DirectX 9 Performance

[dgouthro]

I have suspected that with DirectX 8.1b installed, both UT1 and UT2003 showed very fast refresh rates. When I face at the wall in UT1, refresh rate is over 1200 fps! However when I installed DirectX 9.0a/b, refresh rate is reduced to 800 fps or less. Even when I upgraded from GeForce4 Ti4400 to GeForceFX 5900 (Ultra), fps cannot improve above 800fps due to "Reduce Mouse Lag" fps limiter kicked in by DirectX 9.0a/b.

I found out that DirectX 8.1b installed, reduce mouse lag timing function was broken. After installed DirectX 9.0a/b, it fixed reduce mouse lag timing function; that why it caused refresh rates reduction when refresh rates are very high. That don't affect any refresh rates if below 300 fps but will affect above 300 fps. It is known as fps cap to prevent possible mouse lag from occuring.

I found a workaround for UT2003 by tweaking UT2003.ini and changed ReduceMouseLag to 0. However there is no workaround for older UT1. I need Epic to release another D3DDrv.dll for UT1 allows me to override reducemouselag option. For now, I cannot disable reducemouselag on UT1; only I can do with UT2003.

[yewnuhtee]

get epic to release something for UT1?.. :confused:

dont think that'll happen

[JACK SH!T]

Originally posted by dgouthro
I have suspected that with DirectX 8.1b installed, both UT1 and UT2003 showed very fast refresh rates. When I face at the wall in UT1, refresh rate is over 1200 fps! However when I installed DirectX 9.0a/b, refresh rate is reduced to 800 fps or less. Even when I upgraded from GeForce4 Ti4400 to GeForceFX 5900 (Ultra), fps cannot improve above 800fps due to "Reduce Mouse Lag" fps limiter kicked in by DirectX 9.0a/b.

I found out that DirectX 8.1b installed, reduce mouse lag timing function was broken. After installed DirectX 9.0a/b, it fixed reduce mouse lag timing function; that why it caused refresh rates reduction when refresh rates are very high. That don't affect any refresh rates if below 300 fps but will affect above 300 fps. It is known as fps cap to prevent possible mouse lag from occuring.

I found a workaround for UT2003 by tweaking UT2003.ini and changed ReduceMouseLag to 0. However there is no workaround for older UT1. I need Epic to release another D3DDrv.dll for UT1 allows me to override reducemouselag option. For now, I cannot disable reducemouselag on UT1; only I can do with UT2003.
Running at 1200 fps is pointless...Your TV runs at 30 fps, and you monitor probably doesn't do much more than 80 fps. If your card is running faster than your monitor, you'll see a "tearing" effect (looks like 2 images on the screen). This happens becouse the monitor can't keep up with the card.
You need to go into you video card settings and make sure V-sync is enabled. That will optimize the card for your monitor (if the monitor runs at 100 fps, the card will detect it and it'll run at 100 fps, hens "video/vertical sync"). I know it's nice to know that you're running a 1,000,000,000 fps, but no matter how fast your card is, you're limmited to your monitor's fps/refresh rate.
Like I said, your TV is only 30 fps, does it look choppy? I'm on a G4-MX420 with v-sink enabled & DX9.0b, runs at 80 fps and looks/plays great.
Let me know what happens;)

[dgouthro]

I can lock FPS with my vertical sync. However, I have to use triplebuffering to keep the games smooth. Without triplebuffering,
the games cannot draw another image after first image is already drawn in back buffer waiting for switch to the display during vertical blank stage.

Flight Simulator 2004 always use triple buffering. Dungeon Siege control refresh rates. I don't know if Dungeon Siege use triple buffering mode. I have to see.

Even with very high FPS (no lock), I never see screen tearing.

[Necromancer]

the human eyes cant tell the difference betwen 70 fps and 7000fps
I allways use vsync It just looks better and will give you smoother gameplay,even if you dont tear.
I think your a addict and need to seek help
$500 video card?:rolleyes:
your like "my brand new ferrarri wont go over 175 mph":(

[JACK SH!T]

Originally posted by dgouthro
I can lock FPS with my vertical sync. However, I have to use triplebuffering to keep the games smooth. Without triplebuffering,
the games cannot draw another image after first image is already drawn in back buffer waiting for switch to the display during vertical blank stage.

