Help! Lights In Ns Causing Very Bad Fps Problems.

jammnojammno Join Date: 2004-01-31 Member: 25832Members
<div class="IPBDescription">I have screenshots to show how bad it is</div> I've noticed on "Bright" maps (Bast/Metal/etc.) my FPS drops considerably.

Is there a way to fix this "Light" causing FPS problem?

Here are some screenshots:

<img src='http://webpages.charter.net/jammno/lag.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Thats on Bast. Notice my FPS.

It didn't used to always make so much lag.

I've noticed it's affected all my HL mods.

Here is a CS comparison (Looking in the truck at T spawn on Nuke)

<img src='http://sc0rp.ath.cx/upload/files/star.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://sc0rp.ath.cx/upload/files/star2.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Used to lights didn't affect FPS at all, but now some of the major NS maps are unplayable. Also a marine shining his flashlight at me makes it impossible to kill him <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo-->.

Any help would be appreciated.

Comp specs (These are low, but the didn't happen before so these shouldn't matter)

667 MHZ
318 Ram
Windows ME
Intel Graphics controller (Graphics card)

Don't tell me to "Buy a new PC" as a solution, cause there is a way to fix this low FPS with the lights.
«1

Comments

  • PlaguebearerPlaguebearer Join Date: 2002-03-21 Member: 338Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    These comparisons are bogus as-is... comparing the framerate of a hive room to the framerate of the inside of an empty truck?
  • jammnojammno Join Date: 2004-01-31 Member: 25832Members
    No, the comparison is the fact that it's _LIGHTS_ that are causing extreme FPS drops.

    The third screenshot is me shining the flash light into the truck, causing a massive FPS drop.

    Thus, my problem is with the lights.

    I wasn't always lagged by the lightning, but now I am. So I am asking for help. The fact that the lights in general are making ALL HL mods (For me) have a considerable FPS drop.
  • ShadowSlayShadowSlay Join Date: 2003-09-19 Member: 21009Members
    its ur video card. i used to have the same one and the lights used to kill my fps. try running in direct3d for some reason that takes the light problem away, but ur gonna need a new video card. u can prolly get a geforce 4 (u prolly need PCI) for around 60 bucks.
  • Warped_DevotionWarped_Devotion Join Date: 2003-08-27 Member: 20273Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    I got the same problem, but I'm not sure if its a light related problem. I just know my FPS is 8.7 most of the time now, when it used to be in the mid 40's.

    My comp specs....

    P4 @ 1.4ghz
    512mb RDRAM
    ATI Saphire Radeon 9800PRO.
  • jammnojammno Join Date: 2004-01-31 Member: 25832Members
    It's not my comp, it's not my graphics card. Do NOT tell me to "Oh buy bla-bla-bla for $$$" because my comp is unupgradable, it lacks all the slots needed for an upgrade.

    Anyway, does anyone know a solution? Running in direct3d didn't help.
  • oOgAoOgA Join Date: 2004-01-29 Member: 25715Members
    edited April 2004
    Hi Warped_Devotion,

    Check the following out and see if it helps to improve ur fps

    -Under ATi Driver settings, pls DISABLE truform. Yes. Disable means set it to ALWAYS OFF, remove any anti aliasing + anistropic filtering too.

    - Use OPENGL for all mods or even halflife. Halflife runs its mods with OpenGL best. Direct3D wun help and it will drop ur fps and some graphical glitches sometimes

    - Check for any spyware or processes that are taking up CPU activity

    - In your halflife, all mods.... go to console and type ati_npatch 0 .. This will confirm the disabling of the Truform technology by ATi..This helps to significantly improve frames


    - Next, your 9800Pro and 1.4Ghz.... there is a bottleneck if u realise, the full potential of a 9800pro can be utilized at a cpu >2.4Ghz imo.. ok..tis is my personal opinion though..
    9800Pro requires pwoerful cpu



    ----------
    Hi jammo,

    Since you are using a integrated graphics controller, it means ur fps is directly dependant on the amt of free RAM and teh CPU resources.

    Be sure that nothing much is running in background and try to free up ur resources as much as possible.. i am nt sure abt the driver settings in the intel extreme graphics. but try to do the following above if there is a option available to u.

    And play with the lowest resolution possible. I have a old PC that is running at 466Mhz Celeron with 224MB SD133 RAM and 8MB graphics.. able to take ard 20fps when playing CS at 400x300 with no activity in the game
  • DefianceDefiance Join Date: 2003-12-01 Member: 23847Members
    Make sure the high graphical options in your NS options are turned off ie - high partical systems. Make sure your running your games in 16bbp mode and not 32BBP.

    And dude, buy a new PC, that is another huge problem. At LEAST get a decent videocard.
  • VeNeMVeNeM Join Date: 2002-07-13 Member: 928Members
    why is your gl_max_size that low?

    ns and cs are two diff games. NS is very graphic intensive. I get 60 straight fps on my p3 733, tnt2 16mb, 320 ram, win2k setup....in cs. In NS Im lucky to get 30 constant.

    You need to take some of the graphic tweaks you use in cs and put them in your ns config. Are you using opengl?

    These are what I use:

    [GRAPHICS]
    ati_subdiv "2.0"
    ati_npatch "1.0"
    bottomcolor "183"
    con_color "255 155 50"
    crosshair "1.000000"
    cl_teamicons "0"
    cl_detail "0"
    cl_radar "0"
    cl_maxdebris "0.000000"
    cl_maxsmokepuffs "0.000000"
    cl_maxripples "0.000000"
    cl_maxbarrelsmoke "0.000000"
    cl_maxshells "0.000000"
    cl_maxshelllife "0.000000"
    cl_maximpacts "0"
    cl_newdecals "0"
    cl_explodedetail "0"
    cl_traceshots "0"
    cl_debris "0"
    cl_autohelp "0.0"
    cl_drawnames "1"
    cl_minimap "0"
    cl_fog "1"
    cl_himodels "0"
    cl_giblife "0"
    cl_gibvelscale "0.0"
    cl_gibcount "0"
    cl_gibscale "0"
    cl_autohelp "0.0"
    cl_buildmessages "1"
    cl_forcedefaultfov "0"
    cl_dynamiclights "0"
    cl_highdetail "0"
    cl_particleinfo "0"
    cl_centerentityid "1.0"
    cl_dynamiclights "0"
    cl_particleinfo "0"
    d_spriteskip "0"
    --------------
    gl_picmip "0"
    GL_TEXTUREMODE "GL_NEAREST_MIPMAP_NEAREST"

    gl_linear_mipmap_nearest
    gl_linear_mipmap_linear
    gl_zmax "4096"
    gl_round_down "3"
    gl_max_size "256"
    gl_dither "1"
    gl_keeptjunctions "0"
    gl_ztrick "0"
    gl_wateramp "0"
    gl_playermip "2"
    gl_round_down "100"
    gl_cull "0"
    gl_clear "1"
    gl_lightholes "0"
    gl_texsort "1"
    gl_smoothmodels "0"
    gl_wateramp "0"
    gl_polyoffset "4"
    gl_overbright "4.000000"
    gl_flipmatrix "0"
    gl_spriteblend "1"
    gl_monolights "0"
    gl_flipmatrix "0"
    gl_flashblend "0"
    gl_affinemodels "0"
    gl_monolights "0"
    loadas8bit "1"
    hud_draw "1"
    hud_centerid "0"
    hud_classautokill "1"
    hud_takesshots "0"
    hud_capturemouse "1"
    hud_fastswitch "1"
    mcache
    mp_decals "0.000000"
    precache "1"
    r_bmodelhighfrac "0.0"
    r_dynamic "0"
    r_mirroralpha "0"
    r_drawentities "0.0"
    r_mirroralpha "0"
    r_decals "0"
    r_mmx "1"
    r_shadows "0"
    r_bmodelinterp "0"
    scr_transparentui "0"
    tfc_newmodels "0"
    texgamma "2"
    topcolor "166"
    viewsize "120.000000"
    gamma "3.000000"
    brightness "3.000000"
    con_color "255 155 50"
    mp_traceshots "0"
    traceshots "0"
    vid_wait "0"
    lightgamma "1"
    violence_ablood "1"
    violence_agibs "0"
    violence_hblood "0"
    violence_hgibs "0"



    also you can try

    cl_hisound "0"
    cl_musicenabled "0"
    s_a3d "0.000000"
    s_eax "0.000000"
    hisound "1.000000"

    hope this helps.
  • DerangedDeranged Join Date: 2004-04-07 Member: 27774Members
    disable dynamic lighting <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    I don't know what the command is..
  • jammnojammno Join Date: 2004-01-31 Member: 25832Members
    edited April 2004
    I am playing at the lowest resolution possible, I have all the graphical options toned down as well.

    I just need to know how to fix/disable the lightning.

    The FPS may not make it look so bad, but when someone simply flips on their lightswitch in any HL mod, it's like the game freezez, then unfreezes two seconds later. I try to say "Turn the flashlight off!" over the mic but due to the lag, it sounds like "Tur th ligh ff"

    It's gotten so bad that I can't even comm anymore. <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    Edit: Heres my config:

    _snd_mixahead "0.1"
    ati_npatch "1.0"
    ati_subdiv "2.0"
    bgmvolume "0.000000"
    bottomcolor "6"
    brightness "2"
    cl_allowdownload "1"
    cl_allowupload "0"
    cl_autohelp "0"
    cl_buildmessages "1"
    cl_centerentityid "0"
    cl_cmdbackup "2"
    cl_cmdrate "30"
    cl_cmhotkeys "qwerasdfzxcv"
    cl_dlmax "128"
    cl_download_ingame "0"
    cl_dynamiclights "0"
    cl_forcedefaultfov "0"
    cl_highdetail "0"
    cl_himodels "0"
    cl_idealpitchscale "0.8"
    cl_lc "1"
    cl_logocolor "#Valve_Orange"
    cl_logofile "lambda"
    cl_lw "1"
    cl_musicdelay "90.000000"
    cl_musicdirectory ""
    cl_musicenabled "1"
    cl_musicvolume "150.000000"
    cl_particleinfo "0"
    cl_quickselecttime "0.500000"
    cl_timeout "305"
    cl_updaterate "20"
    cl_vsmoothing "0.05"
    con_color "255 155 50"
    console "1.0"
    crosshair "1"
    fps_max "60.0"
    fps_modem "0.0"
    gamma "3"
    gl_dither "1"
    gl_flipmatrix "0"
    gl_monolights "0"
    gl_overbright "0"
    gl_polyoffset "4"
    hisound "1"
    hpk_maxsize "1"
    hud_capturemouse "1"
    hud_centerid "0"
    hud_classautokill "1"
    hud_draw "1"
    hud_fastswitch "1"
    hud_takesshots "0"
    joystick "0"
    lookspring "0.000000"
    lookstrafe "0.000000"
    m_filter "0"
    m_forward "1"
    m_pitch "0.022000"
    m_side "0.8"
    m_yaw "0.022"
    model "gordon"
    MP3FadeTime "2.0"
    MP3Volume "0.800000"
    mp_decals "1"
    name "jammno"
    net_graph "3"
    net_graphpos "1"
    net_scale "5"
    r_bmodelhighfrac "5.0"
    s_a3d "0"
    s_automax_distance "30.0"
    s_automin_distance "2.0"
    s_bloat "2.0"
    s_distance "60"
    s_doppler "0.0"
    s_eax "0"
    s_leafnum "0"
    s_max_distance "1000.0"
    s_min_distance "8.0"
    s_numpolys "200"
    s_polykeep "1000000000"
    s_polysize "10000000"
    s_refdelay "4"
    s_refgain "0.4"
    s_rolloff "1.0"
    s_verbwet "0.25"
    sensitivity "5.030000"
    skin ""
    suitvolume "0.250000"
    sv_aim "0"
    sv_voiceenable "1"
    team ""
    topcolor "30"
    viewsize "120.000000"
    voice_enable "1"
    voice_forcemicrecord "1.000000"
    voice_modenable "1"
    voice_scale "1.000000"
    volume "0.700000"
    setinfo "friends" "0"
    +mlook
    +jlook
  • jammnojammno Join Date: 2004-01-31 Member: 25832Members
    Bumping the topic. This is making all my HL mods unplayable.
  • jammnojammno Join Date: 2004-01-31 Member: 25832Members
  • VeNeMVeNeM Join Date: 2002-07-13 Member: 928Members
    you really should turn the mp3s off with cl_musicenabled "0"
    then set cl_hisound "0" hisound "0"
  • jammnojammno Join Date: 2004-01-31 Member: 25832Members
    Didn't help my frame rate at all. Any other tips?

    (Remember not to use massive lingo, explain it as someone has never heard of it before.)
  • VeNeMVeNeM Join Date: 2002-07-13 Member: 928Members
    try updating the graphics chip drivers, then add lightgamma "0" to your config and set your config to "read only" by right clicking it and going to properties.
  • camO_ocamO_o Join Date: 2004-04-19 Member: 28028Members
    here is the final and definite answer: intel cards hate dynamic lighting. that (and your excuse for a computer) is the problem. i don't know why you say it used to be fine, because with a 1.5 ghz processor, and 256mb sdram, a single dynamic light could bring my fps down 50-75%.
  • Jim_has_SkillzJim_has_Skillz Join Date: 2003-01-19 Member: 12475Members, Constellation
    Dude, just whip out the credit card and get a new vid card. If you don't have that much cash, just get a cheap video card, anything better than the intel crap.
  • VeNeMVeNeM Join Date: 2002-07-13 Member: 928Members
    why did you two even bother posting, how the hell does that help the guy? Im pretty damn sure he knows that a new computer would fix the problem...
  • jammnojammno Join Date: 2004-01-31 Member: 25832Members
    <i>try updating the graphics chip drivers</i>
    They're fully updated.

    <i>then add lightgamma "0" to your config and set your config to "read only" by right clicking it and going to properties. </i>
    Lightgamma was already zero. I re-added it. Still nothing. Did the read only thing, still nothing <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    <i>here is the final and definite answer: intel cards hate dynamic lighting. that (and your excuse for a computer) is the problem. i don't know why you say it used to be fine, </i>
    It did, I used to average 25-40 FPS with lights all over the place.

    <i>Dude, just whip out the credit card and get a new vid card</i>
    I can't get a video card, no AGI/AVIAV(Whatever) slot to insert one into. Credit cards? Sorry I prefer having real cash and not paying cash just to use cash. It's real stupid. If all the credit card users stopped using them, they would be more rich.
  • Jean_Luc_PicardJean_Luc_Picard Join Date: 2003-02-03 Member: 13051Members
    Try:

    Reducing picture quality
    Reducihng resolution
    Turning off the dynamic lights feature
    upgrade


    upgrading is your best choice... I upped from a Radeion 7000 and 633 MHz CPU to a 2.6 ggi Internal Driver (my dad told me it was a 9800 XT... facking lyer he is) and my FPS is much better.!
  • jammnojammno Join Date: 2004-01-31 Member: 25832Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Jean Luc Picard+Apr 28 2004, 10:47 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Jean Luc Picard @ Apr 28 2004, 10:47 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Try:

    Reducing picture quality
    Reducihng resolution
    Turning off the dynamic lights feature
    upgrade


    upgrading is your best choice... I upped from a Radeion 7000 and 633 MHz CPU to a 2.6 ggi Internal Driver (my dad told me it was a 9800 XT... facking lyer he is) and my FPS is much better.! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    How can I reduce the picture quality?

    I tried using a thing called HLTOOLZ, but it made the text unreadable.

    Resolution is as low as it can go.

    How do I turn off dynamic lights?

    I'm fully upgraded.
  • Soylent_greenSoylent_green Join Date: 2002-12-20 Member: 11220Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited April 2004
    <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I can't get a video card, no AGI/AVIAV(Whatever) slot to insert one into. Credit cards? Sorry I prefer having real cash and not paying cash just to use cash. It's real stupid. If all the credit card users stopped using them, they would be more rich.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Yes you can, there are pci cards. If you want to go that way you can probably find something like a geforce mx400/mx440 PCI for allmost nothing+shiping wherever used junk parts are sold(e.g. ebay) if you look around a little and even this will be much better than what you currently have. Don't expect too much of an improvement of the framerate in general as you would still be CPU bound, but expect the dynamic light performance problem to dissapear and to be able to use a bit higher quality and resolution without any problems.

