#3dsr4/pentium=:30 load
20 messages in this thread
I've recently installed 3dsr4 onto my p90 system and have noticed that it takes
close to :30 to load 3ds. Have I done something wrong? After typing 3ds at the
command line, nothing will happen for about :20 and then the hd starts working.
:10 later, I'm inside 3ds. This is about 3 times as long as when I had 3ds on
my 486.
Perhaps this problem has something to do with the ATI Mach64? I'm using 1.0.5
drivers. These are a considerable improvement in speed over previous drivers
when switching to/from the materials editor.
Anybody got any ideas?
mdawson
Mike,
I've noticed that the P90 Plato/Neptunes do load marginally slower than my
DX-2's did but not quite as long as your times would indicate. I suspect it
probably has to do with the ATI card as it has more overhead associated with
speed performance for Windows, but I think also the BIOS could be optimized to
run faster on the DX-2 even though overall performance on the P90 is very fast.
I'm using Vipers and Stealth 64's and even the DRAM 64 is very quick in 3DS.
John
John,
Thanks for your reply. Another replyee mentioned that the Mach64 was definitely
at fault. I may attempt his remedy.
You mentioned something that I thought was intrigueing [sp]. It was about the
bios being optimized. Were you referring to your 486 bios or the Plato bios? In
either case, what parameter would you set to make a difference?
mdawson
Mike,
>> Were you referring to your 486 bios or Plato bios? <<
Pretty much you can enable/disable shadowing on the Plato, and that's about it,
everything else is pretty much automatic. I haven't been able to get any speed
increase for the Stealth or Viper in 3DS. On my 486's which are now gone, I
could play around with wait states, shadowing and cacheing etc. and I got some
pretty terrific results. I shaved almost 25 seconds off the default setup on a
640×480 rendering. I was also able to dramatically speed up re-draws in 3DS as
a result.
The AMI -08 Bios has some flexibility left but ver -10 on the P90 is like an
automatic Corvette. <g> I've heard there are problems with the -08 version when
using SCSI, but can't confirm it. I'm using a DTC PCI SCSI with an NCR 810
controller with no problems; one on an -08 and one on a -10. The rest are IDE
per Intel. My pet peeve is that they put the automatic transmission (flash
bios) right in the middle of frame E_ which I could just as well do without.
The point being you could down grade your flash bios to ver -08 and might
realise a minimal performance increase.
I mentioned the ATI being optimized for Windows which has more to do with the
chipset which is customized for the Windows environment, though in some cases
on the 486 at least you can get a performance increase in 3DS by adjusting
system bios as I outlined. It really depends on the motherboard and the video
card, some boards won't give you much, if any flexibility and can become
unstable if pushed.
John
John,
the P90 is like an automatic Corvette. <g> …..
My pet peeve is that they put the automatic transmission (flash bios)
right in the middle of frame E_ which I could just as well do without.
All the way home I held a grudge
for the safety belt that wouldn't budge
Cruising along in my automobile
With no particular place to go… <g>
>> for the safety belt that wouldn't budge… <<
That can be a real problem, especially at a drive-in. <g>
– The point being you could down grade your flash bios to ver -08 and might
– realise a minimal performance increase.
John,
I agree with your sentiments on the 10.ax1 bios out in the middle of "E". I
loved your "automatic transmission" analogy. Even with QEMM 7.5 and Stealth, I
still have 5 or 6 fragments of upper memory depending on the config. Ver.
08.ax1 wasn't bad, but I did have a card that kept getting stepped on. It
wasn't a SCSI problem, even though I use an Adaptec 2940. I've experienced no
SCSI problems at all. (knock on wood)
So I guess it's time to get rid of the Mach64. I mainly bought it because it
was $60 cheaper and had Vibrant drivers. Looking back, it's probably a good
thing I didn't get the Viper. I've heard it's drivers are even buggier.
Hmmmm…. what to trade it in for?
mdawson
>> Even with QEMM 7.5 and Stealth, I still have 5 or 6 fragments of upper
memory depending on the config… <<
Isn't it fun? <g> While its a pain I actually enjoy it as a diversion, so I'm
only half being sarcastic. Problem is you can spend an inordinate amount of
time playing around with it and not get any real animating done, which after
all _is_ the primary mission. <G>
>> … what to trade it in for? <<
My current favorite for all around performance is the PCI Stealth 64. I like
most of the Diamond cards currently available. I needed to use the S3 864/928
chipset driver in 3DS but it works great, and in Windows if you're using a non
standard SVGA monitor you've got to do some experimenting to get the right
multi-sync setup.
