BufferPools with DX10

[Teddy 1]

Hello

 

Recently was reading an article, courtesy www.rastek.com about bufferpools suggested by Steve.

 

A part of the summary goes as under :

 

The general rules are:-

 

1). If the GPU is very fast, and with a good-sized memory, say 2 - 4 gig - it can eat all of the incoming data and wait for more, so we allow the GPU to give everything its own buffer by UsePools=0.

To control any spiking, lowering of the IQ sliders in FSX is the best course of action.

 

2). If the GPU is kinda "medium-range" - a 660 or 670 - fed by a 4.6 - 4.7-gig CPU - then we should use UsePools=1, making all buffers shared. In this case - as with most systems - this will be, or what should be used, and by adding a RejectThreshold - a small number - say 262144 (256kB) under the UsePools =1 line. It will look like this:- RejectThreshold=262144

The RejectThreshold will act as a throttle, by allowing the creation of dedicated buffers - which is then of course, a little bit of UsePools=0 mixing in - it could mean that 20% of the buffers are now dedicated, while the other 80% are shared. If we make that number smaller, then more dedicated buffers will be created, with the resulting improved performance. In this example (above) this number - 262144 - might be perfect: if not, then larger - or smaller - number will show the way. This needs the user's testing.

Spiking will require lowering of the IQ sliders in FSX or increasing the size of the RT, or raising the size of each buffer.

 

3). If, however - the CPU is stronger than the GPU, such as a 4.5-gig CPU feeding a 560TI with only a gig of video ram - we will definitely need UsePools =1 for sure, but with a big-ish RT, say 1MB (10485760). Other larger or smaller numbers and testing will show the way.

 

My config is a i7 2600K @ 3.40GHz o/c to 4.40GHz using the standard o/c option in the bios.  GPU is GTX670 and 8GB DDR3 RAM @ 1600Mhz (not sure about this since invoice says 1600MHz whereas CPUID reports it as 802 MHz)

 

I am a bit messed up between the suggestions in point 1 & 2.  Point 1 suggests that with my kind of GPU, I should be using UsePools=0 whereas Point 2 suggests that a 670 is medium range and therefore I should have UsePools=1

 

What should I actually go with? And if you suggest UsePools=1, what PoolSize & RT values would you suggest.

 

Ted

 

 

[Paul J 349]

I am a bit messed up between the suggestions in point 1 & 2.  Point 1 suggests that with my kind of GPU, I should be using UsePools=0 whereas Point 2 suggests that a 670 is medium range and therefore I should have UsePools=1

  

 

No it doesn't, Ted - there are two parts here - the GPU and the CPU - your CPU is only running at 4.4 GHZ, so it's on the low-side of "Mid-range", isn't it!

 

Point 2. states "fed by a 4.6 - 4.7-gig CPU ".   You are not running at 4.6, so your GPU is faster - and that means that you can very likely be successful in using UsePools=0. That's my best opinion based upon your reported CPU speed and the GPU that you're using.

 

Now - that document is there to explain how FSX and the GPU create and handle vertex buffers. It is up to you only to figure out what configuration is best for your system. It took me three weeks of flying a single flight before I was absolutely SURE of the right size, and became sure of how the buffer system worked. You shouldn't need that much time, as this doc spells it out for you.

You do, however need to read it again, perhaps two or three times, so that you understand the relationship between the CPU speed and the GPU speed and how it affects the choice of buffer type.

 

As far as recommending sizes - only you can find out whether to use "UsePools=0" or "UsePools=1", and if you find that "UsePools=1" gives slightly better or smoother frames, then only you can test to find the right size for a RejectThreshold. It could be a small threshold, say 65536 (64kB), or it could be bigger - any one of the numbers shown in the doc. Try them. Test. No-one here can do that for you. 

 

Rgrds,

 

pj

[Teddy 1]

Paul

 

Understood.  Thanks for the assistance.  Currently using Usepools=0 and have a few micro stutters here and there and thought that addressing this problem could solve this issue.  But after your advice, I read the entire article again and realised that my current setting should be better than changing it to 1.

 

Ted

[Paul J 349]

Check your Fiber_Frame_Time_Fraction, Ted - it's under [Main]. If it's not ther - add it in, with a size of 0.15, so it will look like this:-

 

[Main]

FIBER_FRAME_TIME_FRACTION=0.15   

 

OK!

 

All the best,

 

pj

[Teddy 1]

Paul

 

I have this entry.  Thanks for the help again.

 

Ted

[jose88 50]

And for me? UsePools=1 or 0?

 

i7 2600k @ 4,6Ghz and GTX770 2GB

 

 

Enviado desde mi iPhone 5S con Tapatalk

[Paul J 349]

Here's the article, Jose. It will help you make that decision.

