Experimenting with Nvidia's Shader Cache
Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2014 1:54 amAfter 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".
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".