GTA4

[Jules]

Well i just jumped on a Q9400 at micro center for 179.99, Gonna reinstall it and see how it goes.

 

[Canai]

My main issue with the game has nothing to do with the number of CPU cores, it's the bloody Z-fighting thing... Everything looks like this. Reinstalling and updating / downgrading drivers do nothing.

As the latest 1.02 patch didnt do anything you better complain to Rockstar so they fix it for the next one.

Its NOT going to be fixed by the ATI drivers.

from http://forums.amd.com/game/mes...AR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

THAT is why I called shens. That is why this game is a piece of shit. I'm sure I'd love it if it didn't look like half of a LCD-shuttered 3D display, but none of the fixes have done anything. Maybe it'll magically get better when I switch to 64-bit XP (if I ever get around to reformatting) but it's a gamebreaking issue for me.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Canai
My main issue with the game has nothing to do with the number of CPU cores, it's the bloody Z-fighting thing... Everything looks like this. Reinstalling and updating / downgrading drivers do nothing.

I highly doubt XP 64 will fix that, its a well-known issue with ATI parts and GTA4 but its not just limited to that title, WoW is another where Z-Fighting is a major problem. And LOL @ Spyre's response in that thread followed by the lock. He also said the same thing with regard to the line around the water in COD5.

I definitely don't have that problem and haven't seen it widely reported for Nvidia parts, its pretty obvious there's a problem with ATI's Z-buffer or Z-cull and how they're storing/rendering alpha textures. Not the first time they've had issues with an over-aggressive Z-cull making things disappear though, plenty of other examples over the last year or so.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Jules
Well i just jumped on a Q9400 at micro center for 179.99, Gonna reinstall it and see how it goes.

It should run 2x faster than before and look and run much better than the console version. You'll still be limited though by view distance due to 512MB VRAM. Overclocking the CPU will result in even more gain.

 

[Canai]

Originally posted by: chizow

Originally posted by: Canai
My main issue with the game has nothing to do with the number of CPU cores, it's the bloody Z-fighting thing... Everything looks like this. Reinstalling and updating / downgrading drivers do nothing.

I highly doubt XP 64 will fix that, its a well-known issue with ATI parts and GTA4 but its not just limited to that title, WoW is another where Z-Fighting is a major problem. And LOL @ Spyre's response in that thread followed by the lock. He also said the same thing with regard to the line around the water in COD5.

I definitely don't have that problem and haven't seen it widely reported for Nvidia parts, its pretty obvious there's a problem with ATI's Z-buffer or Z-cull and how they're storing/rendering alpha textures. Not the first time they've had issues with an over-aggressive Z-cull making things disappear though, plenty of other examples over the last year or so.

Aye, it's a long shot, but at this point I'm pretty much willing to try anything. Interestingly enough, over 1/3 of nVidia owners responding to a poll on the GTA4 forums said they had the Z-fighting issue Text, so it's not totally ATi-related. Although out of the 76 ATi owners who voted, only 3 didn't have the issue :laugh:

 

[chizow]

Ya I've read over those threads and looked at some of the screenshots and none of the NV shots I've seen look anything like the ATI ones. Sounds like most of the NV owners are complaining about flickering shadows rather than the line/grid Z-fighting seen on ATI parts.

 

[Jules]

Originally posted by: chizow

Originally posted by: Jules
Well i just jumped on a Q9400 at micro center for 179.99, Gonna reinstall it and see how it goes.

It should run 2x faster than before and look and run much better than the console version. You'll still be limited though by view distance due to 512MB VRAM. Overclocking the CPU will result in even more gain.

Right now i have it clocked at 3Ghz @ stock volts. I think my memory is downclocked to 760mhz i think. Prime Stable for about 11 hours so far. Think thats enough burn in? Im using Stock HSF btw.

 

[Billyzeke]

Originally posted by: Jules

Originally posted by: chizow

Originally posted by: Jules
Well i just jumped on a Q9400 at micro center for 179.99, Gonna reinstall it and see how it goes.

It should run 2x faster than before and look and run much better than the console version. You'll still be limited though by view distance due to 512MB VRAM. Overclocking the CPU will result in even more gain.

