?AGP Aperture?

[nehalmistry]

what should i set my agp aperture to?
i've searched and found diff. answers..
some say to use half your system memory
some say 64 should be enough
some say set to 256... im confused

now what should i put for MY system
my motherboard supports 16,32,64,128,256
--
g200 agp 16meg
64meg ram
k6-300
p5a-b motherboard(socket 7)

[Rakido]

Hiya,

as far as i understood Matrox' answers to this, set it to 256 (especially when using TGL).
If you are kicked out by games, then go back to 128 or 64 and try if it helps.

Rakido

[Strider]

Performance wise, I haven't seen any changes by swithching aperture sizes. I am using 64 megs (both when I had 64 megs ram, and now with 128 megs ram).
I have had problems with 256 aperture crashing my system. However, for TurboGL you need 256. That's why I switched to the 5.50 driver set (TurboGL performance right in the ICD).

My suggestion is to keep it at 64. If you use TurboGL, or some games have problems running, try 256.

[paulcs]

Matrox recommends that *G400* users increase the AGP aperture to 256 MB. I have never heard of any such recommendation for the G200.

If it's working at 64, I'd recommend keeping it there.

Paul
paulcs@flashcom.net

[This message has been edited by paulcs (edited 16 February 2000).]

[Top_Cat]

So for JUST performance reasons what is better 64 or 256??

I have NO problems with either size but would like to use the one that should be faster.

Top Cat
---------------
Processor Type: AMD-K7(tm) Processor
Processor Speed: 500MHz
Processor Caps: Enhanced 3D Now!/MMX

Total System RAM: 128Mb Dimm PC100

Motherboard: MS-6167 (AMD751)
Sound Card: Creative Labs Sound Blaster PCI128
Graphics Card: Maxtrox G400 MAX

[CannyOne]

Well, Top_Cat I don't know that issue being addressed was one of performance. This suggestion was given by Matrox for compatibility reasons. I would think that a setting of less than 256 would be best if one is not having "issues". I don't know what the stepping is on your AMD 751 Northbridge chip. My Asus K7M is stepping 4, which doesn't allow me to utilize "SuperBypass". This could give rise to some memory timing problems for me. To eliminate this possibility I've simply gone with the 256 recommendation. BTW, I don't really have problems until I raise the FSB speed beyond 112. At that speed I can go for a few hours before a lock up will occur. But I don't want to tolerate any lock ups! So I've decided not to push it.

[nehalmistry]

You people just jumped in and said whatever's good for you.. remember I HAVE A G200 NO A G400.. 256 is recommended by matrox for a g400... not a g200.. thats why i was asking...

[CannyOne]

Sorry nehalmistry!,

The 256MB aperture setting is intended for G400s that are having issues with TurboGL and some of the previous beta drivers. Try either 32, or 64, and only change that if you begin to experience problems like: 3D games won't start, or lock up after game play begins. Otherwise there is no need for you to use the 256MB aperture setting. It is a "kluge", a work around, that probably none of us understand the particular reasons for. Again, my apologies for not addressing your issue directly.

[Helevitia]

nehalmistry,

I think you need to run some benchmarks with the different settings and see what works best for you. I found that on my G200 w/ 192MB the best settting was 128. For my G400 I get better performance w/ 256. i did not know that matrox recommends 256 for the G400 but it is good to kow that my benchmarks numbers coincide with what they are saying.

Dave

[CannyOne]

Helevitia is Right!! I did some experimentation, used 3D Mark 2000 cause it was installed, and found that 128 seems to work best. First I set it to 64 to see if I had any compatibility issues. I experienced none. Then I tried 3DM2K and it wouldn't do the 64MB texture test. I then changed this setting to 128 and the test works. Now, please, bear in mind that most games don't use 64MB of textures. So this setting may not be valid for most games. Funny thing was there weren't any real problems, I experinced at least, with any of the different settings. BTW I have 256MB of RAM. To find out what works best for you, you will need to try the different settings out. Though I'd recommend you change the settings and play several of your favorite games. Instead of relying on a benchmark program alone.