Screen Saver mode running at lower FPS

CheriePie · 01-27-2009, 01:12 PM

I'm running build 8K. Is it normal for it to run at only 30 fps when it kicks in as a screen saver, as opposed to the default 110 fps that it usually runs at when I start it up manually?

I actually don't mind if it drops down to a lower frame rate in screen saver mode because that might be when I'm away from the screen for awhile. The card in my laptop is an NVIDIA GeForce 8700M GT running at 32 bit 1920 x 1200. (MA picks this up fine, it's just the frame rate that's working differently in this case.)

Also, while running, it didn't let my laptop (a Dell XPS M1730) go into sleep or hibernate mode. I assume that's because it kept the CPU busy... however, I'm also a user of Goldfish Aquarium 2.0 and that one does let the system go into sleep at it's scheduled time.

It could be that all this is because it's still beta, or maybe not. Just thought I'd ask and get the scoop so I know what is the expected behavior.

Thanks!

Jim Sachs · 01-27-2009, 02:59 PM

I can't think of any reason why the frame rate should be different depending on how it's started.

All of my computers go into sleep mode with no trouble.

Edgar · 01-27-2009, 03:53 PM

When you start it manually, is it also in fullscreen mode or window mode?

CheriePie · 01-27-2009, 05:31 PM

Originally posted by Edgar:

When you start it manually, is it also in fullscreen mode or window mode?

Fullscreen in both instances.
I'll often switch to windows mode if I'm actively working in another window and want to watch the fish in a corner of my desktop, but even in those cases, whether full screen or window, when started manually, it's always been the 110 fps.

Jim, okay, well I'm not too concerned about it not going into sleep mode. Since I know it's supposed to, I'll look at other reasons or other things I might've installed around that time. I think I put a bluetooth module in a week or so before I started playing around with MA so that could be the cause as well. On the other hand, if you'd told me that yeah you've seen this a lot and it's not been worked on yet (going into sleep) I wouldn't bother investigating other avenues since I have to play the time juggling game. (So much to do, but not enough hours in the day! LOL)

Edgar, I'll try to catch it sometime at the very beginning of the screensaver kicking in and check the frame rate. This was after it had run all night so perhaps it more had something to do with it running for 6-8 hours in kicking down the frame rate.

Thanks for the replies guys!

Edgar · 01-27-2009, 05:48 PM

Also make sure there is no other beta version of screensaver somewhere.
If you hit the space bar, there is a version there, something likeT126.3.0.1603. Please check that they are the same.

01-27-2009, 01:12 PM	#1
CheriePie Registered Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SF Bay Area, CA, USA Posts: 24	Screen Saver mode running at lower FPS I'm running build 8K. Is it normal for it to run at only 30 fps when it kicks in as a screen saver, as opposed to the default 110 fps that it usually runs at when I start it up manually? I actually don't mind if it drops down to a lower frame rate in screen saver mode because that might be when I'm away from the screen for awhile. The card in my laptop is an NVIDIA GeForce 8700M GT running at 32 bit 1920 x 1200. (MA picks this up fine, it's just the frame rate that's working differently in this case.) Also, while running, it didn't let my laptop (a Dell XPS M1730) go into sleep or hibernate mode. I assume that's because it kept the CPU busy... however, I'm also a user of Goldfish Aquarium 2.0 and that one does let the system go into sleep at it's scheduled time. It could be that all this is because it's still beta, or maybe not. Just thought I'd ask and get the scoop so I know what is the expected behavior. Thanks!

01-27-2009, 02:59 PM	#2
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,787	I can't think of any reason why the frame rate should be different depending on how it's started. All of my computers go into sleep mode with no trouble. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

01-27-2009, 03:53 PM	#3
Edgar Prolific/SereneScreen Developer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Norwalk, CA Posts: 513	When you start it manually, is it also in fullscreen mode or window mode? *Edgar Tolentino* Prolific Developer www.prolific.com www.LifeGlobe.com

01-27-2009, 05:48 PM	#5
Edgar Prolific/SereneScreen Developer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Norwalk, CA Posts: 513	Also make sure there is no other beta version of screensaver somewhere. If you hit the space bar, there is a version there, something likeT126.3.0.1603. Please check that they are the same. *Edgar Tolentino* Prolific Developer www.prolific.com www.LifeGlobe.com

01-27-2009, 05:31 PM	#4
CheriePie Registered Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SF Bay Area, CA, USA Posts: 24	Originally posted by Edgar: When you start it manually, is it also in fullscreen mode or window mode? Fullscreen in both instances. I'll often switch to windows mode if I'm actively working in another window and want to watch the fish in a corner of my desktop, but even in those cases, whether full screen or window, when started manually, it's always been the 110 fps. Jim, okay, well I'm not too concerned about it not going into sleep mode. Since I know it's supposed to, I'll look at other reasons or other things I might've installed around that time. I think I put a bluetooth module in a week or so before I started playing around with MA so that could be the cause as well. On the other hand, if you'd told me that yeah you've seen this a lot and it's not been worked on yet (going into sleep) I wouldn't bother investigating other avenues since I have to play the time juggling game. (So much to do, but not enough hours in the day! LOL) Edgar, I'll try to catch it sometime at the very beginning of the screensaver kicking in and check the frame rate. This was after it had run all night so perhaps it more had something to do with it running for 6-8 hours in kicking down the frame rate. Thanks for the replies guys!