Triple Buffering in 3.7s....Why?

[NocturnDragon]

you should use it with vsinc on, i suppose you don't have a monitor @ 250 Hz+

[BuddMan]

I know you should use it with V-sync on, that's the whole point of using TB. But I'm questioning the results of what has been posted.

EDIT: Sorry, thought that was directed at me.

[The PIT]

People have reported a more consistant fps rate with tb on. Thats over at rage3d anyway.

[Admiral]

...i suppose you don't have a monitor @ 250 Hz+

My bad, the above test was done using default off for vsync in the drivers and enabling and disabling sync every frame in the game.
With vsync always on in the drivers (monitor refresh at 100Hz):
TB on-100.2 fps
TB off-99.8 fps

[spadnos]

@Admiral - you probably need to use a more graphics intensive program. Try the X2 demo (if you can _really_ force the settings you want in the drivers). The TB benefits should come into play when the graphics card can keep up on average, but not necessarily on every frame.

I'd be curious to see the benefits on 3 types of games: those that the GPU has no hope of keeping up with (X2), those that the GPU is able to create roughly the same frame rate as the monitor refresh (RTCW/ Wolf ET?), and those that the GPU is hopelessly overpowered for (Quake2?). (these cases can probably be simulated by varying the resolution of a single game)

- Steve

[BuddMan]

Originally posted by Admiral
My bad, the above test was done using default off for vsync in the drivers and enabling and disabling sync every frame in the game.
With vsync always on in the drivers (monitor refresh at 100Hz):
TB on-100.2 fps
TB off-99.8 fps

Well based on that then it looks like TB isn't working, but again Quake 3 isn't the most intensive game. I'm going to install Serious Sam 2 tonight and try it out. I'll report when I have results with monitor refresh rate and all.

[Admiral]

I also have STV: Elite Force and Elite Force 2 installed.
Guess I should choose me a spot in Elite Force 2. In the first part of the game, on the Borg sphere where fps tend to be the lowest in the game.
I can also install MDK 2 or run a benchmark for UT2003 in OpenGL mode.

edit: not much luck, MDK 2 test settings also shows a small difference, 1 or 2 fps, depending on the resolution.
UT2003- though the game is set to run (and runs in) OGL the benchmark seems to still take D3D. If someone could tell me what file to change ?
EF 2- I chose Borg Sphere level 1b, where Voyager is shown in the dampening field inside the sphere... can't tell the difference.

I'll have to download the X2 demo.

[BuddMan]

Ok, well here are my results with UT 2003. Resolution was 1280x1024 @ 100Hz using Omega's 3.7s, hacked version. I benchmarked with FRAPS, and this was the Suntemple Botmatch:

2003-09-10 22:11:23 - UT2003 - VSYNC ON TB ON
Frames: 1827 - Time: 34469ms - Avg: 53.004 - Min: 39 - Max: 97

2003-09-10 22:12:32 - UT2003 - VSYNC ON TB OFF
Frames: 1826 - Time: 35156ms - Avg: 51.939 - Min: 36 - Max: 95

2003-09-10 22:23:54 - UT2003 - VSYNC ON TB ON 4XAA
Frames: 1832 - Time: 38922ms - Avg: 47.068 - Min: 28 - Max: 55

2003-09-10 22:25:40 - UT2003 - VSYNC ON TB OFF 4XAA
Frames: 1832 - Time: 38532ms - Avg: 47.544 - Min: 37 - Max: 54

I did the tests countless times and every time the result was pretty much the same. So given this, does it look like TB is working as it should be?

EDIT: And yes, I ran it using the OpenGL renderer and AF was on app preference.

[Jon P. Inghram]

They're close enough that I'd say no, but since you're using the Omega 3.7's they might not be using the same OpenGL driver as the offical 3.7's. All I can say for certain is that with my Radeon 8500 TB is working even with AA on.

[BuddMan]

Ok, well if anyone else has a 9700 pro I'd like to see their results with TB. If TB doesn't work with AA on with the 9x00 series then more people should be aware of it. But my results alone can't really conclude anything yet. I'll have to sit down this weekend and install the normal 3.7s and see if that changes anything and benchmark a few more games such as Serious Sam 2. I'll post results when I have them.