 

All the Best,

 

pj

[jose88 50]

What means lowering IQ sliders in FSX? I have BP=0 with a 4,6ghz and GTX770 2GB. But I think I have some micro stutters and don't know how to resolve it. I'm going crazy. Good FPS, but in a pay ware aircraft like NGX, and pay scenery, if for example I pan around left or right at the VA while departing, I see that the scenery stops moving very quickly.

 

I don't know how to change.

 

Enviado desde mi Nexus 5 mediante Tapatalk

[Lucass 3]

Hi,

 

huge request to you, friends...

 

After install DX10SF, I have:

- small stutters while fast moving external camera,

- longer stutters (3-4 sec.) with 10-15 min interval, and

- serious FPS drop in VC when I flight in dense clouds:10-12fps (normally, on ground: 25-30fps).

(all issues in PMDG aircrafts: NGX, 777)

 

I suppose that above problems can be resolve by proper settings of BUFFERPOOL parameters in FSX.CFG:

UsePools=

RejectThreshold=

 

..maybe others?

 

Specification:

i5 2500K 4,3GHz, 8GB RAM, GTX560 DDR5 1GB.

Addons: ASN, REX4, UTX and others which has not affect on graphic rather...

 

Poul, I have read article linked above by you - but this is technical language and I don't understand it well. Ok, I think that I have to set UsePools=1, am I right?

 

What about RejectThreshold? Actually I have =131072.

 

My FSX.CFG:

 

 

[JOBSCHEDULER]
AffinityMask=14

[bufferPools]
RejectThreshold=131072

 

[GRAPHICS]
HIGHMEMFIX=1
SHADER_CACHE_PRIMED_10=1693458432
SHADER_CACHE_PRIMED=1693458432
D3D10=1
TEXTURE_MAX_LOAD=2048
NUM_LIGHTS=8
AIRCRAFT_SHADOWS=0
AIRCRAFT_REFLECTIONS=1
COCKPIT_HIGH_LOD=1
LANDING_LIGHTS=1
AC_SELF_SHADOW=1
EFFECTS_QUALITY=2
GROUND_SHADOWS=0
TEXTURE_QUALITY=3
IMAGE_QUALITY=0
See_Self=1
Text_Scroll=1
MultiSamplesPerPixel=4
MultiSampleQuality=0

 

[sOUND]
AmbientUIMusicVolume=-6.000000
PrimaryDevice={DEF00000-9C6D-47ED-AAF1-4DDA8F2B5C03}
VoiceDevice={DEF00002-9C6D-47ED-AAF1-4DDA8F2B5C03}
SOUND=1
SOUND_QUALITY=2
SOUND_LOD=0
UISound=1
AmbientUI=0
SOUND_FADER1=0.500000
SOUND_FADER2=0.500000
SOUND_FADER3=0.500000
SOUND_FADER4=0.500000
AmbientUIMusic=FSX01

 

[Display]
ChangeTime=4.000000
TransitionTime=4.000000
ActiveWindowTitleTextColor=255,255,255
ActiveWindowTitleBackGroundColor=0,28,140,64
NonActiveWindowTitleTextColor=255,255,255
NonActiveWindowTitleBackGroundColor=24,33,87,64
InfoUpperRightTextColor=255,0,0
InfoUpperRightBackGroundColor=0,0,0,0
InfoLowerLeftTextColor=255,255,255
InfoLowerLeftBackGroundColor=255,0,0,128
InfoLowerRightTextColor=255,255,255
InfoLowerRightBackGroundColor=255,0,0,128
InfoBrakesEnable=True
InfoParkingBrakesEnable=True
InfoPauseEnable=True
InfoSlewEnable=True
InfoStallEnable=True
InfoOverspeedEnable=True
BLOOM_EFFECTS=0
SKINNED_ANIMATIONS=1
TEXTURE_BANDWIDTH_MULT=40
TextureMaxLoad=30
UPPER_FRAMERATE_LIMIT=0
WideViewAspect=False

 

[Main]
DisablePreload=1
User Objects=Airplane, Helicopter
SimObjectPaths.0=SimObjects\Airplanes
SimObjectPaths.1=SimObjects\Rotorcraft
SimObjectPaths.2=SimObjects\GroundVehicles
SimObjectPaths.3=SimObjects\Boats
SimObjectPaths.4=SimObjects\Animals
SimObjectPaths.5=SimObjects\Misc
ProcSpeed=17235
PerfBucket=7
HideMenuNormal=0
HideMenuFullscreen=1
HideInfoText=1
Location=120,104,1160,880,\\.\DISPLAY1
Maximized=2

 

[PANELS]
IMAGE_QUALITY=1
DEFAULT_VIEW=0
QUICKTIPS=1
PANEL_OPACITY=100
PANEL_MASKING=1
PANEL_STRETCHING=1
UNITS_OF_MEASURE=0
[Weather]
WindshieldPrecipitationEffects=1
MinGustTime=10
MaxGustTime=500
MinGustRampSpeed=1
MaxGustRampSpeed=200
MinVarTime=5
MaxVarTime=50
MinVarRampSpeed=10
MaxVarRampSpeed=75
TurbulenceScale=1.000000
WeatherServerAddress=fs2k.zone.com
WeatherServerPort=80
WeatherGraphDataInDialog=0
AdjustForMagVarInDialog=1
DynamicWeather=0
DownloadWindsAloft=0
DisableTurbulence=0
CLOUD_DRAW_DISTANCE=7
DETAILED_CLOUDS=1
CLOUD_COVERAGE_DENSITY=8
THERMAL_VISUALS=0

 

[DISPLAY.Device.NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 .0]
Mode=1280x1024x32
Anisotropic=1
AntiAlias=1

 

[CONTROLS]
Controls_Default=Standard
Controls_Current=Standard
KBDAIL=64
KBDELEV=64
KBDRUD=64
[TextInfo.1]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5
WindDirectionAndSpeed=1,6
[TextInfo.2]
FrameRate=1,1
LockedFrameRate=1,2
GForce=1,3
FuelPercentage=1,4
[TextInfo.3]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5
WindDirectionAndSpeed=1,6
FrameRate=2,1
LockedFrameRate=2,2
GForce=2,3
FuelPercentage=2,4
[slewTextInfo.1]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5
[slewTextInfo.2]
FrameRate=1,1
LockedFrameRate=1,2
[slewTextInfo.3]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5
FrameRate=2,1
LockedFrameRate=2,2

 

[Trusted]
C:\Program Files (x86)\EZCA\EZCA.exe.qnckurrokleewbwblqtrteuiecnazzrlzuzrrkeb=1
F:\FSX\FSCaptain\bin\FSCaptain.dll.anluwoqqzhkuhawrrlqbrocoqzzritbaanelntln=1
F:\FSX\GAUGES\737-400.DLL.cenclhrqcuikqeleolnhzwbocnowiizrroienwue=2
F:\FSX\GAUGES\CCTC2.DLL.nczbznlcwollhakrrttaauuqqaoorowuznkarkrq=2
F:\FSX\GAUGES\FCDU.GAU.ltzobhcaelrnrlazbhbouzebhhrenqatiwweebrb=2
F:\FSX\GAUGES\PMDG_737NGX.DLL.tktwzbchlowneuwbtbqnziooqacahwwnwkqcwabu=2
F:\FSX\GAUGES\PMDG_737NGX_3.DLL.tktwnebwczhwrcztlcarbooqtinnkrltbuuwlhqt=2
F:\FSX\GAUGES\PMDG_777X.DLL.cbentruuqbbrntrenkukwnohbqecnharankntuuq=2
F:\FSX\GAUGES\PMDG_777X_3.DLL.zbhzrbocowkhtntbloeethwkiabiinaintkoheor=2
F:\FSX\GAUGES\PMDG_BAe_JS4100.DLL.qtkaiueckoewtklorlwtlwewuiowanaaqtlbklwo=2
F:\FSX\GAUGES\PMDG_BAe_JS4100_3.DLL.liaeqwlzliaeclabtbeekhareltrruinwieobarz=2
F:\FSX\GAUGES\RadioC210.DLL.nuhnwrilhhaelqueoorhabzbkwbeeqnwaktohhei=2
F:\FSX\GAUGES\XGauge.DLL.clrhoteotohzkkhllwtrwlierbbqqbqioooicniu=2
F:\FSX\Modules\FSCopilot.dll.ehllltkocelrwzbtzaerqkaabnhhoqibikwtceww=1
F:\FSX\PMDG\DLLs\PMDG_HUD_interface.dll.hewioznlaabuirrzckeanqruriqebbrwercannze=1
F:\FSX\PMDG\DLLs\PMDG_Interface.dll.uoibazarrqobuoketcccrwcwaawawzazeqoeutrn=1
F:\FSX\RAASPRO\RAASPRO.dll.haieaerewrhzotaokoonubobtwcbattulczubkhu=1
F:\FSX\fsdreamteam\couatl\couatl.exe.tnihteknethnccrelclouacczqilwahoaqcuaqza=1
F:\FSX\bglmanx.dll.owkowkknietoqirittuucrnwtrweotitnecnlizh=1
F:\FSX\Modules\FSUIPC4.dll.ncaehkcrkrbleiqrkcqauahlrelibkorrzlzquut=1
F:\FSX\as_srv\as_btstrp.dll.ibctiibuwnhrtwzwuacutzbaotkrzhboalawwhtt=1
F:\FSX\as_srv\as_btstrp.dll.uuheutzlkkchcoierqeqkzhihwawerznnakhitha=1

