How to remove the last bit of lag?

[JCitron]

Based on that, I still think it's either going to be the graphics card or the memory at fault. ~3GB seems a strange figure to have though, as memory is normally in pairs.

Shane

Not really, Shane. 3096 out of 4 is about right. If there is 4GB installed on the system. Some BIOS report the total RAM in the system; some round up or down to the next figure. A 4GB system will show 3GB.

Yes, the graphics chip will still use some RAM from the system. This is true even with discrete video cards. This has to do with the shared memory pool between the system and graphics subsystem. The "missing" memory we see on 4GB systems is usually the memory allocated to graphics.

Now if this is a built-in graphics subsystem, this will definitely be obvious because of the poor performance.


John

 

[shaneturner12]

I'd agree re: the graphics chip, as it seems to be using up 256MB of memory.

What is a bit odd though is that the total memory is being reported as 2.87GB. I'm guessing that this is due to the graphics chip.

Shane

 

[TrainzAreTheBest12]

Is there any sort of downloadable game booster thing that will help? I'm telling you, all I need is 7 or 8 more frames and It will run smooth!

 

[shaneturner12]

There is, and it is called Game Booster.

Shane

 

[bl4882]

Hello Scottish,

You wrote: "If you have a good system, the framerate figure can be increased, but there is no point in going above 30 since your eye will not notice any improvement even if the framerate is higher than about 25. Additionally the processor and graphics card will just run hotter for no benefit."

I've been fighting my computer fighting overheating running TS2010 and TS12 for well over a year. Following your suggestion I set the maximum frame rate to 25. Result has been that I am no longer hearing the fans running at supersonic speed; lagging has been minimized, although I have not included the instruction to maintain the frame rate at 25 or any other number; and there has been no overheating resulting in blackouts. Early to say that this is a solution to my particular problem, but I like how the program is reacting so far.

Thanks for the tip.

Bernie

 

[Robert2d6]

Here

Operating System Name:Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate |C:\Windows|\Device\Harddisk0\Partition2
Build:7601(Multiprocessor Free)
Service Pack:1.0
Status: OK

Memory Information

Total/Free Physical Memory (in GB):2.87/1.26

Graphics Card Information

Graphics Cards Found:1

Graphics Card 1
Graphics Card:NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
Dedicated Memory:128.00MB
Driver Files:nvd3dumx.dll,nvd3dum
Driver Version:9.18.13.623
Date of current driver:20120830000000.000000-000
Video Memory:0.13 GB (128.00 MB)
Specification Version:
Status:OK
Video Processor:GeForce 6150SE nForce 430

Processor Information

Number of Logical Processors: 2
Processor:AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4800+
Current Clock Speed:2.50 Ghz
Maximum Clock Speed:2.50 Ghz
External Clock Speed (If present):0.20 Ghz
Processor Type:64 Bit
Processor Status:OK

Detected DirectX version: (This may not match any expected values) 4.09.00.0904
Drive Information:
Drive C:\(Type: Fixed) : 226.41GB Free ( 297.99 GB Capacity after formatting)

Hope it helps. When I ran TS12 for the first time, everything came up with a check mark on the diagnostic.

You should consider it a miracle that TS12 runs at all with the Graphics card you have. It is almost at the bottom of the list of low end cards. I don't think any
current game would run with that card.
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=GeForce+6150SE+nForce+430+D&id=1190

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/low_end_gpus.html

 

[TrainzAreTheBest12]

Theres nothing I can do without spending money! I'm only 13!

 

[johnwhelan]

Theres nothing I can do without spending money! I'm only 13!

We can tackle this from the other end. Create a new layout with just a circle of track, can some one point out a low poly track with good performance? Next add a simple diesel locomotive and run it on the track and see if the frame rate is acceptable. Can some one suggest a suitable loco?

If that works and it should do then its a matter of carefully selecting the assets and not putting too many different ones on at a time.

I'm still not clear if you have a desktop or a laptop.

Which is it?

