Thoughts on Supersampling

[XxDeadlyxX]

I'm always reading reviews showing that SLI is only utilised to its fullest at 2560x1600... people like jAkUP and me who have SLI systems but only Dell 24" monitors, you'd think we're missing out?

So it makes you think what's the solution to getting older games in particular to utilise SLI to the max in cases where SLI doesnt improve performance at all? For me the best solution seems to be to use SS 2x2 (or 3x3 if it can handle it) using nHancer... effectively blowing up my 1920x1200 resolution to 3840x2400.

Does everyone agree this is the best way to use SLI? Seems to be for me.

Especially in games like UT3 where forcing normal AA doesn't really work properly... 2x2 SSAA gives me really good results and awesome PQ in UT3

Anyone else with SLI use SSAA for everything that can handle it? Seems to me to be the ideal solution.

[gstanford]

That is certainly one way.

Don't forget that you can also make use of the combined AA modes (8xS, 8xSQ,16xS, 32xS) and the SLI AntiAliasing modes(SLI 8x, 16x, 32xQ, 64xS), all of which utilize some level of supersampling.

On top of that you can use transparency SuperSampling if you still haven't had your fill.

If you can't see any/many of the above options, then you need to install and use nHancer (you should be using it anyhow).

[hemmy]

Holy crap, they have 64xS AA?

[ChrisRay]

Under OpenGL yes.

[tweaked]

your sig makes it impossible to take you seriously in any capacity.

[Bman212121]

Originally Posted by XxDeadlyxX

I'm always reading reviews showing that SLI is only utilised to its fullest at 2560x1600... people like jAkUP and me who have SLI systems but only Dell 24" monitors, you'd think we're missing out?

So it makes you think what's the solution to getting older games in particular to utilise SLI to the max in cases where SLI doesnt improve performance at all? For me the best solution seems to be to use SS 2x2 (or 3x3 if it can handle it) using nHancer... effectively blowing up my 1920x1200 resolution to 3840x2400.

Does everyone agree this is the best way to use SLI? Seems to be for me.

Especially in games like UT3 where forcing normal AA doesn't really work properly... 2x2 SSAA gives me really good results and awesome PQ in UT3

Anyone else with SLI use SSAA for everything that can handle it? Seems to me to be the ideal solution.

It depends upon what you are doing. If you can run extra eye candy and be happy with performance then by all means go for it.

Here is my logic with SLI. You don't always have to have the cards loaded down. As long as you have good fps, say 60fps average it is better to leave a little room for times when the game becomes even more intense. This helps smooth out gameplay because the SLI setup will be able to handle the extra work where a single gpu would already be running at 100%. If your not even touching the second card then by all means turn on more options to increase LOD.

[m3dude]

Originally Posted by XxDeadlyxX

I'm always reading reviews showing that SLI is only utilised to its fullest at 2560x1600... people like jAkUP and me who have SLI systems but only Dell 24" monitors, you'd think we're missing out?

So it makes you think what's the solution to getting older games in particular to utilise SLI to the max in cases where SLI doesnt improve performance at all? For me the best solution seems to be to use SS 2x2 (or 3x3 if it can handle it) using nHancer... effectively blowing up my 1920x1200 resolution to 3840x2400.

Does everyone agree this is the best way to use SLI? Seems to be for me.

Especially in games like UT3 where forcing normal AA doesn't really work properly... 2x2 SSAA gives me really good results and awesome PQ in UT3

Anyone else with SLI use SSAA for everything that can handle it? Seems to me to be the ideal solution.

ssaa looks great but causes mouse lag for me despite the fps often being over 100

[XxDeadlyxX]

Originally Posted by m3dude

ssaa looks great but causes mouse lag for me despite the fps often being over 100

SLI for me causes very slight lag in games like UT3 when SLI is enabled whether SSAA is enabled or not. I've got used to it and aren't getting lower frags online really, but it is not quite as ultra-snappy as with SLI disabled. Offline play though I wouldn't even notice it, you have to be really sensitive to notice.

[m3dude]

sli itself doesnt give me any mouse lag thankfully

[XxDeadlyxX]

Originally Posted by m3dude

sli itself doesnt give me any mouse lag thankfully

For me it isn't limited to mouse either, double tapping left and right to dodge in UT3 isn't as good as with SLI disabled.

[Shocky]

It's a waste of performance, 4xAA is more then enough on a 24" screen, I'm guessing the main reason for wanting to use obscene amounts of AA is so can wave your e-penis around on forums and justify your SLI/Crossfire setups.

Only time I use higher levels of AA is when games are stuck at low resolutions, maybe when SSAA provides a hit as small as 4xMSAA and doesnt lag may mouse to ****e then i'll use it, this the kind of thoughts you were looking for?

[m3dude]

i agree that going above 4 samples for msaa at 1920x1200 on a 24 incher is basically a waste of power as the difference is extremely small. the only higher forms of aa with a worthwhile difference currently available are ssaa but we need much more power and no mouse lag.