My FPS has gone south on me. I'm lucky to hit 20FPS.
I have reinstalled my system from acronis but no joy.
I know there's some pointers hereabouts on improving FPS and Ping but I'm darned if I can find them.
Anyone give me a pointer or url please?
Thanks
PEN
Ouch that's not a very fun FPS to have. I used to even get higher on my older AGP comp. I've noticed my FPS seems to be worse lately too, although still completely playable. You may know that the best thing in-game option you can do to increase your FPS is to lower your screen resolution. Do you think it could be a heat issue?
I came across this link which may help.
http://www.hlfallout.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=10172&st=0 (http://www.hlfallout.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=10172&st=0) You might also want to try this config - http://www.fpsbanana.com/scripting/505 (http://www.fpsbanana.com/scripting/505).
What are your specs by the way?
was this a sudden fps drop from like 60 to 20 with no programs or drivers installed in-between or like from 30 to 20? I know I've found it slowing a bit of late too (at least that was the impression I was getting)
more info! :)
Things to check:
Don't run in too high a resolution
Dont have too much AA or AF applied to image (0xAA and 4xAF is a good starting point)
has the display been set to run in software instead of hardware mode?
have you tried OpenGL instead of DirectX (or vice versa) - you can set this on the command line options for the game: more info
at:
http://home.covad.net/~k25125/SteamyThings/HL_Command_Line_Switches_FAQ.htm
Well, if you did a reinstall from scratch and still have the same problems then.. hm... any performance drop elsewhere, as in other games etc? Did you recently upgrade your gfx driver and this driver is also the same you used after reinstalling windows? Then get the prior one again...
Thanks Guys.
Yeah, specs would prolly have helped.
I have a boring, off-the-shelf Intel P1v 3.4ghz Dell with 2Gb of decent RAM from Norm. The graphics card is a Nividia Geforce 6600GT. I'm running forceware.
My FPS is actually worse now than it was with my previous card - a radeon 9800pro.
Not sure if heating is a problem, how does one tell?
I have made sure that I ran the power cord from the fraphics card to the mobo.
AA and AF? is that Anti aliasing and anti thingy filtering?
I am running at 1280 x whatever it is - so perhaps I need to drop that too.
Appreciate the help fellas
PEN
check that your PSU got enough juice to run the GFX card... Made that mistake myself...
Quote from: Penfold;193869Not sure if heating is a problem, how does one tell?
PEN
Get a program called SpeedFan (Freeware). With this program you can see your computertemperatures and also adjust the fanspeeds. I've put it on all the workcomputers.
PC Wizard 2006 is also a freewareprogram so you can check your computertemps and other compstuff.
Speedfan for ya (http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php)
So you changed gfx to a 6600 and graphics have been worse since, and that is all that has changed? Soz for being slow...:rolleyes:
On my old computer i had a radeon 9600 which i replaced with a 7600gt, however i think the radeon was slightly better, i can't remember if i actually got the latest drivers for the 7600gt though, i don't think i actually got around to it. I assume you've tried to get the latest graphics driver?
in theory a 9800pro (What I've been using for the last year or so at 1280x800 for CSS) is more or less equal to a 6600gt, although the 6600gt will probably pip the ati card to the posts in more tests. A 7600GT should be miles better then either of them. Miles. You should see similar performance with your 6600gt to what you used to get with the 9800pro.
If your motherboard drivers are not playing ball with your graphics card drivers, or if you failed to "properly" remove the ATI drivers you could be getting conflicts there that will slow down 3d performance. I've had trouble with motherboard AGP / smartGART drivers not working before and more or less halving my frame-rates in 3d games.
I found CSSource to be relatively cpu-limited on my machine (roughly equivalent to a 2.8GHz P4) as lowering the resolution below 1280 did nothing much for the framerates. Some of the custom maps totally kill my poor old PC ... and I too have noticed a slow-down in CSS in recent months. Could just be perceived slow-down ofc!
You can also try changing the advance settings of your gpu drivers so that openGL and direct3D operate in "maximum performance" mode (as opposed to max quality). try a search for your specific 6600gt maybe and look see what versions of the nvidia drivers other people recommend?
p.s. wrt to heating --> run the pc with the side of the case off and if you have one point a big old desk fan at the pc innards. Should keep it cool to rule out heat problems.
Quote from: delanvital;193924Speedfan for ya (http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php)
So you changed gfx to a 6600 and graphics have been worse since, and that is all that has changed? Soz for being slow...:rolleyes:
yup
thanks
Quote from: suicidal_monkey;194024A 7600GT should be miles better then either of them. Miles.
OK so I messed up getting a 6600gt :doh:
Is this the beastie you're talking about - will it honestly be MILES better on FPS etc?
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?NOV-76GTA+
At the end of the day all I do on this PC is Play CS. If necessary I'll just buy a new machine but it seems a slight waste.
Do you think my PIV 3ghz is still uptodate enough bearing in mind I only had ATA and AGP etc?
PEN
PS Tried speedfan - IT comes up with results -
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h284/mpppen/Untitled-1-2.jpg)
Not sure how to interpret them though?
Quote from: Penfold;194031OK so I messed up getting a 6600gt :doh:
Is this the beastie you're talking about - will it honestly be MILES better on FPS etc?