Thanks John

 

[TrainzAreTheBest12]

I have a PC. So basically make my own route? Like I said before, if I could just put the 8 or 9 locomotives I want into TS2009 then I could just use 2009. I did, however, enjoy creating a few routes. I actually blieve I could make some routes to go into the next Trainz Simulator. I saw this graphics card as I was looking for a good deal. Do you think this could give me decent frames? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-NA-_-NA

 

[Robert2d6]

I have a PC. So basically make my own route? Like I said before, if I could just put the 8 or 9 locomotives I want into TS2009 then I could just use 2009. I did, however, enjoy creating a few routes. I actually blieve I could make some routes to go into the next Trainz Simulator. I saw this graphics card as I was looking for a good deal. Do you think this could give me decent frames? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-NA-_-NA

Look it up on this site. http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/

 

[clam1952]

May get an improvement by running it Windowed and reducing the resolution, one or two have managed that in the past on here. Mind you Christmas is coming up may be time to drop a hint or two. It needn't be a top range Graphics card plenty of cheaper older ones would probably be better than onboard graphics.

Anyone got the link to the turn off Speedtree animation "fix"? that might help.

GTS450 I have one on one of my PC's and its not bad it's further up the benchmark list and would be a lot better than a 440 and it seems to cost less as well http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125342

 

[johnwhelan]

I have a PC. So basically make my own route? Like I said before, if I could just put the 8 or 9 locomotives I want into TS2009 then I could just use 2009. I did, however, enjoy creating a few routes. I actually blieve I could make some routes to go into the next Trainz Simulator. I saw this graphics card as I was looking for a good deal. Do you think this could give me decent frames? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-NA-_-NA

Are you sitting comfortably cause this is where it gets messy. First Trainz content is made by many people so performance is not always their first consideration and if they have a liquid nitrogen cooled over clocked system and their creation shows up why should they worry about other people.

So if you are selective and pick out the better performing content then it will run. TS12 actually uses less resources for the same content than TS2009 by the way. Note I said for the same content, content creators like to push the limits and a fair chunk of TS12 content is more demanding especially anything made with sketchup.

Hardware, your machine looks like one built to a price. This means it probably has a generic power supply that is sized without too much thought for expansion. So youneed a graphics card that doesn't draw too much power.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-2.html you're looking at the TDP value and you want a low Max. TDP value. Drop a high end graphics card in your machine and chances are it will fry the motherboard etc.

Since you have an nVidia graphics card in already its better to stay with nVidia unless you are happy to reinstall the operating system. Graphics cards tend to leave bits of old driver software lying around. Some people have had some success using bits of software to clean out old traces but if you go AMD then I'd suggest you reinstall the operating system.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131461 would be roughly what I'd consider but note the warning on the power supply and the reinstall of the operating system.

Best of luck

Cheerio John

 

[TrainzAreTheBest12]

I think I will just stay with nVidia. Anything under or equal to $120 that will run smooth as glass? My mom has a friend who is a computer expert, so installing the card won't be a problem.

 

[Robert2d6]

I think I will just stay with nVidia. Anything under or equal to $120 that will run smooth as glass? My mom has a friend who is a computer expert, so installing the card won't be a problem.

The card I have is very good, and I think you can get it for around $130. You just have to make sure your power supply will handle it, around 500 watts would be good, and it is a dual width card, which means it takes up two spaces where the bracket attaches to the rail of the case. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/NVIDIA+...Card/2375089.p?id=1218323853938&skuId=2375089

 

[TrainzAreTheBest12]

If I don't have enough space?

 

[johnwhelan]

I think I will just stay with nVidia. Anything under or equal to $120 that will run smooth as glass? My mom has a friend who is a computer expert, so installing the card won't be a problem.

Get the friend to look at the computer and see how lee way you have on the power supply. Then start to plan. If you're lucky they may have a spare power supply floating around. Toms have various graphics cads with their performance compared and the max TDP which is what you're interested in.

No matter how fast the computer some one can build something in Trainz that will bring it to its knees. Basically any discrete graphics card will be a major improvement.

Cheerio John