Radeon HD 7970 Inbound

[Grimes]

Wait, how the hell does the Aero theme give better game performance? I'm using "windows basic" which is basically the same thing but turns off the transparency on the windows.

[scheffchen]

Kuky, thank you very much for your benchmark efforts!

Greatly appreciated!

[PeterP]

Hi Kuky,

 

man- you where busy...

 

I was able to optimize your SoftTH config .

 

I made three presets. When testing them use the files attached in each separate folder folder in for DCS - don't mix them.

Means : don't use the options.lua of preset 1. with the config.SoftTHconfig of preset 2.

 

First some general info - I lowered the res of your MFCD's to 512. - simply because you don't have a benefit to render them in 1024 on the little screens because they are 555x555px.

So 512 is absolute OK and you will see no difference - but it will free up resources.

 

I also disabled the TSSAA - try first without it and when the performance is OK - try with TSSAA on.

 

And I you are the very first to use a new setting in the "Monitors-Lua" I found a very simple way to place the GUI anywhere I want.!!

 

And I removed the fourth monitor from the SoftTH config.

- also enabled Aero (keepComposition=1)

- enabled SoftTH to run at all cores of your CPU (processAffinity=1)

-and fixed the FPS for your MFCDs to 20 (I think that is fair)

 

 

 

 

1.SoftTH 2.08b for kuky 7970

 

This set uses 1920x1800 in-game res and uses your default original LMFCD+Camera+RMFCD.lua

But contains all tweaking that I mentioned above.

 

2.SoftTH 2.08b for kuky 7970 with destRect

 

This set is FPS optimized and has a reduced res. In-game res is now 1920x1755. (but the main view is still 1920x1200)

 

The monitor.lua is tweaked and soft only transports 555x555 for each MFCD instead oh 800x600 with the undocumented

"DestRect" function (more about it here:http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=1303406#post1303406 )

 

3.SoftTH 2.08b for kuky 7970 with HDR and destRect

 

This present uses the tweaks of 2. but also spans the Camera-view port at the whole render resolution - so you are able to have HDR On without the misalignment of the sun-rays. (you might have to readjust your view a little up - do this with the "viewDy = 0;" 0.2 seams to be OK - or edit the cockpit-camera-view in the "SnapViewsDefault.lua" - more info on "how to" http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=82056&highlight=SnapViewsDefault.lua )

 

And here comes the clue: The Gui will not be stretched over your whole Camera view of 1920x1755 - it will only appear at your main display.

This is what I added to the monitors.lua to make it work (in bold)

Fix for misplaced/stretched MP and Mission Gui - also for BS:

_ = function(p) return p; end;

name = _('SoftTH HDR/destRect');

Description = 'Left and Right 8" screens for MFCD bellow main 24" monitor for Cockpit view'

Viewports =

{

Center =

{

x = 0;

y = 0;

width = 1920;

height = 1755;

viewDx = 0;

viewDy = 0;

aspect = 1.094017094017094;

}

}

 

LEFT_MFCD =

{

x = 0;

y = 1200;

width = 555;

height = 555;

}

 

RIGHT_MFCD =

{

x = 555;

y = 1200;

width = 555;

height = 555;

}

 

Gui =

{

x = 0;

y = 0;

width = 1920;

height = 1200;

}

 

UIMainView = Gui

It works also for multi-player.

This is the solution for all multi-monitor users.

The Communication and briefings will only appear in the new "Gui" view-port.

(The info-bar will still be stretched - but you can use AppKey+S to bring all rendered info at the main view if needed)

 

So I would advise you to start right away with 3. and check out 2 and 1 if you problems unforeseen appear.

Edited January 22, 2012 by PeterP

[Kuky]

PeterP, thanks heaps, I'll give it a crack now

 

One thing will not work in mysetup, that's reducing secondary monitors res bellow 800x600 as Cougar MFD's are aligned with bottom of the monitor so I need to use the whole 600 pixel heigh.

 

That extra setting with GIU I wasn't aware, if it works it's be great... I'll report later how it went

Edited January 15, 2012 by Kuky

[PeterP]

...Kuky...

 

Please don't touch or try to resize or rearrange your monitors!

