>Here is a utility that some say doubles DMA score on the Intel FX,
>HX, VX and TX chipsets. If thats the case then Rendition board owners
>this is a must have . I personally have tried it and my system did see
>some speed up but My bios was already tweaked. I run Nascar 2
>with full blown graphics on.
<snip>
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I was just going to post on this very subject. This program "tweak"
really does improve DMA for those like myself with a Rendition card
that do not have any PCI Latency Timer and/or PCI Streaming functions
in their system Bios. The setting you want to be most concerned with
is the {PCI Streaming} . When you run tweak, your current system
settings (also the hidden ones not in your bios) will display their
present readings. Observe the reading under {PCI Streaming}. If it
reads "disabled", change it to "enabled". Choose Apply Settings and
exit. Now run DMATEST.
For myself, this meant a 2X increase in DMA from an avg of 39 to 79
score. Very Noticeable increase in Nascar2 framerate performance
running Renddma.exe. I previously ran with all but road/grass textures
to provide what I considered an acceptable framerate. Now I run with
full graphics and get very fluid video even in traffic.
Note that you will have to execute tweak each time you re-boot as the
settings are only in effect per session. If you register (US $15), the
author will send a version that can be executed through your autoexec
which I do plan on doing. This program does not tie up any memory
after applying the settings and does not effect or "flash" your
current bios. It is noted in the "faq" that it is not recommended to
run "tweak" under W95 as any settings you change may adversly effect
W95's settings, ect.... although the {PCI Streaming} enabling function
did not crash or cause any ill effects when I got brave and did this
also under W95/Dosbox.
My System basics: P166MMX , 32meg EDO 60ns, Intergraph Intense 3d
Ron L.
http://www3.pgh.net/~lazer
