WCML and memory

[Griphos]

I've done some searching and a LOT of reading, but don't find the answer to a particular question I have. I LOVE WCML-N! It's just amazing. I get good performance on it using my regular settings. But I get more stuttering on it than other routes.

I suspect the main reason for this is I'm running so stinking fast!

I usually drive US engines on freight runs and am often lucky to see 50 mph. With that lovely 86 doing close to 95, I'm putting a pretty heavy demand on scenery loading. My CPU (i7 920 at 3.7) and video card (GTX 275 1GB) seem up to the task, but I worry that perhaps my 6 gb of memory is a limiting factor. I use the FPS lock (30) and it stays at that in between the stutters (outside of the urban areas of Glasgow and Motherwell), so I think the issue here really is scenery loading into memory.

So, my question is whether adding more memory will help with the stutters. I could take my current sticks out and put in two new 6 gb sticks for a total of 12 gb. Not worth the expense if it doesn't really make a difference. I'm just wondering if having more memory would allow the sim to load more of the scenery at a time and so reduce the stutters that I suspect come from frequent loading. I'm clear there will always be some stutters, and it's worth that for the amazing scenery, but thought I'd ask if I could reduce them with more memory.

What say you who have done a similar memory upgrade or run the route with more memory than I have?

[msdejesus]

I don't honestly think more memory will get you rid of sutttering entirely, based on my experience: i7 980x@4.8 ghz combined with 8gb DD3 2000mhz triple channel memory and running RW off a Corsair SSD, I have not been able to do it.

On the other hand, more memory won't hurt your perfomance, either

Hope that sheds some light on the matter.


Manuel

[johnmckenzie]

I'm so pleased you're enjoying the route, Phil! Good, isn't it?

[firetrap1]

fyi. I used to run with 6Gb and WCML North would be almost unplayable on some of my more demanding scenarios. I would frequently get 'SBHH' when in the scenario editor.

However, after adding another 6Gb to a total of 12Gb now, I have seen a major improvement in my AI intensive scenarios. Goodbye 'SBHH'.

The route still takes around 5mins to load, but I can run it (with all the in-game settings on high/highest) safe in the knowledge that the program wont crash, no matter how much AI I throw at it!

The suttering during gameplay still exists, but the latest update to the core game engine is supposed to fix this in the near future.


regards

chris

[Griphos]

@John: Brilliant!

@Chris: Thanks for the info. That's the kind of before/after comparison I was hoping to hear. I think after I get back from a trip I have to take tomorrow, I'll order some RAM.

Thanks.

[secludedsfx]

If you feel ram would help improve it then go for it. RAM is really cheap at the moment.

[Parrotnut]

A couple of months ago I replaced 6 GB with 12 GB RAM and I didn’t see any improvement.
While driving the WCML-N “Hand over” scenario, my system only use ~3.8 GB total and “RailWorksProc2.exe” ( Task Manager –>processes tab ) only use ~2 GB.

Now, last weekend swapped my Logitech G35 ( USB Headset ) with a creative X-FI soundcard, that was collecting dust because of driver issues in the past, and that makes a huge improvement regarding stuttering.
When going below 30fps with the G35 it was stuttering, with the X-FI it feels way more smooth, even when the fps are below 30.

( i7 920 at 4GHz, GTX 580 )

Frank

[gptech]

..i7 980x@4.8 ghz combined with 8gb DD3 2000mhz triple channel memory .....Manuel

Quick question....8 isn't divisible by 3 so how do you get tri-channel?...

[msdejesus]

..i7 980x@4.8 ghz combined with 8gb DD3 2000mhz triple channel memory .....Manuel

Quick question....8 isn't divisible by 3 so how do you get tri-channel?...

Sorry, typing mistake, it should say 12 gb - 3 x 4gb Corsair 2000 mhz Vengeance pieces.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y68kW2WDICo

[gptech]

Partaking of the Christmas spirits early eh??

[TransportSteve]

Hello Phil,

There are some areas that produce stuttering irrespective of what RAM you have, most folks on this forum with lots of RAM have had problems in the past, mine is currently 3.5GB as I utilise Windows XP and can't go any higher anyway.
Polmadie, Uddingston, Motherwell and Carlisle seem to be the major hot spots, and I would agree with you in the fact that if you're driving along at 95 mph the speed doesn't allow the scenery to be loaded quick enough in certain locations, against just pottering down the line at 45-50 mph. I haven't frozen and got a SBHH at all in any location on the map with my computer specs, which I consider to be just above average, but, nowhere near as high as your equipment specs. I think it's just a case of knowing the locations where you're likely to get a stutter that you can position your camera aiming directly at the locomotive from a side on view which precludes your game having to draw in the scenery from a vast distance in front of you which might cause it some concern, and when you've passed the area you can then pan out with your camera and all should be well again, fingers crossed......
It's a lot of trial and error, and experimenting, the more your drive up and down the line the more used to it you'll get.

Cheerz. Transport Steve.

[nelson]

Bought the 325 in the half price sale, installed the camber track and the Isle of Wight, set all to low texture and it worked fine. Put the object number up to 10 and it played for 15 minutes and then locked up. set it to 6 and it was fine but a lot of objects missing, like overheads floating in mid-air. I have an Athlon II dual core with 3gb ram and an Nvidia9600GT graphics card with 1gb on board. I just ordered a 2gb ddr2 stick so hopefully this will solve the problem. I have a Windows 7 32-bit OS. Beautifiul route Keith, thanks for all your hard work.

[matt1314]

Short question, I hope it isn't off-topic: Would my setup be enough to run WCML at at least 20 FPS?

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @2,33 GHz
6144 MB RAM
ATI Radeon HD5770 Vapor-X 1GB
1TB HDD