Video Performance - User hardware info wanted for comparison

[CreepyArcade]

Hello all,

I am interested in knowing what type of hardware is required to get ZSNES running at a stable 60fps at 1280x1024 DS full resolution with hi-res mode 7, vsync and HQ4x enabled. Note that I also have the sound set at 48000Hz in stereo with 8-Point interpolation and hi-quality lowpass filters enabled. Bascially I want to know what it takes to run the emulator at the highest quality settings possible.

The following is part of my system specs which I think are the main componants which will affect performance.

- 3.0c Ghz P4 (hyperthreading disabled)
- 1GB of Corsair DDR3200 RAM
- Radeon 9600XT 128MB video card

At the highest settings the games I have tried are all playable but the FPS sometimes drops below 60 to about 47 and I do notice some slowdown, its not too bad but it is still an annoyance.

When exiting your home on Chrono Trigger during the beginning of the game and on the world map things become pretty bad if you keep walking around accross the world without stopping. I wonder if this problem has something to do with the emulation which is not optimized for emulating whatever process is currently going on as my system specs are quite high. This is the game where I noticed it the most but also in others like metal warriors for example.

If anyone reading this has been able to achieve better performance than what I have been able to please post your system specs or give me some tips on what I could try to get better performace.

Now before one of you say its not nessessary or who cares if I cannot run it at the highest settings, don't bother. I DO CARE and I am quite sure some others out there care as well. Have a nice day everyone.

[kevman]

I dunno.... I can play Star Ocean with HQ4x enabled at 60/60 locked.... And I run a Celeron 3Ghz. Try another video mode.

[grinvader]

Hires mode 7 is not a 'higher quality setting' at all. I even wonder why it's in, actually.
Just makes the mode7 surface 512*448 instead of 256*224, but since the games only wanted 256*224, the pixels are simply doubled.
And since it's 512*448, you can't even filter it with 2xSaI or hq*x.

[blackmyst]

Hires mode 7 is not a 'higher quality setting' at all. I even wonder why it's in, actually.
Just makes the mode7 surface 512*448 instead of 256*224, but since the games only wanted 256*224, the pixels are simply doubled.
And since it's 512*448, you can't even filter it with 2xSaI or hq*x.

Hm? I find the doubled vertical resolution quite noticable, especially on mode 7 plains that stretch off into the horizon. Looks great on a TV out, where you don't need filters in the first place.

Not that I use it. :B

[adventure_of_link]

Hmm... that's a damn good system to emulate the SNES. Maybe you need to do a spyware scan? http://www.safer-networking.org and/or http://lavasoft.de

[MaxSt]

I wonder if this problem has something to do with the emulation which is not optimized for emulating whatever process is currently going on as my system specs are quite high.

No, nothing to do with emulation. It's hq4x.

[DOLLS (J) [!]]

I've noticed ZSNES with HQ3+x on works better on my GF4 MX than on a Radeon 9200. Both tested in the same boxen, supposedly using AGP 8x transfers.

[Dead]

Interesting. Why would that make a difference?

[DOLLS (J) [!]]

I have no idea.

[MaxSt]

Maybe I'll write a real hq4x speed test...

[snkcube]

Maybe I'll write a real hq4x speed test...

That would be cool.

[Aerdan]

Interesting. Why would that make a difference?

Because ATI's official drivers are a pile of shit.

[CreepyArcade]

Thank you all for your responses.

[darkbenny]

Interesting. Why would that make a difference?

Because ATI's official drivers are a pile of shit.

I use Omega. They seem better than Catalyst.