How can 25fps be only "playable"?

[Grimmy]

One thing that can help on high frame rates (76-125), is adjusting the refresh Rate (Hz freq) on the monitor.

I do recall a game I played where I had the fps capped at 76. It was somewhat choppy. Then I figured out how to change the refresh rate on the display/monitor for the game.

Most (perhaps all) games will set the refresh rate at 60Hz. I set it to 85Hz, since the resolution was supported for 800x600, and the fps was smoother on 76 fps.

But since I'm on a CTR and not LCD, I'm guessing the best refresh rate is 75Hz. Not sure if a game would start the game by default of 60Hz.

As far as low fps.. well, kinda hard to play when its 10-30fps in my opinion. And it does depend on the type of game.

 

[samir_nayanajaad]

ok I always strive for at least 50 or 60 fps no matter what but i will settle for 45 or so if it means cool eye candy.

Now I have a quick question that maybe someone could help me out on. The games that I play most are FEAR and UT2K4. on FEAR I get a low of 40 a high of 90 and an average of 55 to 60 fps but when I turn on vsync (60hz refresh for my monitor) it gets a high of 60 (that I want) but it kills the average to like 15fps what gives? Where on UT2K4 I turn on vsync and it keeps a solid 60fps all the time that I wanted plus it makes the mouse move awesomely smooth and I pown Malcolm on a one on one instagib death match with it on godlike, that’s what I want for FEAR. So why does vsync not work with FEAR the same way as it does with UT2K4?
Is it just because my rig can dominate UT2K4 graphics where FEAR can rip my computer a new one?

 

[hubbardt]

From the FEAR support website:

VSync: Vertical Synchronization (VSync) is the synchronization of your monitor and graphics card's abilities to draw a certain number of frames per second (or FPS) on the screen. This is referred to as the Refresh Rate, and is measured in frequency per second (Hz). Different monitors can achieve different refresh rates at various resolutions. For example a monitor which can provide 85Hz refresh rate at 1280x1024 means the screen is redrawing itself 85 times per second at this resolution. If Vertical Sync is enabled, your maximum FPS cannot exceed your monitor's refresh rate at your chosen resolution, and more importantly your overall FPS will be reduced. For this reason it is strongly recommended that you set VSync to off. The only down side is that if VSync is disabled, you may notice some image 'tearing'. This causes no damage to your monitor, but if really annoys you enable VSync.

 

[IT-Troy]

From what I remember the human eye is made up of two receptors cells Cones and Rods (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cone_cell). There are more Cones in the center of the retina, and more Rods on the sides, or peripheral. this increases the color detail for objects when you look directly at them. In relation to FPS I think the Rods are more sensitive to refresh rates than Cones. Rods are also better at light sensitivity. I think Rods are on our peripheral to help primates respond faster to environment, or threats from the side, or on the peripheral of their vision.

If you look at a CRT that has it's refresh rate set close to 73-75 Hz then focus off to the side and try to look at it with your peripheral vision you can sense more of a flicker. I was born in 1971 so I have a little experience with turn table record players, I think the checker pattern on the side of the record players was to optically tune the speed of the record rotation. Was that because most people perceive refresh rate at near the speed?

As for game FPS I think it is an average, so if a game is averaging right at 30 FPS then there may be a few frames that are slower than the 30 FPS our eyes ability to perceive at, and you would notice the hesitation.

Other interesting thing about eyes is there is a dead spot just below the center of each eyes center. The dead spot is from were the optical nerve interfaces with the retina. Your brain extrapolates the information and makes you not perceive the dead spot. You can trick your self to prove the existence, and position of the dead spot. If you draw a black dot, on white paper maybe with a long line, or big cross hairs on it - close one eye then adjust the dot just below the center of your vision the dot may disappear under your dead spot, and all that you will notice is the white paper, or maybe the cross hairs or a solid line with out the dot.

Please note - There are probably inaccuracy in the way I remember these things.

 

[PX7800GT]

Hey I Think only Above 30FPS is Playable , i got 50~60 FPS in most Wanted but in some times when rainig and 4 car is in front of me , the frame rate drops to 20 or 25 , i can say that makes me crazy :x :?
Still dont know why i cant play Most Wanted in Maximum Setting !!

 

[hongkongphuey]

Personally I try to strive for nothing less than 60FPS. I do play first person shooters often so for me, having 60 FPS leaves me nothing to blame my losses on but myself and not my gear. 45+ is acceptable to me, but 60 is very smooth. This is only after I've configured my setttings to acceptable levels.

 

[sojrner]

that wikipedia article is cool, good info.

two things:

I can notice any refresh rate below 85hz. It is very painful to me below 75. Sucks with eyes that sensitive, I love lcds for that reason (no refresh) but hate them becasue I can see ghosting where most ppl cant so I use crts mostly. This sensitivity translates over to fps in games. I enjoy anything above 75, but can deal with as low as 30 even though I notice it very much at that point. (need to upgrade to get above that problem for a while...) At a LAN or online in fps games I need it above 60 otherwise i cant hit the broad side of a barn. (not sure if i do much better with it that high either though )

In UT99, the reason you can beat it on godlike is BECAUSE you are running so slow. At 10 fps the computer is forced to run that slow which makes it easier for your brain/eyes to keep up. try it on a comp running above 60 frames and you will see it much harder. Online you would not be so lucky either as others would be running faster and for every frame you render they might render as many as 10 or more! so in between each frame your comp displays you could be fragged and not even no it until the next frame... That is a big reason to get the frames faster besides just the aesthetic factor.

 

[phial]

yeah but unreal is a fast paced game, especially the way i move, all eratic lol, and i can play it at 10fps and not have a problem. I'm not saying i can't tell the difference between 10 and 30, but lots of people say they just can't play a game under 50fps, wtf. :? :roll:

Most games I really really really hate playing with anything under 60fps. 85fps steady is what I consider to be ideal, as it is the refresh rate I use and seems to be the threshold where things literally become perfectly smooth. I can notice stuttering at 55fps.