8x AA actually makes it look worse?

[ponyo]

I ran NHL 2001 at 1600x1200 w/ 8x AA and 8x AF. It actually made images look worse than at 2x AA and 8x AF. It seems to make the reflections on the helmet and stuff less glossy and dull. Same with the players and the ice. It looks lot worse than using no AA and AF. 2x AA and 8x AF still keeps the shine and makes it look the best. Anyone know why 8x AA would make graphics look worse than at 2x AA or even no AA? I haven't noticed this on any other games I have.

 

[PCTweaker5]

Its probably just some game optimization to try to increase performance with high settings.

 

[kylebisme]

good call i'll PCTweaker5, bet that is it; the game is just trying to keep up decent framerate becuase it is chokeing from all that aa.

 

[BenSkywalker]

8x AA on nV boards is a hybrid MSAA/SSAA mode. Any SSAA mode is going to reduce clarity on reflections, it is mainly there for legacy support in older titles that make heavy use of alpha textures(such as CounterStrike).