Torque 3D Card RAM Requirements?
by DavidRM · in Torque Game Engine · 03/03/2002 (11:15 am) · 6 replies
The docs for the Torque demo specify a 3D card with 32MB RAM, but recommend 64MB RAM. Sounds a bit heavy for just a demo, but I'm an open-minded guy, and 3D cards aren't that expensive anymore, even good ones.
However, I was reviewing the Tribes 2 box, and the stated requirements there are for a 3D Card with 12MB RAM...
That's quite a spread. Anyone know what the *real* 3D card RAM requirements are for the Torque demo?
And while I'm here, is there a quick formula/estimate method for determining how much on-card RAM a particular project needs? Do I just eyeball all the texture file sizes? Add in the RAM needed for a primary display buffer and a back buffer?
Thanks in advance!
-David
Samu Games
The Journal
However, I was reviewing the Tribes 2 box, and the stated requirements there are for a 3D Card with 12MB RAM...
That's quite a spread. Anyone know what the *real* 3D card RAM requirements are for the Torque demo?
And while I'm here, is there a quick formula/estimate method for determining how much on-card RAM a particular project needs? Do I just eyeball all the texture file sizes? Add in the RAM needed for a primary display buffer and a back buffer?
Thanks in advance!
-David
Samu Games
The Journal
#2
I've seen several posts regarding your graphics card now and I just can't stand to see a good fellow let down by poor technology.
Please send me your address (by email) and I promise that I will do everything in my power to get you a geForce3 in the next couple of months.
... and no, I'm not kidding.
... and no, no-one else can have one.
... and no, no strings attached.
Let's just say that I'm in an envious position that my job requires me to have the latest and greatest technology around me. This means that I always end up with 'surplus' hardware that ends up getting drawed/binned. I'm gonna be getting a couple of geForce4 hopefully soon (next month) and I'm sure I can find a damn geForce3 for you somewhere.
Straight-up, I'll sort this out for you.
Nuff said.
03/03/2002 (11:30 am)
Matt,I've seen several posts regarding your graphics card now and I just can't stand to see a good fellow let down by poor technology.
Please send me your address (by email) and I promise that I will do everything in my power to get you a geForce3 in the next couple of months.
... and no, I'm not kidding.
... and no, no-one else can have one.
... and no, no strings attached.
Let's just say that I'm in an envious position that my job requires me to have the latest and greatest technology around me. This means that I always end up with 'surplus' hardware that ends up getting drawed/binned. I'm gonna be getting a couple of geForce4 hopefully soon (next month) and I'm sure I can find a damn geForce3 for you somewhere.
Straight-up, I'll sort this out for you.
Nuff said.
#3
03/03/2002 (9:07 pm)
Damn, I need to write more posts about crappy hardware I have in my computer :\ And whoever said "complaining gets you nowhere" is a damn liar. :)
#4
If I had my way then it would be:-
- World Peace.
- Heather Grahams phone number.
- geForce3 for everyone.
- Heather Grahams phone number.
:^)
03/04/2002 (12:54 am)
Sorry Jim,If I had my way then it would be:-
- World Peace.
- Heather Grahams phone number.
- geForce3 for everyone.
- Heather Grahams phone number.
:^)
#5
Rather than think of how much RAM a video card needs, it is probably better to target minimum cards and call out support for them. The way we think about min-sys is to think about which cards were successful, then work from there. For instance, in the upcoming Torque Demo, we are targeting 32M TnT2 cards and a CPU of around 500MHz.
That allows us to have very nice looking models at a great frame rate. Most computers for the past three years have shipped with a card at least that powerful. Cards in this category cost much less than $50 now.
I think this more organic approach will save you a lot of time and headaches. Rather than the top down approach of saying you run with a certain amount of VRAM, you can target specific boards. That way, you are not saddled with the support of making sure that podunk video card companies write good drivers.
In other words, your game may run on these crappy boards, but you don't guarantee it. Since you have a free demo they can try it. If it works great, but if it doesn't, then you can say "I told you so."
As indies, we cannot fix the mess Microsoft, Intel, and the hardware companies have gotten us into. The best we can do is draw a line in the sand and work from there.
Jeff Tunnell GG
03/04/2002 (7:30 am)
The Tribes2 min-sys requirements on the box were a lie. Rather than think of how much RAM a video card needs, it is probably better to target minimum cards and call out support for them. The way we think about min-sys is to think about which cards were successful, then work from there. For instance, in the upcoming Torque Demo, we are targeting 32M TnT2 cards and a CPU of around 500MHz.
That allows us to have very nice looking models at a great frame rate. Most computers for the past three years have shipped with a card at least that powerful. Cards in this category cost much less than $50 now.
I think this more organic approach will save you a lot of time and headaches. Rather than the top down approach of saying you run with a certain amount of VRAM, you can target specific boards. That way, you are not saddled with the support of making sure that podunk video card companies write good drivers.
In other words, your game may run on these crappy boards, but you don't guarantee it. Since you have a free demo they can try it. If it works great, but if it doesn't, then you can say "I told you so."
As indies, we cannot fix the mess Microsoft, Intel, and the hardware companies have gotten us into. The best we can do is draw a line in the sand and work from there.
Jeff Tunnell GG
Torque Owner Matt W
Some of the features in game won't work (layered textures and alpha faded models come to mind) but I Can work just fine with it. I plan on upgrading... but even with this junky card I can do it!