Why?

[stormbreaker]

I have a new system and have been fiddling around with the MSTS settings to try and get the best fps with my new system. However I find that when I turn the sound up by the slightest amount my fps drop from 25 to single figures. Does anybody know why? My system specification is below.

CPU-AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 940 3.0GHz Black Edition (Socket AM2+) - Retail
Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD3P AMD 790X (Socket AM3/AM2+) PCI-Express DDR2
Memory-Corsair XMS2 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 PC2-6400C5 TwinX Dual Channel (TWIN2X4096-6400C5C)
Graphics Card-HIS ATI Radeon HD 4870 1024MB GDDR5 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express) - OEM (H487F1GP)
Hard Drive-Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (ST3500418AS)
Optical Drive-LG GH22NS30 22x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black/Beige) - Retail
Case-Coolermaster Elite 335 Case - Black (No PSU)
PSU-OCZ ModXStream Pro 600w Silent SLI Ready Modular Power Supply
OS-Windows 7 RC 64-bit

Thanks

[energize]

Check how much memory your computer is using even when you are not doing anything. Check the taskbar and Task Manager and you'll probably find lots of programs that are sitting in memory, even though you're not using them. Closing these will reduce the demand on your CPU and memory. One program I'd recommend is EndItAll which lets you close most programs simultaneously.

Do you use TrainStore? If you're using large routes like Dorset Coast or Thames Mersey, you'll definitely need it, otherwise you'll experience slow frame rates regardless of your PC's performance. What it does is simple: you select an activity from TrainStore, and it only keeps the route and stock required for an activity; everything else is put in store. When you need to do anything to your MSTS installation (e.g. modify a loco's ENG. file, install an activity), you select "Uninstall everything".

Train Store V3.2 [4913528 bytes] - TRNSTR32.ZIP File ID: 5940 Date: 13 Jun 2005 - 25894 Downloads

Try installing MSTSBin also. It's a program that alters MSTS's memory settings, so you gain improved frame rates, along with bi-directional cabs (for locos that support them), bi-directional lighting, and a few others. Download it here http://mstsbin.uktrainsim.com/eng/eng.html

Hope this helps

[stormbreaker]

Thanks, but I do use Trainstore and MSTS Bin.

Also, what programs can I stop running?

Thanks

[Lad491]

Typically sound files are wav files which are very large. Whilst your computer is loading those it cant do anything else, so the data transfer rate slows right down and your frame rates fall through the floor. Reducing your quantity of sounds to medium will reduce the number of wav files being played and thus lighten the load on your system.

Although you have a quad core PC only one core will be used for msts as its a single threaded game, the remainder will probably be sitting around doing next to nothing. Its a myth that bigger, faster machines make programs work better. In many cases they do not

[dean1986]

Make sure the msts settings match your graphics card settings. With my 4890 I had it maxed out on everything and Minimum graphics on MSTS.

Dean

[stormbreaker]

Ok, on my catylast control centre for the 4870 I have all of the settings maxed out as well as in MSTS apart from the sound which is all zero.

[abclare]

Why not use Train Store and MSTS Bin it can only help you an many ways.

[stormbreaker]

I do use Trainstore and the MSTSBin Patch.

[dean1986]

What sesolution are you running?

Dean

[abclare]

I do use Trainstore and the MSTSBin Patch.

SORRY!!!!!!!!

[stormbreaker]

I am running MSTS at a 1024x768 resolution.

I do use Trainstore and the MSTSBin Patch.

SORRY!!!!!!!!

Thats OK.

[Lad491]

You need to turn your sound settings down in msts's options, not your control centre. Set the quantity of sounds to medium and watch the frame rate improvment

[stormbreaker]

All of my sound levels are on 0.

[Lad491]

did you run the mprofile utility when you installed msts? It normally runs automatically but it wouldnt hurt to run it again. You should find it in your trainsimulator folder. You shouldnt have to turn sounds off, you can put them all up to max except quantity of sounds which i suggest you put at medium.

Normally low frame rates are due to slow data transfer rates, but your PC specification shouldn't be the cause of that, unless you have a duff cable or something.

[stormbreaker]

I have tried running the mprofile which has made no difference but thanks for the idea anyway.