Author Topic: bad graphics card + cpu = horrific dp experience. (Read 4585 times)

Lunatic · « **on:** April 27, 2006, 03:12:19 PM »

Okay, I have a piece of excrement graphics card, and I know it. Now brace yourself, a Hercules 3D Prophet 4000XT PCI 32mb.

I just went into a computer store today looking for a new graphics card. They had a look at my cpu and said it was terrible, and no graphics made in the past 2 years would work on it. They also had no used older ones that would possibly be better. So until I get my laptop in a few months time, I am forced to use 30fps on dp. Unless somebody knows something that could help me with this.

The only reason I even suggest this, is because on q2dp this computer and graphics card on OpenGL got 120fps+. So I figured there must be a way to raise my fps. As far as I know I have all updated drivers and whatnot. I am just not sure what the problem is.

If somebody can help me with this, it would be greatly appreciated.

EDIT:

The back story, I used my family computer for the last 4 years or so for dp, which has a Nvidea GeForce 3 or 4, don't remember. And I bought this computer of Glacier when he got a new one. And I know he got the 120fps+ on q2dp in OpenGL, and I believe even on the new standalone when it was first released. So once again, if you can help, thanks.

lekky · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2006, 04:01:07 PM »

Welcome to the club!

(Someone will help ypu soon, sorry

)

SkateR · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2006, 04:21:14 PM »

cl_locknetfps 0
cl_cmdrate 80
cl_maxfps 0

uncheck vsync in vid options? dunno

Lunatic · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2006, 04:30:07 PM »

Well, I folded. I needed a PCI so I didn't have many options.

Ended up getting a GeForce FX 5500 256mb DDR. Not sure what it means, but the guy said that it will be a huge difference.

SkateR: Already had those.

jitspoe · « **Reply #4 on:** April 27, 2006, 04:35:16 PM »

r_caustics 0
r_reflectivewater 0

Lunatic · « **Reply #5 on:** April 27, 2006, 05:20:46 PM »

Hmm, this new video is the same problem.

And I have all of those basic commands set.

jitspoe · « **Reply #6 on:** April 27, 2006, 06:15:24 PM »

Is your framerate exactly 30fps? Does it go higher than that at all?

SkateR · « **Reply #7 on:** April 27, 2006, 06:21:57 PM »

I think its his power supply / RAM. He has a 256mb card with 256mb of RAM, can that be a problem? And his power supply might be like 250 watt, I was told that i might have needed a new power supply for my card and its only 128 mb so yea

Lunatic · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2006, 06:52:10 PM »

Quote from: jitspoe on April 27, 2006, 06:15:24 PM

Is your framerate exactly 30fps? Does it go higher than that at all?

Yes, it likes to spike a lot it seems. Running around with nobody near me, for example going from main flag to bd flag through bd in Castle1, I get anywhere from 120fps-250fps. However, as soon as I jump out of the bd I get 90fps max, then when I see somebody I drop down to 40fps or less.

Is that something that can be fixed?

jitspoe · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2006, 07:10:44 PM »

Sounds like your CPU is the limiting factor. You could also have some other processes in the background (ie: virus scan or spyware) eating up your resources. One more setting that might help some: cl_sleep 0.

Lunatic · « **Reply #10 on:** April 27, 2006, 07:21:10 PM »

cl_sleep 0 was already set. And I don't have any virus scans or spy ware currently open. =/

Any chance buying more RAM or something would help?

jitspoe · « **Reply #11 on:** April 27, 2006, 08:00:54 PM »

I think buying a new CPU would help more. PB2 doesn't use that much ram. It runs OK on 256megs for me (unless, of course, there are other applications eating up the memory).

Lunatic · « **Reply #12 on:** April 27, 2006, 08:25:49 PM »

Well, I think Bob figured out the problem. My CPU is only 534mhz.

MaDMaN · « **Reply #13 on:** May 19, 2006, 07:32:04 AM »

534mhz, Ouch, But i have the same problem, What windows are you runnig. I noticed with windows 98 my mx4000 gets almost 700-800fps, and on windows xp, i only get 80-200.. i was running dp on a p2 333mhz 128mb of sdr ram, and a pci mx400, i got 50-100 fps..

Qoo · « **Reply #14 on:** May 19, 2006, 10:04:31 AM »

Why does vsync kill my fps so badly.

I can be going along with everything full quite happily at 300-400fps and then I turn on vsync and drop to just above 60.

Any ideas?

(I'm happy with what I get already, but I just wonder why it does that, just thought I'd ask my small question in this thread where it was being talked about anyway)

b00nlander · « **Reply #15 on:** May 19, 2006, 10:23:59 AM »

yea well, vsync will just set your fps-rate to the refresh-rate of your screen, thats how you get 60fps with it

Qoo · « **Reply #16 on:** May 19, 2006, 12:04:27 PM »

oic

Now I feel stupid

jitspoe · « **Reply #17 on:** May 19, 2006, 12:11:55 PM »

Unless you're using an LCD, you should increase your refresh rate. 60hz == headaches on a CRT. I always use 85 or higher. You can change this with r_displayrefresh and a vid_restart.

Qoo · « **Reply #18 on:** May 19, 2006, 04:48:10 PM »

I am using LCD, but is there any advantages to syncing it instead of running it at what I can achieve?

jitspoe · « **Reply #19 on:** May 19, 2006, 05:07:34 PM »

The only thing syncing does is supposedly prevent "tearing". That's where part of the screen is rendering one frame, and part of it is rendering the next frame. If your framerate is high enough, though, you won't even notice that. In some cases, the tearing is worse with vsync on for whatever reason.