Project Reality Forums

Greetings. I've tried a bit of a hack to try and increase the performance of my PR.

What I am trying to prove is if setting up a RAMDRIVE on Windows XP (32 BIT) on a computer running with a E6600 Intel CPU at stock settings (2.4ghz) with 8 gig of 6400 DDR2 (800MHZ)
will drastically increase the performance of PR or not. I have a 8800GT Nvidia Card, latest drivers.
8 gig of Corsair XMS2 Twin2x4096-6400C5 memory at 800Mhz


For this test I will be using the trial edition of SuperSpeed RamDisk Plus 10 (15 day trial).

What I have here are a few files, mainly : BF2 disk, BF2 1.41 Patch, PR core .860 and PR levels .860.

I have uninstalled PR and BF2 from my computer completely.

I am using a Samsung 320gig harddrive with about 15% free space, to use as a baseline, as I don't expect many people to want to use a brand new Windows XP or Vista, or Windows 7
install just to improve their PR.

Using the Trial edition of RamDisk, I created a 5.5gig ramdrive. The reason this is 5.5 gig, is because windows XP 32 bit doesn't actually see any ram more than 2.5 gig on my system.
I'm semi-aware that the limit is 3.5 for some systems, and that 64 bit systems can use all 8 gig, but, I'm quite happy to use the RamDisk 10 as it can see the missing 5.5 gig.

Another reason why I didn't use more than 5.5 is that even though I could, it would've meant that the ramdrive would have started to use my paging file. I am also aware that windows,
in its wisdom, will still try to use the paging file, but I hope that I can overcome this with pure speed.

Ok. Now I'm set up.

I downloaded ATTO hard drive bench mark tool. Free to use, "http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/1137/mirrors.php" will get you a 26.5k download of a cute little program that works.
In the tests on the ramdrive, I noticed small files seemed to be as slow as hdd speeds. once the files were larger than half meg, the speeds on both read and write hit the 1000 mb/s mark!



So, to test the lot. I will first start at the baseline. Install time on C: and Game Load on C: and Texture load on C:
Then I'll repeat it for the G: RamDrive.
I'll try and screent shot the times on the TimeLeft tool.

My first grabs are of the HDD that I have based on ATTO benches. And the second are of the G: drive RamDisk
And by the way, and time discrepancies, are because my wife is feeding me Dinner is sacred!

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Right, Clock says 23:12, time to start installing on C:

F: drive holds my sacred copy of BF2, installer running at 23:13:00
by the time the key was entered and everything started 23:14:00 - time to go watch CSI...
23:18, the annoying Sound configuration arrives
DirectX runs at 23:18:30
Done at 23:19:00 exactly.
So, part one of the install is done. Time to find the patch, oh, it's on the desktop along with PR installs.

23:21:30 to start the patch to 1.41 uhm, I'm sure I clicked it... is it?
Indeed it is, I see it running in taskman... Seems it is taking its sweet time to load up. I'll let it uncompress. And off it goes!
Maybe I need another beer.
Please, do comment if you get bored of staring at the patcher. For being a patcher from C: to C: it's a bit dull. To replicate this I will copy the patcher to the ram drive as well.
I'm starting to think that as the C: to C: is a bit... slow, it maybe be wiser to put the PR installs on a secondary drive to give an impartial assesment.
NAH. Note: C: to C: is slower, as the harddrive requires time to uncompress, verify, patch, verify the patch, and close the files it is working on. As I am not adding hardware, it shouldn't
matter that I am running the patches and installs from the C: to G: If I truly wanted to be impartial, I'd add another HDD, and run the patches from there.

Now it's 23:34 and the install is complete to 1.41.
Time to start onto PR.

PR Core Setup 0860 starting at 23:35:30 PR installing on C: default folder.
G: is empty.
PR Core done at 23:40:20 4 mins and 50 seconds

Now for the Levels.
23:41 for the start. still going to c: default folder.
This is quite boring to be honest. But it's going well, I'm sure! 23:43:50 it's done! Fast! 2 mins 50 seconds.

