compile supermodel for AMD users

[karadaniano]

may i ask to include in the Supermodel Latest Builds for Download thread a supermodelmodel version compiled with IAN's modification of the code for AMD users?

comment out

m_r3dFrameBuffers.StoreDepth (); // save depth buffer for 1st trans pass
and
m_r3dFrameBuffers.RestoreDepth ();

from new3d.cpp
It's only a simple blit between render targets but I think this is what is killing performance on ATI. You can run it like this but it won't be as accurate with regards to overlapping transparency layers.
Exactly how the frame buffers work on the model3 is still a bit of a mystery, but the current render path is almost 100% accurate.

that change gets rid of all the slowdowns and i think its a great solution until amd decides to solve its issues related with their Opengl drivers

[PTRACER]

I second this! I have an 8GB R9 390X and I had to revert to the Legacy rasteriser to stop the framerate dropping so low.

[Bart]

Just FYI: there are build instructions under “Help” on the Supermodel main site. If you have an hour to spare, follow the step-by-step instructions and you’ll be able to build your own executables.

[PTRACER]

The guide does look well-written and easy to follow, so I might give it a go, but I am super short on time and thought someone else could give it a try.

How much inaccuracy would it introduce if we commented these lines out anyway?

[PTRACER]

Ok, so one of the users on Emuline.org has already compiled it with Ian's fixes so I just tried it out.

My conclusions:

1. It helps framerate a little in Daytona USA and Scud Race. The slowdowns are not as bad, but I do still get them.
2. In Sega Rally 2, it has made no difference at all. At the first course, I have 54fps at the start and it drops down to 30fps about halfway around and fluctuates constantly between perfect and terrible.
3. If I turn off the Frame Limiter, the game obviously runs super fast, but I get 170fps+ everywhere except at the points where it struggles. Legacy Mode has no slowdowns at all.
4. If I activate QuadRendering the framerate barely climbs above 15-16fps

For reference, I am running the emu through the Model 3 GUI. I have New3DEngine, GPUMultiThreaded, MultiThreaded, Widescreen, ShowFrameRate and Throttle selected. Resolution 1920x1080. PowerPCFrequency is up at 55. Playing with all these values only makes FPS worse or no different.

CPU is an i7 4790k overclocked to 4.4GHz, graphics card is AMD R9 390X 8GB, I have 8GB system RAM and I run the game from an SSD, so my PC should be good enough.

[Bart]

The guide does look well-written and easy to follow, so I might give it a go, but I am super short on time and thought someone else could give it a try.

How much inaccuracy would it introduce if we commented these lines out anyway?

Alpha blending will not be correct. We could probably add a command line option for this ("-no-alpha-composite" ?) for AMD users. We will definitely continue to prioritize accuracy over performance in the default case.

[Ian]

It doesn't fix the issue. Amd driver team have actually tested the project and found the same performance issue. Still waiting to hear back if there is a fix or work around for it. Apparently older drivers don't have this issue

[Jiterdomer]

Off-topic: does Supermodel.sln works under VS2019

[Ian]

It should be? Always possible something crops up between versions that stops it compiling. Has happened in the past.

[PTRACER]

So if I downgrade my drivers, I can fix the FPS problem?