SHIII GW 1.1a Lagging

[_Seth_]

I just upgraded my rig with a 320 gb HD, and increased RAM to 2 GB. I had a problem with SHIII "lagging"; when i used conning tower view or external camera, it was a small lag, then ok, than a small lag, then ok, and so on. I downloaded and updated my FX 5900 ZT with the latest drivers, and i also found out that i didnt check the "syncronization" box in SHIII options menu. My question:
Was this lagging a result of old drivers, or was it because i didnt check the "syncronization" box (What is this "syncronization" anyway..?)

Btw: Now the game runs as smooth as a babys bottom..:hmm:

[Corrupt_File]

I think sync refers to v-sync (vertical syncronization (sp?)). Anyways, I think it just renders textures and edges better, from what I can see.

[_Seth_]

Originally Posted by Corrupt_File

I think sync refers to v-sync (vertical syncronization (sp?)). Anyways, I think it just renders textures and edges better, from what I can see.

Ok, so that is why the laggin' thinghy is gone now...:hmm:

[Slick Rick]

I still get lag when I TC a lot....especially if I am 256 or over....to the point where I cant control my mouse...I also get lag if I have a big explosion when sinking a ship filled with ammo....I have 1 gig of Ram and a 2.0 Ghz processor and my video card has 256 mb of memory....I upgraded to the ATI 1300 and thought for sure the game would run much smoother...but I really didnt see any discernable difference from my Nvidia card....kind of disappointed to tell you the truth....

[Letum]

Originally Posted by Corrupt_File

I think sync refers to v-sync (vertical syncronization (sp?)). Anyways, I think it just renders textures and edges better, from what I can see.

Not true. Prahaps you are thinking of AA.


Here is what you need to under stand V-Sync...

The FPS (frames per second) is how often your PC produces a unique image or "frame". Normal values range from 25-120+. The FPS drops if your PC is struggling to perform.

The refresh rate is how often your monitor can revise and/or change the image it displays. Normal values are from 60hz upwards. It is a fixed value unless you change it. Not every refresh is unique from the last.

V-Sync synchronises the frames per second (FPS) with the monitor's refresh rate.
When V-Sync is off you might have two frames occasionally happen inside of one monitor refresh. Basically you skip a small section the odd frame. The higher the FPS and the lower the refresh rate the more this will happen. If it happens too much it can lead to graphical errors. For example at 60hz and 130fps you may experience double lines or other errors.
When V-Sync is on the PC will make sure that this never happens by correcting the timing so that only one frame can happen in the time of one screen refresh.
This means that in theory at a refresh rate of 85hz the frame rate can also not go above 85fps.

Do I need V-Sync?
Older CTR monitors usually benefit from V-Sync because they have low refresh rates.
Newer CTR monitors with high refresh rates may need V-Sync depending on the game.
Non-CTR monitors (Any kind of flat screen) are unlikely to benefit at all from v-sync because they do not usually vertically refresh the screen. (I'm not sure about all modern monitors).
If you don't think you need V-Sync then don't use it. It has disadvantages. It can slow down you FPS, it uses a little CPU and some claim that it causes the brain to have a slightly harder time accepting that individual frames are all part of the same picture.

To answer the original question: because the effects of V-sync is most noticeable at low FPS so it might help boost the visible frames in time compression in SHIII especially if you are using a CTR monitor and not a flat screen. However, using the latest drivers will often help a lot more than V-Sync. Try turning it off again and see how it is. You can always turn it back on!

I only know the basics about this, so dont sue me if im wrong on any points!



@ Slick Rick:
Getting a better video card won't help if your PC has a bottleneck else where. It looks like your 2Ghz CPU might be a little too slow for you to get much advantage from a better graphics card.

[Tachyon]

Btw, have your loading times reduced somewhat due to the increased RAM? It still takes me a while to load a Campaign mission (around a minute or so) . Plus, you still lag around the ports right?

[VIICDriver]

I gotta admit I get the exact same 'lag" as the original poster is talking about. It only happens with GW 1.1a, not in Flight Sim, NR2003, BF1942, Brothers in Arms etc. Also does not happen with any other "mod" in SH3 or with vanilla SH3.

Sometimes happens only once a patrol sometimes several times. Usually something "triggers" it. An eel exploding into a ship can, sometimes surfacing after running submerged for a few hours into a heavy storm, sometimes it seems certain speech files can trigger it. I have found no rhyme or reason to it. Have changed drivers (both sound and videos) set video settings to everything under the sun, even changed back to the old 1024 resolution.

All I have to do when it happens is save and exit, reload SH3 and all is fine again. It really is not a big deal, only takes a couple minutes to reload but I have not yet gotten to the bottom of it. Hopefully it does not happen with GWX but if it does its a quick fix to get back to smooth sailing as I do now.

AMD 3500+ Clawhammer, 2gb RAM, ATI x850XT yada yada yada

Chuck

[VIICDriver]

BTW only the slightest hint of lag around a port, never down to the 1-2 fps as happens when the severe lag strikes.

Chuck

[_Seth_]

Loading times are WAY better after i got more RAM. Letum said it right to the point! Thats just what happend to me. When i checked the sync-box, the game stopped lagging. (I still get lagging at high TC, around ports and near ships). I have a Hyundai Imagequest Q995 CRT monitor.

[Letum]

I must stress that V_Sync does not make you PC faster. It just avoids frame skipping and graphical distortions on CTR moniters.

[_Seth_]

Originally Posted by Letum

I must stress that V_Sync does not make you PC faster. It just avoids frame skipping and graphical distortions on CTR moniters.