« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: Getting on the update train  (Read 3325 times)

Offline TheRapier

  • Nickel Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 388
      • The Musketeers Squadron, My Little Pony
Getting on the update train
« on: September 04, 2016, 08:31:36 PM »
I see that the community is currently split between the unsupported production arena and the Beta arena. I want to update or if necessary change my machine to run the beta. I know its not new but its only use is pretty much Aces High so its not overloaded. :)

I run a 3 monitor set up and so have the ports open to do it. At the time of purchase ATI made that much easier so I use that card.

What surgery is possible here or is it jack up the gas cap and drive a new computer under it? :)

Here is my DxDiag:
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 9/4/2016, 18:18:19
       Machine name: RXPS630I
   Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_ldr.160408-2045)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc
       System Model: XPS 630i
               BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Extreme CPU Q6850  @ 3.00GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
             Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 4094MB RAM
          Page File: 2623MB used, 5561MB 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.
          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: AMD Radeon HD 6900 Series
       Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
          Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x6719)
           DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
         Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6719&SUBSYS_03BE1043&REV_00
     Display Memory: 3825 MB
   Dedicated Memory: 2034 MB
      Shared Memory: 1790 MB
       Current Mode: 5040 x 1050 (32 bit) (25Hz)
       Monitor Name: ACR X223W
      Monitor Model: Acer X223W
         Monitor Id: ACR0011
        Native Mode: 1680 x 1050(p) (59.954Hz)
        Output Type: DVI
       Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
      Monitor Model: VX32L HDTV10A
         Monitor Id: VIZ0021
        Native Mode: 1280 x 720(p) (60.000Hz)
        Output Type: DVI
       Monitor Name: ACR X223W
      Monitor Model: Acer X223W
         Monitor Id: ACR0011
        Native Mode: 1680 x 1050(p) (59.954Hz)
        Output Type: Displayport External
        Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,aticfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1119 (English)
     Driver Version: 8.950.0.0
        DDI Version: 11
       Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
  Driver Attributes: Final Retail
   Driver Date/Size: 2/14/2012 20:17:04, 957952 bytes
        WHQL Logo'd: Yes
    WHQL Date Stamp:
  Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-2459-11CF-AC77-B423BEC2C535}
          Vendor ID: 0x1002
          Device ID: 0x6719
          SubSys ID: 0x03BE1043
        Revision ID: 0x0000
 Driver Strong Name: oem9.inf:ATI.Mfg.NTamd64.6.1:ati2mtag_NICayman:8.950.0.0:pci\ven_1002&dev_6719
     Rank Of Driver: 00E62001
        Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
   Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) 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
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                     {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                     {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                     {552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                     {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) 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
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
       D3D9 Overlay: Not Supported
            DXVA-HD: Not Supported
       DDraw Status: Enabled
         D3D Status: Enabled
         AGP Status: Enabled

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
            Description: Speakers (Creative SB X-Fi)
 




As just an FYI side note, you might want to let the folks in the main arena know what is happening. As unbelievable as it might sound, about half the people playing don't frequent the BBS and so just see that the arenas are tanking. There is a lot of discussion about where all the players have gone.

Thanks!
Logged
--)-Rapier--
CO Musketeers
Longest continuously operating MMO squadron
Serving your target needs since 1990
They thought it would be a disgrace to go forth in a group.  Each entered the forest at a point that he had chosen where there was no path and where it was darkest. La Queste de St G

Offline The Fugitive

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 17932
      • Fugi's Aces Help
Re: Getting on the update train
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2016, 10:11:31 PM »
Easiest thing to do is download and install AH3. 10 minutes and you'll know if your system can handle it. If not, you can tweak the adjustable that HTC has built in ans see if you can be happy with it. If not THEN ask what you should upgrade.
Logged

Offline Easyscor

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 10899
Re: Getting on the update train
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2016, 10:35:32 PM »
Yes, that system should run AH3 on a single monitor. Not sure about three monitors and since you might be wanting all the bells and whistles, it will be your call in the end as Fugitive suggests. You're a bit late to this party.
Logged
Easy in-game again.
Since Tour 19 - 2001

Offline TheRapier

  • Nickel Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 388
      • The Musketeers Squadron, My Little Pony
Re: Getting on the update train
« Reply #3 on: September 04, 2016, 11:44:25 PM »
Downloaded it and ran it offline at about 21 FPS. Seems like it might work with a better vid card. A lot of little issues to work through.

