Is UT supposed to be played in D3D or Open GL?

[MichaelD]

For as long as I've been playing this game, you'd think I'd know. I don't. I've always played in Direct 3D, but I've seen some info on the 'net lately that people play it in open GL. Which is it supposed to be? I get about 15 FPS higher in D3D w/my rig. Thanks!


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[DN]

I think you answered your own question (higher FPS), but D3D is probably the preferred method for UT as their OpenGL implementation comes with a warning.. When it comes to Counterstrike, the opposite is true, OpenGL is the preferred method.. There are no etched in stone rules for either, but I think you'll find that these are the most common methods for each game above..

 

[element]

Neither, its supposed to be played in Glide. heh.

 

[PliotronX]

It used to be that D3D was the preferred API to use with UT on a video card that does not support Glide (3Dfx's proprietary API). Now, with the latest OpenGL driver for UT (I think it's available at technology.unreal.com or similar, the link is in the shortcut folder for UT), OpenGL performs better with NVidia cards.

 

[Wingznut]

<< Neither, its supposed to be played in Glide. heh. >>

Heh, that's what I was going to say.

 

[BD231]

D3D gives the overall best gameplay in UT. I personaly think UT looks pretty poor under open GL rendering

 

[oldfart]

It is BEST played on OpenGL with the high res textures. It will be faster and will look much better. To set it up, follow the below instructions:

Get the "LOKI" patch HERE and install it.

There are ut.ini settings on that same page that must also be used.

Install the high res textures off UT CD #2

Change to OpenGL and enjoy!

 

[Soccerman]

UT is sortof being 'patched' to get OpenGL running properly. the reason they're running OpenGL is cause it allows you to use the S3TC textures that were intended solely for S3 cards (and their Metal API or something like that).

basically, if you have an old 3dfx card, it's best to run UT in Glide (like say a Voodoo Banshee, or Voodoo 2). A Voodoo 3 can run either Direct3D or Glide without much performance difference at all from what I can tell, but I personally recommend running all newer cards (Voodoo 4, TNT2, or ATi Radeon or newer) in OpenGL becuase they support large textures and S3TC. UT was meant to look alot better than what you get with Direct3D and Glide (due to Glides texture size limitations, and simply that no-one has bothered getting the S3TC textures in Direct3D AFAIK).. you might loose a few FPS going to OpenGL, but it looks better, and typically with todays cards you can stand to lose a few FPS

 

[oldfart]

Actually, with an Nvidia card, you will gain FPS, and it will look much better.

 

[agnitrate]

Go with whatever you think looks best. Unless you have a really slow graphics card or slow cpu, ( I thought you had a KT133A or something and were looking to upgrade to KT266A like because of your performance quest ) it won't matter at all. UT is more cpu intensive than graphics these days, but then again, I am not sure what CPU you have.

Anything over 100 FPS in either and it won't matter because you won't be able to see the difference anyways, so just go with what looks better!

silver

 

[oldfart]

Take a look at This Article and This one. They have screenshots of UT in D3D and OpenGL with high res textures. A bit out of date, but the screenies speak for themselves. I could never go back to D3D.

 

[MichaelD]

Wow, great replies! Thanks guys. I have a KT133 board (100 FSB = ), 1GHz TBird and a GF3. I play at 1024 x 768 x 32 (I can tell the diff b/t 16 and 32-bit textures) and I get an 70FPS average in the Rev Thunder Demo. (Defacto UT b-mark) I will try your suggestions. Thanks again.

 

[E3Art]

how do you know what your FPS is?

 

[MichaelD]

E3Art, on the initial screen with the menus across the top, go to TOOLS and Timedemo Stats. It shows a FPS counter on the right-hand side of the screen while you play.

OK, without any hacks or patches, I went into Open GL. I get about 7FPS less in the RevThunder demo in GL than in D3D. I played a few maps...I think it looks slightly better. More detail in the walls and stuff, BUT I see a bit more "jaggies". With 512mb of system memory and a GF3 I shouldn't be seeing any jaggies, darnit. I'll keep messing w/it. Thanks guys.

 

[human2k]

MAN, how can you guys play that game? I get headaches and start to vomit with all those first person shooters.

 

[oldfart]

MichaelD, if you want to run OpenGL, you MUST install the new OpenGL driver I linked above and use the config settings on the site. To get the better visuals, you have to install the high res S3TC textures from UT CD # 2. This will give a nice boost in framerates and increased visuals. Using the standard OpenGL driver will not provide any benefit.

 

[MichaelD]

Oldfart,

I only have one UT CD. It came with my Creative Labs GF2 Videocard. I have the latest updates (4.36) installed. Is there somewhere that I can get these high res textures? Thanks.

 

[oldfart]

Yeah, thats a pain. I have both CD's. Got UT free with my Voodoo 3 card back in the day. The high res textures are over 500 Meg!

YGPM

 

[GoldenTiger]

Where can I find the Loki patch? I looked on the website with no luck on a Win9x/XP version . Also, anyone know where the old Creative Labs EAX patches are? I lost them when I reformatted recently . Also, can someone post exactly what I need to change my config files to for this to work??

 

[GoldenTiger]

^

 

[Raincity]

<< Is there somewhere that I can get these high res textures? Thanks. >>

Go bargain bin hunting. I picked up a Unreal Package with Unreal + Return to where ever ? + Unreal T GOTY edition for 10$.

Rain

 

[GoldenTiger]

The links to the updated opengl file are broken in the articles... if anyone has them, can they please fire me an email with them attatched to zeobuzz@msn.com ?? Thanks a lot!

 

[Raincity]

The Loki Gl renderer is floating all around the net but you dont really need it. The May 2001 UT GL renderer release is just as good. Unreal Tournament GL renderer

Rain

 

[BFG10K]

I prefer to use Direct3D. Even though OpenGL + S3TC looks better I can't stand the banding on the coronas.

 

[GoldenTiger]

I am on 436 with the bonus pack (disc 2) installed... how do I use the high-res, S3TC textures now?