Roob's Vsync/fps Guide

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Comments

  • JowerJower Join Date: 2003-02-12 Member: 13448Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--nicuss+Apr 10 2003, 07:24 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (nicuss @ Apr 10 2003, 07:24 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I'm running with v_synch on because i can't stand the frame tearing. also refresh fix for win2k, and fps_max 100.
    My fps is between 40 and 100 depending on how much stuff i look at, but it never jumps from 100 to 50 and back, always moves in 1fps increments. Weird... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Then im pretty sure V_sync is acctually off...
    Sure you have it on ?
    For the graphic mode you're using ?
  • l337_l32Kl337_l32K Join Date: 2003-01-27 Member: 12872Members
    edited April 2003
    what pisses me off is: my monitor's max refresh rate is 60, and the max resolution is 1024x768...and it's not even that old. So, I have vsync off, and my frame rate's kinda jumpy, but it's still goood. I get from 50 -100 depending on what's goin down.
  • MaTTMaTT Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 3033Members
    Lo roob.... Do you still play kingpin? <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

    p.s. Ive tried both and i prefer Vsync on! I get 100 fps all the time using either setting but using vsync prevents what is refered to as 'Visual tearing' when you turn to quick...
  • RoobubbaRoobubba Who you gonna call? Join Date: 2003-01-06 Member: 11930Members, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow
    No, I haven't playing Kingpin in years. Shame really cos us Mamas kicked complete 4r53 <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • MaTTMaTT Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 3033Members
    heh... I was in both MAF and UW clans back then <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • eggmaceggmac Join Date: 2003-03-03 Member: 14246Members
    edited April 2003
    So is this thread going to be webbed or not?
  • RoobubbaRoobubba Who you gonna call? Join Date: 2003-01-06 Member: 11930Members, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow
    Doesn't look like it egg... <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • JowerJower Join Date: 2003-02-12 Member: 13448Members
    Power to the allmighty cheese !
  • eggmaceggmac Join Date: 2003-03-03 Member: 14246Members
    However, it helped me a lot and that's enough <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • soundwavesoundwave Join Date: 2003-01-29 Member: 12911Members
    Thx for the info dude
    My question is regarding the ATI catalyst drivers
    I have a 9700pro, with 3.0a WHQL cats
    in the openGL properties I can only set Vsync as "always off" or "Application Preference"
    No way that I know of to force vsync (like with the Nvidia Drivers)
    So, since I cant force it and I believe HL does not have an option to turn it on/off
    I am stuck with 99fps, but with image tearing as a result of vsync off

    So I guess my question is do you know of any way with Ati based cards to Force vsync
    or a way within HL to force vsync

    Thanks in advance <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • The_SpectreThe_Spectre Join Date: 2002-11-18 Member: 9212Members
    One thing about fps affecting jetpack fuel regeneration speed: It doesn't.
    It does affect jetpack <i>thrust</i> however. Someone with high fps will go from empty fuel bar to full fuel bar in the same time as someone with low fps. However, if they both hold jump, the person with high fps will slam into the ceiling, while the person with low fps will barely get off the ground.

    Now, from about 70 fps and up, the fuel that you regain while in the air gives enough thrust to keep you stuck to the ceiling.

    If you don't believe me, try it out. Just play around with your max fps and see what it does for your jetpacking.
  • abtmabtm Join Date: 2003-04-08 Member: 15337Members
    I think that this guide deserves a web it's detailed -- sophisticated and straight to the point and highly informative. Thanks roob
  • AnavrinAnavrin Join Date: 2002-10-30 Member: 1734Members
    The guide isn't as accurate as it should be.

    > Half life has a default maximum refresh rate of 72. This can be increased to a maximum allowable value of 100, using the fps_max setting in the console (type "fps_max 100" without the " in console).

    This is a minor squabble, but that's not the refresh rate, but a simple frames per second cap. If you have a 60 Hz refresh rate with vsync on and set fps_max to 100, you'll get 1 to 60 fps.

    Most importantly, you didn't accurately explain what vsync actually is. It's a very useful tool to remove screen tearing, where a single refresh of the monitor will yield the upper half as one frame and the lower half will yield the next frame, causing the frame you see to be out of sync and "torn." It's very noticable on low FPS systems, and annoying on high end systems. Due to the poor colours in HalfLife, you barely notice it unless you're in a brightly lit room with contrasting darkness. However, if you load up Serious Sam or another colourful game, it hinges on the border of frustration to have the jerky movement of screen tearing. Vsync helps users fix that by coordinating the framebuffer and the monitor refresh since frame buffers are usually far faster than a monitor. Yes, what you said about vsync is mostly true, but that's not why it is there in the first place.

    Lastly, I'm almost sure that vsync *never* goes in divisional increments. If you get 73 FPS constantly on a 85 Hz resolution, you will see 73 different frames per second, with the missing refreshes simply a rehash of the prexisting frame until the framebuffer is full again. The frame buffer simply stores the frame and awaits the next refresh cycle on the monitor, hence the "syncronization" in "vsync." The maximum framerate you will receive is the refresh rate, but once below the refresh rate, you lose FPS in decrements of 1 unit, not 5 units or 1/2 the refresh rate.
  • AnavrinAnavrin Join Date: 2002-10-30 Member: 1734Members
    Hmm, rereading my comment, I wasn't convinced myself that it was all that useful, so here goes.

    Take the refresh rate on the maximum resolution, 60 Hz by industry standards.

    That means 60 monitor frame draws per second, but let's say you have a graphics card that churns out frames at 50 FPS.

    1 second / 60 Hz = 0.0167
    1 second / 50 FPS = 0.02

    The only time where the frame and the monitor will display an entire frame (rather than a split one) is when the two numbers above are at a multiple of eachother.

    60 Hz Refresh: 0, 0.0167, 0.0333, 0.0500, .0667, 0.0833, 0.1, etc...
    50 FPS: 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.1, 0.12, 0.14, etc...

    Assuming refresh and frame buffer are start off syncronized, the only time where you'll see an entire frame will be whenever there is a multiple that equals eachother. This means at 0 second, and at 0.01 seconds, and any multiple onwards. Basically, a large fraction of the frames you see are only partial, and torn up frames. Thus you're rarely seeing a full, complete frame as you should be.

    With Vsync on, it rounds up the FPS numbers to the nearest refresh rate numbers. Instead of outputting (note: frame buffers output, not display. Monitors display.) the frame buffer 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06 seconds, you'd have outputs at 0, 0.0333, 0.0500, 0.0667 seconds, respectively. Thus an entire frame will always display at the loss of minimal framerate, but a 60 Hz cap at the maximum resolution supported by the monitor.
  • JowerJower Join Date: 2003-02-12 Member: 13448Members
    That's all true Anavrin
    But if it dosen't change in 1/2 and then 1/3 etc of the FPS then how come it does ?
    lol
    Strange explaination but im tired <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
    I mean
    Seeing as how it does I really don't see the point in arguing that it dosen't ?
    That's like going around trying to convince people the sky is green
    And second I don't think vsync acctually lowers the FPS directly
    It's the GFX-card that waits for the next frame thus lowering the FPS indirectly
  • AnavrinAnavrin Join Date: 2002-10-30 Member: 1734Members
    Hmm, I see your point.

    OK, I'm wrong in my first post. My second post proves that.

    You do lose frames at a fraction. But it's at like... 2/19 or so. 1/2 is simply ridiculous. You'll lose a frame whenever the framebuffer has a frame completely buffered up and another frame becomes completed, overwriting the framebuffer with the new frame.
  • JowerJower Join Date: 2003-02-12 Member: 13448Members
    Well everyone here has lost it at 1/2 and then 1/3 and then 1/4 etc
    So maybe not with vsync in general but at least with HL
  • AnavrinAnavrin Join Date: 2002-10-30 Member: 1734Members
    Act of God? Sign of the second coming of JC?

    Or if you're a Buddhist, then from bad karma for sincerely using the term "n00b," thinking it isn't belittling of others?

    You'll have to ask a philosopher for the answer to that.
  • JowerJower Join Date: 2003-02-12 Member: 13448Members
    I acctually already know JC....
    But he aint all that good that hes cranked up to be...
  • RoobubbaRoobubba Who you gonna call? Join Date: 2003-01-06 Member: 11930Members, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow
  • JowerJower Join Date: 2003-02-12 Member: 13448Members
  • Young_TrotskyYoung_Trotsky Join Date: 2003-01-14 Member: 12285Members
    How many times am i gonna have to read this thing for christ's sake
  • Young_TrotskyYoung_Trotsky Join Date: 2003-01-14 Member: 12285Members
    Hmmmm, right, well I've read through the updated post and i now only have 1 question....
    For those of you that have/know about NVRT, the NVidia equivalent of RefreshLock, do u have to have it in an open window all the time for it to do its job, there doesnt seem to be a way to minimise it to the system tray or even minimise it at all. Do i really have to have it open ALL the time?
  • RoobubbaRoobubba Who you gonna call? Join Date: 2003-01-06 Member: 11930Members, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow
    I have to pass on that one. Use refresh lock, it works <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • LockNLoadedLockNLoaded Join Date: 2002-09-05 Member: 1282Members
    yup i use refresh lock for XP too. it minimizes to your system tray (takes about 3 mb ram) but u dont need it all the time, just for HL and it works fine.
  • PetitMortePetitMorte Join Date: 2002-11-06 Member: 7232Members
    According to the NVRT docs, the author didn't like having to have "yet another program running in the background and sitting in the system tray". So he wrote NVRT to be a run-once and reboot thing. It supposedly changes your registry settings to allow the desired refresh rates so that you DON'T have to keep it running all the time. It works fine like that for me.
  • JowerJower Join Date: 2003-02-12 Member: 13448Members
    Ya
    It changes the drivers to only support the refresh rate you choose
    Thus it can't be changed ( so don't you freckin change em all to 2000 ! )
    hehe
  • ChadsehChadseh Join Date: 2003-03-26 Member: 14916Members
    I think this guide deserves a sticky, i've found it incredibly useful.
  • Young_TrotskyYoung_Trotsky Join Date: 2003-01-14 Member: 12285Members
    edited April 2003
    I fully concur with Chadseh, this thread is EXTREMELY useful and i think we should keep posting to keep it on the front page until they web it <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
    But maybe they don't want to web it because 1.1 will cure the fps problem, i stil think it should be webbed though, because it informs people about vsync and refresh rates, which are very important.

    Edit: Thanks for answering my question PetitMorte <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • JowerJower Join Date: 2003-02-12 Member: 13448Members
    You people watch out though
    You look at what happened to coil !
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