Spiral Knights - Making an "extra.txt" config; need help

Making an "extra.txt" config; need help

17 replies [Last post]

Sat, 03/15/2014 - 12:39

Shadowstarkirby

I've suffered FPS issues on this game ever since sprites have been added and now I'm determined to find the best config to allow me to play at a decent frame rate.

Here are my specs:

System Model: Inspiron N4010
Processor: Intel Core i3 CPU M380 @ 2.53GHz (4 CPIs), ~2.5GHz
Memory (RAM): 4.00 GB
Video Card: Intel HD Graphics
OS: Windows 7

Here is my current extra.txt config (I honestly slapped most of this stuff on from threads back in 2011-2012, I really don't know what any of this means). I'm however playing the game without the config:

-Xms4G
-Xmx4G
-XX:+UseParallelGC
-XX:+UseParallelOldGC
-XX:+UseFastAccessorMethods
-XX:MaxPermSize=128m
-XX:+UseLargePages
-Xrs
-server
-Xverify:none
-XX:CompileThreshold=180
-XX:LargePageSizeInBytes=8m
-XX:+AggressiveOpts
-XX:ReservedCodeCacheSize=128m
-Xincgc
-XX:+UseParNewGC

I was told by The-Dragon-Child is a previous thread that my CPU and processor are weak, and it really is cause I even have trouble playing Terraria! Yeah! I know I'd be better off just getting some new gaming laptop, butifitwerethatsimpleIwouldn'tbehereaskingforhelponmakingaconfig, so ANYWAY, my CPU usage spikes up to 50% and my memory spikes up to 600k+ under my Processes tab in Windows Task Manager, even after the alleged "memory leak patch" a week ago, which didn't help me at all. I'm also /bug reporting my issues to the Devs, hoping that they're looking further into SK if it's having any issues. So, I'm asking help from anyone who is savvy with this type of stuff, I'd truly appreciate it.

Also some things that I have done to ensure that my craptop is utilizing everything it has:

-Disabled many start up programs.
-Turned off malware detectors.
-Updated all my drivers to most recent.
-Do regular defrags and cleans.
-Ensured all my available processors are running.
-Closed any programs I'm not using.
-I'm also playing on low, Vertical Sync Enabled, Compatibility Mode on, and Cull Transients on.
-I tried turning it off and on again.

Thank you in advance. :)

Sun, 03/16/2014 - 04:50

Aurum-Boss

This isn't help

This isn't help but.....

What's a config? I'm interested in anything that can reduce lag so I'm curious about this.

Sun, 03/16/2014 - 09:01

The-Dragon-Child

@Aurum-Boss

It's to tweak Java to give more performance. You put the extra.txt file in the Spiral Knights folder and java will automatically execute the commands that are written in it.

@OP
I said CPU(Processor) and GPU(videocard, as you have a built-in videocard which shares RAM with the system) xD. Anyway, I don't think most of your extra.txt config will help outside the -server one (Since iirc Java 7 already uses the new G1 garbage collector, and back then those configs were mainly used for Java 6 which is outdated). Though I'm not an expert with Java. From the looks of it you are assigning 4GB of RAM to the game. Though you only have 4GB of RAM so I doubt that is a good idea. (Though like I said Im not an expert with Java commands)

You should use 64-bit Java client for that extra performance. If you are using the steam client you'll have the replace the Java VM folder in the Spiral Knights install directory with a 64-bit installation.

Having all processor cores active doesn't necessarily help with the client since I don't think the client takes advantage of multithreaded rendering. (I'm not sure about this though.)

Vertical Sync should be turned off preferebly. It's mainly used when you have a strong PC and your framerate go well above 60 fps. Since your PC is weaker it might even go below 60 fps and due to vSync's nature, it will throttle your framerate to half the amount which would be 30 fps (and if you cant get a solid 30 fps it will even go half that amount, 15 fps) which would feel annoying. (Well it would for me)

Sun, 03/16/2014 - 09:15

Vesperaldus

@The-Dragon-Child: I don't

@The-Dragon-Child: I don't think SK can go above 60 FPS.

Sun, 03/16/2014 - 10:33

Shadowstarkirby

Replies...

@Aurum-Boss What Dragon said. I'm still unsure if anyone can help regarding the extra.txt (seems most people that were experienced in Java have more or less stopped playing), but what did help me if anything was a suggestion by Hollows by using ReadyBoost, so maybe you can try that?

@The-Dragon-Child Okay, thanks for the correction. I forgot to mention that I did switch to 64-bit java, but I'm using the last version of Java 6, specifically Java SE Runtime Environment 6u45. I'm unsure if I should switch to the most recent version of 7. I'll keep VS off then, thanks for that as well.

@Sleepy-Hollows I dunno for sure, but when I see gameplay videos by Vokster SK on Youtube, the FPS are absolutely smooth to the point it makes me teary eyed in jealousy. Such as this one.

