Trying to Forgive LOMAC--system spec help?

[BBQ]

I've posted this at SimHQ as well--sorry for any repeat reads!

 

After d/loading FC and installing a Radeon 9800 pro--I tweaked FC and ran the first SU25T campaign mission. Everything is beautiful at 1600X1200--and pretty smooth (minimal AA and AF in graphics settings).

 

When I approach the target--and it starts firing at me--I get a slide show. I had spent hours tweaking LOMAC F/C--getting track IR just right--and getting my Cougar set up. I got fed up (had been a long day) and uninstalled the whole thing.

 

That was the day FC came out. My head has now cooled--and I'm ready to try again--I just wondered if anyone can suggest some settings (both in game and for Radeon) and resolution for the game--so that I can get somewhat smooth gameplay--in the heat of combat. Here are my system specs--and replies much appreciated!

 

Asus A7V333 mobo

1gb DDR

Windows XP

Audigy

Radeon 9800 Pro (128mb)

Cougar HOTAS

Track IR

[S77th-GOYA]

Lower your resolution. Try 1024 X 768.

[Griff]

Unfortunately, lowering the resolution does not offer much of a solution. I have ran various tests and the difference between 16X12 and 1024X768 is minimal. I think we just need to face the fact that Flaming Cliffs is an intensive sim and it will be a long time before we see high, fluid FPS in every situation. I fly at 16X12 and generally speaking, the game play is smooth. I run textures at high, scenes at high, 50 km terrain preload, water medium, distance visibility medium, civilian traffic on, haze basic, 32 bit color, full shadows, heat blur off, and no mirrors or reflections. I have a decent system and no matter how much time I spend tweaking, the gain in FPS is minimal or non existant. For example, I tested the first Su-25T mission for fps and while at my parking spot and looking at the other Su-25T's, my fps were 9. Lowering the resolution to 1024X768 caused my fps to go to 10-12. Once you get in the air things improve and for some reason, airports seem to be a huge killer on FPS.

 

BBQ, I hope you can come to a happy medium with your settings in Flaming Cliffs. I realize that I didn't offer much of a solution but I think flying campaign missions and inlcuded missions in general are going to have an impact on your fps. Personally, I don't fly the included missions simply for the fact that too many objects in the LOMAC world will kill anyone's system. Believe me, Dusty Rhodes and I have built plenty of missions and if anyone wants to stress out your system, try a mission from Dusty. It has plenty of activity but it has been shown that due to the fact that the way the LOD of objects are handled in the sim, multiple objects in a mission will decrease performance....especially in the combat zone. Good luck.

[S77th-GOYA]

... the difference between 16X12 and 1024X768 is minimal.

 

For a 9800 pro it is not minimal.

 

Griff, your system looks like it is CPU limited, which explains why you're not seeing differences in FPS with different graphic settings. Are you OCing the cpu at all?

[bflagg]

IN your ATI Control Panel set your mipmapping down a notch or two...

[BBQ]

I have found that lowering the resolution has minimal effect as well--though I haven't flown an entire mission with this testing methodology.

 

For a 9800 pro it is not minimal.

 

Griff, your system looks like it is CPU limited, which explains why you're not seeing differences in FPS with different graphic settings. Are you OCing the cpu at all?

[BBQ]

Griff--thanks for the reply--with my overall experience with Flanker 2 and LOMAC, and now FC, I would tend to agree with your overall assumptions regarding missions with lots of activity.

 

I wonder--what do you do to have fun then? Are you just into flying formation (I enjoy this)--or just flying around--or do you create your own missions with minimal activity (say one SAM site only, as a target for the mission, or one advesary aircraft)?

 

I enjoy just flying around in such a gorgeous environment--especially with the new FM for the SU25 variants--but I'm wanting a bit more--without getting the slideshow. Of course, I want to have my cake and eat it to--as I don't have time really to create a bunch of missions--learn the mission builder, etc.

 

Perhaps I could use the quick mission builder?

 

Unfortunately, lowering the resolution does not offer much of a solution. I have ran various tests and the difference between 16X12 and 1024X768 is minimal. I think we just need to face the fact that Flaming Cliffs is an intensive sim and it will be a long time before we see high, fluid FPS in every situation. I fly at 16X12 and generally speaking, the game play is smooth. I run textures at high, scenes at high, 50 km terrain preload, water medium, distance visibility medium, civilian traffic on, haze basic, 32 bit color, full shadows, heat blur off, and no mirrors or reflections. I have a decent system and no matter how much time I spend tweaking, the gain in FPS is minimal or non existant. For example, I tested the first Su-25T mission for fps and while at my parking spot and looking at the other Su-25T's, my fps were 9. Lowering the resolution to 1024X768 caused my fps to go to 10-12. Once you get in the air things improve and for some reason, airports seem to be a huge killer on FPS.

 

BBQ, I hope you can come to a happy medium with your settings in Flaming Cliffs. I realize that I didn't offer much of a solution but I think flying campaign missions and inlcuded missions in general are going to have an impact on your fps. Personally, I don't fly the included missions simply for the fact that too many objects in the LOMAC world will kill anyone's system. Believe me, Dusty Rhodes and I have built plenty of missions and if anyone wants to stress out your system, try a mission from Dusty. It has plenty of activity but it has been shown that due to the fact that the way the LOD of objects are handled in the sim, multiple objects in a mission will decrease performance....especially in the combat zone. Good luck.

[S77th-GOYA]

I used to use a 9800pro and resolution made a huge difference for me. But, if it doesn't for you, maybe it has to do with your cpu. I see it's not listed in your specs. What are you using?

[BBQ]

Oops--I did the same thing over at SimHQ :(

 

AMD Athlon XP 2100+

 

And yes, I think my CPU is the culprit. I'm hoping to upgrade to another one soon.

 

I used to use a 9800pro and resolution made a huge difference for me. But, if it doesn't for you, maybe it has to do with your cpu. I see it's not listed in your specs. What are you using?

[Griff]

No, I do not overclock my CPU. Our squad mate has an Intel 3.2 and at one point, it was overclocked to 3.6 with no significant improvement with LOMAC. Dusty is running a 3.4 Ghz and overall, he has the same impressions that I do and he too can see some dramatic drops in heavy areas.

 

BBQ, as far as what I/we do for fun, it is limited to mainly multiplayer missions. I never thought I would say it, but multiplayer is the only thing I really care about. Single player used to be my choice of play but since I now have DSL, multiplayer is all I care about. I have run through the training missions but that is about it. A few of us create missions with the mission builder and then, we give 'em a shot. As far as mission complexity, it varies. We do create some heavy missions at times and it becomes a balance between "environment" and "performance." LOMAC is lacking in the environment department and when building missions, one has to balance activity to keep acceptable performance levels. But, there are plenty of times when we bog down our systems for the sake of giving the mission some life. I guess we just learn to live with it.