lower FPS after GF3 install

[celeritas]

I run a Half-Life dedicated server on my PC, and according to the console window the frame rates have always been ~90-99 -- with a TNT1 Diamond Viper V550 video card installed. Yesterday, I installed a VisionTek GF3, and with nothing else changed (Nvidia 12.60's still, etc.) the reported FPS is now down to 50-60. HL is running the exact same server version, game, and with the same number of bots as when it was 90-99FPS. Nothing else is running on the PC. Yes, the 4in1's, AGP miniport, etc. are installed.

How is the video card a factor in dedicated server FPS? I'm not in the game, so how is video even involved in the equation? Thanks.

 

[Peebly]

Because if your computer is running the server, it is still running the game for the players that play on it.

 

[celeritas]

It's just running with bots so far (the same number when I had the TNT1). Why is it reporting 30-40FPS lower with the GF3 installed?

 

[Modeps]

if your running the dedicated server, your videocard has nothing to do with it. something else is causing your performance to be lower.

 

[Peebly]

Is it running in OpenGL? or D3D? Try switching between the two to see if you get performance increases. Also, update your drivers if possible.

 

[celeritas]

I figured the video card shouldn't make a difference, but I swear that it was the *only* thing that changed. I'm using Nvidia 12.60's. I've also tried 12.40's, and the FPS discrepancy is the same. My client settings are OpenGL, but nether OGL or D3D are options on a dedicated server...

 

[Modeps]

i dunno, maybe the gf3 isnt properly configured and is sapping some memory or something... but the dedicated server really has nothing to do with your videocard.

 

[celeritas]

Any recommendations for how to check if my GF3 is configured properly, etc?

 

[Boogak]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the dedicated server just bring up a black console window with text scrolling by every once in a while? Why would there even be a need for a FPS counter for a 2d window?

 

[celeritas]

Not sure, but the real-time FPS counter has always been on the top of the DOS window in every HL dedicated server build I've ran.

 

[celeritas]

I reformatted, reinstalled Win2k, and re-applied Nvidia 12.60's -- without running the 4in1's, AGP miniport, etc. HLDS now reports 80-99 "FPS". That's what I want to see. I won't be able to see if it makes a difference in my HL client games, because some annoying "unreliable datagram" errors recently popped up (before I reinstalled Win2k). Has anyone seen them? My sound stutters and screen freezes less than 30secs into the game.

 

[RDSport323]

I know the problem that you are having... I was running a Radeon AIW and when I play CS I get 99-100fps all the time, but when I installed a Visiontek GF3, my FPS just shot to 60 fps and NOTHING more..

But, here's the fix.... you shold go to www.tweakfiles.com, and d/l the Nvidia Win2k Registry Patch... The 60fps is an error with Nvidia cards and Win2k. It has something to do w/ screen resolution as well... but, just get that, and watch ur FPS shoot back up to 100

lmk if it works or not for you, cuz it should.

 

[celeritas]

Thanks. Do you mean this? I can use 60Hz+ refresh rates without problems.

I reinstalled Win2k again and only applied Nvidia 12.60's (no VIA 4in1's, AMD miniport, service pack, etc.) before running HL dedicated server, and the reported FPS shot up to 80-99. I'll install one thing at a time and recheck the FPS to find the weak link(s).

 

[RDSport323]

No see, that's your error... Run that file, the regfix.. trust me, thats your problem... I'll bet my life on it...

 

[celeritas]

I'll try it, but I thought the patch fixed having only 60Hz as a refresh choice; I can already use above 60; 85Hz, etc. Since my average HLDS FPS is now in the 90's, I assume that a patch I had installed previously (VIA 4in1, AMD miniport, etc.) was actually responsible for the drop in FPS.