So far installation c: to c: 26 minutes and 10 seconds. and give or take 2 beers.

First Run of PR pure on the shortcut - First run to configure my account. now to add my monitor settings: +widescreen 1 +szx 1680 +szy 1050

I've retrieved my account and re-ran the game. I've changed the setting to HIGH on everything and anti-aliasing on 8x.
Starting the game at 23:53.

I found a server to test the optimization of the shaders. I will use the Russian Reality at 23:55 exactly
23:58 it was done. Incidentally right on the money. and 23:58:27 the Squad selection popped up.
Now I will rejoin the server, without optimization. 23:59:30 -> 00:00:30 -> 00:00:57
so, about 1 minute 27 seconds.

Part 1 is done! And my wife is starting to file for divorce.
I'm uninstalling BF2 from the control panel. in exactly the reverse order. And I am removing everything, profiles, configs, etc.

G: drive at this moment is empty. I'll start with BF2 and install it to G:
it is now 00:08:30 to start and now Keys installed, and copying to g:
00:12:30 for the sound cap.
00:13:15 it's done! 4 mins and 45 seconds.

Time for the BF2 Patch 1.41 00:16:00 -> 00:21:05 5 mins and 5 seconds.

Time for PR install! 00:24:00 -> 00:24:56 56 seconds.. nice touch.

PR levels to G: 00:27:00 (damn I clicked on read the manual) 00:27:36

Ok, let's run this. Same as before, starting with default to setup the account. Then graphics.

I started the Optimization, on a similar server, Made in France because it was Running Kashan Desert as well. Started at 00:34:00 -> 00:34:54
The Squad assignment went from 00:36:55 to 00:37:05!
So I didn't trust it, I re-ran the game, same server, same map. 00:37:50 -> --00:38:27 -> 00:38.37 !
So, loading the map textures takes less than 11 seconds.

Right I'm Tired.


Install on C: 26 minutes 10 seconds
Game opti 3 min 27 seconds.
Game play normal 1 minute 27 seconds.

Install on G: 11 min 22 seconds
Game opti 1 Min 4 Seconds
Game play normal 47 Seconds

So in conclusion. Does it work? Yes and no.

There is a definate advantage to having the speed increase, time wise installs take less. And PR with BF2 takes 5.23 gigs out of the 5.5 I left it in the
RamDrive. It is using my memory that I cannot use, so the waste is lessened for me. Is it really really really FAST? No, the increase isn't as lightning
fast as I had hoped. My Sata II drive, even cluttered is clearly working very hard. What I do know is that when gaming with FRAPS, the Hard Disk can be
hammered without significant frame drop (aside from the usual force frame rate sync). Also, in the gaming, I noticed no lag, on ANY of the maps.
Sometimes, I'd feel lag on really large maps with lots of action, that does not appear to occur any more.

Finally. If you have spare ram, spare time, and can't use either to their full potential, do as I did, and set yourself up a RamDrive.
To be noted: The ram drive is volatile, but RamDisk Plus save the content of the RamDrive to the HDD when windows shuts down.
So you won't lose the install. Also, you can run different installs based on which image you load back into the RamDrive.

I Tried out RamDisk Plus 10 x86 32bit Trial Edition. RamDisk - Microsoft Certified Software

I also found a different product that works almost the same Called Vsuite RamDisk Pro Downloads (Romex Software)

Now, see if you can match my results.

Overclock that e6600 to 3.5 ghz and up the clock on that 8800gt and you will see a signifacant increase in performance!

Top work Mesarim. Strickt, if you look at the detail of what he is doing, this is a Ramdisk, which will give you he type of increase in performance that an overclock can not do. Overclocks are fine but with lifespan problems, which is well known. Ramdisks, especially some of the commercial offerings are incredibly powerful indeed.

I'm looking forward to your definitive guide Mesarim to PR in a ramdisk when its all done and tested

So, this is really only for x86, right?