I did some experimenting with display settings in F1CS2K in an attempt to
optimize the graphics/framerate compromise for my system (c566@707,
V3-2000@166). Thought I'd pass on some observations to assist others.
I used the noCD patched version of the demo. I stuck with the demo's Indy
track, using replays of a full-field quick race and fraps for ramerate readout
(www.fraps.com).
My default setting FPS at the start of a race, 10th on the grid, was 24 fps
(mirrors off, which is also a default).
Observations in approx importance:
1) Do indeed start with the default settings. For my system, the config.ini
suggests a "system rating" of "3". Whenever you make a new player, this
number determines the starting settings. For my machine, I find I can't
improve much on this setting.
2) The one default setting (sysrating=3) that sticks out is the other vehicle
detail set to LOW. Do NOT raise this! Even setting to medium loses 5 fps,
unacceptable for the start. And you won't see a visual difference when
racing. Only if you are watching a replay might you want to up the detail
(it'll show drivers arms, mirrors, more struts, etc).
3) Of course, as we all know, mirrors pretty much need to be OFF. I find this
unacceptable, but often unavoidable. Mirrors reduce framerate by 4-5 and
sometimes many, many more fps. Really depends on how many cars are visible.
Fortunately, the "R" key lets you toggle it while driving. The mirror detail
level had little impact (1 fps between low and high).
4) Turn grandstands OFF when you want a framerate boost ("6" key). It'll buy
you an additional 7 fps or so! So, maybe you *can* run mirrors at the start,
just trading it off against grandstands.
5) Toggling bilinear and specular filtering off resulted in no framerate
improvement, so keep them on (default). Turning env mapping on dropped 1 FPS,
but to me it doesn't look any better.
6) Number of drivers visible had less of an effect than I expected. I
don't feel comfortable stating unequivocally that you can raise this, but do
note that when I went from the default 12 to a full 22, the start FPS dropped
by just 1 and when I reduced it to 8 cars, framerate increased by only 1. But
I think this is strongly dependent on how many cars are actually viewed, not
just theoretically viewable. Still, I think 8 is too small as I find the car
popup annoying. 12 (default) seems reasonable. Just loses some suspension of
disbelief when viewing an external replay of a start.
7) Higher res: 1024x768 dropped framerate by 4. Unacceptable to me, though I
do prefer the higher res. For replays, maybe I'll bump it up.
8) Distance sliders: Default is 100% (scale is from 40-150). Popup is
acceptable at this level. Dropping all to 40 added 2 FPS but too much popup.
Maxing to 150 only lost 1 fps with little noticed benefit. Also, on other
parts of the track the framerate drop was considerably larger (5-10), and
resulted in some perceived stuttering. There, I actually benefitted by
lowering below 100%.
9) FX: I left them at default, though I usually play with smoke OFF as (a) I
find it unrealistic and (b) I recall it resulting in a framerate hit.
10) Low textures (ugly) add 1 fps, max (somewhat nicer than default) drops 3.
So I leave it on default HIGH.
Summary:
Start with the default. Unless you have a fast machine, the sysrating=3 is a
good compromise. Start with mirrors off (toggle with R key), perhaps start
with grandstands off (toggle with 6 key), do NOT raise other car detail level.
Biggest factors are, mirrors, grandstands, AI car detail, resolution,
textures, # of cars visible.
I'm still not impressed with the games graphics engine vis a vis
framerate/quality. But it can be made fairly playable and attractive. If I
got the default performance but with mirrors on, I wouldn't complain.
"David Masten" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:91tbdk$1jl4$[email hidden]...
> I did some experimenting with display settings in F1CS2K in an attempt to
> optimize the graphics/framerate compromise for my system (c566@707,
> V3-2000@166). Thought I'd pass on some observations to assist others.
Nice post... You may find though that a V5 5500 will give you a substantial
framerate boost.
--
[email hidden]
David M.,
Just wanted to let you know that this post was one of the most helpful I've
read on the subject. It's very easy to get into information-overload on
this issue.
Thanks,
David K.
"David Masten" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:91tbdk$1jl4$[email hidden]...
> I did some experimenting with display settings in F1CS2K in an attempt to
> optimize the graphics/framerate compromise for my system (c566@707,
> V3-2000@166). Thought I'd pass on some observations to assist others.[snipped]
