Underutilization of computer resources?

[Durbs]

So I did figure out how to set my computer to default the program to the nvidia chip via the control panel, but when I open up the logs it still has it set to the default intel card. I'm not sure how to proceed...

[jesalvein]

sometimes ago, the SVN had an option in gsdx to let you choose the GPU you wanted to use.
maybe you should give a try to svns ?

[Durbs]

Well, good news and bad news. I got the card to set up properly (I think), but the exact same thing happened... when I got into combat, the framerate dropped off to less than half again. On a side note, my EE is reaching upwards of 50%.

[jesalvein]

unfortunately, 2.4 ghz may not be enough for this game.
that said, if you have a good cooler, maybe you could try disabling intel speedstep.
Be careful, though. This may overheat your CPU

[DaTankAC]

Low EE and GS% typically points to a gpu issue.

A 740M is not equal to a desktop 740. So make sure you are in native resolution (or maybe even less). Try that.

[metalmallow]

How much RAM does the 740M have? And is it sharing system memory or using its own GDDR5?

[Durbs]

I believe I am in native res, yes. As for the card, this is the information I have about it:

Operating System: Windows 8, 64-bit
DirectX version: 11.0
GPU processor: GeForce GT 740M
Driver version: 311.41
DirectX support: 11.1
CUDA Cores: 384
Core clock: 980 MHz
Memory data rate: 1840 MHz
Memory interface: 64-bit
Memory bandwidth: 14.72 GB/s
Total available graphics memory: 4095 MB
Dedicated video memory: 2048 MB DDR3
System video memory: 0 MB
Shared system memory: 2047 MB
Video BIOS version: 80.28.22.00.6B
IRQ: 0
Bus: PCI Express x8 Gen3

On a side note, how can you tell it's a GPU issue? I thought the GS was a direct representation of how much it was being used, and it's never getting too high. I guess this is just confusing me.

[Blyss Sarania]

I believe I am in native res, yes. As for the card, this is the information I have about it:

Operating System: Windows 8, 64-bit
DirectX version: 11.0
GPU processor: GeForce GT 740M
Driver version: 311.41
DirectX support: 11.1
CUDA Cores: 384
Core clock: 980 MHz
Memory data rate: 1840 MHz
Memory interface: 64-bit
Memory bandwidth: 14.72 GB/s
Total available graphics memory: 4095 MB
Dedicated video memory: 2048 MB DDR3
System video memory: 0 MB
Shared system memory: 2047 MB
Video BIOS version: 80.28.22.00.6B
IRQ: 0
Bus: PCI Express x8 Gen3

On a side note, how can you tell it's a GPU issue? I thought the GS was a direct representation of how much it was being used, and it's never getting too high. I guess this is just confusing me.

The GS% is a bit misleading, because it's actually referring more to the CPU GS usage. See, the GS has to be emulated on the CPU before the data can be sent to the GPU for rendering.

The 740m should be fast enough to handle things on native. I looked it up and it's about the same speed as a GTX 280 for reference.

[Durbs]

The 740m should be fast enough to handle things on native. I looked it up and it's about the same speed as a GTX 280 for reference.

Hmm... so could the bottleneck be my CPU then? My i7?

[Blyss Sarania]

Hmm... so could the bottleneck be my CPU then? My i7?

It shouldn't be. It scores higher than my processor and I don't have much trouble emulating anything except for an occasional 2-3 sec fps drop here and there. I don't have ace combat 4 to test though.

Okay do this, go get GPU-Z

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/

Run it and switch to sensors tab, then run your game. See GPU Load and memory controller load in GPU-Z? If either of those is maxing, then it's your GPU. If not, we can look elsewhere.

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Edit: It's possible the 64 bit memory bandwidth on the GPU is your bottleneck btw. I just noticed that in your specs. But do the GPU Z thing and see what that turns up.