Right now i have it clocked at 3Ghz @ stock volts. I think my memory is downclocked to 760mhz i think. Prime Stable for about 11 hours so far. Think thats enough burn in? Im using Stock HSF btw.

Yeah, How are your temps with the stock hsf? Run the gta4 in game benchmark and let us know if there's any difference. Also be sure to turn clip capture off, it sometimes turns itself back on after running the benchmark, and it can cause lag and stuttering.

 

[Jules]

Originally posted by: Billyzeke

Originally posted by: Jules

Originally posted by: chizow

Originally posted by: Jules
Well i just jumped on a Q9400 at micro center for 179.99, Gonna reinstall it and see how it goes.

It should run 2x faster than before and look and run much better than the console version. You'll still be limited though by view distance due to 512MB VRAM. Overclocking the CPU will result in even more gain.

Right now i have it clocked at 3Ghz @ stock volts. I think my memory is downclocked to 760mhz i think. Prime Stable for about 11 hours so far. Think thats enough burn in? Im using Stock HSF btw.

Yeah, How are your temps with the stock hsf? Run the gta4 in game benchmark and let us know if there's any difference. Also be sure to turn clip capture off, it sometimes turns itself back on after running the benchmark, and it can cause lag and stuttering.

Temps are about 51c to 58c-59c. So its ok to turn off prime95 after 12 hours?

 

[chizow]

Ya those temps are fine, if you OC'd more or had to increase Vcore you'd want a better HSF. On a mild overclock of 333MHz with a FSB less than 400MHz, you should be fine in terms of stability where you are.

 

[Billyzeke]

Your temps are pretty good for stock cooling. 12 hours stable with no errors should be plenty. Some people like to run prime 95 for days, but I don't see the point of it. Real world usage will not be nearly as torturous.

 

[Jules]

Originally posted by: chizow
Ya those temps are fine, if you OC'd more or had to increase Vcore you'd want a better HSF. On a mild overclock of 333MHz with a FSB less than 400MHz, you should be fine in terms of stability where you are.

Yeah im just using the Stock HSF since i just got it yesterday. I was looking at this http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835186134 WHat do you think? Maybe something else in this price range? As far as Prime95. Is it ok to rurn it off after 13 hours?

 

[chizow]

Prime95 typically peaks in temps after 5-6 hours but can error as long as 18-20 hours in. Most people think 24 hours is sufficient for stability testing, but many also feel OCCT accomplishes the same stability testing in much less time. With such a mild OC and low FSB speed with presumably no required Vcore increase I'd say you're fine. Just start running games/apps, if you run into problems then troubleshoot.

As for that HSF, its serviceable, I'd say the bare minimum for an after-market cooler. That price is kind of high for it though, I think its regularly on sale for $13-20. But since you have a MicroCenter nearby, why not pick up something there? MC typically runs major sales on excellent LGA 775 coolers, like the Xigmatek S1283 or OCZ Vendetta 2, both of which are HDT (heatpipe direct touch) and perform extremely well, very close to TRUE, V8, and all the other expensive coolers. I've seen the Xigmatek and OCZ coolers on and off for like $15-20 AR, which is a great price especially if you can walk out with one from a B&M.

 

[Jules]

Originally posted by: chizow
Prime95 typically peaks in temps after 5-6 hours but can error as long as 18-20 hours in. Most people think 24 hours is sufficient for stability testing, but many also feel OCCT accomplishes the same stability testing in much less time. With such a mild OC and low FSB speed with presumably no required Vcore increase I'd say you're fine. Just start running games/apps, if you run into problems then troubleshoot.

As for that HSF, its serviceable, I'd say the bare minimum for an after-market cooler. That price is kind of high for it though, I think its regularly on sale for $13-20. But since you have a MicroCenter nearby, why not pick up something there? MC typically runs major sales on excellent LGA 775 coolers, like the Xigmatek S1283 or OCZ Vendetta 2, both of which are HDT (heatpipe direct touch) and perform extremely well, very close to TRUE, V8, and all the other expensive coolers. I've seen the Xigmatek and OCZ coolers on and off for like $15-20 AR, which is a great price especially if you can walk out with one from a B&M.

Coo, ill run it for alittle longer since im waiting for UPS for a G5 mouse i bought from newegg. As for microcenter i found the 2 you listed.

http://microcenter.com/single_...tml?product_id=0288207 and http://microcenter.com/single_...tml?product_id=0285949 Alittle pricey no?

