2 Quick tips for better performance

[Iscariote]

For people trying to scratch more FPS here are a couple of tips.

Vista/7 "Standard Themes" VS Aero
If you play in windowed or fullscreen windowed mode, you ABSOLUTELY MUST play with an Aero theme enabled.

Standard Themes draw the windows interface using the CPU instead your graphics card, whereas Aero themes draw everything using your video card's 3D capabilities. By using Standard Themes and windowed 3D games, you are combining both things, crippling your FPS. You might overcome it with raw GPU power, but FPS dips are still there.

To do it you should:
- Right Click on your desktop
- Click on Personalize
- Choose whatever theme you like from the "Aero Themes" class
- Apply

Windows 7 Starter Edition and Windows XP only use "Standard Themes", so you won't be able to take advantage of this.

PD: WoW windowed also benefits greatly from this

Update: ¿Still no gains? ¿Or even losses?
Your GPU isn't probably great. You can config Aero with minimal graphic enhacements by going into:
Control Panel > System > Advanced Config > Advanced Options > Performance
There you should check the "best performance" option or go into the box and disable every single option within it.

Holy Weapons and you
If you are running on extremely low specs and want every single FPS you can get, you should consider using a holy damage weapon. Holy damage weapons will disintegrate your foes bodies instantly most of the time, so you will afford a pile of bodies on the floor eating your precious FPS.

[CuT]

nice tips. I heard the opposite on Aero but it was wrong as I have seen a fps increase. Holy weapon idea I haven't seen yet lol. +5

[GoneFromOC1]

Wow many thanks air!

Increased my performance quite alot when going back to Aero +2

Btw what's your take on: Windowed as small as the window gets(800x600), windowed fullscreen, fullscreen 800x600. What gives the better performance?

[SpikeeeN]

Also by lowering your max fps could cut the fps drops. The eye doesnt need more than like 30 fps?

[Iscariote]

nice tips. I heard the opposite on Aero but it was wrong as I have seen a fps increase. Holy weapon idea I haven't seen yet lol. +5

You probably heard that from people with a (really) bad GPU that has a hard job holding up with Aero alone. Even then, you can tweak Aero and use minimal graphics settings by: Control Panel > System > Advanced Options > Performance > Check "Best Performance"

Btw what's your take on: Windowed as small as the window gets(800x600), windowed fullscreen, fullscreen 800x600. What gives the better performance?

The smaller the window, the less pixels the game has to render, the more fps you should get. Anyway, the tip was intended for windowed and "fullscreen windowed" players, "fullscreen" should provide the better performance around always.

[darkkinght]

hmm not bad ty for the info

[Pellegrino]

The eye doesnt need more than like 30 fps?

so sick of reading this bullshit since 1995

[Snowee]

so sick of reading this bullshit since 1995

Any antiproof? Nope, move on.

I think it was something like 40fps max. I only know for sure that u can see 24fps and lower.

@Topic: Thanks for the Guide

[pawnira]

then... I have ultrahighmastereyesofdoomwithprogamerview ! Oo (lol)

[CuT]

Any antiproof? Nope, move on.

I think it was something like 40fps max. I only know for sure that u can see 24fps and lower.

@Topic: Thanks for the Guide

Fluid movement occurs at 24-30 FPS. The brain can perceive an unlimited number of frames after that O_o

[pexx]

Any antiproof? Nope, move on.

I think it was something like 40fps max. I only know for sure that u can see 24fps and lower.

@Topic: Thanks for the Guide

Wrong.

If you had a 120Hz screen with capable GFX card (that can run 120fps, which according to you would have no difference from 40fps), you would see the difference without a doubt, if you don''t have a 120hz screen with a capable gfx card, don't find theoretical arguments, cause in reality you can see difference.

Your brain is not a computer, it does not see the world in frames per second like a computer does. It is also affected by the surroundings. How many frames per second can the human eye see?

If you would like more in-depth information refer to http://amo.net/nt/05-24-01FPS.html

[Sodee]

^ I ****ing love this guy. He posted the exact same link I was going to refer him to. <3

[Iscariote]

Any antiproof? Nope, move on.

I think it was something like 40fps max. I only know for sure that u can see 24fps and lower.

@Topic: Thanks for the Guide

Then I must have a gift or something! I can tell between 24, 30ish, 60... I can even tell >60, I remember going back to the CRT and noticing the 85hz while playing guitar hero (focusing a reduced portion of the screen). Problem is, most people don't care, the other day I saw a friend playing Dead Island in his laptop, it was running at like 15fps... he said it ran good...

Anyway, what people say out there is that 30fps are good to go for gaming, and they are, you can play and it is "fluid". Consoles run at 30fps in 80% of their games, but it is just because their lack of raw power, if developers could achieve 60, they would. 60fps look A LOT better, and they allow you to play better, as you get 2x resolution between your input>onscreen. I personally find a pain in the ass being limited to 30fps while recording with fraps, I just die more.

If you don't think we need more than 30fps, go to your nearest store, go to the TVs section, ask for a model with "true motion" and then compare with the ones that don't have it. I personally don't like it for movies and so, but it is a nice way to notice it.

Thanks for thanking