Strange problem with Project 64 v1.6

[Dark Jadeite]

I've been using Project 64 for some time (I think my last version was 1.4). It suddenly stopped working, claiming that memory could not be allocated. Fine. I deleted the old version and looked up Pj64 for possible updates. Then I downloaded version 1.6.

The problem is, everything works better... except for Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. When I load it up, it runs about 60 fps for a while, then lowers down to 10 to 20 fps.

I was wondering if there was any logical reason for this. The computer I'm using has a Pentium 4 (1.6 GHz) CPU, 512MB Ram, 64MB nVidia GeForce 2 MX video/graphics/display driver (whatever you want to call it), and is running Windows XP.

As a disclaimer, I can't exactly remember if the game worked well on the old version either, so don't take it for 100% certain that it did. I just want to know WHY it's running like that, period...

 

[arnalion]

Hmm try to change the graphics plugin to Jabo's Direct3D6 1.52

 

[Smiff]

yep, fraid arnalion's suggestion is good.
have you changed any settings?

 

[Dark Jadeite]

Hey, excellent suggestion. Should've thought of looking into the plugins myself... :yucky:

Oh, well. Thanks.

Could anyone possibly enlighten me as to the actual differences between the two plugins?

 

[Clements]

Jabo's D3D6 is the older plugin that uses functions from DirectX 6. In theory, this makes it compatible with graphics cards that are DirectX 6 compliant and above, which includes some older cards.

Jabo's D3D8 is the latest plugin that makes use of Pixel Shaders to emulate the effects of the N64 video hardware better, and requires a DirectX 8 compliant video card for there to be no issues in the video. The D3D8 plugin supports effects such as motion blur, and High resolution frame buffer, and many compatibility enhancements which are not available in the D3D6 version.

A GeForce2 MX is a DirectX 7 compliant card, so is insufficient for the D3D8 plugin, since it supports no Pixel Shaders of any kind. The DirectX 6 plugin should therefore work better than the D3D8 version here.

 

[Dark Jadeite]

What confuses me about that is that all the other games I've tested work fine with the D3D8 plugin active. Not only that, they work BETTER. I guess I just don't understand the inner workings of the graphics card and plugins enough... though it could possibly make sense if the D3D8 doesn't have to use the Pixel Shaders which the card does not support when those particular games are active...

Guess I'll just have to keep switching plugins for different games.