 

[chizow]

Yeah, those are regular prices, not sale prices. If you can wait a week or so there should be a new flier with a shot at a sale, or you can check the current flier and see if they have any good cooler on sale.

Actually looks like that HDT 1283 is on sale for $30, which is pretty good I think. Its been cheaper AR but that's not bad out the door and also cools better than that AFreezer 7. Its push-pin though I think, there's a bolt through kit for $5-10 at various sites.

 

[Jules]

Originally posted by: chizow
Yeah, those are regular prices, not sale prices. If you can wait a week or so there should be a new flier with a shot at a sale, or you can check the current flier and see if they have any good cooler on sale.

Actually looks like that HDT 1283 is on sale for $30, which is pretty good I think. Its been cheaper AR but that's not bad out the door and also cools better than that AFreezer 7. Its push-pin though I think, there's a bolt through kit for $5-10 at various sites.

Yeah microcenter had the HDT S1283 for $15 AR. I think ill just wait till it gets to that price. Whats the Max temp for the q9400?

 

[Madaz]

just a quick one guys.

i own a laptop,Toshiba satellite P200, C2D T7700 2.4ghz 3gb ddr2 ATI Mobility HD2600 512mb graphics. is there any point in me even considering this game, or should i just stick to what i have and load san andreas up again.

Cheers
Daz

 

[Billyzeke]

Originally posted by: Madaz
just a quick one guys.

i own a laptop,Toshiba satellite P200, C2D T7700 2.4ghz 3gb ddr2 ATI Mobility HD2600 512mb graphics. is there any point in me even considering this game, or should i just stick to what i have and load san andreas up again.

Cheers
Daz

I would stick to San Andreas if I were you. GTA4 would only bring you pain and heartache on that machine.

 

[Madaz]

Originally posted by: Billyzeke

Originally posted by: Madaz
just a quick one guys.

i own a laptop,Toshiba satellite P200, C2D T7700 2.4ghz 3gb ddr2 ATI Mobility HD2600 512mb graphics. is there any point in me even considering this game, or should i just stick to what i have and load san andreas up again.

Cheers
Daz

I would stick to San Andreas if I were you. GTA4 would only bring you pain and heartache on that machine.

Thanks Billy,

it will become for me just like that girl from the bus stop loved from afar, never explored.

Cheers
Daz

 

[Billyzeke]

Keep your chin up old boy, she doesn't know what she's missing! LOL!

 

[Madaz]

I was once again looking at the packaging for this game and i was fairly pissed to see that if i was to just follow the recomended settings for this game as they are written on the box i would wrongly believe that my computer could handle this game quite well.

What Gives. Why do manufacturors do this. It makes me pissy and also gives me a glimmer of hope that im sure is false as all of you have had a shitty time with it.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Madaz
I was once again looking at the packaging for this game and i was fairly pissed to see that if i was to just follow the recomended settings for this game as they are written on the box i would wrongly believe that my computer could handle this game quite well.

What Gives. Why do manufacturors do this. It makes me pissy and also gives me a glimmer of hope that im sure is false as all of you have had a shitty time with it.

It's just this game was a shitty port. Don't try to lump all dev's to how this one was ported.

 

[SuPrEIVIE]

yes this game was a poor port in terms of hardware requirements but if thats out of the way its just fine. However this is the last GTA game i play. I was thinking about revisiting San Andreas but after playing GTA4 it is pointless to go back to previous GTA's they are all basically the same. Boredom hits you hard when you are not mission focused, it hurts even still as misssions grow to be pretty repetitive and the only way to enjoy it is to play it rarely. The storyline seemed interesting at first to me but as it drags along it just becomes to silly and the ending is just disappointing. I do think this is as good as the past several GTAs i played, but if you've played one you've played them all.

 

[dug777]

FWIW I'n not having that cool z-fighting effect with my 4850 and the latest cats.

Should i?

 

[Barfo]

I remember the GTA3 port being crappy as well, and Vice City and San Andreas much better performance wise, perhaps the sequels with this same engine will be better optimized.
I'll try this game in a year, with a computer that can handle it properly without costing an arm and a leg.