 

It will work - Softh takes care of it and the MFCDs will spawn where you need them.(If I made the calculations right...:P)

Edited January 15, 2012 by PeterP

[Loz]

PeterP, brilliant find on the positioning of the GUI.

I hadn't really found the oversized GUI a problem before until I wanted to look at MP where it is a mess and hard to use.

Now with this Gui addition to the monitor.lua (adjusted for my setup) it's brill. :)

 

Recommended to all Multi Monitor users. :pilotfly:

 

(ps. Well deserved Rep sent :D )

Edited January 15, 2012 by Loz

[Kuky]

Quick test and it seems to work well... I notice now Full Screen is selected in game options?

 

One other notice: when mission is started that zoom out is now reversed, also V-sync is not on... how do I get it enabled again?

 

I'll go do that FPS test again see if FRAPS works now

[Kuky]

damnit.. FRAPS won't work like this... framerate was acceptable, nowhere near as bad as before.

 

You were right, the MFD displays do spawn in correct spot :thumbup:

 

I tried enabling V-sync in game options and that seems to cause the sim to freeze/crash again... am I not allowed to change any options in game now?

[Kuky]

Got V-sync now on... simply edited config.SoftTHconfig file and changed to:

 

[main]

renderResolution=1920x1755

nonlocalFormat=RGB16D

keepComposition=1

smoothing=0

debugD3D=0

zClear=1

vsync=1

tripleBuffer=0

screenshotFormat=jpg

dllPathD3D9=auto

dllPathDXGI=auto

dllPathD3D11=auto

 

I'm gonna try now stay bit longer in mission see if it'll crash.... fingers crossed!

[Kuky]

F*** IT, I give up... about 12min in game and it crashed again

 

FYI, I also noticed same bug with HDR that was suposed to be cured, same mission same kind of flickering

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1164109&postcount=1

 

NcmWgy5QVsA

 

I'll just wait for the new driver from AMD... this sucks ass big time

Edited January 15, 2012 by Kuky

[Kuky]

I should add, this last time when game crashed I got crash files:

 

# -------------- 20120115-133040 --------------

 

# C0000005 ACCESS_VIOLATION at 40330462 00:00000000

00000000 00000000 0000:00000000

40330462 0012F5C0 0000:00000000

4033080F 0012F6C0 0000:00000000

4032A697 0012F710 0000:00000000

40336011 0012F740 0000:00000000

403362F7 0012F8D0 0000:00000000

403399F3 0012F910 0000:00000000

40339AF4 0012F940 0000:00000000

40308AE3 0012F9A0 0000:00000000

4039F17F 0012FEA0 0000:00000000

403A06EB 0012FF50 0000:00000000

7747652D 0012FF80 0001:0001552D C:\Windows\system32\kernel32.dll BaseThreadInitThunk()+D

77A0C521 0012FFD0 0001:0002B521 C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll RtlUserThreadStart()+21

# -------------- 20120115-133753 --------------

C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Space.dll

# C0000005 ACCESS_VIOLATION at 00DE43DB 01:000033DB

00000000 00000000 0000:00000000

00DE43DB 0012F480 0001:000033DB C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Space.dll ?getSun@Space@@QEAAXAEAN0@Z()+1B

00DE45BA 0012F4B0 0001:000035BA C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Space.dll ?getSunZenithAngleR@Space@@QEAANXZ()+1A

00D4A5EC 0012F500 0001:000195EC C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Terrain.dll ?RecalculateArgs@lStandartStructure@@KAXN@Z()+2C

00D4A7E6 0012F550 0001:000197E6 C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Terrain.dll ?GetDrawArguments@lStandartStructure@@UEAAAEBV?$HeapVector@UDynamicParam@Graphics@@@@XZ()+46

16F6DE3E 0012F6B0 0001:0002CE3E C:\DCS A-10C\bin\NGModel.dll ?GetLoadPriority@NGModel@model@@UEAAMXZ()+7D5E

00D46BA4 0012F7E0 0001:00015BA4 C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Terrain.dll ?CreateObject@lObjWithLights@@SAPEAVlLandObject@@XZ()+F4

00D475B1 0012F8A0 0001:000165B1 C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Terrain.dll ?CreateLights@lObjWithLights@@IEAAXXZ()+111

