Still have hiccup with HL2 using x1950pro(default setting)

[ahtze]

I just changed from 6600GT to x1950pro and figured that the game runs good but with hiccup. I did use drivercleaner to clean my previous graphic card driver.

My system is AMD 64 3500+ sapphire x1950pro 256mb , 1GB DDR 400mhz.

This is the fraps log.

Frames: 3251 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 54.183 - Min: 25 - Max: 92
Frames: 3923 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 65.383 - Min: 38 - Max: 97

The graphic is set at recommended setting.
Resolution : 1680 x 1050
Everything is High except
Antialiasing Mode = None
Filtering Mode = Trilinear
Wait for vertical Sync = Disable
Water Detail = Reflect World.


If I set to Max configuration. I get this.

Frames: 2851 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 47.517 - Min: 37 - Max: 56
Frames: 2878 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 47.967 - Min: 30 - Max: 62

Is that normal? I thought x1950pro should be able to run HL2 without problem.


Note: I don't see much improvement(maybe a little?) from upgrading 6600GT to x1950pro. Now I wonder why I waste my money on it :/

 

[tamalero]

by any chance you have an audigy video card?
because its well know to cause studdering and weird bugs with AGP videocards.

 

[TonyStark]

Is that normal? I thought x1950pro should be able to run HL2 without problem.

No this isn't normal. I beat HL2 with all settings maxed, 4xFSAA and 16xAF. If I recall correctly, my framerates ranged from 80 - 180 FPS, depending on location.

What sort of PSU do you have?

 

[hondacr123]

Sounds about right to me, you are bottlenecked by your processor and you are running a high res of 1680x1050. With my rig i get around 45fps at that res.

 

[ahtze]

You are right, I use Audigy 2 ZS sound card. But My graphic card is PCI-E 16x

Are you sure I am effected by that?

My PSU has no problem.

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN, 12cm FAN, version 2.2, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 450W Power Supply - Retail

Maximum 29A on Rail+v12

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817104954

More than enough Power.

Anyone have PC about the same spec as me can run HL 2: Episod one and check the FPS using fraps?

Thanks!

 

[ahtze]

Follow up.

I removed the Sound card and tested HL2 without sound.

here's the result.

Frames: 4329 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 72.150 - Min: 52 - Max: 103
Frames: 4849 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 80.817 - Min: 60 - Max: 105
Frames: 4529 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 75.483 - Min: 51 - Max: 99
Frames: 4649 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 77.483 - Min: 8 - Max: 95

Something is very wrong with my Harddrive too.

When I hear big sound from my Hard drive(reading), it will have min fps as low as 0.

Is my hard drive broken? But it still working like charm.

I am going to test it with my onboard sound lateron. I hope it is not audigy's problem!

 

[ahtze]

Here's the result with the onboard soundcard.

Frames: 4206 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 70.100 - Min: 33 - Max: 101
Frames: 3759 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 62.650 - Min: 0 - Max: 97
Frames: 4469 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 74.483 - Min: 46 - Max: 103
Frames: 3419 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 56.983 - Min: 40 - Max: 101

I notice that when I see New people, or a person speak to me such as, "Here, take this medic" My fps will drop significantly(the harddrive read loud too).

I reinstall the Audigy 2 ZS again and get the FPS again.

Frames: 4651 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 77.517 - Min: 53 - Max: 105
Frames: 4380 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 73.000 - Min: 48 - Max: 101
Frames: 3838 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 63.967 - Min: 38 - Max: 104
Frames: 4031 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 67.183 - Min: 38 - Max: 103

From that, I can see that Audigy 2 ZS is not the problem. It have around the same fps as the onboard soundcard.

I just hate the hiccups >.>;

Anyone have the solution for this problem?

 

[ahtze]

Anyone?

 

[Multiplectic]

A fresh format.

You've just changed your video card, and to make it even worse, it's from another manufacturer (ATI/nVIDIA). Driver cleaning utilities are crap, IMO.

 

[ahtze]

I just formated the computer. Updating windows and driver at the moment

Update:

I just tested HL2 without sound driver.

