For those with stuttering or tearing graphics please read

[William516]

Ok I was also having huge problems with the graphics on the game, and no im not running the top of the line, best thing out there but she far exceeds the requirements for SH4, so what in the world was causing my problem. After a month of testing I finally got my answer and I feel stupid that I didn't think of this sooner as i would have enjoyed SH4 much better.

There were many threads out there and i tried all the tricks. The ones that worked for me only slowed the stutters but never stopped them.

This included

Modifying the main cfg file (There are two of them, one found in my documments and the other in the sH4 data folder and then under CFG) Both need to match

Here is the modified Cfg.
------------------------------------------------------------------
[SETTINGS]
LoadingMovie=No
VoiceCommand=No
DisableMessages=No
EventCamera=No
[TIME COMPRESSION]
TimeStop=0
RealTime=1
LandProximity=4
CriticalDamage=1
CrewEfficiency=128;1
AirEnemyDetected=1
SoundEffects=2
CharacterAnim=4
EnemyDetected=8
RadioReport=8
Particles=8
PrayState=8
HunterState=32
3DRender=32
Maximum=8192
[VIDEO]
Resolution=1024,768,60,22
DynamicShadows=No
FullScreen=Yes
Synchronized=Yes
TextureResolutionHigh=Yes
[SOUND]
Music=Yes
VolumeGeneral=100
VolumeMusic=100
VolumeFx=100
VolumeSpeech=100
VolumeGeneralMute=false
VolumeMusicMute=false
VolumeFxMute=false
VolumeSpeechMute=false
Max3DSounds=32
SoundTravel=false

[PLAYER]
Name=Player
Rank=10
Experience=0.000000
Renown=500.000000
NrOff=4
Patrols=0
TorpedoesFired=0
TotalTonnage=100
SubmarineType=1
SubmarineVersion=1
SubmarineName=U-110
ConingTower=6
SubmarineEmblem=Yes
SubmarineEmblemIdx=0
NrPettyOff=11
NrSeamen=29
CurrentYear=1942
ShipsSunk=0
LastMission=data/SingleMissions/MaltaConvoy/MaltaConvoy.mis
M01=1
A01=7
A02=7
S01=4

[Ubi.Com]
GameName=SILENTHUNTER4
Version=SH4PC1.0
RememberCDKey=true

[DEVELOPING]
DevDebugEnable=No
DevEditEnable=No
MiniDump=No

[Multiplayer]
GamePort=19000
ShowPlayersNames=true
ShowNamesOnTorpedos=true
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First thing you have to do is make sure that you force V synch, I have an Nvidea chip card and I also had to set all the settings to "application controled"

Set the following setting in the CFG file or copy mine from above

Synchronized=No (Change to) Synchronized=Yes

Then there were a bunch of things the developers forgot to turn off that also made some improvment.

[DEVELOPING]
DevDebugEnable=Yes
DevEditEnable=Yes
MiniDump=Yes

(Change to)

[DEVELOPING]
DevDebugEnable=No
DevEditEnable=No
MiniDump=No

Make sure that you have a backup of the CFG folder before playing with any CFG files.

Now I noticed some improvment but still had minor stutters and for the life of me couldn't get it fixed until now.

Check the Refresh rate of the monitor, yep the refresh rate, something this simple cured my problems.

For example I ran the game in
1024x768 60hz

My deskstop and screen stetting were
1024x768 85hz

the only difference is the refresh rate shown in HZ, When i changed the settings in the graphic options in the game to
1024x768 85hz and RESTARTED the game for it to take effect, the stutters were GONE.

So check those refresh settings for your monitor and hopefully this will help some people, i could have smacked myself for not looking at this sooner.

Just a note I still get some sloppy graphics during day to dusk transitions but i dont think it is linked to this problem.

Another note for good graphics and one often overlooked, if you bought a DELL or other pre built product with the top of the line graphics card BEWARE. Most computers built by the manufactuer do not put money into the PSU. The card i have draws high rate of current when playing this sim especially. The old PSU in my computer would not handle it and forced me to upgrade to a new one.

Be like having a the best car in the world with a small 4 cylinder engine, she not going to perform very well, your computer is the same. If you experience gameplay that is fine for 1/2 hour or more and then drops or degrades to nothing this is something to look for. Check your tempature of the video card, and if you can check the voltage.

The newer Nvidea cards REQUIRE Min of 18amps per rail, Thats alot of current for a simple video card and thats just to run the card not all the other bells and wistles on the computer, (IE lights, wireless, modems, hard drives, DVD Roms, sound card, and the list goes on and on) All these objests are sucking amps from your computers PSU.

Check your video care manufatuers website and read the recommended WATTAGE but most important and ofter over looked AMPS. These two things can make or break a game that is as graphic intensive as SH4.

Then check the label on the PSU and see if your computer manufactuer (DELL, APPLE, HP etc) put enough power to supply it with all it needs.

Good luck and I hope at least one person finds the answers here, thanks to everyone out there that helped with the CFG changes listed above

God Speed
William

[sqk7744]

Thanks William,

Am trying now... out for a cruise

This Clean-up checklist is also helpful:
http://www.compuglobalhypermeganet.t...pChecklist.doc

* Credit for SH4 virtual memory to 6000/6000 -posted on the SH4 Tweak thread.

Enjoy!

[Camaero]

Thanks bud, i'll give it a shot!

[SteamWake]

While I havent had any graphics problems short of having to turn off enviro effects as they dropped my frame rates badly while attacking convolys.

Your post is well documented and thought out.

Contribution is appreciated