GTA IV and more and more

Post by **scavvenjahh** » 21 Dec 2008, 15:33

I hadn't realized that bench was so short and returning so minimal info on the framerate...
Average SLI gain though moderate is noticeable at 1680, not at 5040 - although usually the higher the res, the heavier the load on the graphics, hence the better the gain in SLI... Since GTA4 seems so CPU-bound, partly because of the AI, could this be one of these games where the FOV has a greater impact on performance than the res alone ? I mean, in surround, you see lots more people/cars at the same time than on a single screen. So the CPU would limit performance before the GPU, which reduces average SLI gain. Hmm, I hope Ibrin will eventually add GTA4 to his Benchmarking Suite ;)

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 21 Dec 2008, 16:07

Well I decided to get it cuz though I have an ancient rig now, I'll build a new one in a few months. I'm only averaging about 10 FPS in the day, and as much as 15-17 at night. What's weird is I played the 1st 10% of the game thinking it would turn into a slide show with anything but the lowest settings but bumping texture and render to Medium didn't drop FPS at all. I know it sounds strange when I say it's not really a slide show at 10 FPS, but it really is playable enough and the audio sounds normal. Right now I'd kill for an uber rig that would get me 3-5 times those frame rates though.

The only technical problem I've really had so far is I can't play pool because the lamp above the pool table doesn't shine onto the table. It looks bright like a lamp but like it's missing texture or something. Anyone else have this problem? I'm about to install patch 1.1, and in the release notes I think there's something about correcting shadow problems that X1900 series cards have (mine's a X1950Pro). This seems to be more of a light entity problem though.

It's a pretty cool game. I love the built in video capture feature. I used it in one of my fave spots where I hole up and try to survive as long as I can after building up cop heat. It's the top of the towers at Meadows Park. It's quite a battle to take on all the cops coming up the ladder and the heli with no assault rifle or armor.

Post by **thales100** » 27 Dec 2008, 12:20

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 27 Dec 2008, 23:57

Wow, your GTA IV looks a lot better than my GTA IV. Maybe I got a bad copy. LOL

Seriously though, nice system thales, but what display and res are you playing at and what's your ave FPS in GTA IV? The only thing I noticed concerning image quality is you could use a bit more AA.

I see you are using the Razer Barracuda AC1 sound card, it's the one I may go with on my next build.

I've spoken with the Razer guys at length and one thing I liked was they said they work closely with Nvidia to make sure their card works with Nvidia video cards. I was a bit upset that they couldn't tell me whether it works with Fraps though. They promised they'd ask the engineers and email me back. That was over a month ago and still no response.

How do you like the Barracuda so far? Any problems at all or games it has issues with? Can you tell me if it works with Fraps to record audio OK with no audio/video sync problems?

Post by **thales100** » 28 Dec 2008, 00:56

Wow, your GTA IV looks a lot better than my GTA IV. Maybe I got a bad copy. LOL

Seriously though, nice system thales, but what display and res are you playing at and what's your ave FPS in GTA IV? The only thing I noticed concerning image quality is you could use a bit more AA.

I see you are using the Razer Barracuda AC1 sound card, it's the one I may go with on my next build.

I've spoken with the Razer guys at length and one thing I liked was they said they work closely with Nvidia to make sure their card works with Nvidia video cards. I was a bit upset that they couldn't tell me whether it works with Fraps though. They promised they'd ask the engineers and email me back. That was over a month ago and still no response.

How do you like the Barracuda so far? Any problems at all or games it has issues with? Can you tell me if it works with Fraps to record audio OK with no audio/video sync problems?

lol , 22" 1680 x 1050, 30 - 65 FPS. No AA, since GTA 4 doesnt support it.
Razer Barracuda is awesome, youll love it, its a "plug and play" card , no issues, no special adjustments or occasional irritations - FRAPS gets it automatically, i recommend you to use the HP-1 headphone also, youll be surprised with what you can have from this system, i played some games again just to enjoy the fantastic sound experience the razer barracuda provides. 10/10

DaFox · Post by **DaFox** » 28 Dec 2008, 04:46

Since GTA4 seems so CPU-bound, partly because of the AI, could this be one of these games where the FOV has a greater impact on performance than the res alone ? I mean, in surround, you see lots more people/cars at the same time than on a single screen. So the CPU would limit performance before the GPU, which reduces average SLI gain.

AI and everything keeps going if they are not on your screen.

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 28 Dec 2008, 09:11

lol , 22" 1680 x 1050, 30 - 65 FPS. No AA, since GTA 4 doesnt support it.
Razer Barracuda is awesome, youll love it, its a "plug and play" card , no issues, no special adjustments or occasional irritations - FRAPS gets it automatically, i recommend you to use the HP-1 headphone also, youll be surprised with what you can have from this system, i played some games again just to enjoy the fantastic sound experience the razer barracuda provides. 10/10

Hmmm, didn't know that about the AA. Why don't you just set it in your video card panel and make a profile to launch the game that way then? You have plenty of FPS overhead to afford it.

Yeah the Barracuda sounds like maybe the best gaming card. The thing with the headphones is though I already have a pretty good pair of Sennheisers and I don't like the on ear type. Mine don't press on my ears, they're big enough to surround them. I get pain from the kind that don't.

Thanks for the info, give that AA a shot through your GPU control panel, I'm sure it will probably work.

Post by **dopefish** » 28 Dec 2008, 11:25

http://techreport.com/articles.x/14500

Best sound quality. :) There's a newer version than what's listed there, too.

[quote]Since GTA4 seems so CPU-bound, partly because of the AI, could this be one of these games where the FOV has a greater impact on performance than the res alone ? I mean, in surround, you see lots more people/cars at the same time than on a single screen. So the CPU would limit performance before the GPU, which reduces average SLI gain.

AI and everything keeps going if they are not on your screen.

Not entirely true. GTA automatically discards a lot of what can't be seen. It's done this in previous GTA games and in GTA IV, as well. If you are standing still and looking around, you'll see the same things. If you start moving in a certain direction, though, it will automatically remove people, vehicles, etc. that are in the opposite direction that you're headed. It has certain cases where it does and does not do this. It also uses this for spawning in AI. You can look down a road and not see any vehicles at all. Turn around and walk the opposite direction and then cars will magically appear in the direction that none were. GTA is really efficient in the way it streams in data.

However, in the case of FOV, it probably won't make much of a difference because a wider FOV will still have the characters in your general "forward" direction, so they will be drawn, even if off-screen. There's still a certain range in which it streams that data in, too.

The best thing to do to lower CPU load is drop vehicle density down to 1 or something. Sure, you'll see a lot less cars, but that's a lot less AI the CPU has to control.

Post by **thales100** » 28 Dec 2008, 11:35

Hmmm, didn't know that about the AA. Why don't you just set it in your video card panel and make a profile to launch the game that way then? You have plenty of FPS overhead to afford it.

Yeah the Barracuda sounds like maybe the best gaming card. The thing with the headphones is though I already have a pretty good pair of Sennheisers and I don't like the on ear type. Mine don't press on my ears, they're big enough to surround them. I get pain from the kind that don't.

Thanks for the info, give that AA a shot through your GPU control panel, I'm sure it will probably work.

Hey, no it doesnt work, no way to "force" AA, there is simply no support, this has been discussed with Rockstar too, no way.
With the Razer HP-1 headphones you could enjoy the digital connection to the AC-1, what improves a lot the performance and quality of the Barracuda system.
Take care and gl.

:D

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 28 Dec 2008, 22:13

BTW, can someone please tell me how to take the heli tour? I have one heli tour icon on the city map, have been to it about 4 times with Kate, and I don't see a way to take the tour no matter what time I get there.

I thought maybe after finally completing the Paper Trail mission where you land the chopper there afterward I'd be able to take the tour, but still no go. What do you have to do to take the tour?

Fraggle42 · Post by **Fraggle42** » 29 Dec 2008, 00:42

walk up to the heli itself and hold down 'f' (button you use to enter vechiles). Make sure you hold it down and not just press it or you will steal heli.

Post by **Abram** » 29 Dec 2008, 00:42

BTW, can someone please tell me how to take the heli tour? I have one heli tour icon on the city map, have been to it about 4 times with Kate, and I don't see a way to take the tour no matter what time I get there.

I thought maybe after finally completing the Paper Trail mission where you land the chopper there afterward I'd be able to take the tour, but still no go. What do you have to do to take the tour?

Yes I'm fairly certain they were unlocked and started spawning after I finished that mission. They never spawn when I'm on a date, and at night they only spawn about half the time i look.

To go on a tour, just walk up and enter the chooper as you would a taxi, by holding your "Enter Vehicle" key.

Far as i know, there is only that one spot for heli tours. There are three choppers and five tours to unlock the Sightseer achievement. Luckily, you can skip the tour and still have it count. But then you mis the humourous pilot banter.

Post by **thales100** » 29 Dec 2008, 03:00

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 29 Dec 2008, 04:48

They never spawn when I'm on a date, and at night they only spawn about half the time i look.

OK, I think that's it, I will check in the daytime while not on a date. I've yet to see a heli there so that must be it. Thanks

(EDITED)
OK, just tried going there in the morning by myself and found 3 choppers there, so I was able to take the tour. The pilot's remarks and Niko's responses are hilarious. I hijacked one of the choppers after the tour was over and flew it to meet Jacob and Roman on the way to getting revenge against Pegorino.

(EDITED 2)
I'm on stunt jumps 28 and 29, which require a powerboat. I can't find any parked ones and Brucie is upset that I haven't called in a while so he's shining me on. Are there any parked powerboats I can find? If so, where?

Post by **Abram** » 24 Jan 2009, 15:02

1.02-something patch is out. My game did not inform me, so I thought I'd share the info.

http://www.rockstargames.com/support/IV/PC/patch/index.html

A nice fix list that fixes some things bugging me, adds graphics options, and boosted my overall performance. Still no cross-fire or SLI.

A little warning: the mod reverted my modded .xml and .dat files :( Not a huge problem, but still a p.i.t.a.

Post by **g00seberry** » 24 Jan 2009, 19:01

Nice patch ! Can turn down the shadows quality to Medium rather than High and now nighttime stays over 30fps ! I'm pleased. Can't notice any difference either. Because it looks smoother, I actually think it looks better lol.

infernus · Post by **infernus** » 24 Jan 2009, 22:11

The Lost and the Damned is actually looking pretty cool. I may actually spend $20 on it. >_>

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 25 Jan 2009, 09:54

1.02-something patch is out. My game did not inform me, so I thought I'd share the info.

http://www.rockstargames.com/support/IV/PC/patch/index.html

A nice fix list that fixes some things bugging me, adds graphics options, and boosted my overall performance.

Cool, can't wait to try it. Can you tell us what your before and after ave FPS are? One thing makes me apprehensive though. I read some saying it can make the internet cafe comps unusable. I'm not sure, but if that's true wouldn't it keep you from finishing the game? There are at least two missions I recall that require using the internet cafe.

Post by **Abram** » 25 Jan 2009, 10:44

I think the 1.01 benchy gave me 43 or 45fps.

New bench:

Statistics
Average FPS: 48.55
Duration: 37.04 sec
CPU Usage: 90%
System memory usage: 85%
Video memory usage: 97%

Graphics Settings
Video Mode: 1680 x 945 (60 Hz)
Texture Quality: Medium
Render Quality: High
Reflection Resolution: High
Water Quality: Medium
Shadow Quality: High
View Distance: 26
Detail Distance: 40
Definition: Off
VSync: On

Hardware
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Service Pack 3
Video Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS 512
Video Driver version: 181.22
Audio Adapter: SB X-Fi Audio [CF00]
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E6750 @ 2.66GHz (OC 3.2ghz)

That's without messing with the new graphics options.. I assume the current state they are in reflects the detail level, pre-patch.

The biggest improvement is at night with the dynamic shadows the headlights cast.

I've read elsewhere that the Tw@ issue only occurs when using a crack. I use a mini-image and it works fine, as it changes no game files. I'm not sure if I've used it myself, but I'm pretty sure that's the "problem". Maybe it's another game-breaking anti-piracy thign like the drunken cam from before.

Too bad the patch didn't fix the horrible water-surface behavior. I LOOKS better, but still behaves like a rubber sheet.

PS - finally got all 200 god damned pigeons.

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 25 Jan 2009, 14:51

OK, thanks for the details. I'm a bit skeptical whether I'll get any FPS increase because I only use Med render quality and setting it at Low doesn't give me any higher FPS.

When I found out what the Endangered Species achievement unlocks I decided to not labor over it. At first it had me thinking I'd get a rocket equipped heli, so I was planning on saving the pigeons for just before the final mission. Then I discovered it's just the mini gun cop heli with rocket ammo in it to top off your RPG.

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