Steering lag solved - frame rates

Waldo1967 · 02-07-2007, 03:43 AM

I know this is part of another thread on the main Dirt forum, but thought it would help to have it here as well.

Instead of just playing this once or twice and giving up and saying the control is terrible, like some posts I've seen here, I persisted because the game looks awesome and I've wanted to have a decent rally game since RBR.

Anyway, I found out that low frame rates will cause steering lag, at least with me. I have a high quality rig (X1950XTX, Core2 6600, 2 gig ram, Momo racing wheel) and was at 22-25 fps with everything on high at 1680x1050 resolution. Steering lag was terrible. So I turned some of the options down and reduced my resolution until I got the frame rate between 35-40 and now the game is very enjoyable. I can control the cars now and it's great. And the graphics still look good even with some of the options at medium.

Just try the game with low options and 800x600 resolution and you'll notice the difference in control right away.

BTW, anyone at Codemasters know which options will cause the biggest performance hit?

Rajinn · 02-07-2007, 07:10 AM

HDR is probably the biggest, after that texture size then shadow size
afaik anyhow. eax is resource heavy too.
steering lag isnt the worst part of the game, the handling is! im not complaining that much because i just beat the hell out of my settings until the car handles like i want it to, but i dont like the feeling of most cars, i believe the AWD cars should behave like the FR cars currently do for example.

Mad Jasper · 02-07-2007, 04:51 PM

I think the REAL problem with this game is the bogus minimum specs from Codemasters. This game is not playable unless you are running above those specs. I'm sure Codemasters realized listing the REAL minimum specs on the box would reduce sales. So WTH, Codemasters decided to make something up and get more sales!

I had a Pentium D, 3 GB RAM, and GeForce 6800 GT 256MB VC and all settings had to be set on low. The frame rate looked OK, but I still experienced inconsistent steering lag with my xBox 360 controller (MOMO FF Wheel was unusable).

Sooo, I decided to DiRT on my MacBook Pro (Duo Core 2.4 GHz, 2 GB RAM, GeForce 8600GT 256MB). It ran like a champ on medium settings. No lag, very smooth frame rate.

Today, I bought a GeForce 8800 GTS 360 MB card and installed it in my PC. The problems thus far have been corrected (when running on medium settings). I plan on hooking up the wheel tonight, although I like the 360 controller.

Those reasons listed above are why I believe Codemasters duped us on the minimum specs!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waldo1967

I know this is part of another thread on the main Dirt forum, but thought it would help to have it here as well.

Instead of just playing this once or twice and giving up and saying the control is terrible, like some posts I've seen here, I persisted because the game looks awesome and I've wanted to have a decent rally game since RBR.

Anyway, I found out that low frame rates will cause steering lag, at least with me. I have a high quality rig (X1950XTX, Core2 6600, 2 gig ram, Momo racing wheel) and was at 22-25 fps with everything on high at 1680x1050 resolution. Steering lag was terrible. So I turned some of the options down and reduced my resolution until I got the frame rate between 35-40 and now the game is very enjoyable. I can control the cars now and it's great. And the graphics still look good even with some of the options at medium.

Just try the game with low options and 800x600 resolution and you'll notice the difference in control right away.

BTW, anyone at Codemasters know which options will cause the biggest performance hit?

jeffy777 · 02-07-2007, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waldo1967

Steering lag was terrible. So I turned some of the options down and reduced my resolution until I got the frame rate between 35-40 and now the game is very enjoyable. I can control the cars now and it's great. And the graphics still look good even with some of the options at medium.

Yeah, this is in the README file guys. You should read it

Wildshot · 04-07-2007, 04:58 AM

The steering lag is the biggest problem in my opinion. I dont mind the arcade feel.

Box:
AMD X2 4200+
2gb ram
Nvidia 8800 GTX PCI-E

I pretty sure its not low frame rate causing steering delay, but ill give that a shot.

And my bet is the Shadows cause the biggest performence hit.

Tetrachromat · 31-07-2007, 08:02 PM

I made the same experience. All frame rates below 30 fps won't let you control the cars successfully. Frame rates above 35 are OK.