 

[DynamicHeadMovement]
LonAccelOnHeadLon=-0.020000
LonAccelOnHeadPitch=-0.010000
RollAccelOnHeadLat=0.010000
YawAccelOnHeadLat=-0.100000
RollAccelOnHeadRoll=0.100000
MaxHeadAngle=5.000000
MaxHeadOffset=0.300000
HeadMoveTimeConstant=1.000000
[VirtualCopilot]
VirtualCopilotActive=0

 

[uSERINTERFACE]
PageID=1
OpenATCOnCreate=0
SHOW_MISSION_CAPTIONS=0
PAUSE_ON_LOST_FOCUS=0
PROMPT_ON_EXIT=1
SITUATION=FLIGHTS\OTHER\FLTSIM
Map_Orientation=2
ShowAllACPaintSchemes=1
SelectAircraftManufacturer=Wszystkie
SelectAircraftPublisher=Wszystkie
SelectAircraftType=Wszystkie

 

[ATC]
ShowATCText=0
COMM_MSG_NONE_COLOR=FFFFFFFF
COMM_MSG_ATC_USER_COLOR=FFB6FFB6
COMM_MSG_USER_ATC_COLOR=FFFFD21B
COMM_MSG_ATC_AI_COLOR=FF00FF00
COMM_MSG_AI_ATC_COLOR=FFFF7840
AutoOpenAirTrafficWindow=0
UsePilotVoice=0
PilotVoice=0
[PointOfInterestSystem]
CycleSetting=0

 

[sCENERY]
LENSFLARE=0
DAWN_DUSK_SMOOTHING=1
IMAGE_COMPLEXITY=5

 

[TrafficManager]
AirlineDensity=0
GADensity=0
FreewayDensity=5
ShipsAndFerriesDensity=10
LeisureBoatsDensity=10
IFROnly=0
AIRPORT_SCENERY_DENSITY=1

 

[TERRAIN]
LOD_RADIUS=4.500000
MESH_COMPLEXITY=100
MESH_RESOLUTION=24
TEXTURE_RESOLUTION=26
AUTOGEN_DENSITY=3
DETAIL_TEXTURE=1
WATER_EFFECTS=5

 

[AContain]
ShowLabels=0
ShowUserLabel=0
ShowLabelManufacturer=1
ShowLabelModel=1
ShowLabelTailNumber=0
ShowLabelDistance=1
ShowLabelAltitude=1
ShowLabelAirline=0
ShowLabelAirlineAndFlightNumber=0
ShowLabelFlightPlan=0
ShowLabelContainerId=0
ShowLabelAirspeed=0
ShowLabelHeading=0
LabelDelay=1000
LabelColor=FFFF0000

 

[iNTERNATIONAL]
ASLAT=2
ASLON=0
MEASURE=0
[REALISM]
PFactor=1.000000
Torque=1.000000
GyroEffect=1.000000
CrashTolerance=1.000000
General=1.000000
UnlimitedFuel=False
TrueAirspeed=False
AutoCoord=False
RealMixture=True
StressDamage=False
GEffect=True
ManualLights=True
GyroDrift=True
CrashWithDyn=False
CrashDetection=False
AutoTrim=False
[sIM]
SYSCLOCK=1
[sTARTUP]
DEMO=0
SHOW_OPENING_SCREEN=1
STARTUP_DEMO=
LoadWindow=1
[FACILITIES]
COUNTRY=
STATE=
CITY=
GTL_BUTTON=1326

 

[Misc]
Com_Rate=7

 

[DISPLAY.Device.NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 .0.0]
AntiAlias=1
Mode=1280x1024x32
Anisotropic=1

 

[MAPVIEW_MAP]
SHOW_AIRPORTS=1
SHOW_VORS=1
SHOW_NDBS=1
SHOW_APPROACHES=1
SHOW_INTERSECTIONS=0
SHOW_VICTOR=0
SHOW_JET=0
SHOW_AIRSPACE=1
SHOW_FLIGHTPLAN=1
SHOW_WEATHERSTATIONS=1
SHOW_WEATHERSYSTEMS=1
SHOW_DATATAGS=1
SHOW_TERRAIN=1
show_flight_history=1
[MULTIPLAYER]
condAccoutPassword=0

 

 

If you want to see DX10SF settings, nVidia Inspector settings or other informations, please ask...

 

Maybe I'm wrong and there is another solution of above issues? I'll be glad of your suggestions and help.

 

Ps. I'm going to install SweetFX, but I have doubt of negative affect on my fps :(

 

Best regards,

Lucas

[Adamski_NZ 947]

Here's the article, Jose. It will help you make that decision.

 

All the Best,

 

pj

Paul - I'm interested in reading that article too! Dead link though :-((

 

Adam.