Question re:AGP Aperature settings, and Vertical Sync

[Qballbandit]

I moved this to my own post today after inserting it into a thread on FS2004 forum with no reponse (I should not have clogged that thread, sorry!)

All the talk about frames, driver, tweaks lately bring 2 quick questions to mind.
1) I disable vertical sync from nvidia menu (settings/advanced, etc).
But it's in the OpenGL section. I thought flightsims didn't make
use of OpenGL ( at least this is what I've heard, misinformed as I
may be ).

2) Does setting AGP aperature size from 64mb down to 32mb (in bios)
have a benefit in system/gaming performance?? Or does bumping it up?

What do you all have to say???

Thanks for thoughts, comments....:7


http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...da5ad61e56.jpg

[bigal1977uk]

Hi qballbandit,

As far as i know, fs does not take advantage of openGL like you suggested. Setting vertical sync to off will only help you if your system is capable of producing high FPS anyway ( 30+ )

The AGP aperature size at 32mb will only hinder your performance if you are using any gpu other than a radeon, it is an ideal setting for a powerful radeon card if you are getting stutters/jumping at high fps.
All AGP size should idealy be set to 128mb, having it set higer will not benifit anyone at the moment, if your mobo will only go up to 64mb aperature size then that is still not a problem as i suspect the card will only be running at AGP x 2 anyway ( i may be wrong )
AGPx4 = AGP aperature should be set at 128mb
AGPx8 = just leave it at 128mb anyway.

[Qballbandit]

Thanks for replying Big Al,

My mobo is an older via chipset/4x...the default in the bios was set at 64mb...I have the same vid card as you - TI-4200, which I think is causing me problems on this mobo. My system has been crashing mainly in FS2002, but sometimes in AFCAD, and once on AOL!!..What happens is all of a sudden my monitor flashes into bright pixel colors and freezes. I have tried everything to remedy this - chipset drivers, vid card drivers, refresh rates, screen res., but now it is happening in FS2002 almost every day. I have come to the conclusion that either the monitor or vid card is going sour on me....But, I just ordered an Athlon XP3000 custom built system for gaming. Should have it in 2 weeks...

If what you said is true re: V-Sync, why does everyone always suggest turning it off if problems persist in the sim??? :7

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...da5ad61e56.jpg

[bigal1977uk]

oooohhhh you jammy buggerrr! An XP3000 mmmmmmmmmm sounds good to me :D

What the problem sounds like is a classic overheating problem with the gpu, after the comp has been on awhile the gpu is getting too hot and is crashing the comp, it will happen even quicker when you load up fs2002 as everything rise's by about 10c when fs starts running.
The reason why it may have only just started happining is because there may be a build up of dust on the system components or your gpu just can't cope with the heat anymore and this in turn has lead to heat damage on the gpu components maybe.

All Vsync does is it will try and syncronize the Refresh rate with the FPS, but, as im sure you already know, the refresh minimum that most gpu's and monitors go down to is about 60hz, so like i mentioned B4, it doesn't really make a difference by turning it on or off if all you get is like 15fps anyway.

[Qballbandit]

Does not happen when in safe mode and taking the graphics sliders down for trouble shooting which baffles me....but like I said, and you mention...it could be the card which bites, because that new system won't be ready to fly for probably 2 weeks ... :'(

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...da5ad61e56.jpg

[bigal1977uk]

Yeah, from what you've said it definatly sounds like the gpu, while in safe mode and taking the graphics sliders down then it aint hardly taxing the card that much, but as soon as full power is demanded from the card then BAM, it just throws a wobbly and goes Kaputt.

It really does sound like a faulty transistor or something similar on the card that has popped its cloggs.


Don't worry, the next two weeks will fly by :D
And then you'll be able to enjoy the full splendor that is FS9 ;-)