7 replies to this topic

[bkendig]

So, what's the general consensus on what graphics settings should be used to get the best appearance/performance balance out of Halo?

I'm playing it on a stock G5/1.8 (single processor) with its original GeForce FX 5200. I use Vertex Shaders Only, FSAA off, model detail high, and a 1024x768 resolution on my old Cinema Display, and I get 35fps out of it. (If I go up to 1280x1024 the framerate drops noticeably, which I find odd, because that's the native resolution (not including the black bars) - the lower resolution is being stretched by hardware.)

I'd like to squeeze all the performance out of this I can get, so I'll be more deadly in multiplayer.

[Whaleman]

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(If I go up to 1280x1024 the framerate drops noticeably, which I find odd, because that's the native resolution (not including the black bars) - the lower resolution is being stretched by hardware.)

It's the monitor that is doing the stretching, not the computer. The computer doesn't know how to do that, it just sends a 1024x768 signal to the LCD that stretches it out. Thus you loose performance when the graphics card run out of juice.

That being said, the one thing to lower to gain the most performance is lens flares. Set it to lo or medium if you doesn't have it there already. After that you can increase most things to max, besides maybe particles, which you will have to test how much you lose from it. I believe your card is of the type that actually runs faster with vertex shaders than without, but you could check that yourself. Besides those options, most other doesn't affect speed much at all, so they can be high.

[Quicksilver]

I'd say the one mistake you made was getting the 5200 FX graphics card.  Check eBay and see if you can land a Radeon 9600--it'll really help your framerate, plus you'll be able to run the correct implementation of pixel shaders.

[Endymion]

The NV Shader path is as "correct" as it gets, the 5200 is just lesser-powered.

[bkendig]

Hmm ... from what you're saying, I should be able to use "NVIDIA NV + Vertex Shaders" with no performance hit over "Vertex Shaders Only"?

When I go from the latter to the former, I drop from about 35fps down to about 24fps... I had assumed this was because "NVIDIA NV" adds extra overhead, but should I not be seeing such a performance hit?

[a2daj]

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Hmm ... from what you're saying, I should be able to use "NVIDIA NV + Vertex Shaders" with no performance hit over "Vertex Shaders Only"?

I don't see anyone saying that.  NV Shaders enables more eyecandy.  More eyecandy, slower the performance.  Your initial assumption is correct.  The 5200 uses the same NV Shader path as the GF3 and GF4Ti.  Technically, it should be able to run the Pixel Shader path since that's technically the standard OpenGL Pixel Shader path, but performance wouldn't be nearly as good as NV Shaders.

[bkendig]

Aha, I was pushing it too much.

I found out that if I select "NVIDIA NV + Vertex Shaders" but do *not* check the Detail Objects or Model Reflections checkboxes, I get nice graphics which are still quick enough in an online multiplayer game.

Thanks for all the tips!

[KTI]

Ok, I know I'm new to the forum and every post i have thusfar tells my system requirements... but heck, I'll do them again... I'm by no means boasting... this is an old setup, but heck, I can play some mean games with it still!

17" flat-pannel iMac 800mhz, 32mb GeForce 2, 1gig RAM (the only thing going good for me).  My Halo settings are as follows:  

Before-Game options
FSAA: off (I can only get up to 4x before my card goes to crap)
lens flairs: low
model detail: high

in-game options
screen rez: 1024 x 768
frame-rate stuff: This didn't effect my performance all that much.  Either 30FPS or I don't remember what it's called, but its set so my frame rate doesn't go higher than my refresh rate.
decals: off
particles: low
model detail: high

With those settings, you're just about right to rule MP: death island on an old iMac!

Hope that helps some people.