Galage 88 and FPS issues

[LeedsFan]

I'm running an 800 MHz Duron at the moment (currently overclocked to just over 1.0 GHz).

I can play all classic games and they run at maximum FPS. Metal Slug 3 also runs at 100% FPS.

But for some reason Galaga 88 runs at only about 45 to 55 FPS. On the stock 800 (not overclocked) this was down to about 30 - 40 FPS.  I always thought that Galaga 88 was classed as a "classic" that didn't need much processing power.

What are the issues regarding FPS?  I'm not complaining as such.... 45 to 55 FPS is fine. I just thought it a bit strange for a game that was considered in the "classic" bracket.

[Minwah]

Try different resolutions.  Sounds like it would make little to no difference, but it can make a MASSIVE difference.  When using 'resolution auto' (not sure if you are), it is not always obvious what resolution game(s) are running at.

Try running Galaga88 at 640x480 with hardware stretch and see if it makes a difference.

[paigeoliver]

The Galaga 88' driver is massively slow now, try older versions, I know at one time I had it going full speed on a 350 mhz.

[quarterback]

I'm running an 800 MHz Duron at the moment (currently overclocked to just over 1.0 GHz).

I can play all classic games and they run at maximum FPS. Metal Slug 3 also runs at 100% FPS.

But for some reason Galaga 88 runs at only about 45 to 55 FPS. On the stock 800 (not overclocked) this was down to about 30 - 40 FPS.

Did you ever figure out a good solution to this? I'm having the same problem and I thought it was odd as well.

[tep0583]

Really?

What version of MAME are you running?

I'm running .55 on a PIII 450MHz, Win98SE (minimal install), 128MB RAM, and Mamewah and it runs very well for me.  I do have speed issues with some games (mostly newer games and vector games.), but most run very well.

[paigeoliver]

Mame .55 is roughly 400 percent faster than the current version of mame.

Of course it varies from game to game though, some games are actually a lot faster in the current version, although most are much slower.

I have already done some extensive version testing, and .55 is THE version to use on sub 700 mhz hardware. Use .60 on 700-1 ghz, use .70 on sub 2 ghz, and use the current version on 2 ghz+.

Of course those are just general guidelines, but if you follow them you can avoid buying new computers just so you can use newer versions of mame, even though the new versions might have nothing to offer you.

[tep0583]

Exactly why I'm running .55.

(well, I DO have .62 on ther too, for Choplifter and Indianna Jones, but that's pretty much all I use it for)

[paigeoliver]

You know, if you are super cool, you could just install 10 different versions and point them all at them same rom/config directories, and then have 10 different mames in your mamewah, and switch from one to another to get the best version for each game.

[RacerX]

You know, if you are super cool, you could just install 10 different versions and point them all at them same rom/config directories, and then have 10 different mames in your mamewah, and switch from one to another to get the best version for each game.

That's not far from what I do.  I have about 4 versions running.   

[paigeoliver]

I might install ALL of them, just so I can answer version questions.

It is also possible to make multi-version roms as well, at least in many cases it is.

[RacerX]

1.  I have an old version running with sound samples for Asteroids and some tennis game that the rotation broke at some point.   It may be fixed by now, but this version works so I haven't changed it.  It think this is about .37b8.
2.  My main MAME version that I run most games on.  This is about .55, I think.
3.  My light gun game version that is new enough to run Area 51.  I think this is .68?
4.  Version .62  To run The Avengers.  (I know it was around before this version, but this is when I found it.)

BTW, Paige, it's nice to see Uo Poko back again.   

[paigeoliver]

1.  I have an old version running with sound samples for Asteroids and some tennis game that the rotation broke at some point.   It may be fixed by now, but this version works so I haven't changed it.  It think this is about .37b8.
2.  My main MAME version that I run most games on.  This is about .55, I think.
3.  My light gun game version that is new enough to run Area 51.  I think this is .68?
4.  Version .62  To run The Avengers.  (I know it was around before this version, but this is when I found it.)

BTW, Paige, it's nice to see Uo Poko back again.   

I changed my avatar back because I requested that Peale change his. The girl jiggling her breasts combined with the larger size avatar was making the page not work friendly. 

[quarterback]

I'm running .55 on a PIII 450MHz, Win98SE (minimal install), 128MB RAM, and Mamewah and it runs very well for me.

[tep0583]

Ah, excellent!

Let us know if going to an older version of MAME doesn't fix your problem.

[paigeoliver]

And also, if you are looking to play a SPECIFIC game then you might have to fine tune your mame version. I generally start out with .55 and if that doesn't work I move up to .60, .65. 70 and .75, if none of them do it then I start moving backwards. 

[wj2k3]

FYI

I just checked GALAGA88 here at work and I was only getting about 20 fps.  I made a copy of MAME.INI and renamed it GALAGA88.INI and started messing with the settings.   I first noticed that it ran alot faster in a window.  So I turned off all the artwork, bezels , overlays, etc and noticed a significant increase in fps, in full screen.

I then tweaked some settings in the Windows Direct3D 2D section (or just turn direct3d off) and obtained a few more fps.

It actually slowed down when I changed resolution from auto to something else.

Unfortunately I did not do it very scientifically so I can't say exactly what all I tweaked but if you are interested, I will attach my Galage.ini file.

I just ran it and obtained 59+ fps.  (This work computer is a Dell P4 1.7 using onboard video and sound - so this may not help on your machine)

[paigeoliver]

With Mame32 .60 on my laptop it just got 106 fps. And my latop is like a 700 mhz.