rec.autos.simulators

AMD XP 2100+
512 Meg Ram
ATI 9700 Pro (Cat 3.1 drivers)

Im getting a massive variation in FPS when in the car on the tracks
and what ever I seem to change it doesnt make much diffrence on Tally
on the back straight im getting 60 FPS but as I come on to the home
straight it drops to a constant 21-25 FPS

Im running it at 1024x768 in D3D mode as OpenGL mode wont configure
with the config.exe program and it crashes in XP with a error report
msg my rend_dxg.ini is as follows

[3D Accelerator Analysis]
PolyRate=588.10
AnisotropicLevel=8
TextureSetSize=159383552
BitsPerPixel=32
TestedFullScreen=1
Height=768
Width=1024
vSyncMode=0
MipMapLODBias=-0.50
BestStampVOffset=0.50
BestStampUOffset=0.50
UseStencilBuffer=0
MipFilter=2
MinFilter=2
MagFilter=2
Renderer=ati2dvag.dll
Version=Product 6  Version 14.1  Build 6292
Vendor=RADEON 9700 SERIES

My rend_ogl.ini looks like this but as I said I cant use OpenGL as it
crashes the config.exe.

3D Accelerator Analysis]
PolyRate=742.92
TestedFullScreen=1
TextureSetSize=93308624
BitsPerPixel=32
Height=768
Width=1024
AnisotropicLevel=16
UseStencilBuffer=0
MinFilter=9987
MagFilter=9729
Renderer=Radeon 9700 Pro x86/MMX/3DNow!/SSE
Version=1.3.3561 WinXP Release
Vendor=ATI Technologies Inc.

I have tried all sorts of setting even turning off FSAA & AA and the
FPS vary just as much in fact its better with FSAA & AA on so its set
at 4xFSAA & 16xAA currently.

I have view distance to 70% with 24 cars drawn ahead and 5 behind, I
have turned off all shadows except from cars and spectacular lights
and stuff but this isnt makeing any diffrence.

Can some one with a simalar rig post what there running with as I dont
want to drop to 800x600.

Hotdog
Hotdog

  That is pretty much how the Papy sims have behaved since N4 when they un-
hooked the framerate from the physics engine.  You will find each track has
a different fps and certain parts of each track are more demanding than
others.   FRom what I've read here, turning OFF the last three shadow
effects provide the biggest boost to fps.  Similarly, running ONLINE should
provide another free 10fps per track vs offline.  
   Since it looks like you have already limited your graphic settings, you
may want to look elsewhere for improved performance...i.e. limiting
background tasks,  restricting startup files so that you have the max
amount of memory available when you boot up.
I think the Sierra forums might have a thread or two about graphic
performnce...good luck.
dave henrie

-Tim

AMD 1800 XP
512 pc2100 RAM
GF4 Ti 4200

Variation is normal, but that sounds a tad more extreme than usual.

Mine:
PolyRate=595.05

And:
PolyRate=700.16

You've got a faster processor and a vastly superior graphics card.  I'd
expect to see bigger numbers for you there.  I had problems with low
performance that were down to AGP drivers for the OS - I didn't realise I
needed to install them.  Made a *big* difference.  I'd start there.

Regards,

Mark Davison
http://www.markdavison.clara.net/OVAL/
"No more rhymes, now.  I mean it!"
"Anybody wanna peanut?"

You are being limited by your CPU and the draw distance you are using. Lower
it some and your FPS on the front stretch should go up.

Kyle

With no AA and no anistropic, my fps vary the greatest. Seems like the more
aa I put in , the more consistent the framerates are.
I am running in 1280x960x32.
I have pretty much settled on 4x aa and 4x anistropic, looks good and I
still get high frame rates - 70-80's.

Don Burnette

I was running at 1024x768x32 until I tried 1280x960x32 and GAINED fps. It
seems like the 9700s like to be pushed.

Also you didn't say (or I missed it) if you have Vsync turned off or not.
I'm betting that you have it on because you say you get 60 fps on the back
but get 21-25 on the front. If the back straight is holding steady at 60 you
most likely have vsync on and this may be why you are getting  a larger than
normal drop when coming onto the front stretch.

MadDAWG

Im now running at 1290x960x32 bit with 4xFSAA & 4XAA on
FPS are around 31-34 on the home straights past the pits with around
50-60 down the back straights.

I turned off all the pit crews and dropped my viewing distance to 50%
clicked of all the shadows except cars and knocked off the all
lighting details except the top one

Im running the latest VIA 4in1 drivers and also I have vysnc off so I
had all ready sorted out any trouble there.

In some of the replys some people mentioned I was CPU bound against my
9700 Pro, what does this mean and how do I address this issue. ?? im
guessing it may mean my CPU is too slow for my video card ?? how can I
tell this and what CPU would be ideal for my 9700 pro.

Also my FYI my 3Dmark 2001SE is 11187 using DX9 and the standard
benchmarking with all FSAA & AA turned off in the ATI D3D control
panel.

Hotdog
Hotdog

Sounds about right.  I get in the 12700 range with the default benchmark. I
would bet that the differance is more because of the motherboards. I run the
Leadtek Nforce2 based mobo were you have the VIA chipset.

MadDAWG