Grimrock

zalewapl wrote:I admit that the game shouldn't hog the GPU like it does. I have also noticed that Grimrock uses 100% of GPU on my system and that the temperature of my card rises to levels which it doesn't achieve with most other games (but still it didn't raise as high as with Furmark).

Yes, this particular piece of software is a GPU hog. But it doesn't change the fact that hardware should be able to support that hog and still keep running without any problems. If your computer shuts down it is the hardware problem.

These statements are conflicting. And as a programmer myself, if I made a piece of software that caused such widespread overheating issues with a lot of users, I would change the software. That is a lot easier than telling hundreds of paying customers they need to buy better hardware - ESPECIALLY if your own test program told them it would be fine with the hardware they have. If a program hogs more GPU than it should be, then change the software. It will widen the customer base and solidify the users by giving good support and customer service.

ATI based cards used to have a problem with some games when rendering torches and fog effects. This might be an rendering engine problem or a driver problem.

As an ATI 4870 x2 user, i've noticed this with several games that, especially uses the fog routine.

I do like Petri's volume shadow routine, tho

Phlimm wrote:

zalewapl wrote:I admit that the game shouldn't hog the GPU like it does. I have also noticed that Grimrock uses 100% of GPU on my system and that the temperature of my card rises to levels which it doesn't achieve with most other games (but still it didn't raise as high as with Furmark).

Yes, this particular piece of software is a GPU hog. But it doesn't change the fact that hardware should be able to support that hog and still keep running without any problems. If your computer shuts down it is the hardware problem.

These statements are conflicting.

No, they aren't.

Phlimm wrote:And as a programmer myself, if I made a piece of software that caused such widespread overheating issues with a lot of users, I would change the software. [...] If a program hogs more GPU than it should be, then change the software. It will widen the customer base and solidify the users by giving good support and customer service.

I agree with that, but it doesn't invalidate what I said

Dxtory seems to be able to keep it under control.

BUT - I cannot get Triple Buffering to stick as a setting when using Dxtory. Anytime I set it, it immediately goes back to Disabled. VSync Enabled does stay as a setting though.

Phlimm wrote:Dxtory seems to be able to keep it under control.

BUT - I cannot get Triple Buffering to stick as a setting when using Dxtory. Anytime I set it, it immediately goes back to Disabled. VSync Enabled does stay as a setting though.

Since Grimrock is an 'old school game' I think people expect any computer can run it with ease but it's not an 'old school' engine - the dynamic lighting and shadow effects along with SSAO are quite demanding. SSAO in particular causes my GTX460 to work hard and the fans spins loudly to keep the card at 72c (which is the target maximum temp) - if I disable SSAO then the fan is a lot quieter and temps peak around 68c. This is all normal - if I force SSAO in Skyrim I get the same result.

Limiting your framerate will make your GPU run cooler because it isn't working as hard - vsync will accomplish this by keeping framerate to 60 but a program like DXtory can give you more control and 40fps is more than enough to keep the game fluid.

Its pretty easy to clean a laptop out - I helped friend recently whose laptop was overheating and all I did was use the hose of a vacuum cleaner on the laptop vents and suck out the fluff that was in there - temps dropped 15 degrees!
When gaming with a laptop keep it on a flat hard surface to keep the vents clear - NOT on carpet. Maybe raise the laptop up a little with pads so that air can easily flow in/out.

As for the 4200/2900 argument - its like comparing a new 1.2 car with an older 2 litre car - its got newer tech and better emissions but its still a smaller engine and less powerful - the 4200 *is* weaker than the 2900 by a hefty margin.

Start with vsync on and Low settings with SSAO off. Use Dxtory to keep framerates at 40fps. If all is good, try raising settings to Medium but leave SSAO off.

Lastly - don't worry about triple buffering.