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?NOV-76GTA+
At the end of the day all I do on this PC is Play CS. If necessary I'll just buy a new machine but it seems a slight waste.
Do you think my PIV 3ghz is still uptodate enough bearing in mind I only had ATA and AGP etc?
PEN
PS Tried speedfan - it doens't seem to work? It crashes when it runs - trying to get another copy.
Pen, I have ATA and AGP (although an 7800GS), an Athlon equivalent of your Pentium, 1,25GB of RAM and the machine is fine in CS. If we are just talking CS, then just up the graphics. My 2c.
Speedfan - you can get others to monitor your temperatures - try MBM (MotherBoardMonitor). A bit more detailed and heavy as an app, but does the trick - you just need to identify your motherboard in the setup (that is, know make and model for the app to work with)
Speedfan - that means the program cannot detect any sensors reporting gpu or cpu heat. All you have there is the temp of your HDDs.
Edit: the odds of some other app finding the cpu temp is low. Finding the temp on the graphics card could be done with some of the apps for such. Maybe RivaTuner?
Quote from: Penfold;194031Do you think my PIV 3ghz is still uptodate enough bearing in mind I only had ATA and AGP etc?
it'll probably do just fine - check out these reviews of AGP graphics performance:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/2007/06/11/the_best_gaming_video_cards_for_the_money_uk/page4.html
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/2007/01/10/agp-platform-analysis-uk/page7.html
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/2007/02/01/agp-platform-analysis_uk/page11.html
Short version: AGP is still pretty good, and it depends on your budget really. Top link has the various options and budgets. If you can find a x1950pro or similar AGP for a budget you are happy with it should do just fine. A 7600GT looks like the next step down (performing as well or even better than the 7800GT in thg tests!!)
Here are some alternatives to that novatech (the 7600GT is £75 from scan - should still be a decent enough card. The x1950pro will obviously last longer but your cpu might give out in the next game up) You even get HDCP with some of the radeon cards. Dunno what the x1950GT is but it's specs don't seem that much worse than the x1950pro's ~£100
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Compare.asp?CPID=17824&CPID=19322&CPID=20617&CPID=20836&CPID=20695&CPID=20839
at the end of the day it's very hard to tell just how well the money would be spent. The 1950GT for £100 looks like a pretty decent price? Dunno where it compares to the 7600GT (~£80) or the 1950pro(~£130) though.
Maybe someone else can advise?
oh and also there should be a few 2nd hand deals on AGP cards around.
Dont go too far with the money. Even though AGP is still a good socket, you wont be able to bring the card with you when you upgrade the motherboard.
I appreciate the help guys.
I'm kinda out of my depth here. If it was you - which card would you go for to try and improve my system?
Thanks
PEN
-----------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 6/14/2007, 21:57:54
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
System Model: Dimension 8300
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A07
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 377MB used, 3055MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode
------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.
--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 6600 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_00F1&SUBSYS_21191682&REV_A2
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (16 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8421 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 3/9/2006 15:29:00, 3968512 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 3/9/2006 15:29:00, 3650368 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-43B1-11CF-D755-130103C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x00F1
SubSys ID: 0x21191682
Revision ID: 0x00A2
Revision ID: 0x00A2
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
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Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run
-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: SB Audigy Audio [DF00]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_10021102&REV_04
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
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Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 64, 62
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: Yes
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run
Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D5&SUBSYS_01571028&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: smwdm.sys
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Driver Attributes: Final Retail
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Other Files:
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HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run
---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: SB Audigy Audio [DF00]
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0323 (English)
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Well, with 2GB of RAM you are set for CS.
Graphics... I would find a used card, so depending on the deal. Maybe someone here on the forum has something they wanna sell? I bought my XFX 7800GS slightly used from from BB and still with warranty. Been very happy with that. Otherwise, go for a 7600+ depending on the price. With ATI I don't know anymore.
If it was me, I would prob find a 7600GT due to the fact that you wont get blazing FPS even with the 7800GT due to the rest of the setup. My (nonobligating) 2 cents.
You will prob. be able to run some semi-recent games at low res. and get some gameplay, but say you want what comes in 3-6 months you would need a more thorough upgrade. Imho.
Thanks .
Oh decisions, decisions :blink:
What I don't want to do is to buy a card to find it's no better than the incumbent one. However I don't want to fork out unnecessarily.
I guess it's down to :
Radeon X1650 XT
or
7600GT
or
Radeon X1950 GT
Help me please my technical mates!!
PEN
Well when i was looking for the card to replace my 9600 i did some research and the 7600GT had the best reception for AGP cards, although i don't really know of those ones you mentioned, i might be able to find some useful benchmarking site somewhere for them. I'm pretty certain why i noticed no difference from my 9600 to my 7600GT (still getting 50-60 at good times then 10 or so in battle on chateau), it was because my processor was really rather bad, think it was an amd sempron 2.4ghz or something - not dual core. Personally if i was you, i think i'd get an average card like the 7600GT just to make you do for a while and in the meantime maybe upgrade to a PCI-E system, maybe get some ram now as it's uber cheap for a limited time. Just my two scents.
This may be of some sort of guidance. http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/2007/06/11/the_best_gaming_video_cards_for_the_money_uk/page4.html