Stuttering 1.1 problems What is going on at ED??

[LawnDart]

No need for 'what if's' at this point. You guys have identified the problem, pointedly specified when/where it exists and have made those that can address it aware.

 

Speculating and tossing in new/unobserved variables into the mix does no good.

 

If you're directing this at my comments, here's what I have to say. While we might have identified a variable that affects the stuttering (pingPeriod), it doesn't mean that it is the root of the problem. We were unable to eliminate it completely with anything in our control while changing that value. I'm not saying SF is the cause of the stutter, neither am I saying it's not SF! Until proven otherwise, I'm not ruling anything out! All I can tell you is that I personally and many of the other VTB guys have spent well over 25-30 hours testing everything we could think of concerning the stuttering and have yet come across anything that says this is where the stutter originates from!

 

To turn the tables back around, I'd say don't limit yourself to thinking it could only be caused by what we've stumbled upon so far. It has something to do with it, but that doesn't mean "pingPeriod" creates the stutter. It could very well go much deeper, be caused by something totally different as well as the code itself. The only thing we know is that "pingPeriod" has influence on the stutter, whether it is the cause of it or not!

 

LawnDart

[Slammin]

I guess we need to get out more. The dreyou_SERVER on HL does not have this stutter problem. I assume he is running the server in dedicated mode and that this server has quite a bit more horsepower than mine.

 

Granted, I can still see the pingperiod stutter, but the effect is minimal, like only a 1 or 2 fps hit as opposed to the 6fps hit I see from my server.

 

dreyou_SERVER was perfectly playable in all aspects for me.

 

Gonna do some more testing to see if this is a resource issue now.

[Slammin]

I just tried a couple more 1.1 servers. Though I can still see the pingperiod delay, when looking for it, the effect is so minimal that most would not notice it. The fps hit=2 at most.

 

At this point, I am thinking my dual P3 1Ghz box is too small to host 1.1. I am also leaning towards the thought that it will take a seriously FAST machine to both host and play from at the same time.

[Conuk]

Conuk and Slammin,

I'm sure ED would fix it with a patch and also put up a new file for download for future purchases. For all those who already have the d/l version, could just download it again. You can download the file all day long (even now), it's the reg key that you buy...

 

LawnDart

 

 

No offense taken Slammin - Just annoyed at the thought I was `hijacking the thread` (!) when others thought the same.... thinking about it now as Lawndart states - the download could be (for whatever reason) fixed and I just download it again ... with any fixes made... never thought of it like that - so no problemo.

 

 

Anyways would be interesting at how many people actually got to download flaming - and have experienced the stutter - I myself have not played it online..... and have no problems with it as yet..... I guess more may post either way when its up for download/purchase again and help narrow down the problem.

 

Anyways I appreciate ED/ you guys trying to track the problem down.

Keep it going.

 

`Con lets the dice role` lol :)

[GGTharos]

I get 'rowboating' ... and I also see the other 'stutter' as well, but it's the rowboating that really irks me.

[Prophet_169th]

After reading all this, and knowing what to look for, there isnt a server I have been in yet, that hasnt had this problem.

 

This is a seperate issue than this stuttering, but recently I have developed a 'stall'. The game will just freeze...for a few seconds, then resume, and then sometimes I get booted.

 

Not sure if its a resource issue, I didnt have the problem until recently. But thats another topic.

[Burner_Tbird2]

When I get the row boat effect it is sporadic and often eliminated by a reconnect.

[Slammin]

After reading all this, and knowing what to look for, there isnt a server I have been in yet, that hasnt had this problem.

 

This is a seperate issue than this stuttering, but recently I have developed a 'stall'. The game will just freeze...for a few seconds, then resume, and then sometimes I get booted.

 

Not sure if its a resource issue, I didnt have the problem until recently. But thats another topic.

 

 

Are you using an Nvidia 6xxx card? If they get too hot (and Lockon can make your card reach it's highest temps), the card throttles and the effect is about a 7-10 second pause/freeze, and then it resumes normally. Most anti-cheat server code will kick you when that happens. A quick test would be to see if it happens if you run with your case open.

[169th_Dredd]

Are you using an Nvidia 6xxx card? If they get too hot (and Lockon can make your card reach it's highest temps), the card throttles and the effect is about a 7-10 second pause/freeze, and then it resumes normally. Most anti-cheat server code will kick you when that happens. A quick test would be to see if it happens if you run with your case open.

 

This has to be an understatement. I know exactly what Prophet means.

This has been happening to me also on occasions, and I run a 5900XT Nvidia.

And 'no' my card is not reaching high temps.

The game will freeze up, although I can still hear the engine noises, then it will release and resume.

One other thing I cant remember, but Prophet didn't your game freeze up also at the same time mine did the other day/night when we were flying?