Sun, 03/16/2014 - 11:22

Vesperaldus

Right, well there's no way

Right, well there's no way you can achieve the level of smoothness Vokster has with the laptop you have. Blah blah blah, ReadyBoost will help, just not make things perfect.

EDIT: And no, SK "can't" go above 60 FPS. It would have if it could with my rig. I have seen it show 61 before with Fraps, though.

Sun, 03/16/2014 - 12:12

The-Dragon-Child

@Sleepy-Hollows

That's false. I can easily run SK at 200 to 500 fps due to my videocard. I don't like this though as it heats my videocard up for nothing really so capping it is normally good. Though my videocard conflicts with framelimiters for some reason so I have to use Adaptive vSync instead which is built-in to my card.

Haven is capped at 57 fps though. Can't go higher than that iirc. Though in missions you can go way beyond that. PS Vok and I pretty much have the same gaming PC, I had it first tho... Well atleast I still have more superior hardware in it than him Huehuehue.

@OP You should get the latest 64-bit Java as Three Rings themselves recommend you to use that one.

Quoting:
"3. Are you running the latest Java release?

You can update your Java from the site below for any Operating System:
"I don't know where to check this"
Java Download
"I have the latest Java release, but there's still something fishy with it."
The order of installation is often important: uninstall Spiral Knights, install/upgrade your Java and then reinstall Spiral Knights."
End quote.

Regarding the Vokster video. It looks smooth since in editing he has smart resampling (frameblending) enabled which makes the gameplay look blurry and hazy (and gives it the illusion of being really smooth). People often tend to disable this since it looks better overall and gives better quality, it will reduce filesize, shorten render time and make the video clearer (If you notice Vok's videos they are darker than they are supposed to be, that is a result of smart resampling), it will look slightly less smooth though, but that shouldn't be a problem.

Here is a link to explain Smart Resampling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgdXZECRYgg

Sun, 03/16/2014 - 13:47

Skepticraven

↓

You should be able to find all the options in the list here or most other reference sites. I personally only use Xms, Xmx, and server because it solves the problems I have with my computer (good processor, but integrated graphics).

Another thing to play around with would be screen/window resolution. My monitor is widescreen and the game runs nicely on screens that fit my screens aspect ratio (which oddly is not the minimum one it allows me to select).

Sun, 03/16/2014 - 18:35

Shadowstarkirby

Thanks!

@The-Dragon-Child All right, thanks for this (and for the Smart Resampling info, that's pretty nice to know)! I had to run Java 6 because Java 7 would crash SK at the log-in whenever I scrolled over my character, but I was able to fix this by re-updating my Integrated Graphics again, so it's all good.

@Skepticraven Thanks for the command line list as well, I was actually wondering if there was a site that listed them since what I was asking at first seemed a bit much, I'll look it over. I'll also see if I can further adjust my resolutions as well.

I have one more question though, how should I determine what values to use for Xms and Xmx? I've read over a thread by Thrillhaus that if I have over 4G of RAM, I should set both values to 3G. At the moment, I believe the 4G flash drive I'm using for ReadyBoost allows me to have 8G available total?

It doesn't seem like this game needs more than 3G RAM, but I'm really unsure.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 05:10

The-Dragon-Child

@Shadowstarkirby

Readyboost =/= RAM. Readyboost is slower than RAM though faster than your HDD, unless you have an SSD. So it's not like you have 8 GB of RAM when you plug in a 4GB USB drive with Readyboost. I doubt this game needs more than 1.5GB of memory usage as my memory usage only ever reached 1200MB and that was during the memory leak event. Honestly, if you allocate too much memory to your game it wouldn't really help since you'd deprive your system of memory. Your GPU also uses memory to work properly so having too little memory available would be a problem, you would just end up slowing your system down.

So again, Readyboost isn't RAM and will probably never come close to the speed of it.

Some useful information regarding Readyboost and its usefulness: http://goo.gl/McQRML

I had added some testing here for pre-allocated memory on my Intel HD 4000 series but apparently the differences are completely neglible. So I removed it.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 07:09

#10

Vesperaldus

@The-Dragon-Child: 200-500

@The-Dragon-Child: 200-500 FPS? I'd need proof before I start believing that. Especially if you think the Haven is capped at 57. Because I know that's not true. It could be true that SK can go above 60 FPS... but 200-500 seems a bit far out there. I guess I just don't know where you are coming up with those numbers since I've never heard of anyone getting more than 60 FPS.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 11:25

#11

Shadowstarkirby

@The-Dragon-Child

All right, so from what I read, ReadyBoost doesn't help as much as I think it does and it's a waste of a flash drive if I have 4GB of actual RAM. Oh well.

Still, I can't say that you made it clear how much GB I should spare to put in the Xms and Xmx values. I'm going to assume that I only need 1G for Xms and 2G for Xmx?

