch views.
In AH I can run 1024X768 smooth as glass with frame rates of 35-40 pretty consistantly. Our systems are about the same horsepower wise but yet have exactly the opposite problems, weird.
Anyway like has already been stated, switch to 1024X768. I don't know why but almost everyone reports better frame rates in the higher resolutions. Additionally there is a hires patch especially for 1.04, make sure you are using that, vice the old one you may have installed from an earlier version.
Another thing is make sure you are not trying to run in 32 bit color. In lower end systems like ours it's a real FR killer. I get about a 30-40% increase in frame rate when going from 32 bit to 24 bit color.
Last is yes, if you can afford it a better video card will help alot. I just ordered a new Gforce2MX because I've heard nothing but good things about them and at about $100.00 ya cant really go wrong. Besides your going to need one for WBIII (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Oh on other thing you might try. Try just running with just your voodoo by itself. I don't know how AH handles SLI. It's worth a shot anyway.
Sharky
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You'll get a hit to your frame rate if your monitor's resolution setting and AH's resolution setting are different.
I just discovered this and got about a 15 fps boost.
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Not sure if this was mentioned or not, but, make sure if you have a 2nd physical Hard disc and its a good one, set you swap space to use the second one (assuming AH is on the 1st) and manually set you swap space to about the same size as your physical memory (128) - set the min and max to exactly the same size.
cntrlpanel->system->virtualmemory (i think)
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Stiglr, old bud.
I'd try a cheap (but good) graphic board, like the TNT2 Ultra. Then I'd upgrade the CPU. If you need I have a used PIII600E to sell. Your damned US dollar is literally vulching our Euro, so you can buy it ... (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
What MoBo do you have?
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Stigi, SLI means you have two Voodoo2 cards in your system PLUS your normal display adapter.
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Funny, I thought all those clouds in the BETA terrain were the culprit. Get around A1 and my FR dumps to single digits because of both A1 and those clouds. Plus I can't switch to just any field since they ALL have clouds EVERYWHERE. Now when I fly in the SF terrain, by FR stays at 22+ in every aircraft. Jumps to over 30 in the Panzer or Ostwind.
Not bad for an old P 200 and a Creative 3DFX Banshee card eh? 32 megs of ram too. Monitor set at 85Hz, 800 rez, no overclocking, latest Creative drivers. I'm running AH in 1024 rez 16 bit [32 bit gives me blue screen]. As long as I stay away from excessive smoke, and fields w/clouds, I'm fine.
Flakbait
Delta 6's Flight School (http://www.worldaccessnet.com/~delta6)
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Stiglr....
I also have a TNT Ultra and a pair of Voodoo Cards (SLI'd) for free if you'd like.
Take your pick....
Regards,
Badger
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Stiglr, another thing you can try other than what the others have told you is to change your horizon visual distance.
Shft F1 is for normal distance
Shft F2 is for medium distance
Shft F3 is for short distance
At the medium distance the only time you will notice a difference is if your bombing an airfield, and your looking way ahead to lineup correctly.
The short distance is admittedly ugly, but would fix the problem for furballs.
If you decide to not take anyone up on their offers of their spare video cards, I would also suggest the Geforce2MX cards. Great performance, at a great price.
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Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure
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Still trying.....and still *failing*.
Went home last night, and went to 1024 x 768, 16 bit mode and matched my monitor to it. No movement on the frame rate.
Changed my "Desktop PC" to a "Network Server". *bzzzzzzt*.
Now, I'm taking one kind individual up on his offer of a second Monster II card. We'll see how that works out.
All this time, though, I'm still stuck at 19 fps or worse. Can't figure out *what* is restricting it. One thing I have to try are the various visual range options. I may have been toggling those about while fumbling at the bomber positions (can't get it thru my thick head whether they're number keys or F keys!!) That's my last ditch attempt for this evening.
By the way, do you folks normally get worse fps in the tower as in the air? I've been doing all these adjustments from the tower.
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My lowest FR number is in tower here Stigler.
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Yep, try the 2 V2's in SLI.
Heheh, sometimes this community amazes me. "What, you need a second V2.... here!" LOL. Not only do we give advice on how to get the game running, but parts too! You guys rock.
BTW, the bottleneck here would seem to be memory bandwidth. By going to 2 V2's in SLI, you will be doubling your video memory bandwidth, and it should give you a nice bump in framerate. After that, it may come down to CPU... AH is heavily dependent on floating point operations in the CPU.
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Lephturn - Chief Trainer
A member of The Flying Pigs http://www.flyingpigs.com (http://www.flyingpigs.com)
(http://tuweb.ucis.dal.ca/~dconrad/ahf/lepht.gif)
"My P-47 is a pretty good ship, she took a round coming 'cross the Channel last trip.
Just thinking 'bout my baby and lettin' her rip, always got me through so far."
- Steve Earl
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The other funny thing is, how helpful and generous these guys are, and in an hour from now, we'll be snarling at each other over some flight model point or plane choice minutae. Hehehehe, gotta love it!!!!!
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Stiglr,
Make sure you check frame rates in the air. Your frame rates in the tower and on the runway are gonna be much lower.
Sharky
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Stiggy,
I just put the 12MB Monster card in the mail for you. You do have the flat little SLI cable to connect the two monsters together inside the case, correct? Let me know if you don't have it, I'll mail it to you. Each card comes with one, though, so you should have it lying around somewhere.
You're not in SLI mode unless you have this.
And, you'll still need a separate card for the 2D stuff.
[This message has been edited by banana (edited 09-20-2000).]
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Minnesota boy does good, and to a once anti-AH'er... <S> banana!
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(Oh, wait, just reread that....there's another cable for INSIDE the case, and not 'round back??? Not sure, I'll have to scrounge for it! Not sure I still have all the stuff that came with the Monster II. Y'know what? Just throw that one in the mail too, just in case)
Yep, I have the little cord you speak of. It's currently residing between my single Monster and the Diamond Stealth S220 that I'll be replacing with the second Monster II.
Good on ya, mate!!!
Oh, and rip: be nice, now. I just boosted you over on agw today! (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
[This message has been edited by Stiglr (edited 09-20-2000).]
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Originally posted by Stiglr:
Oh, and rip: be nice, now. I just boosted you over on agw today! (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
[This message has been edited by Stiglr (edited 09-20-2000).]
Hehe, ummm...like you 'boosting' anyone would hold any merit (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif) Didn't read my reply yet have you? (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
<S> Stig
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Greets Stig.
You should be ok with 2 VD2 cards in SLI.
As pyro & HT both use these cards on there work systems and dont seem to have many problems.
Also ive found that the latest drivers are not allways the best for FPS in AH. I have a AMD K6-2 450 with the Hercules TNT 16meg. The last 2 driver releases gave me screen lockups & jerky motion in flight. I had to go back to an older driver, screen lockups stoped and so did the jerky motion.
I get about 7 FPS to 30 FPS with this setup. But have just picked up a PIII 550 ( For free ) and i bought a Slot 1 motherboard and an TNT2 Pro card today,so i will be tweaking this setup tonight.
One other thing, latest nVidia drivers cause my system to lockup as well.
Hopefully ill be able to tweek everything tonight and get some flying time in.
Will report back with results.
One other thing to note, i had the piii 550 setup with my TNT 16meg and got 27 to 30 FPS on runway and 47 to 55 FPS in air, so i think that i can get a bit more outa the TNT2 card.
Dog out.........
[This message has been edited by Wardog (edited 09-20-2000).]