 

Cant exactly confirm this 100%, but I'll ask other players in game when it occurs again.

 

Also the stuttering issue is 'weird'. I saw this jerky effect happening when flying close in formation or taxiing during the first 4 or so flights of FC.

From now on, every server I join doesnt seem to be doing this anymore.

Of course theres the random FPS drop(6-7fps) every 2-4 secs, but the stuttering effect seems to have disappeared.

 

Ive asked others and they've noticed that the stuttering effect has been as noticable/there anymore either. Heh.. spooky.

 

Hope they get these isues sorted out soon.

Over and Out.

[Slammin]

Good info!

 

I wonder if your pauses are related to swap file access?

[169th_Dredd]

Good info!

 

I wonder if your pauses are related to swap file access?

 

I use my swap/page file(1024-3072) on a separate 7gig partition(F: drive).

And FC is located on C: drive.

My specs:

AMD2500@2800+

1024MB RAM (Dual channel)

Gigabyte 5900XT(61.72 drivers)

[LawnDart]

I use my swap/page file(1024-3072) on a separate 7gig partition(F: drive).

And FC is located on C: drive.

My specs:

AMD2500@2800+

1024MB RAM (Dual channel)

Gigabyte 5900XT(61.72 drivers)

 

Why don't you try to set your swap to 4096 (maxed out) so that it never changes size. You could also run something like Windows Washer prior to flying which among other things can swipe and clean the swap file I believe.

 

This is a different issue from the stutter, but equally important to address I'd say!

 

LawnDart

[169th_Dredd]

Why don't you try to set your swap to 4096 (maxed out) so that it never changes size. You could also run something like Windows Washer prior to flying which among other things can swipe and clean the swap file I believe.

 

This is a different issue from the stutter, but equally important to address I'd say!

 

LawnDart

 

 

LawnDart, do you mean setting it fixed at 4096-4096 or 1024-4096?

I just read that using a fixed pagefile is better then nominating a range for windows to use at its discretion.

Also that when the PC is shutdown at restarted this swap is cleaned out.

However I hardly ever turn my PC off.

 

I know this is off-topic, but just curious.

[Slammin]

Set it to a fixed value. When you let windows manage it, you get a performance hit.

[Prophet_169th]

I have mine set to a fixed value.

 

I have a 6800GT, and use the latest Omega drivers. Competely forgot that I had the driver auto set the clock speeds. I will set back to normal, and see about getting better airflow.

 

This may be the issue with my stuttering.

 

And yes Dredd, we did get freeze at the same time IIRC. Hopefully just a wierd fluke.

 

And I havent been paying attention to the stuttering really. I do know, that I was flying the Su27 campaign, and the wingman stays REAL close. No stuttering.

 

Not sure if this was covered earlier, but is this a MP issue only? I heard some people report that as the host they dont see the stutter, so possibly.

[LawnDart]

LawnDart, do you mean setting it fixed at 4096-4096 or 1024-4096?

I just read that using a fixed pagefile is better then nominating a range for windows to use at its discretion.

Also that when the PC is shutdown at restarted this swap is cleaned out.

However I hardly ever turn my PC off.

 

I know this is off-topic, but just curious.

 

Definitely go with a fixed value! There is a reg key you can adjust so that the page file is swiped clean on every reboot or power off as well, but IMHO that's not necessary since it also means startup/shutdown takes longer.

 

And as far as the stuttering... where this thread started it was all about multiplayer stuttering! I too can see graphics stutter, hickups, rowboat effects etc, but there's a very distinct stutter only seen as client up close to another plane in multiplayer (not lag or warping). The host computer does not see any of this while each client does. That should sum it up!

 

LawnDart

[Weta43]

Couple of questions: (first one may have been answered somewhere but 20 pages is a big troll on my lousy dial up )

Does the stutter happen in a LAN game?

I thought I'd spend the afternoon putting some spare parts together into another machine & setting up a 2 machine LAN. If I set one optical drive as a share to both & install to both machines from there, will I be able to launch FC on both at the same time with the disk in the one drive? (the install seems to put all the needed files onto the HDD, so the disk is only in for the SF drivers to see it?)

[Jetfire]

Can anyone using the CD version confirm whether they have this stuttering problem?

[ViperVJG73]

Can anyone using the CD version confirm whether they have this stuttering problem?

 

Who has the CD version? No one can buy hitherto! :D

[RAFStan]

Well, I'm from mother Russia and I'm using russian CD version of FC. I always experience stuttering during online flight. I can say that at least two of my squadmates expirience this phenomenom.

I can add that I'm the right wingman of our pilotage group. It always annoy me(stuttering) especially when flying close.

[GGTharos]

A fix is now available. Check on the lockon page, install and give us feedback :) Hopefully it solves your problems ... if not, the devs may have to give it another shot.