I did a thorough testing (results available on request) on my rig:
Core 2 Duo E6700 (OC 3.3 MHz)
4 MB @ 1066 Mhz Dual Channel
ATI HD2900XT (Catalyst 7.7)
HP LP3065 Display (2560 x 1600)

Currently I'm using the following settings:
1920 x 1200 with detail level HIGH

I found those to be ultimate time savers:
* Shadows LOW
* Mirrors OFF
* Reflections LOW
* Movement Distortion OFF
and maybe:
- Spectators OFF
- Driver Models LOW

With those I got around 47 fps (instead of 27 fps) in CORR single stage. In a Rally with a lot of nature/trees frame rate is now at 36 fps.

It is also true that car handling is difficult. In my oppinion the standard settings are oversteering to much. I always adjust camber, spring rate and toe. Sometimes even dampers and roll bars need adjustments. If you need some more (or less!) speed adjust gears.

Will M · 02-08-2007, 06:04 PM

I thought it was just my bad driving, but now i can control the car and stay on the track.
cheers
Will

jeffy777 · 03-08-2007, 05:00 PM

For one thing, DO NOT use the chase cameras. They are much harder to control. Try using the bumper or bonnet/hood cam.

02-07-2007, 03:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
Waldo1967 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 2	Steering lag solved - frame rates I know this is part of another thread on the main Dirt forum, but thought it would help to have it here as well. Instead of just playing this once or twice and giving up and saying the control is terrible, like some posts I've seen here, I persisted because the game looks awesome and I've wanted to have a decent rally game since RBR. Anyway, I found out that low frame rates will cause steering lag, at least with me. I have a high quality rig (X1950XTX, Core2 6600, 2 gig ram, Momo racing wheel) and was at 22-25 fps with everything on high at 1680x1050 resolution. Steering lag was terrible. So I turned some of the options down and reduced my resolution until I got the frame rate between 35-40 and now the game is very enjoyable. I can control the cars now and it's great. And the graphics still look good even with some of the options at medium. Just try the game with low options and 800x600 resolution and you'll notice the difference in control right away. BTW, anyone at Codemasters know which options will cause the biggest performance hit?

02-08-2007, 06:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
Will M Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 2	Thank you m8t I thought it was just my bad driving, but now i can control the car and stay on the track. cheers Will

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02-07-2007, 07:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rajinn Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: United States of America Posts: 82	HDR is probably the biggest, after that texture size then shadow size afaik anyhow. eax is resource heavy too. steering lag isnt the worst part of the game, the handling is! im not complaining that much because i just beat the hell out of my settings until the car handles like i want it to, but i dont like the feeling of most cars, i believe the AWD cars should behave like the FR cars currently do for example.

04-07-2007, 04:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
Wildshot Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: United States of America Posts: 9	The steering lag is the biggest problem in my opinion. I dont mind the arcade feel. Box: AMD X2 4200+ 2gb ram Nvidia 8800 GTX PCI-E I pretty sure its not low frame rate causing steering delay, but ill give that a shot. And my bet is the Shadows cause the biggest performence hit.

31-07-2007, 08:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tetrachromat Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Switzerland Posts: 3	I made the same experience. All frame rates below 30 fps won't let you control the cars successfully. Frame rates above 35 are OK. I did a thorough testing (results available on request) on my rig: Core 2 Duo E6700 (OC 3.3 MHz) 4 MB @ 1066 Mhz Dual Channel ATI HD2900XT (Catalyst 7.7) HP LP3065 Display (2560 x 1600) Currently I'm using the following settings: 1920 x 1200 with detail level HIGH I found those to be ultimate time savers: * Shadows LOW * Mirrors OFF * Reflections LOW * Movement Distortion OFF and maybe: - Spectators OFF - Driver Models LOW With those I got around 47 fps (instead of 27 fps) in CORR single stage. In a Rally with a lot of nature/trees frame rate is now at 36 fps. It is also true that car handling is difficult. In my oppinion the standard settings are oversteering to much. I always adjust camber, spring rate and toe. Sometimes even dampers and roll bars need adjustments. If you need some more (or less!) speed adjust gears.

03-08-2007, 05:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
jeffy777 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 613	For one thing, DO NOT use the chase cameras. They are much harder to control. Try using the bumper or bonnet/hood cam.