Hiccups and stuttering in games (PS3)

[Theshawty]

I have the 320GB PS3 Slim.

I don't know if this is just me but some games have stutter, hiccups and other FPS slowdowns which bother me slightly. I am well aware that the hardware in the PS3 is from 2006 (or 2005?), but since they're for consoles, why does it lag so much?

Take GTA IV for example. If I tilt the camera in any direction, it always stutters doing so. Driving around yields some inconsistency/stutter. Just Cause 2 has its moments, but they're more rare. Skyrim has issues mostly all the time.
I bought a PS3 instead of a PC for one reason. To not have so many problems many PC users have. To just be able to start the console, insert a game of my choice and play till my heart's content.

I play through my Sony Bravia 40 inch 3D TV which has 200hz refresh rate and 400hz dynamically (for the 3D mode, I guess). I have the latest firmware on it and jailbreaking/CFW/modding is of no interest. If I wanted to do that stuff, I could've gotten a PC instead.

 

[Oyeve]

Have you tried installing to the HD? Maybe the drives laser is flaky.

 

[Theshawty]

Have you tried installing to the HD? Maybe the drives laser is flaky.

It's already installed as much as it can install. Strangely enough, it only seems to happen in areas which has high buildings/skyscrapers. In areas around Bohan, everything plays fine. It's livable, just irritating.

I hardly think the laser is flaky. First off, I bought this PS3 brand new like a month ago. Secondly, all other games I've tried run beautifully. If I had to narrow it down to something, I'd say this mostly goes for the multiplatform ports. Games like Gran Turismo 5 and the Uncharted series run without a hitch and they are all more visually appealing that GTA IV. GTA IV doesn't even have AA.

 

[purbeast0]

all the games you are complaining about are open world games which are much more taxing in general, so you will have framerate stutters and hiccups here and there. especially in games like GTA4 because rockstar makes shitty engines.

gt5 and uncharted aren't open world and just much more polished games in general.

 

[Theshawty]

all the games you are complaining about are open world games which are much more taxing in general, so you will have framerate stutters and hiccups here and there. especially in games like GTA4 because rockstar makes shitty engines.

gt5 and uncharted aren't open world and just much more polished games in general.

I know linear games are easier to make in terms of performance, I'm just a little disappointed that a console game acts like this. All this talk about PS3 games being "optimized for it", darn bullshit. Basically it comes down to this:

1. The hardware in the PS3 cannot keep up so good anymore, it's aging.
2. It's harder to develop games for 1 PPE and 6 SPE's than it is to develop for a TriCore PowerPC machine.

Maybe it's either, maybe it's a mix of both. Still, games look good for the PS3 according to me. Also, all this fanboyism talk about which console is better makes me a bit angry. Neither of the two is better, and both perform roughly the same and got their fare share of exclusives. Both have pro's and con's, it all just comes down to personal preference.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Look, you have to understand that modern consoles are little more than computers with custom operating systems made to run games. Modern console gamers have almost all the same issues as PC users now, minus the driver and hardware conflicts. You get on, put in your game, oh now you have to download an update, then install, then possibly install to your HDD. It is honestly becoming useless if your intention with consoles is to avoid the PC headaches.

Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

 

[Dacalo]

When I had my PS3, GTA IV ran like shit. Whenever I was driving around at high speed, the frame rate was just horrible. Like you said, it is an aging hardware and also, the game isn't really optimized for it.

 

[Theshawty]

Look, you have to understand that modern consoles are little more than computers with custom operating systems made to run games. Modern console gamers have almost all the same issues as PC users now, minus the driver and hardware conflicts. You get on, put in your game, oh now you have to download an update, then install, then possibly install to your HDD. It is honestly becoming useless if your intention with consoles is to avoid the PC headaches.

Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

I was "almost" ready for some issues here and there, as nothing is completely hassle free in all aspects. It's just nice, however, to not have to deal with driver issues and hardware incompatibilities.

I'm not normally a fan of the whole being-stuck-with-the-same-hardware issue, but this way is better for me right now. I can easily play with friends since I have three controllers and I can always acquire some fun game to play with them.

When I'm a bit older and bit more experienced, however, I'll definitely look into building my own customized gaming rig. I'm 19 now. Can't deal with a lot of shit currently as I have one more year of school and then work's coming up.

When I had my PS3, GTA IV ran like shit. Whenever I was driving around at high speed, the frame rate was just horrible. Like you said, it is an aging hardware and also, the game isn't really optimized for it.

Maybe this whole idea with the cell processor and the way it is, is too much for most developers to bother themselves with? I think I read somewhere that most multiplatform games where developed on the 360 and then ported to PC and PS3. I think we all know just how full of problems many ports are. Lazy port jobs?

 

[purbeast0]

I know linear games are easier to make in terms of performance, I'm just a little disappointed that a console game acts like this. All this talk about PS3 games being "optimized for it", darn bullshit. Basically it comes down to this:

1. The hardware in the PS3 cannot keep up so good anymore, it's aging.
2. It's harder to develop games for 1 PPE and 6 SPE's than it is to develop for a TriCore PowerPC machine.

Maybe it's either, maybe it's a mix of both. Still, games look good for the PS3 according to me. Also, all this fanboyism talk about which console is better makes me a bit angry. Neither of the two is better, and both perform roughly the same and got their fare share of exclusives. Both have pro's and con's, it all just comes down to personal preference.

every game you are complaining about in the OP is a multi-platform game, and was not optimized for the PS3.

additionally the ones you are praising are console exclusive and were optimized for the PS3.

you also have to realize we're at the end of the PS3 lifespan - the console has been out for like 7 years. you are gaming on 7 year old hardware that wasn't even top of the line at it's launch time (comparable to PC parts)

it's your fault for not knowing what you were buying.

 

[dCoy]

GTA played like shit on the ps2 as well... When it was JUST on the sony system. Say what?