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 13:30

#12

The-Dragon-Child

@Sleepy-Hollows

Apparently they made the fps cap higher in Haven as I'm running at 75 fps on my laptop atm. Interesting. It used to be lower though, you can search for posts to confirm that, I've also played this game for around 3 years.

EDIT: Ok. I'm on my gaming PC now. Average fps in-game when doing missions is around 200 when not using adaptive vsync or a framecap (the latter causes conflicts making me freeze every few seconds)

http://goo.gl/HRZjUb

Ready room uses barely any resources so it's obvious I get above 500 fps. Though yea, you can get over 60 fps and I can get WAY over that. Especially after I upgraded my videocard. Though I dislike running at that high fps since I get screen tearing and my GPU creates unnecessary heat.

Btw. Did I mention these pictures are taken at 1680x1050 (My screen's native resolution), High settings, Render effects enabled and cull transients disabled. I've disabled any nVidia config tweaks that I'd implemented in the game before I made the picture so pretty much everything is at default.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:16

#13

Zaffy-Laffy

Use ThrottleStop to push your CPU over its safe limit, albeit not overclock it. I do that to squeeze that extra performance so I can play the more power-consuming games, especially CS:GO.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:47

#14

Vesperaldus

@The-Dragon-Child:

@The-Dragon-Child: Fascinating. I'm curious to know what your rig is since you talk about it being better than Vokster's (not that I know what his is). This is mine:
GeForce GT 650M
Intel Core i7-3630QM CPU @ 2.40 GHz
8 GB RAM
Windows 8

My graphics driver isn't up to date though, because every time I've tried installing the latest version, it somehow manages to screw everything up and I have to roll back. This was the best laptop that I could afford at the time, and was a bit clueless about the best CPUs and GPUs and bottlenecking. I still am a bit clueless really, but it seems like I'll have a bigger budget sometime soon, and if I could get some advice from someone more experienced, both me and my boyfriend would really appreciate it.

Tue, 03/18/2014 - 02:44

#15

Shadowstarkirby

Replies...

@Zaffy-Laffy Thanks, I'll fiddle with this and see if I can get any improvement. :)

@The-Dragon-Child I'd still like to know what to put for Xms and Xmx values if you don't mind me asking. Even an, "I don't know" is okay since you did say before that you weren't that experienced with Java.

Tue, 03/18/2014 - 15:01

#16

The-Dragon-Child

@Sleepy-Hollows

Well I have 2 rigs. One is mine and one belongs to my father, tho he doesn't use it a lot.

Mine (Quite old PC):
EVGA GTX570
Intel Core i7-2600K @3.8GHz
16 GB RAM
Windows 7
Samsung SSD + Old Western Digital 500GB Drive

My father's:
EVGA GTX780
Intel Core i7-3770k @3.9GHz
16 GB RAM
Windows 8.1
Samsung SSD

My laptop (I prefer using this):
nVidia 610m
Intel Core i5-3210m @2.5GHx
4GM RAM
Windows 8.1
Useless slow small HDD

Your laptop is far better than my laptop tho Im wondering about the driver updating issues. I could help out with choosing your PC parts if you really need someone who could give advice with it xD. Me being active is quite irregular though.

@Shadowstarkirby
I haven't really fiddled with those settings myself as I am currently having good enough performance with just the -server command. Also, like I said earlier, I'm not that experienced with Java so yea my answer would probably be "I have no idea" xD.

Tue, 03/18/2014 - 21:20

#17

Vesperaldus

@The-Dragon-Child: Which one

@The-Dragon-Child: Which one of those got 500 FPS? Also, I sent a friend request in game so that maybe we could talk if there's ever an opportunity. I would love advice on computer parts since I've always been at a loss and I did the bare minimum research when choosing my graphics card and processor. Which I've forgotten everything I "learned" back then since it was only enough to make an educated guess for that instance. If you have Steam, maybe that might be more convenient on availability. As for updating the driver... I have no clue. What I do know is that shortly after I got my laptop, it wanted to update the driver. When I did, I noticed that my FPS was literally cut in half, so I rolled back to the previous version and it fixed it. I did try updating my drive another time, but I have no proof that things bugged out because of it that time. Before I updated it, my system seemed to have cut its performance for SK in half. Literally overnight. No clue why, and there wasn't a virus either. I went ahead and updated the drive to see if it would help, ready to roll it back if it didn't. Nothing changed at all. Loading times were still really slow and FPS still low as well. For some reason it didn't let me roll back and long story short, I did a system restore for other reasons (cause I'm a derp and uninstalled the driver completely) which fixed all my problems. So now I'm basically paranoid of updating it again because I don't know why it didn't give me the option to roll back and I'd rather not have to go through frustrations again. My driver works just fine the way it is, and I'd rather not take chances.

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Making an "extra.txt" config; need help