Any recommendations on a card?

Thanks!
Logged
--)-Rapier--
CO Musketeers
Longest continuously operating MMO squadron
Serving your target needs since 1990
They thought it would be a disgrace to go forth in a group.  Each entered the forest at a point that he had chosen where there was no path and where it was darkest. La Queste de St G

Offline BowHTR

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2074
Re: Getting on the update train
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2016, 01:58:38 AM »
Quote from: TheRapier on September 04, 2016, 11:44:25 PM
Downloaded it and ran it offline at about 21 FPS. Seems like it might work with a better vid card. A lot of little issues to work through.

Any recommendations on a card?

Thanks!
Depends on your budget. The lowest card I would recommend is the GTX 750.
Logged
AH Supporter Since Tour 35

Offline The Fugitive

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 17932
      • Fugi's Aces Help
Re: Getting on the update train
« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2016, 08:14:29 AM »
Quote from: TheRapier on September 04, 2016, 11:44:25 PM
Downloaded it and ran it offline at about 21 FPS. Seems like it might work with a better vid card. A lot of little issues to work through.

Any recommendations on a card?

Thanks!

Im running a 670 and I have things almost maxed out and hold a steady 59 fps. If you can find them, they are about $120. For top end the 1080 is looking to be a good buy. 500w power supply or better is also a plus.
Logged

Offline Bizman

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 9606
Re: Getting on the update train
« Reply #6 on: September 05, 2016, 10:39:47 AM »
Your current rig should run at 1440p relatively well, mine is about the same. Triple monitors will most likely need more. Based on benchmarks the GTX750 BowHTR mentioned is actually weaker than a Radeon HD6970 so that would be no improvement.

If your power supply is good enough, a used GTX #70 or #80 by Nvidia starting from the 600 series might be a good choice, from the new ones even the GTX 1060 might do if your budget is tight.
Logged
Quote from: BaldEagl, applies to myself, too
I've got an older system by today's standards that still runs the game well by my standards.

Kotisivuni

Offline BowHTR

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2074
Re: Getting on the update train
« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2016, 11:55:22 AM »
Quote from: Bizman on September 05, 2016, 10:39:47 AM
Based on benchmarks the GTX750 BowHTR mentioned is actually weaker than a Radeon HD6970 so that would be no improvement.

I should have worded my response better. That's my fault. The lowest card I would recommend to anyone is the GTX750, without knowing the specs of their current card. There's a lot better options out there, but I have experience with the GTX750 (Non TI version) to say that it runs AH3 very well to be a $100~ card. I didn't check his card specs, as I wasn't at my computer at the time.

 :salute
Logged
AH Supporter Since Tour 35

Offline Randy1

  • Platinum Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 4229
Re: Getting on the update train
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2016, 02:34:22 PM »
The AH2 candle is burning at both ends.   
Logged

Offline TheRapier

  • Nickel Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 388
      • The Musketeers Squadron, My Little Pony
Re: Getting on the update train
« Reply #9 on: September 05, 2016, 04:06:34 PM »
Thanks for the replies folks!! Much appreciated!

Most of the suggestions are for Nvidia cards. Its been a while since I set it up but ATI/AMD made the multi monitor set up a piece of cake. Does Nvidia now make this easier OR are there recommendations for AMD cards?

I'm thinking the AMD cards are likely cheaper as well. I'd want to go up as high as I can without choking the CPU on the motherboard as this is likely the last upgrade this machine will get. The numbering system on AMD changed from the Radeon 6900 I had before. Seems like something equivalent to a Radeon 8900. Looks like an RX 460 or 470 is what is being sold now.

How does that work on AHIII?

Suggestions  and wisdom welcome! :)
Logged
--)-Rapier--
CO Musketeers
Longest continuously operating MMO squadron
Serving your target needs since 1990
They thought it would be a disgrace to go forth in a group.  Each entered the forest at a point that he had chosen where there was no path and where it was darkest. La Queste de St G

Offline oboe

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 9805
Re: Getting on the update train
« Reply #10 on: September 05, 2016, 05:28:00 PM »
I have a Radeon R9 280X and I can play AHIII at default graphic settings, 1920x1080 and get a solid 59 fps almost everywhere (low over towns seems to be pretty demanding).  The RX470 should be better in every respect.

http://gpuboss.com/gpus/Radeon-RX-470-vs-Radeon-R9-280X
Logged

Offline TheRapier

  • Nickel Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 388
      • The Musketeers Squadron, My Little Pony
Re: Getting on the update train
« Reply #11 on: September 05, 2016, 10:42:35 PM »
Actually connected online and was able to get into a fight. FPS was 17-27 or so which is hopeful if I can get the graphics card worked out.

