2 beasty cards in SLI mode = AA usless?

ginetti · 10-22-2006, 10:10 PM

Hi there,

I can play half-life 2 at 1600 c 1200 at an average of 70fps.

At this resolution, does AA become less useful as the pixles are extreamly smaller?

Also, if i do decide to turn it on at that resoltuion (if it will help) will it slow down my system more so?

Cheers for any answers in advance,

Ginetti.

**Fr4665** · 10-23-2006, 01:03 AM

what are ur two beastly cards ?

id say just test it with aa and without it is technically speaking always useless but looks nicer.

if the cards can handle it turn it on if they cant then leave it off ull still notice a differencs even tough the pixes are smaller, there will be a little less jags then with a resolution of 1024x786

Indoril Nerevar · 10-23-2006, 03:09 AM

If you can run the game smoothly at 1600 x 1200, I wouldn't bother with AA. I run Oblivion at 1280 x 1024, and I turn the AA off in favour of HDR. I don't notice the "jaggies". IMHO, at 1280 x 1024 and above, AA becomes useless. I would turn it off and turn other things up instead.

As for whether it will slow the system down if you turn it on - it certainly will. Whether you notice it or not is another matter, and depends on your system specs. Every detail option you turn on or up will decrease the performance of your system by a certain amount. It's just a matter of finding the balance between performance and detail.

ebackhus · 10-25-2006, 12:41 PM

I feel the same way as Indoral on the AA issue at higher resolutions. I game at 1280x1024 and higher so AA is useless.

ginetti · 10-25-2006, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebackhus

I feel the same way as Indoral on the AA issue at higher resolutions. I game at 1280x1024 and higher so AA is useless.

Ok,
Well as i'm new to gaming and graphics, can i ask another question?

Both you and Indoril Nerevar seem to run games at 1280 x 1024.

Is there too small a difference between that at 1600 x 1200 to warrent the increased resolution?

Do the graphiics change all that much, or is it not noticable.

Cheers for any help in advance.

Ginetti.

**Fr4665** · 10-26-2006, 01:22 AM

its not really noticable, 1280 x 1024 is i think the sweet spot for games, if you run them in lower res then it gets pixely sometimes if u run them in higher res to me it looks well to small or pulled. also at 1280 x 1024 you will propably get the most fps + quality out of your system if you arent up to par with all the latest technology

why dont u just test it out your self and see ? some ppl like higher res and some lower i know ppl that play at 800x600 cs but their systems could handle 1280 x 1024. in someway its personal preference

Indoril Nerevar · 10-26-2006, 05:06 AM

I agree - 1280 x 1024 is about the perfect resolution for gaming. However, one note: the reason I don't use a higher resolution is because my monitor will only go to 1280 x 1024, so I don't really have the choice. I'm perfectly happy at that resolution though.

ebackhus · 10-26-2006, 08:12 AM

My monitor can handle up to 1920x1440 @ 70hz, but at that point the pixels are so tiny that games look REALLY awkward. 1280x1024 is what I run all the games I have at and I love it. I've run some at 1600x1200 but it wasn't worth it.

10-22-2006, 10:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
ginetti Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 11 OS: windows xp	2 beasty cards in SLI mode = AA usless? Hi there, I can play half-life 2 at 1600 c 1200 at an average of 70fps. At this resolution, does AA become less useful as the pixles are extreamly smaller? Also, if i do decide to turn it on at that resoltuion (if it will help) will it slow down my system more so? Cheers for any answers in advance, Ginetti.

10-23-2006, 01:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
Fr4665 aka mr.fraggs Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA or Germany Posts: 2,965 OS: Win XP,Vista,Android My System	what are ur two beastly cards ? id say just test it with aa and without it is technically speaking always useless but looks nicer. if the cards can handle it turn it on if they cant then leave it off ull still notice a differencs even tough the pixes are smaller, there will be a little less jags then with a resolution of 1024x786 __________________ I don't subscribe to threads please PM me if i miss a reply. ------- Everest SensorView Pro DriverCleaner how to fix your game

10-23-2006, 03:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
Indoril Nerevar Manager, Games Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 5,016 OS: Windows 7 RC 64-bit My System	If you can run the game smoothly at 1600 x 1200, I wouldn't bother with AA. I run Oblivion at 1280 x 1024, and I turn the AA off in favour of HDR. I don't notice the "jaggies". IMHO, at 1280 x 1024 and above, AA becomes useless. I would turn it off and turn other things up instead. As for whether it will slow the system down if you turn it on - it certainly will. Whether you notice it or not is another matter, and depends on your system specs. Every detail option you turn on or up will decrease the performance of your system by a certain amount. It's just a matter of finding the balance between performance and detail. __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. • Common PC Game Issues • Common Installation Issues • Posting System Specs • Power Supply Information • • NVIDIA Drivers • ATI Drivers • Thermal Paste Guide • System Requirements Lab • YouGamers Game-o-Meter • • Everest • Prime95 • DirectX • AMD Drivers • Memtest86 • SensorsView • Driver Cleaner • I do not give help via PM. Please post your question on the forum.

10-25-2006, 12:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,334 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	I feel the same way as Indoral on the AA issue at higher resolutions. I game at 1280x1024 and higher so AA is useless. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

10-26-2006, 01:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
Fr4665 aka mr.fraggs Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA or Germany Posts: 2,965 OS: Win XP,Vista,Android My System	its not really noticable, 1280 x 1024 is i think the sweet spot for games, if you run them in lower res then it gets pixely sometimes if u run them in higher res to me it looks well to small or pulled. also at 1280 x 1024 you will propably get the most fps + quality out of your system if you arent up to par with all the latest technology why dont u just test it out your self and see ? some ppl like higher res and some lower i know ppl that play at 800x600 cs but their systems could handle 1280 x 1024. in someway its personal preference __________________ I don't subscribe to threads please PM me if i miss a reply. ------- Everest SensorView Pro DriverCleaner how to fix your game

10-26-2006, 05:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
Indoril Nerevar Manager, Games Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 5,016 OS: Windows 7 RC 64-bit My System	I agree - 1280 x 1024 is about the perfect resolution for gaming. However, one note: the reason I don't use a higher resolution is because my monitor will only go to 1280 x 1024, so I don't really have the choice. I'm perfectly happy at that resolution though. __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. • Common PC Game Issues • Common Installation Issues • Posting System Specs • Power Supply Information • • NVIDIA Drivers • ATI Drivers • Thermal Paste Guide • System Requirements Lab • YouGamers Game-o-Meter • • Everest • Prime95 • DirectX • AMD Drivers • Memtest86 • SensorsView • Driver Cleaner • I do not give help via PM. Please post your question on the forum.

10-26-2006, 08:12 AM	#8 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,334 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	My monitor can handle up to 1920x1440 @ 70hz, but at that point the pixels are so tiny that games look REALLY awkward. 1280x1024 is what I run all the games I have at and I love it. I've run some at 1600x1200 but it wasn't worth it. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.