I have a technical hardware question.

[perineum 0]

Lets say you're flying around during a multiplayer game running on a dedicated server and the terrain is loading a little slow, or slower than I would prefer. Is that because of a server bottleneck or client bottleneck?

Another question. I have ran 2 dedicated servers, one on a laptop and one on a desktop. Both are dual core running at the same GHz but not the same processor, but both are AMD. The laptop is running windows 7 with 4 gigs of RAM and the desktop is running Windows XP with 3.6 gigs of ram (doesn't recognize all 4). Both computers are running with no unnecessary garbage software eating resources. The laptop seems to run a lot better as the server. Is this because of that extra bit of RAM or maybe some other unidentified factor?

Any insightful ideas appreciated.

[NeMeSiS 11]

1) Most likely the client, mapdata is loaded from your PC, not downloaded from the server, since it is already on your PC and consistent with the data on other peoples PCs.

2) Processortype says more about speed than frequency (GHz), so we need to known the exact types to tell you for sure, but since ArmA2 is a 32bit program which only allows for 2GB of RAM, and rarely, if ever uses that amount so a safe guess would be the CPU.

Edited April 22, 2011 by NeMeSiS

[perineum 0]

Thanks NeMeSiS. The server I run on the desktop PC is an Athlon 64 X2 4400+ running at 2.2GHz. The laptop is an Athlon II P320 running at 2.1GHz. I guess I figured they were close enough that they would run similar, but........Could it be Windows 7?

What I'm getting at is if I were to upgrade the CPU in my desktop server, up to an Athlon II X4 640 (strongest processor the board supports) if it would be a significant performance boost, or would being stuck at 3.6gb of RAM be a limiting factor?

[NeMeSiS 11]

Well, i upgraded from an overclocked 64 X2 4200+ to a Phenom II x4 955 and i got a huge increase in performance.

I tried to get a chart with both the 4400+ and the AthlonII x4 640 in it but your 4400+ is so old that it just isnt used in comparisons anymore. I did however get this chart. Your 4400+ would be about the 3rd from the bottom if they still used it in tests (say about 3000 points), the Athlon II X4 640 you want to buy scores 9886 points so that is a definitive improvement, and my 955 when it is not overclocked scores 11097 points and runs the game very well, so the 640 would do if you are short on cash.

The RAM isnt really a problem, the game cannot use more than 2GB and the difference between 4gb and 3.6 is very small anyway. Also, to remove the limit you can just install a 64bit version of windows.

[EDcase 87]

If you are getting jumps or slight pauses while flying it most likely your hard drive. (landscape, objects and textures streaming)

Defrag!

ARMA should be installed on a separate drive from the OS and an SSD is the best option.

[ck-claw 1]

ARMA should be installed on a separate drive from the OS

I can vouch for that! Keeps me playing while still on a single core :D

[perineum 0]

Thanks again NeMeSis for that chart. I also looked for a benchmark test that showed both but couldn't find it. It's not that Im strapped for cash, it's that I run my dedicated server on my home theater PC and I wanted to get the strongest processor the board supported before I rebuilt the whole thing. Having to buy a new board, processor and RAM would get a little spendy. Can I ask what you do with your Phenom II? Do you run it as a dedicated server or do you play on it? I play on an Athlon 64 X2 6600+ just fine. I'm pretty sure my HDD is my limiting factor on that machine. We have been running Warfare BE edition on my current dedicated server and usually get a server FPS of 8 when the game gets going with 8 - 10 AI vs 2 human players. It plays ok if you don't mind some ice skating AI every once in awhile. I won't upgrade to Windows 7 until I absolutely have to. Windows XP for me!

If you are getting jumps or slight pauses while flying it most likely your hard drive. (landscape, objects and textures streaming)

Defrag!

ARMA should be installed on a separate drive from the OS and an SSD is the best option.

I run Arma 2 on a seperate RAID setup for my dedicated and on a seperate HDD on my game machine. I don't get any jumps or pauses when flying, I just don't like how you can see the detail level change as you fly. I would love to check out how the game runs on an SSD especially SSD in a RAID array.

Edited April 25, 2011 by Perineum