005276DC 0012F8D0 0001:000066DC C:\DCS A-10C\bin\edObjects.dll ??0viObjectShapeCustom@@QEAA@AEBV0@@Z()+95C

00527D85 0012F910 0001:00006D85 C:\DCS A-10C\bin\edObjects.dll ??0viObjectShapeCustom@@QEAA@AEBV0@@Z()+1005

00528894 0012F940 0001:00007894 C:\DCS A-10C\bin\edObjects.dll ??0viObjectShapeCustom@@QEAA@AEBV0@@Z()+1B14

4030898D 0012F9A0 0000:00000000

4039F17F 0012FEA0 0000:00000000

403A06EB 0012FF50 0000:00000000

7747652D 0012FF80 0001:0001552D C:\Windows\system32\kernel32.dll BaseThreadInitThunk()+D

77A0C521 0012FFD0 0001:0002B521 C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll RtlUserThreadStart()+21

# -------------- 20120115-135111 --------------

C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Space.dll

# C0000005 ACCESS_VIOLATION at 00DE43DB 01:000033DB

00000000 00000000 0000:00000000

00DE43DB 0012F480 0001:000033DB C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Space.dll ?getSun@Space@@QEAAXAEAN0@Z()+1B

00DE45BA 0012F4B0 0001:000035BA C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Space.dll ?getSunZenithAngleR@Space@@QEAANXZ()+1A

00D4A5EC 0012F500 0001:000195EC C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Terrain.dll ?RecalculateArgs@lStandartStructure@@KAXN@Z()+2C

00D4A7E6 0012F550 0001:000197E6 C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Terrain.dll ?GetDrawArguments@lStandartStructure@@UEAAAEBV?$HeapVector@UDynamicParam@Graphics@@@@XZ()+46

1708DE3E 0012F6B0 0001:0002CE3E C:\DCS A-10C\bin\NGModel.dll ?GetLoadPriority@NGModel@model@@UEAAMXZ()+7D5E

00D46BA4 0012F7E0 0001:00015BA4 C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Terrain.dll ?CreateObject@lObjWithLights@@SAPEAVlLandObject@@XZ()+F4

00D475B1 0012F8A0 0001:000165B1 C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Terrain.dll ?CreateLights@lObjWithLights@@IEAAXXZ()+111

005276DC 0012F8D0 0001:000066DC C:\DCS A-10C\bin\edObjects.dll ??0viObjectShapeCustom@@QEAA@AEBV0@@Z()+95C

00527D85 0012F910 0001:00006D85 C:\DCS A-10C\bin\edObjects.dll ??0viObjectShapeCustom@@QEAA@AEBV0@@Z()+1005

00528894 0012F940 0001:00007894 C:\DCS A-10C\bin\edObjects.dll ??0viObjectShapeCustom@@QEAA@AEBV0@@Z()+1B14

4030898D 0012F9A0 0000:00000000

4039F17F 0012FEA0 0000:00000000

403A06EB 0012FF50 0000:00000000

7747652D 0012FF80 0001:0001552D C:\Windows\system32\kernel32.dll BaseThreadInitThunk()+D

77A0C521 0012FFD0 0001:0002B521 C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll RtlUserThreadStart()+21

# -------------- 20120115-141632 --------------

C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Space.dll

# C0000005 ACCESS_VIOLATION at 00DE43DB 01:000033DB

00000000 00000000 0000:00000000

00DE43DB 0012F480 0001:000033DB C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Space.dll ?getSun@Space@@QEAAXAEAN0@Z()+1B

00DE45BA 0012F4B0 0001:000035BA C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Space.dll ?getSunZenithAngleR@Space@@QEAANXZ()+1A

00D4A5EC 0012F500 0001:000195EC C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Terrain.dll ?RecalculateArgs@lStandartStructure@@KAXN@Z()+2C

00D4A7E6 0012F550 0001:000197E6 C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Terrain.dll ?GetDrawArguments@lStandartStructure@@UEAAAEBV?$HeapVector@UDynamicParam@Graphics@@@@XZ()+46

16F6DE3E 0012F6B0 0001:0002CE3E C:\DCS A-10C\bin\NGModel.dll ?GetLoadPriority@NGModel@model@@UEAAMXZ()+7D5E

00D46BA4 0012F7E0 0001:00015BA4 C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Terrain.dll ?CreateObject@lObjWithLights@@SAPEAVlLandObject@@XZ()+F4

00D475B1 0012F8A0 0001:000165B1 C:\DCS A-10C\bin\Terrain.dll ?CreateLights@lObjWithLights@@IEAAXXZ()+111

005576DC 0012F8D0 0001:000066DC C:\DCS A-10C\bin\edObjects.dll ??0viObjectShapeCustom@@QEAA@AEBV0@@Z()+95C

00557D85 0012F910 0001:00006D85 C:\DCS A-10C\bin\edObjects.dll ??0viObjectShapeCustom@@QEAA@AEBV0@@Z()+1005

00558894 0012F940 0001:00007894 C:\DCS A-10C\bin\edObjects.dll ??0viObjectShapeCustom@@QEAA@AEBV0@@Z()+1B14

4030898D 0012F9A0 0000:00000000

4039F17F 0012FEA0 0000:00000000

403A06EB 0012FF50 0000:00000000

7747652D 0012FF80 0001:0001552D C:\Windows\system32\kernel32.dll BaseThreadInitThunk()+D

77A0C521 0012FFD0 0001:0002B521 C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll RtlUserThreadStart()+21

[Kuky]

Now I think SoftTH never actually solved the crash, that time when I thought it did was because I was in mission up to 10min but now it's actually crashing also... only sometimes takes much longer then before.

 

I just tried files from 1st set and I got crash within 20-30sec or now... this time I got crash file also

Edited January 15, 2012 by Kuky

[JG14_Smil]

I went from a 4870x2 to a HD7970 and it seems like it is a good thing for my couple-year-old system. ROF was unflyable for me, but I am enjoying it a lot now with the 7970. It is a good thing as I will be stuck in WW1 until they get the A-10/BS2 driver bug worked out.

[Pilotasso]

My last ATI card was a 9800pro (it still runs) but I hate that AMD is making paper launches leaving its clients as beta testers. Argh. :(

[TaigaIV]

Finally found the origin of my problem, i think one of the 12V rail of my PSU is faulty (both card, regular system freeze, tryed one card at a time using different rail, with the good one no problems). With one card, DCS A-10 freeze up to 20 seconds time to time (too regularly to be playable), with both card no problem (except my system fully freeze when playing other games but it's not coming from the card ).

[PeterP]

Quick test and it seems to work well... I notice now Full Screen is selected in game options?

 

One other notice: when mission is started that zoom out is now reversed, also V-sync is not on... how do I get it enabled again?

 

I'll go do that FPS test again see if FRAPS works now

Fraps don't work witch SoftTH.

 

damnit.. FRAPS won't work like this... framerate was acceptable, nowhere near as bad as before.

 

You were right, the MFD displays do spawn in correct spot :thumbup:

 

I tried enabling V-sync in game options and that seems to cause the sim to freeze/crash again... am I not allowed to change any options in game now?

You can change almost anything- but don't touch the resolution - than you will have to edit the options.lua again.

 

F*** IT, I give up... about 12min in game and it crashed again

 

FYI, I also noticed same bug with HDR that was suposed to be cured, same mission same kind of flickering

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1164109&postcount=1

 

I'll just wait for the new driver from AMD... this sucks ass big time

The HRD fix only work when you use the files of preset-3.

I have the feeling that you mixed them up.

 

but anyway...

 

Now I think SoftTH never actually solved the crash, that time when I thought it did was because I was in mission up to 10min but now it's actually crashing also... only sometimes takes much longer then before.

 

I just tried files from 1st set and I got crash within 20-30sec or now... this time I got crash file also

 

I'm sorry to hear this...

It sounded very promising at the beginning.

 

BTW: Running in fullscreen=higher FPS is everything what SoftTH is about.

 

more on that matter: SoftTH NEWS

SoftTH is donation-ware and let you do what the big GPU company's don't allow you to do or only at high costs.

SoftTh let you render every monitor combination at High FPS in full-screen mode. You can even Mix SoftTH with AMD-Eyefinity and/or TH2GO,NVIDIA-Surround !

Especially interesting for DCS. -SoftTH let you use full-screen Mode If you export MDFS/Abris ect. on additional screens . You are not forced to use Windowed mode any more.

Even Helios is working with DCS in Fulscree...

And Yes , it will gain your FPS!

 

 

Some interesting examples what you can do/how it can look:

[...]

But this was not wasted time at all:

Now you have this pre-sets and when you have also working AMD drivers you can apply softth and get a fps-gain running your setup in fullscreen.

Edited January 15, 2012 by PeterP

[Kuky]

But this was not wasted time at all:

Now you have this pre-sets and when you have also working AMD drivers you can apply softth and get a fps-gain running your setup in fullscreen.

 

true PeterP, thank you very much for helping out, I'll just have to wait out for the propper driver for this card

 

PS: with HD5870 when I compared windowed mode and full screen (1 screen setup) I saw no difference in performance at all.

 

PPS: don't worry, I did not mix any of the files. The set 3 with enabled HDR is where I saw that flashing... I was in mission Ramp Start... started the A-10, taxied to runway... took off and about 12min from mission start the game crashed. This is when I tried files from set 1 and it too didn't help, game crashed again.

 

Those 4 crash files are from 4 scrashes I had trying these new files for SoftTH, and you can see they are all from some Space.dll file, no idea what that is... anyone from ED care to comment or try to investigate at all?

Edited January 16, 2012 by Kuky

[Gunnergolly]

Taken from this thread:-

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=1373961#post1373961

 

Not so lucky with HD7970... DCS won't work with them and keep crashing

 

Have been following this thread, appreciate yourself (and others) taking the time to report your progress with this card...

 

I was wanting one myself, but holding off purchasing this card until they have sorted things out with the drivers.........will stick with the 5870 for now..

 

Regards

 

Gunner....

Edited January 16, 2012 by Gunnergolly

[Kuky]

I took short video with my phone camera, I know it very crappy resolution but it'll give idea what's heppining with DCS and HD7970 on my end :D

 

I've put all settings in game to low, no bushes, no HDR, no TSAA, no Mirros... pure minimum... I am certain now it's not the sim crashing bit the video card driver. I was wathing video card temp with RealTemp and it would be about 57°C so I can't say it's video card overheating.

 

Basically the gamew oult run fine... eventually it will freeze... all screen go blank... lose all the video signal (all 4 monitors) then come "alive" again few seconds later... game will reload textures (in this case reloading textures is minimal time as it's all on low, on high takes about 1-2 sec to load them) and the sim will continue where is stopped... little later (time varies) it will freeze again... screens go blank... rinse and repeat.

 

During multiple of such cycles in same mission the sim will not actually error out or crash... but video card and/or it driver simply do not like this sim.

 

PS: this is without using SoftTH

 

PPS: the sim looks like s**t on low :D

[JG14_Smil]

I think we are just going to have to wait for a new driver, Kuky.

 

More on the card...

 

I have been spending time in Rise of Flight and I am amazed at how much the card has helped there. I've seen screenshots of some great looking sims but never witnessed them first hand until now. I've been going through graphics options one at a time, and turning them up instead of down! I had no idea a flight sim could look this good.

 

The HD 7970 is just what my system needed. I do miss BS2, but it will hopefully get sorted out soon. I will never go without "eye candy" again. :)

Edited January 16, 2012 by JG14_Smil

[Gunnergolly]

Good news at least about "Rise of flight"......one of my favourites too !!!...

 

I guess it's just a waiting game now for some good drivers that work well with DCS.

 

In the mean time i guess i'm just going to have to wait before i get my hands on one of those 7970's !!!..

[Kuky]

JG14_Smil, so you're having same issue with DCS? Alright, that does make me feel better... kind of.... just because I know then for sure it's not just me :)

[apsog33]

I can confirm the same AMD 7970 problem with DCS A10 and DCS blackshark 2. All my other games run fine including blackshark 1 and FC2. Hopefully they fix the drivers soon since I updated my system so I could play these sims.

[PeterP]

Right now I'm very sure that this is a issue that only appears in native 64bit applications.

[TAIPAN_]

Right now I'm very sure that this is a issue that only appears in native 64bit applications.

 

That's what I suspected.. I suggested it but no one would test it in 32 bit.

 

Are you sure you guys can't just test DCS 32 bit exe just to rule it out?

I know driver layer etc etc but bugs in computer software have lots of surprising reasons.

 

Worth a test if you can..