Frames: 4074 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 67.900 - Min: 41 - Max: 101
Frames: 4455 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 74.250 - Min: 0 - Max: 100
Frames: 4360 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 72.667 - Min: 49 - Max: 103
Frames: 4335 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 72.250 - Min: 38 - Max: 105
Frames: 4077 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 67.950 - Min: 45 - Max: 104

Seems like no improvement. The average FPS is good but it will drop to 0-45 when I see 2-5 people pop up in front of me especially when they talking to me.

I think it have something to do with my hard drive but I have no idea why :/

 

[ahtze]

Last FRAPS report.

I tried to play at all graphic = LOW and OFF for every setting.

Here's the fps.

Frames: 4298 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 71.633 - Min: 42 - Max: 135
Frames: 3916 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 65.267 - Min: 43 - Max: 163
Frames: 4064 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 67.733 - Min: 38 - Max: 155
Frames: 3932 - Time: 60000ms - Avg: 65.533 - Min: 41 - Max: 134

The Average fps lower than HIGH setting? ;

Is it my graphic card is defective? Should I RMA it?

 

[Multiplectic]

You're not using VSync... aren't you? :?

 

[randomizer]

Are you running the exact same sequence of events every time? If you arent then your results are invalid, and you cant draw any conclusions.

 

[ahtze]

VSync is off. is that the problem?

 

[ahtze]

About the same.

I done like 10 times and their average is about the same for each setting.

The thing I hate is the FPS will drop to 0 if I see 4 people at once and when one of them talk to me.

 

[randomizer]

You do install sound card drivers dont you? It sounds like you dont:

"I just tested HL2 without sound driver. " (cant be bothered with a real quote)

Not just the windows ones, but the creative drivers. If the problem with the extreme drop in FPS happens when you use onboard sound or no sound then its not the ZS.

 

[DXRick]

Try it with Vsync on. I think there are some problems with DX 9, fullscreen, and Vsinc off. It actually slows it down to turn it off.

 

[randomizer]

Right... capping your framerate and making your video card wait to display the next frame is going to be faster than letting it pump out as many frames per second as possible.

 

[ahtze]

I just format my PC yesterday and didn't install the sound driver yet.

With sound, it will slowdown the performance so I tested HL2 without sound to see if a clean install will do any good.

In fact, the result is still the same before I format my computer.

If you read my previous messages, with onboard sound or ZS, the fps will drop about the same amounts so it is not the ZS problem.

I am thinking there is something wrong either with the graphic card or the hard disk regarding the fps dropping to 0-35.

Anyone have a similar PC spec as me? Is your maximum FPS around 90 and with average 60-75 fps on recommended setting at 1680x1050?

 

[harry_callahan]

try running it 1280x1024.

 

[DXRick]

Right... capping your framerate and making your video card wait to display the next frame is going to be faster than letting it pump out as many frames per second as possible.

Fantasy versus reality. Having been a DX programmer, I saw this issue come up on DX programming forums. I don't remember the specifics. It could be an issue with ATI cards.

All you can do is try it and see.

 

[harry_callahan]

If your hd is making a clicking/clacking sound back it up it's going...

 

[anticupidon]

It could be an issue with ATI cards.

as i know HL2 was made to run best on ATI cards...or not?

 

[randomizer]

Right... capping your framerate and making your video card wait to display the next frame is going to be faster than letting it pump out as many frames per second as possible.

Fantasy versus reality. Having been a DX programmer, I saw this issue come up on DX programming forums. I don't remember the specifics. It could be an issue with ATI cards.

All you can do is try it and see.
Well I dont care what you program, actually running a program with vsync on and seeing the slowdown is enough to convince me that its slower when its on. Its for that reason that I only have it on with older games or games that run well with my card. FEAR is one game in particular that drags your fps to the floor with vsync on, but runs nicely with it off.

EDIT: Of course, it could be dodgy programming that causes it to slow down heaps.

 

[ahtze]

Can someone tell me the average FPS is normal for my spec?