Flight Simulator 2004 always use triple buffering. Dungeon Siege control refresh rates. I don't know if Dungeon Siege use triple buffering mode. I have to see.

Even with very high FPS (no lock), I never see screen tearing.
what are you useing to see your refresh rate? (what benchmarking program):confused:
that refresh rate seems inflated. Are you sure it's correct and not a benchmarking tool created around that card?
Try 3-4 independent b/m tools that look at the whole system, not just the card.

[Tsami]

The Nvidia driver settings for my Ti4200 permit the applications to control the refresh rate, although it's possible to overide that setting and specify the rate.

Aside from that, the preferences rendering section (from the UT console) has a true/false setting for using vsync.

Is that the setting that should be used to toggle vsync?

[dgouthro]

If you using Detonator 45.23 or later, use VSYNC=False and use Control Panel and also set VSYNC to OFF and set read ahead buffers to 2 to 5.

If you are using older than 45.23 then use VSYNC=True and use Control Panel and also set VSYNC to Auto Select and set read ahead buffers to fixed 3 (I think best numbers for all games).

To see advanced settings in Control Panel, you have to add "CoolBits=3" in registry keys (\LOCAL_MACHINE_KEY\Nvidia\NVTweak).

[JACK SH!T]

Originally posted by Tsami
The Nvidia driver settings for my Ti4200 permit the applications to control the refresh rate, although it's possible to overide that setting and specify the rate.

Aside from that, the preferences rendering section (from the UT console) has a true/false setting for using vsync.

Is that the setting that should be used to toggle vsync?
I recomend useing the Nvidia config console that was installed with the drivers. Just to make sure the game and the card aren't fighting each other. Also try to avoid 3rd party config tools, they hardly ever work. Hence "Use the right tool for the job"
:D

[Tsami]

Originally posted by JACK SH!T
I recomend useing the Nvidia config console that was installed with the drivers. Just to make sure the game and the card aren't fighting each other. Also try to avoid 3rd party config tools, they hardly ever work. Hence "Use the right tool for the job"
:D

Well, that's pretty much how I feel, but there's always more to learn, and some of it is useful.

I'm aware of the "coolbits" addition to the registry that dgouthro mentioned, but can't remember how to insert it. Read about it in a local computer mag and used it with a GForce 2 Pro card I had a couple of years ago in order to overclock the card. A short time later, the card failed, and so I've been a little more cautious since then. :bulb:

[dgouthro]

I forgot to add extra key required in registry. Previous post have wrong registry keys.

Correct keys below:

\LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Nvidia\Global\NVTweak

then add DWORD tag "CoolBits" and give value of 3.

I am sorry that I made a mistake.

I wish to add file attachment -- CoolBits.reg but could not find the option to do so here.

[If you see kay]

this is much easier
http://www.cybertechhelp.com/html/downloads/download.php/id/35
click on the coolbits and its done

[Tsami]

Thanks, dg & If. Y'don't suppose that this is Nvidia's little way of selling more cards do you? Nah....

Seriously though, have you, or anyone else, overclocked with this registry addition and survived the experience?

Just thought I would ask. :)

[Necromancer]

oh yeah
with this reg file you have all you need
my fx card even auto detects and auto ocs my vid card
I would get more cooling and read some guides first
but for the little you get from ocing its really not worth damiging your card and shortening its life
I still do it tho:rolleyes:

[Necromancer]

Originally posted by Tsami
Aside from that, the preferences rendering section (from the UT console) has a true/false setting for using vsync.

Is that the setting that should be used to toggle vsync?
yes but its backwards vsync= true means vsync =false
its also in coolbits
under vid card props/ d3dsettings /more d3d

[Tsami]

Originally posted by Necromancer
I still do it tho:rolleyes:

Yep. :haha: