Any way to increase performance beyond the menu settings?

DestherDesther Join Date: 2012-10-31 Member: 165195Members
in NS2 General Discussion
<div class="IPBDescription">Console commands</div>Is there any way to reduce the graphics with console commands that aren't available in the menus?

I have a 3GHz C2D, 4gb ddr2, Radeon 4830, SSD and get 25-60 fps depending if I'm in an empty corridor or in action. Everything is on low and at 1440x900, the wait for GPU is always 0ms.
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  • carlgmcarlgm Join Date: 2004-08-26 Member: 30907Members, Constellation
    I don't think you are going to get any more FPS than you already are with the current build, I'm not aware of any extra settings outside of the UI.
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  • XariusXarius Join Date: 2003-12-21 Member: 24630Members, Reinforced - Supporter
    It should technically be possible to heavily mod the GFX side of things, but so far no one has done so.
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  • HamletHamlet Join Date: 2008-08-17 Member: 64837Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited November 2012
    I had a similar GPU (HD4850).
    An upgrade to the HD6870 in November 2011 doubled my frames/second and makes it possible to run NS2 with everything on high @ 1920x1200 with Ambient Occlusion turned off.
    Compare: <a href="http://ht4u.net/reviews/2012/amd_radeon_hd_7870_pitcairn_xt_im_test/index38.php?dummy=&advancedFilter=false&prod%5b%5d=AMD+Radeon+HD+4830+%5b512+MB+DDR3%5d&prod%5b%5d=AMD+Radeon+HD+6870&filter%5b0%5d%5b%5d=1680&filter%5b2%5d%5b%5d=1&filter%5b2%5d%5b%5d=4&filter%5b2%5d%5b%5d=8&filter%5b2%5d%5b%5d=MLAA&filter%5b2%5d%5b%5d=SSAA+%282x2%29&filter%5b3%5d%5b%5d=1&filter%5b3%5d%5b%5d=4&filter%5b3%5d%5b%5d=16&aa=all" target="_blank">HT4U</a>

    If you can double or even triple your FPS, I'd argue <b>it's time for a GPU upgrade</b>.
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  • DestherDesther Join Date: 2012-10-31 Member: 165195Members
    <!--quoteo(post=2004244:date=Nov 1 2012, 11:48 AM:name=Hamlet)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Hamlet @ Nov 1 2012, 11:48 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2004244"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I had a similar GPU (HD4850).
    An upgrade to the HD6870 in November 2011 doubled my frames/second and makes it possible to run NS2 with everything on high @ 1920x1200 with Ambient Occlusion turned off.
    Compare: <a href="http://ht4u.net/reviews/2012/amd_radeon_hd_7870_pitcairn_xt_im_test/index38.php?dummy=&advancedFilter=false&prod%5b%5d=AMD+Radeon+HD+4830+%5b512+MB+DDR3%5d&prod%5b%5d=AMD+Radeon+HD+6870&filter%5b0%5d%5b%5d=1680&filter%5b2%5d%5b%5d=1&filter%5b2%5d%5b%5d=4&filter%5b2%5d%5b%5d=8&filter%5b2%5d%5b%5d=MLAA&filter%5b2%5d%5b%5d=SSAA+%282x2%29&filter%5b3%5d%5b%5d=1&filter%5b3%5d%5b%5d=4&filter%5b3%5d%5b%5d=16&aa=all" target="_blank">HT4U</a>

    If you can double or even triple your FPS, I'd argue <b>it's time for a GPU upgrade</b>.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    But my wait for GPU is 0ms so it means my CPU is limiting me? What cpu did/do you have?
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  • PapayasPapayas Join Date: 2010-07-01 Member: 72219Members
    Yup, still have issues with the performance and FPS... I was promised this would be fixed by the release date... Oh well.. Disappointed.
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  • Onii-chanOnii-chan Join Date: 2002-11-05 Member: 7164Members
    Odd, recent builds 220+ have booted my FPS semnificantly even on my old OC'd Q6600 and 560ti.
    I use 1080p, medium textures, everything on except AA, AO and atmospherics, simple infestation.
    Now it rarely goes under 30 FPS, where it used to get under 20 or worse in huge late game fights.
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  • WilsonWilson Join Date: 2010-07-26 Member: 72867Members
    If your wait for GPU is 0 and turning down the resolution really low doesn't give you any FPS boost, then upgrading your GFX won't have any benefit. Your CPU is the bottleneck in that case.
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  • FlatlanderFlatlander Join Date: 2012-09-16 Member: 159575Members
    If you've haven't reformatted your computer in over 6 months, (which by the looks of your hardware it has probably been over a year or longer) you could gain 2-20 FPS by simply creating a new User and using it JUST for high-end games. (Do not download/install/surf websites/etc on this user).

    Basically all computers (especially windows based) will slowly deteriorate over time and get slower and slower. There is no real way to get that full speed back other than re-formatting, but just making a new user can get rid of a TON of background programs that are slowing down your processor that you may or may not be aware of.
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  • HamletHamlet Join Date: 2008-08-17 Member: 64837Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited November 2012
    People are wondering why modern games don't run well on their (almost) antique lower mid-range GPU straight from the year <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radeon_R700" target="_blank">2008</a>.
    I wonder how that might come?

    DISAPPOINTMENT ENSUES.
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  • DestherDesther Join Date: 2012-10-31 Member: 165195Members
    edited November 2012
    <!--quoteo(post=2004370:date=Nov 1 2012, 01:34 PM:name=Flatlander)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Flatlander @ Nov 1 2012, 01:34 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2004370"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->If you've haven't reformatted your computer in over 6 months, (which by the looks of your hardware it has probably been over a year or longer) you could gain 2-20 FPS by simply creating a new User and using it JUST for high-end games. (Do not download/install/surf websites/etc on this user).

    Basically all computers (especially windows based) will slowly deteriorate over time and get slower and slower. There is no real way to get that full speed back other than re-formatting, but just making a new user can get rid of a TON of background programs that are slowing down your processor that you may or may not be aware of.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I wiped my os less than 6 months ago so I don't think I can get any more performance from killing off processes. I'm pretty careful about having too much crap running anyway.


    <!--quoteo(post=2004386:date=Nov 1 2012, 01:45 PM:name=Hamlet)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Hamlet @ Nov 1 2012, 01:45 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2004386"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->People are wondering why modern games don't run well on their (almost) antique lower mid-range GPU straight from the year <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radeon_R700" target="_blank">2008</a>.
    I wonder how that might come?

    DISAPPOINTMENT ENSUES.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    It looks like my CPU is limiting me but it's on target for the recommended speed here: <a href="http://www.naturalselection2.com/" target="_blank">http://www.naturalselection2.com/</a>
    My GPU is also well above the minimum recommended: <a href="http://www.hwcompare.com/2736/geforce-8600-gts-vs-radeon-hd-4830-512mb/" target="_blank">http://www.hwcompare.com/2736/geforce-8600...-hd-4830-512mb/</a>


    Perhaps the minimum/recommended specs are a little optimistic...
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  • KhyronKhyron Join Date: 2012-02-02 Member: 143308Members
    <!--quoteo(post=2004225:date=Nov 1 2012, 10:33 PM:name=Desther)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Desther @ Nov 1 2012, 10:33 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2004225"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Is there any way to reduce the graphics with console commands that aren't available in the menus?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I'm fairly sure there isn't, all the console commands we used to use in the dim, dark age of the beta are now in the menus. (as it should be!)

    <!--quoteo(post=2004225:date=Nov 1 2012, 10:33 PM:name=Desther)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Desther @ Nov 1 2012, 10:33 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2004225"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I have a 3GHz C2D, 4gb ddr2, Radeon 4830, SSD and get 25-60 fps depending if I'm in an empty corridor or in action. Everything is on low and at 1440x900, the wait for GPU is always 0ms.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    3GHz flat? So we're talking a E8400 or something, released Q1'08? 20-60fps is pretty good for an almost five year old computer. I get about 50 fps in combat and up to 120fps in the RR, running a i7-2600 (3.7GHz) with a 5850. Similar to you I get GPU wait on zero. So GHz is a big factor but if your comp really is that old there are probably other architectural reasons making up a lot of the difference between our fps.

    The only other thing I'd say is your play experience is limited by server performance and your ping. Make sure you try a few different servers if you haven't already. Perhaps more importantly, there has recently (as in the last few weeks) been a big shake up in the way the server synchronises with the clients. Because of that, I would expect more performance improvements to come in the next few weeks as the shakeup might have created new low-hanging perforance-improving fruit, so to speak.

    Oh and don't worry too much because apparently people with really fast framerates experience hit registration problems anyway.
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  • HamletHamlet Join Date: 2008-08-17 Member: 64837Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited November 2012
    They exist to give you an idea what GPU you need to get an (ugly) slide show with approx. 30fps avg.
    Coming from your HD4830, we are 3 generations down the road now with the 4th successor just around the corner.
    GPU performance improved massively over the last 4 (!) years.
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  • WilsonWilson Join Date: 2010-07-26 Member: 72867Members
    edited November 2012
    If you're up to it, try overclocking your cpu and you should get a decent performance boost.
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  • KhyronKhyron Join Date: 2012-02-02 Member: 143308Members
    See also:
    <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/forums/index.php?showtopic=122189" target="_blank">Matso's post on 224 tech changes</a>
    <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/forums/index.php?showtopic=122192&st=140&p=2000835&#entry2000835" target="_blank">A post about fast computers and hitreg with confirmation by Max</a>
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  • DestherDesther Join Date: 2012-10-31 Member: 165195Members
    Thanks for the replies.

    <!--quoteo(post=2004414:date=Nov 1 2012, 02:09 PM:name=Khyron)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Khyron @ Nov 1 2012, 02:09 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2004414"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I'm fairly sure there isn't, all the console commands we used to use in the dim, dark age of the beta are now in the menus. (as it should be!)


    3GHz flat? So we're talking a E8400 or something, released Q1'08? 20-60fps is pretty good for an almost five year old computer. I get about 50 fps in combat and up to 120fps in the RR, running a i7-2600 (3.7GHz) with a 5850. Similar to you I get GPU wait on zero. So GHz is a big factor but if your comp really is that old there are probably other architectural reasons making up a lot of the difference between our fps.

    The only other thing I'd say is your play experience is limited by server performance and your ping. Make sure you try a few different servers if you haven't already. Perhaps more importantly, there has recently (as in the last few weeks) been a big shake up in the way the server synchronises with the clients. Because of that, I would expect more performance improvements to come in the next few weeks as the shakeup might have created new low-hanging perforance-improving fruit, so to speak.

    Oh and don't worry too much because apparently people with really fast framerates experience hit registration problems anyway.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    It's an E6600 at 2.9-something GHz


    <!--quoteo(post=2004422:date=Nov 1 2012, 02:17 PM:name=Wilson)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Wilson @ Nov 1 2012, 02:17 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2004422"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->If you're up to it, try overclocking your cpu and you should get a decent performance boost.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I might try taking it further if I can't improve performance anywhere else. I hope the ns2 guys can improve it their end because dropping below 60fps in a game like this really detracts from the gameplay. Can we have vertex lighting a lower poly models? :D
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  • lunsluns Join Date: 2010-12-05 Member: 75502Members
    i've seen fps increase, yes I will not lie BUT during combat it all goes into crapper. And the more going on around me, the worse things get. Usually late game it starts to spike, lag and many delays starting to happen.

    i have no issues playing other games, its still just this game. 1.0 promised it will be fixed, i simply do not see it, sorry.

    as for those telling people to start overclocking my cpu, thats just silly. Do I really need to do that just to play this game while every other game plays fine? No, this game engine still is buggy, and has huge performance issues people refuse to address publicly. For 1.0 release, performance wise, extremely disappointing and don't start telling me how far we come from alpha stage, I know I've been there. But since its publicly now out, this game must be compared to every other game out there, and its performance pretty terrible.
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  • ScardyBobScardyBob ScardyBob Join Date: 2009-11-25 Member: 69528Forum Admins, Forum Moderators, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow
    Only console option not in the menu that may help performance is r_fog 0. Unfortunately, it resets after every death, so you'll have to reenter it quite a bit.
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