Triple buffering

Falz · 04-01-2004, 01:01 PM

I think triple buffering would be a very good idea for the MA (and the GA).

It can't use much texture memory, and it's a shame with cards with 128 and 256 mb of RAM that still only maybe 1/3 of games come with triple buffering as an option. It's just lazy programming really (more games seem to turn vsync off by default instead).

Obviously without triple buffering and vsync enabled, you're locked to some integer fraction of the refresh rate. So for 60 Hz, you'll get 60, 30, 20, 15 etc.

So if you're actually able to render at 50 fps, you'll only see 30 fps with vsync on (and vsync should only really be turned off for benchmaring). With triple buffering, you'll see all 50 fps.

This also eliminates the possible CPU usage problems that vsync creates.

I know it's as simple in Direct Draw as making the backbuffer count 2, probably just as easy in Direct3D.

Jim Sachs · 04-01-2004, 01:15 PM

It does use a lot of extra video RAM. At 1024x768x32 the extra screen would use 3 more megs. You are right about the performance increase with VSYNC on and a third buffer. It's a tradeoff between size and speed (like most things in life, apparently). There are many cards out there which are already marginal in trying to run the Aquarium. It's concievable that Prolific might want to try some experiments along these lines after they get the essentials out of the way.

Falz · 04-04-2004, 06:50 AM

3 megs? That's not very much, most people have 64, 128 or even 256 cards these days. Added just as an option would be a good idea (default to off).

Jim Sachs · 04-04-2004, 10:24 AM

A large number of people still have 16-meg cards, and some have to turn off the bubbles or a couple of fish to get the Aquarium to run.

Maybe someday Prolific might want to look into this, but I won't be putting any time into it. It's very easy to get sidetracked by these little features. A week here, a week there, and before you know it a year has gone by with no forward progress at all.

04-01-2004, 01:01 PM	#1
Falz Registered Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 118	Triple buffering I think triple buffering would be a very good idea for the MA (and the GA). It can't use much texture memory, and it's a shame with cards with 128 and 256 mb of RAM that still only maybe 1/3 of games come with triple buffering as an option. It's just lazy programming really (more games seem to turn vsync off by default instead). Obviously without triple buffering and vsync enabled, you're locked to some integer fraction of the refresh rate. So for 60 Hz, you'll get 60, 30, 20, 15 etc. So if you're actually able to render at 50 fps, you'll only see 30 fps with vsync on (and vsync should only really be turned off for benchmaring). With triple buffering, you'll see all 50 fps. This also eliminates the possible CPU usage problems that vsync creates. I know it's as simple in Direct Draw as making the backbuffer count 2, probably just as easy in Direct3D.

04-01-2004, 01:15 PM	#2
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,771	It does use a lot of extra video RAM. At 1024x768x32 the extra screen would use 3 more megs. You are right about the performance increase with VSYNC on and a third buffer. It's a tradeoff between size and speed (like most things in life, apparently). There are many cards out there which are already marginal in trying to run the Aquarium. It's concievable that Prolific might want to try some experiments along these lines after they get the essentials out of the way. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

04-04-2004, 10:24 AM	#4
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,771	A large number of people still have 16-meg cards, and some have to turn off the bubbles or a couple of fish to get the Aquarium to run. Maybe someday Prolific might want to look into this, but I won't be putting any time into it. It's very easy to get sidetracked by these little features. A week here, a week there, and before you know it a year has gone by with no forward progress at all. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

04-04-2004, 06:50 AM	#3
Falz Registered Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 118	3 megs? That's not very much, most people have 64, 128 or even 256 cards these days. Added just as an option would be a good idea (default to off).