60 FPS in PC games - Why does it elude me?

Magus`

For as long as I can remember, I can almost never get a solid 60 FPS in the games I play (not counting the ones locked to 30 FPS for whatever reason) and yes, I can tell the difference between 30 and 60 FPS quite easily. Now, my computer isn't that great (2.8 Ghz dual core, 6870, 4 GBs of DDR2 RAM, 7200 RPM HDD) but it's hardly terrible. Now, I don't expect to run something like, say, Metro 2033 at max settings and my native res (1680x1050) and get 60 FPS. However, I bought Quake IV on the Steam sale and it's a suitably older game and even it won't run at a solid 60 FPS - it often dips to ~40 FPS in several spots.

Now, I realize 60 FPS isn't needed for a game to be playable but it kind of baffles me that I can't get a game to run there and stay there. I imagine if I had a copy of Quake 2 it would probably run solid, but why in the world would I need to go that far back to get consistent framerates? I'm gonna assume it has something to do with either my RAM or my CPU since I still get these dips (or generally low-ish FPS) even going from high settings to medium/low. Though I can't upgrade anything right now, I'd like to know where to aim for when I can.

Thanks!~

a5ehren

What you're describing sounds like a classic CPU-limited situation (FPS not increasing with lower GFX settings). Since you're running DDR2, your next upgrade should be to replace motherboard/CPU/RAM when you have the money - the 6870 should be fine for your resolution.

Magus`

Yeah, that's what I figured - but why in a game like Quake 4 am I still getting FPS dips? Like, I'm fairly sure my computer would've been bleeding edge at that time, if even possible!

bowen

Turn off vsync, you'll get higher fps. What's probably happening is vsync is dictating when and how frames will generate so a sudden high poly count area will cause a dip because of tuning and power saving and all that fancy mumbo jumbo. Turning off vsync (there should be an option in Q4 for that) should probably pump it up to the 100s and then it'll dip below that from there. You may notice some tearing but I doubt it.

Magus`

Yeah, that's the thing. Screen tearing completely ruins games for me, so I always have v-sync on. I guess at this point it's either accept the tears and get less (or no?) dips or just take the dips, huh?

Funny thing, I turned off V-Sync in Dead Space 2 and it was running at 100+ FPS and it somehow looked way less smooth than when I locked it down to 60 FPS. I can't explain it.

bowen

Eh probably just you, I haven't noticed tearing in games with vsync off in 10 years.

Magus`

I've always been really, uh, sensitive to change in framerate and screen tearing. Like it actively breaks my immersion when I dip from 60 FPS to 40 FPS.

Darmak

I can handle dips in FPS but I cannot fucking stand screen tearing. But then my computer is a monster and runs every game I've ever thrown at it maxxed out with no slowdown at all so that's not a thing I'll have to worry about for awhile. :rotate:

acidlacedpenguin

build a super monster machine then turn all the v-sync on that you want?

projectmayhem

I still have this issue and I have a pretty decent desktop.

3.4 sandy bridge
16 ddr3 ram
two 6850s

I still have games that wont hit 60. Granted I also play with vsync as tearing looks dreadful to me but yeah, dunno what it is.

bowen

I have never seen tearing except back in the CS days.

TetraNitroCubane

I prefer to keep vsync on myself for reasons beyond screen tearing. In games where my computer can easily exceed 60 FPS, the GPU (GTX 570) tends to get exceptionally hot when rendering more than it needs to. For example, playing Stalker:SoC I can routinely get +100 FPS, but the GPU skyrockets to over 90 C even with the fan on 75%. If I turn vsync on, the temps stay below 70 C. Even Deus Ex: HR ran significantly cooler when vsync was forced on through the control panel.

mcdermott

bowen wrote:

I have never seen tearing except back in the CS days.

Then you're just not sensitive to it. I've seen tearing in every game with Vsync off, right on up to BF3.

a5ehren

I got some nasty tearing in Deus Ex, but I don't always notice it.

freshmasterfresh

I'm also much too sensitive to screen tearing for my own good. V-sync really wasn't a solution for me... more like a necessary evil. The only function it serves is to delay frames until the display is ready. This causes things to feel sluggish.

Unfortunately, there's only one alternative I know of: buy a 3D monitor and run it in 2D at 120 Hz.

The motion is excellent, but don't expect perfection in the colors department for anywhere near reasonable prices, if at all.

chrishallett83

freshmasterfresh wrote: »

I'm also much too sensitive to screen tearing for my own good. V-sync really wasn't a solution for me... more like a necessary evil. The only function it serves is to delay frames until the display is ready. This causes things to feel sluggish.

Unfortunately, there's only one alternative I know of: buy a 3D monitor and run it in 2D at 120 Hz.

The motion is excellent, but don't expect perfection in the colors department for anywhere near reasonable prices, if at all.

Get a high quality tv in a small size?

Stormwatcher

Yeah, Tearing is definitely there, I see it a lot, but I'd rather stand it than take the FPS hit.