I would definitely recommend checking it out, as it should compare very
favorably with the Mach 64. I'll be curious to hear what you decide.
Happy hunting…
John
Make sure to get the Diamond Stealth 64 *VRAM* version — not the DRAM version,
though!
Dave
Dave,
>> Make sure to get the Diamond Stealth 64 *VRAM* version — <<
That's a good point to make the distinction but it depends on whether you want
it for your primary machine or a workstation. I like them both.
No bugs in the Vibrant Viper drivers, Mike.
-Alan
Just to let you know, My Corvette automatic will outrun a six speed in the
traps at 1/4 mile!! 🙂
Tom
>> My Corvette automatic will outrun a six speed in the traps at 1/4 mile!!<<
Yeah but I'm a rally man, and with an automatic you'd be doomed on the corners.
<g>
John
OK, OK, OK, So I'm a sissy Vette driver
>> So I'm a sissy Vette driver <<
Now that's not a "sporting" argument Tom! <g> I expected a clever comeback to
which I was going to suggest that we meet at Adesk Sausalito and do a quick
sprint up Mt. Tam sometime. If nothing else it would be a nice ride and we'd
get a great view. 🙂
John
Sorry John,
I was in a hurry and didn't have time to provide a clever reply. Aptos to
Sausalito is a long drive…. But with the weather now I'd just as soon wait
until spring. BTW mine is a 1993 Hunter green Convert. with a tan top and tan
leather int. tag is ET'sVETT. so if you see me on the road say hey….
Tom
Tom,
>> BTW mine is a 1993 Hunter green Convert. with a tan top and tan leather
int… <<
Sounds like a great car.
For the record the analogy of an automatic Corvette was not a slight
and as you pointed out it has its advantages. You obviously get great
performance out of your Vette. I suppose one question would be if it
didn't provide greater performance in the 1/4 mile, would you still
own an automatic? Then again maybe you just like automatics. If
you're happy with it who cares? I'm happy with my (snicker snicker)
four banger Fiero; it has a five speed, runs quick, corners like a
go-cart on rails (lowered an 1 1/2", short comp springs, adjustable
Konis, comp sway bars; front and rear, Comp T/A's and Enkie rims) and
gets great gas mileage when I'm not jamming it. As an added touch I
added matching blue leather Recarros so I wouldn't slide around.
Nothing like being strapped in. I occasionally spook 911's et al.;
they underestimate the Fiero's ability to corner and as a result hit
the curves too hard. No biggee, they blow me away on the straights.
But at least a little rattled from slamming their brakes. Something
I enjoy, especially when I see that smug look in the rear view
mirror, only to see it evaporate in horror as they realise they've
over shot the turn; a character defect of mine no doubt. <g>
(Actually come to think of it, the same kind of thrill I get from
blowing away an Animator working with Alias. <BG>)
But to clarify from the original topic, if I was getting top
performance out of the P90, its automatic bios would suit me just
fine. After all who wants to mess with a manual bios if you don't
have to. However, I don't think the P90 motherboard was optimized for
speed but for stability in a worse case scenario, and the bios does
sit in the middle of the E frame; just like the bumpers on the 74+
911 which were added to meet US safety regulations, stuck there ad
hoc. However, safety makes sense even if unaesthetic, and from an
environmental viewpoint, an automatic in a Vette is the only way you
can get it here in California because of smog regs. I don't see the
same kind of justification for the "flash bios", let alone being
placed in the E frame. I would just as soon have the manual option.
The rest was just fooling around, as I originally thought you were.
Enjoy the speed, I'll enjoy the corners; I'll be sure to wave if I
see that Mean Green Corvette Machine; just wait till the straights to
pass me. <g>
Just foolin' 'round too…
Tom
P. S. I like the automatic because I hate to drive a clutch in
traffic, beside my wife can't drive a clutch, and I didn't want to
train here on a Vette… 🙂
Mike;
The slow load time for 3DS is directly related to your MACH 64 ATI card. There
is an Antivesa TSR here on the forum that cuts this time to about 15 sec. For
some reason the Vibrant drivers make multiple VESA calls which slows the whole
process down. On my P90 it take about 1 Min. w/out the AntiVESA TSR.
If you search for ANTI VESA you should probably be able to find it easy.
Zac (AZ-TECH)
Berkeley
Zac,
Thanks for the input. I thought the newer Mach64 drivers were supposed to have
corrected that, but I guess not. I'll look for that anti-vesa driver.
md