(turned off VSync and Anti-Aliasing), so...
I just upgraded my machine, a Dell PIII 866 (well the
processor hasn't changed) from a TNT to a GeForce3, and
upped the RAM from 128 to 512. Previously I have been
experiencing a frame rate "suck": frame rates (before) were
like 45 when running alone (most details turned down), and
25-30 when running with other cars-at first. However, as
the race goes on, the frame rate will steadily drop, all the
way to single digits after about 250 miles.
After the upgrade, with similar details settings as before,
I now run up to 70 FPS running alone (qualifying), but with
other cars it drops back down to 30-35 again, and that
&*%^% frame rate drop is STILL there.
Now I will say that I have some differences from the
default game (do have the latest patch). I am a speed
freak and have been tweaking the new Zenjoltis track
(with 45 degree spoilers) and running lots of practice there.
Before then I typically ran on Daytona and 'Dega with no
plates. It was during one of these sessions a few months
ago when I first noticed the suck. I thought that perhaps
switching back to plates (and running slower) would help,
but it didn't (tho the rate of the drop slowed so that it hit
single digits after 400 miles). Besides why would real
high racing speeds cause this to happen? Of course since
I altered some of the files (plus the new ZJ ones), Papyrus
would not officially consider my problem to be supportable
and solvable.
I then thought that cranking the RAM up to 512 would
solve it (assuming that I was running out of memory as
the race when on for whatever reason)-no dice. I then
thought that perhaps a complete reinstall would do the
trick-nope. Now I wonder if I NOW need to upgrade the
processor...<sigh>
So, if anyone has any ideas or tweaks I can try, I am
all ears.
John DiFool