I'm trying to figure out how much card I can get before the CPU becomes the bottleneck. The machine has a 750watt power supply so power should not be a problem.

Notice that Newegg has a Radeon R7 250X that is cheap but I'm not sure how it runs AHIII. Anyone using it?

Thanks!
Logged
--)-Rapier--
CO Musketeers
Longest continuously operating MMO squadron
Serving your target needs since 1990
They thought it would be a disgrace to go forth in a group.  Each entered the forest at a point that he had chosen where there was no path and where it was darkest. La Queste de St G

Offline Bizman

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 9606
Re: Getting on the update train
« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2016, 01:57:02 AM »
Rapier, one thing for recommending Nvidia over AMD is that they're currently making more powerful cards with less power consumption. That also makes them more suitable for older systems without having to get a new power supply.

The best AMD cards should run AH3 very well, though.

For getting somewhat of an idea, the Passmark GPU benchmark is quite a comprehensive tool: http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html

As for the R7 250X, there's both DDR3 and GDDR5 versions available.  For some reasons the X-version doesn't show on the chart, but here's how it compares to mine: http://gpuboss.com/gpus/Radeon-R7-250X-vs-Radeon-HD-6970. The R7 260X can be found on the Passmark list, but not too high. Based on my own card and what HiTech uses in his development system I'd say that a score of 3000 points is somewhat of a baseline for enjoyable playing. Notice that the Nvidia GTX950 mentioned as a reference at GPUboss beats both at Passmark still being roughly in the same price category. Also see this comparison: http://www.game-debate.com/gpu/index.php?gid=2454&gid2=2414&compare=geforce-gtx-950-ti-2gb-vs-radeon-r7-250-2gb

Need I say I'd think twice?
Logged
Quote from: BaldEagl, applies to myself, too
I've got an older system by today's standards that still runs the game well by my standards.

Kotisivuni

Offline TheRapier

  • Nickel Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 388
      • The Musketeers Squadron, My Little Pony
Re: Getting on the update train
« Reply #13 on: September 07, 2016, 02:18:14 AM »
Thanks Bizman! I really appreciate the info and advice!

So thinking twice and looking through your links, I'm looking at the Radeon R9 390 (working my way up the card stack :)) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127874 which has the right ports that I would need to set up the multi monitors.

My power supply is 750 watts so I seem ok there. The slot is PCI-E 2.0 x16 so the card fits but it seems the consideration would be that the card is faster than the computer is and so some capacity would be wasted. All the info I can find seems to indicate that it is a 2.0 slot with a 3.0 card. The card fits but can't use all its capacity.

I don't really care about the waste as long as the game runs fine but would definitely appreciate you opinion. And since I'm already using a 3.0 card in a 2.0 slot, why not go whole hog to a R9 490? Or is that just wasting dollars for capacity that can't be touched?

Thanks!
Logged
--)-Rapier--
CO Musketeers
Longest continuously operating MMO squadron
Serving your target needs since 1990
They thought it would be a disgrace to go forth in a group.  Each entered the forest at a point that he had chosen where there was no path and where it was darkest. La Queste de St G

Offline Bizman

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 9606
Re: Getting on the update train
« Reply #14 on: September 07, 2016, 07:35:51 AM »
I wouldn't worry about the PCI-E slot number either. They're compatible and you'd get a performance boost of a significant level. You can spend an infinite sum of money honing tiny little fractions of FPS if you want to but if your goal is to get a solid playable frame rate there's no need to overreact. The R9 390 should perform very well on a single monitor, however I don't know how well it would do on a triple system. Pudgie might know...

One thing I noticed in your DXdiag output is this:   Current Mode: 5040 x 1050 (32 bit) (25Hz). That means that you won't get more than 25 FPS no matter how powerful your video card is unless that is limited by your video card. I'd sort that out before buying anything.
Logged
Quote from: BaldEagl, applies to myself, too
I've got an older system by today's standards that still runs the game well by my standards.

Kotisivuni
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
« previous next »