3d mode vs 2d mode using FX 5950U and forceware 53.03

skypx · 12-28-2003, 02:39 PM

This is a question for Jim. I'm just wondering if the code can be changed to run the Aquarium in 3d mode as a screensaver? If I launch the Aquarium from the program menu it will run in 3d mode but if launched as a screensaver it will only run in 2d mode. It's the same for the Marine Aquarium 2 and Marine Aquarium Time. Thanks.

feldon34 · 12-28-2003, 03:22 PM

2d mode? 3d mode? I'm confused.

Jim Sachs · 12-28-2003, 04:07 PM

Me, too.

skypx · 12-28-2003, 05:38 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs
Me, too.

The Geforce FX 5950U has different clock settings depending what applications you are working on.

for 2d applications and

for 3d applications.

The aquarium uses the 2d mode when it's launched as a screensaver.

raven · 12-28-2003, 06:45 PM

Don't think that has anything to do with Jim's code. Simply looks like NVidia decided that screensavers will run fine in their '2D mode' (screensaver kicks in, graphics card switches to 2D mode, less power consumption, noisy fan can slow down a bit).

I don't have the card so I can't really judge it but I would think the 2D-settings would be more than enough to run the Marine Aquarium. If not you could always raise the 'core clock' level in 2D mode to the same level as in 3D mode, looks like this is the only difference (but that would mean your graphics card will always run full power).

Jim Sachs · 12-28-2003, 08:38 PM

I think Raven is right - the nVidia drivers sense when an application is being launched as a high or low-priority task and uses the clock setting it considers appropriate. Nothing I can do about that on this end.

How do you know when it's in "2D" or "3D" mode?

feldon34 · 12-28-2003, 10:09 PM

Ah, this is the issue that caused the high-end nVidia GeForces with the ridiculously loud fans to melt when running certain screen savers.

The nVidia software "detected" that it was only doing 2D apps, so didn't need to run the fan. Obviously they need to rethink their methods.

Jav400 · 12-28-2003, 10:58 PM

yeah, screen savers aren't just easy rendering junk anymore.

skypx · 12-29-2003, 08:16 AM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs
I think Raven is right - the nVidia drivers sense when an application is being launched as a high or low-priority task and uses the clock setting it considers appropriate. Nothing I can do about that on this end.

How do you know when it's in "2D" or "3D" mode?

It runs faster in 3d mode. Thanks anyway.

feldon34 · 12-29-2003, 10:18 AM

Renaming the file to MarineAquarium2.exe and using some program to run it after 5 minutes might help. You would not have password protection, but it would appear as a real application to nVidia.

12-28-2003, 02:39 PM	#1
skypx Dual Xeon Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Grovetown, GA Posts: 93	3d mode vs 2d mode using FX 5950U and forceware 53.03 This is a question for Jim. I'm just wondering if the code can be changed to run the Aquarium in 3d mode as a screensaver? If I launch the Aquarium from the program menu it will run in 3d mode but if launched as a screensaver it will only run in 2d mode. It's the same for the Marine Aquarium 2 and Marine Aquarium Time. Thanks. Asus Rampage II Extreme\|Intel Core i7 965\|Corsair Dominator 6G\|Western Digital VelociRaptor\|Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB\|Seagate Barracuda ES.2\|EVGA 9800 GX2\|LG GGW H20N\|Sony BWU 300S\|Pioneer DVR-215L\|Logitech G9\|Dell 3008WFP\|Cooler Master Stacker 832\|Thermaltake W0133RU

12-28-2003, 03:22 PM	#2
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,947	2d mode? 3d mode? I'm confused. "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

12-28-2003, 04:07 PM	#3
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,816	Me, too. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

12-28-2003, 05:38 PM	#4
skypx Dual Xeon Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Grovetown, GA Posts: 93	Originally posted by Jim Sachs Me, too. The Geforce FX 5950U has different clock settings depending what applications you are working on. for 2d applications and for 3d applications. The aquarium uses the 2d mode when it's launched as a screensaver. Asus Rampage II Extreme\|Intel Core i7 965\|Corsair Dominator 6G\|Western Digital VelociRaptor\|Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB\|Seagate Barracuda ES.2\|EVGA 9800 GX2\|LG GGW H20N\|Sony BWU 300S\|Pioneer DVR-215L\|Logitech G9\|Dell 3008WFP\|Cooler Master Stacker 832\|Thermaltake W0133RU

12-28-2003, 06:45 PM	#5
raven Perculiar Clownfish Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 147	Don't think that has anything to do with Jim's code. Simply looks like NVidia decided that screensavers will run fine in their '2D mode' (screensaver kicks in, graphics card switches to 2D mode, less power consumption, noisy fan can slow down a bit). I don't have the card so I can't really judge it but I would think the 2D-settings would be more than enough to run the Marine Aquarium. If not you could always raise the 'core clock' level in 2D mode to the same level as in 3D mode, looks like this is the only difference (but that would mean your graphics card will always run full power). Remi

12-28-2003, 08:38 PM	#6
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,816	I think Raven is right - the nVidia drivers sense when an application is being launched as a high or low-priority task and uses the clock setting it considers appropriate. Nothing I can do about that on this end. How do you know when it's in "2D" or "3D" mode? Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

12-28-2003, 10:09 PM	#7
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,947	Ah, this is the issue that caused the high-end nVidia GeForces with the ridiculously loud fans to melt when running certain screen savers. The nVidia software "detected" that it was only doing 2D apps, so didn't need to run the fan. Obviously they need to rethink their methods. "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

12-28-2003, 10:58 PM	#8
Jav400 Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Tennessee Posts: 9,725	yeah, screen savers aren't just easy rendering junk anymore. Michael Administrator of Inside:SereneScreen Aquarium Forum, Chatroom, Fan Site & *Gallery* DVD Collection

12-29-2003, 08:16 AM	#9
skypx Dual Xeon Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Grovetown, GA Posts: 93	Originally posted by Jim Sachs I think Raven is right - the nVidia drivers sense when an application is being launched as a high or low-priority task and uses the clock setting it considers appropriate. Nothing I can do about that on this end. How do you know when it's in "2D" or "3D" mode? It runs faster in 3d mode. Thanks anyway. Asus Rampage II Extreme\|Intel Core i7 965\|Corsair Dominator 6G\|Western Digital VelociRaptor\|Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB\|Seagate Barracuda ES.2\|EVGA 9800 GX2\|LG GGW H20N\|Sony BWU 300S\|Pioneer DVR-215L\|Logitech G9\|Dell 3008WFP\|Cooler Master Stacker 832\|Thermaltake W0133RU

12-29-2003, 10:18 AM	#10
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,947	Renaming the file to MarineAquarium2.exe and using some program to run it after 5 minutes might help. You would not have password protection, but it would appear as a real application to nVidia. "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman