DCS Newsletter March 2013, question related to performance

[TZeer]

Moving to 64-bit Operating Systems Only

 

As we move forward improving the DCS World environment, we are more and more often running into roadblocks that prevent us from doing so due to supporting 32 bit operating systems. This includes larger and more populated worlds with greater terrain mesh details and textures. By moving to 64 bit support only, we will be able solve this and allow larger missions with more units, and it will allow us to improve visual effects.

This change will be coming in the next few months.

 

 

This part was very interesting when reading the newsletter. But it leaves me with a big question...

 

Objects...??

 

In 99% of all my performance tests I have done with this sim, the number of objects is what's holding it back.

 

Yes, I get reduction from effects, smoke+++, but the big FPS killer in almost all settings has been the number of objects that's in view.

 

To check the number of objects that is in view when you play, hit ctrl+pause/break two times. And it will bring up a FPS counter with a number of objects under it.

 

For me, the magical number is around 1000 objects before it's starts taxing the CPU so much that it's not able to feed my GPU.

 

You can reach 1000 objects in different ways.

 

- 1 closeup high detail A-10C will give you about 100 objects

- 1 M1A1 tank, will give you 6 objects

- 1 l9c BUK radar will give you 76 objects (old model)

 

You would think that it would be the same if you put down 100 tanks or 100 l9c BUK's. It's not. 100 tanks gives you 600 objects for the CPU to deal with. Which is no problem. Replace that with the BUK, and you suddenly have 7600 objects. And your FPS is down the drain.

 

( Before anyone argue that the BUK is radar and has more AI etc going for it, same thing is done with a different radar with new model and lesser objects, without CPU issue. And other model with no radar but high objects count is tested as well with same effect)

 

 

I guess all of you know about the FPS issue that comes with dropping a CBU-87. Drop this baby in a remote area and look at the number of objects that suddenly goes up during the impact. In my case it goes from 40 objects and up to 2000+ while impacting. It absolutely hammers my CPU.

Same thing if you observe a tank battle. Set up 20 tanks from US and 20 from RU, and observe the object count before, during and after the fighting is done. You will be surprised.

 

Now, what I'm curious of is this.

 

DCS World is already 64 bit right? (If installed on 64 bit OS)

Multicore support is already far into the future since not mentioned in the newsletter. (Yes I know, DCS World uses 2 cores atm, 1 for sound, 1 for the rest)

 

How will moving to "64 bit only" allow more units and larger missions if we still struggle with object-tracking hammering the CPU into oblivion?

 

I can see that we in theory can have more units, bigger missions etc. But if nothing is done to reduce the number of objects that needs to be dealt with by 1 single CPU core, it's more of a "on paper only" option. Until we either get multicore support or 10 GHz CPU's.

 

Or am I completely mistaken here? And the 64 bit only will be able to deal with this?

[Grimes]

My understanding of the difference between 64bit and 32bit with the current build of DCS is that the 64bit application is still programmed for the 32bit architecture. However because it is 64bit the OS is able to dedicate more RAM to the process instead of being limited to something like 3.5 gb of ram. I'd venture a guess that most 64bit applications you see out there are not truly 64bit, but they are a 32bit application running in 64bit simply for more access to ram. The plan to move to 64bit only means they can program the game in ways that a 32 bit application simply would not be capable of.

[Cobra99]

@TZEER - All of the testing you have performed has shown logical and conclusive results. I hope that the efforts you have put forth have not fallen upon deaf ears and that a resolution is in process. Or it could be that all good things will happen when EDGE is introduced.

 

Regards,

 

Tom