Starting A Server Up With Over 512 FPS -- Is It Possible Using Win Server 2003?

[cwestmac]

Hi guys,

I just had a quick question. I was wondering if it is possible to get a CSS server running with an server-side FPS of over 512 on a Windows Server 2003 OS?

At first I was limited to 64 FPS, but after running the srcdsfpsboost file, I'm now able to achieve a maximum of 512 FPS (it's hard-capped at 512 for some reason). I'm curious if there is any possible setting to configure to remove the 512 FPS restriction, so I can set my server to run higher than 512?

My hardware is more than capable of handling the extra load. I hope this isn't just a problem with Windows itself, as I prefer Windows over Linux.

As an additional note, I am setting the +fps_max properly on the command line.

Thanks for your help, and please don't hesitate to let me know if you need any more information.

[Drocona]

1. Higher FPS doesn't increase server load (only changing server tickrate does)
2. It is possible to run higher FPS
3. It's NOT recommended to run higher FPS than 700
4. 500-600 FPS is the best performance and most stable game you can get
5. Running the maximum possible FPS of 1000 will most likely crash the server or make the game lag REAL hard.

So would you go through the trouble of editing your OS to get higher FPS without any advantage?
It's not worth it really

[cwestmac]

Thanks for the response.

I fully understand the pros and cons of having higher FPS, and how it doesn't yield that much of a benefit. Which I guess makes you curious why I would like to know what is necessary to change the FPS over 512. I'm just curious to try it out -- I will almost certainly lower it back down after.

With that said, however, are you aware of the steps needed to edit the OS (for Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition) in order to be able to bump the server-side FPS up to around 1000?

Thank you once again. I appreciate the help.

[Spartanfrog]

Well windows 2k8 can get 1000 FPS right out of the box if you have the correct mobo. You need to change the drivers for the CPU architecture (at least for intel) and change the internal timekeeping. Trust me, its a pain in the ass and not worth it.

[cwestmac]

Guys, I appreciate the words of caution, however as I mentioned before I would still very much appreciate very descriptive instructions if anyone has any knowledge regarding how to get 1000 FPS on a Windows Server 2003 OS. This type of information is very hard to find online, so I'm hoping that someone here might have some idea and be able to shed some light on this issue for me.

Spartanfrog, if that is what I need to do to enable 1000 FPS, then would it be possible to go into a little more detail please? For example, what must I do to change the internal timekeeping? Also, is it necessary to change the drivers for the CPU architecture (for Intel, as you mentioned)? If so, is it just as simple as finding the latest drivers and then installing them? I am currently using 2 Intel Dual Core Xeons (3.0GHz).

Thank you.

[Drocona]

I'm not sure how to configure your OS to get 1000 FPS, I used to have an old CPU that would run 1000FPS out of the box, I know there's some people around here that know exactly how to do it but I'm not sure who they were (lot of people come and go here)

[Spartanfrog]

Allright. There are a couple different timers. One old one, RTC was used by IBM. There is APIC which is rarely used. There is 8254/PIT (or 8253/PIT) that most motherboards support. It is a much slower timer and uses more resources but it gives a much more stable FPS. The other one that most motherboards support is the default used by Windows, ACPI. Now there is a new one, HPET but you need windows 2008 and a motherboard that supports it. With HPET you can get 1000 FPS straight out of the box. So with wk3, to get 1000 FPS, you need to first get rid of SMP out of the way. Easiest way is to change it from ACPI to Standard PC. Now the problem that will happen is that without SMP your computer will only reckognize one CPU. That means it cuts down severly what you can run if you have multi-core server. Then what also can happen is that when going to Standard PC you might lose your NIC driver and other important drivers. I myself have never done this but I know what needs to be done. Really imo, it cant be done.

Unless you want to possibley ruin your OS and lose a lot of performence, its impossible.

[Muppet]

http://www.ericserver.net/desecration/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=18

Another admin i know used this method for testing purposes, the instructions do work.

[Spartanfrog]

Sorry but i seriously doubt that they work. I need to see with my own eyes . Can you put me in touch with the admin that got it to work?

[blik]

Muppet Wrote:http://www.ericserver.net/desecration/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=18

Another admin i know used this method for testing purposes, the instructions do work.

I have never tried the F5 thing during setup, possibly selecting the PC type gives you a slightly different kernel configuration?

Most of the reg tweaks listed are pointless, and ones to do with IO, and IRQ8 are myths.

[Spartanfrog]

Yup it does. Standard PC gets rid of ACPI which SMP uses to run. SMP changes the timekeeping thus stopping you from hitting 1000 FPS.

[drazah]

sooo your saying the F5 thing stuff works :S? it probs does but the thing is when u select standard PC , you only have 1 cpu core .....?

[Muppet]

Spartanfrog Wrote:Sorry but i seriously doubt that they work. I need to see with my own eyes . Can you put me in touch with the admin that got it to work?

As for getting in touch with him, i have no idea where he is. He left around mid Nov last year and haven't heard from him since. Never had any replies from him.

blik Wrote:

Muppet Wrote:http://www.ericserver.net/desecration/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=18

Another admin i know used this method for testing purposes, the instructions do work.

I have never tried the F5 thing during setup, possibly selecting the PC type gives you a slightly different kernel configuration?

Most of the reg tweaks listed are pointless, and ones to do with IO, and IRQ8 are myths.

Probably, as his tutorial said:

Quote:Some of the other websites that I have looked at have some registry tweaks that they recommend you use, and I didn't test whether they help you reach 1000 FPS

All i know is that those instructions were followed and a test server was put up, and it was hitting FPS in the 900's. But with linux being able to do the same (with more than 1 core) and for free... there was no point on using server 2003.

[Spartanfrog]

Yeah thats why unless you have windows 2k8 its not worth it. You can loses tons of important drivers and half or even fourth your processing power.

[Filoret]

mmm nice guide
srcds realy get ~900fps, but it drop fps to 200 too -(

PS
at 2k3 x64 there are no such option, only ACPI one core and ACPI multicore