    Have you tried setting r_dynamiclights 0(I think that's what it's called). It is supposed to shut of all dynamic lights but in NS it only seems to shut of some and not others...
  • jammnojammno Join Date: 2004-01-31 Member: 25832Members
    I've taken my PC to a comp store and it can't be further upgraded. Can't add any graphics cards, any Ram, etc.

    My comp is about six ish years old.
  • BigMadSteveBigMadSteve Join Date: 2003-02-12 Member: 13472Members
    Have you tried re-installing? I did that recently since Half Life was running like ****, now it flies.
  • jammnojammno Join Date: 2004-01-31 Member: 25832Members
    Yeah, tried that too. I think it might have been one of the HL patches or somthing -_-
  • jammnojammno Join Date: 2004-01-31 Member: 25832Members
  • ShadowSlayShadowSlay Join Date: 2003-09-19 Member: 21009Members
    there is NOTHING u can do to help. the only thing u can do is get a new video card and since u cant for some reason there is NO way to fix ur problem.
  • SandstormSandstorm Join Date: 2003-09-25 Member: 21205Members
    Your problem is dynamic lighting. NS seems to have two variables that control dynamic lighting, cl_dynamiclights and r_dynamic. I recall that my Voodoo2 struggled a bit with dynamic lighting, but that was 8 years ago.

    You also mentioned you updated your video drivers. It's usually a good idea to update video drivers as they provide increased performance. However, in your case, they didn't, so you'll want to go back to the old version.

    The true cure to your problem is a better computer. The lesson here is:
    1) Always buy computers that can be upgraded
    2) Always keep a backup of your old drivers
    3) Integrated video chipsets are bad for gamers
  • EZeroEZero Join Date: 2003-08-12 Member: 19572Members
    well just to throw more suggestions in the fray... i KNOW this might not be what is wrong but you can try it anyways

    1) free up more hd space

    2) make more space available for windows page files

    3) STOP USING WINDOWS ME..... that thing is the devil.....

    well.....you can always defrag your drive....it'll help with daily usage anyways

    i know i know its dynamic lights thats making your fps go crap.... but can try these anyways
  • jammnojammno Join Date: 2004-01-31 Member: 25832Members
    <i>there is NOTHING u can do to help. </i>
    No, there is a fix. It used to NOT lag at all. Then it started all of a sudden.

    <i>It's usually a good idea to update video drivers as they provide increased performance. However, in your case, they didn't, so you'll want to go back to the old version.
    </i>
    The problem didn't start when I upgraded. It was happening before the upgrade. Besides, Warcraft III runs better now. So I'm sure this update didn't hurt me.

    <i>1) Always buy computers that can be upgraded
    2) Always keep a backup of your old drivers
    3) Integrated video chipsets are bad for gamers </i>
    I was an avid tournament console/arcade gamer back in the day, and I wanted more of a challenge than my local neighborhood. I had no idea about computers. Didn't know how they worked, didn't know what to look for, etc. So I asked the Circuit City worker what would be a good gaming PC, he pointed mine out (It had 64 RAM, mind you, before I upgraded it.). I had no idea how crappy it was. I spent a good two years playing Diablo II with 8-15 FPS, then went over to a friends house one day, who had well over 100 FPS (Well, D2 maxes at 25 anyway.) and he educated me all about how PC's work.

    <i>1) free up more hd space</i>
    I have a 20 Gb hard drive, lets check the space I have left...
    I have 1.9 gigs left. Hmm.

    <i>2) make more space available for windows page files</i>
    What is this? And how do I do it?

    <i>3) STOP USING WINDOWS ME..... that thing is the devil.....</i>
    I tried 98, no change. I tried XP, and there was major lag. So ME is the best for me -_-.

    <i>well.....you can always defrag your drive....it'll help with daily usage anyways
    </i>
    I do that daily.

    Thanks for the help everyone, but my problem still isn't fixed <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo-->
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