Experimenting with Nvidia's Shader Cache

[Ericmopar]

After having two instals of backups and mods being wiped out in my new TS 2015 install, I decided to take a break from that and compare a bone stock 2015 to my backup of 2014.

The results were interesting. Though 2015 does seem to boost FPS very slighty, the biggest boost on both 2014 and 2015 was having the new Nvidia Shader Cache function turned on in the Nvidia Control Panel.

With the Shader Cache off, both installs of Train Simulator frequently pop over 80% GPU usage on Sherman hill, when passing other trains. Frequent forays into the 100% range were not uncommon.
Long story short, I ran the exact same Quick Drive Scenerio Settings and Consist for my experiment.

The "On" position definately helped keep the percent GPU usage under 80 overall, and kept the GPU under 70% most of the time. The only exception was passing the lead engines on a AI consist heading in the opposite direction.

The results were super smooth running. maintaining V-Sync consistantly and noticeably less GPU load and heat.

That was with AA set to 2X2 SSAA in game.

That Shader Cache is available on Nvidia driver versions of 340.520 and above.

I set up a game profile for both the 2014 and 2015 installs. I left most settings at default.

I turned the Shader Cache "on".
I turned on "Triple Buffering".
I turned on "V-Sync" to "Adaptive".
I selected "I prefer maximum performance" for the GPU rather than "Adaptive".
I also selected "Single Display Performance Mode".
I set maximum pre-rendered frames to "3".

[krellnut]

I selected "I prefer maximum performance" for the GPU rather than "Adaptive".

I'm assuming you know what the difference between the two settings are; definitely no difference in performance.

Wally

[robbit]

I shall try your settings thanks

[OldProf]

Eric . . .
Where are you finding these settings? My current graphics card is an INVIDIA GeForce GT 630; OS Windows 8.1.

[krellnut]

Where are you finding these settings?

Eric doesn't seem to be answering questions on his thread, so I'll do it. Right click on desktop, you should see; Nvidia Control Panel. Open it and click on; Manage 3D Settings, then click Global Settings.

[Ericmopar]

Where are you finding these settings?

Eric doesn't seem to be answering questions on his thread

I have to sleep sometime...
Anyhow, krellnut didn't mention that a person should set up a program just for Train Simulator.
When you get there, you should click on Program Settings and then Add. Then browse to the Train Simulator .exe inside the Railworks folder.
It's the one labeled "Railworks.exe"
You can do that for any backups you drive as well, setting up a different profile for each driven version.

It can take a few minutes to start caching the shaders. It won't necessarily smooth out right away.

[ChrisOnline]

What Graphics card do you have? I have Nvidia GeForce GTX 745, and shader cache options don't appear in my menu

My driver version is up to date and is 9.18.13.3266, which bears no resembalnce to your driver number! So there's that, LOL!

Chris

[artimrj]

The shader cache options come with the software. Last 2 versions out had it.

[buzz456]

What Graphics card do you have? I have Nvidia GeForce GTX 745, and shader cache options don't appear in my menu

My driver version is up to date and is 9.18.13.3266, which bears no resembalnce to your driver number! So there's that, LOL!

Chris

Your driver should be a 344.xxx of some sort. That number you are quoting I think is for the NVidia software not the driver.

[ChrisOnline]

Well if I go to Device Manager, right click > Properties > Driver tab . . it tells me "Driver Version: 9.18.13.3266"

I'm not sure where else to look?

Anyway, regardless, I have no shader cache options in the NVIDIA Control Panel, and I thought my card was fairly "high-end", if not "top end"

Chris

[artimrj]

Go to the nVidia control panel and under help click system information. Shows you your card and driver version. I believe the number you are showing is the version of the control panel software not the driver.

[ChrisOnline]

Thanks Bob, that got it. Well, it's 332.66, and apparently NOT up to date - downloading and installing 344.xxx now.