Performance Issues w/ Screen Font Enhancements

[jabezscratch 159]

I've noticed somewhat of a performance gain when I've turned off the screen font enhancements/effects (i.e., "Standard" or "ClearType") under Windows XP.  Likewise, I've had crashes on loading up bigger cities when ClearType is on but when turned off they load w/o problems.  I don't think that these effects steal lots of resources or at least not enough to make a significant impact on most games/apps.  Has anyone noticed any difference in performance when these enhancements are tinkered with?

[tungston 19]

Where is that option located? The only cleartype option I know of is in IE7.

[jabezscratch 159]

I'm referring to when you right-click on the dektop to get the "Display Settings" window, then go to the "Appearance" tab, click on "Effects" which brings up a new window and it says "Use the following method to smooth edges of the screen font." I believe that it helps polish the look of fonts mostly on LCD displays.

[tungston 19]

I see that now. But I can't see how that would affect the loading of the game. I am not saying it doesn't, just that it should not be doing anything to the game, since it only affects fonts.

You are right in that it should not use very much of the resources. I use clear type in IE, but not on the desktop. I have a CRT too, so don't know if that would make a difference with loading.

[jabezscratch 159]

Thanks -- it seems to make a bit of a difference on my system for some reason so I usually turn it off when I play on bigger cities just to be safe.

[DOXXP29 5]

I agree with Tungston as far as not seeing how it should make a difference. However, I've read in numerous magazine articles on "Speeding Up Your Computer", etc. that turning off clear type will make a difference. I've also read where those little b.s. animations can also slow down your comp.

If it works for you, go with it.

[jabezscratch 159]

Originally posted by: DOXXP29 I agree with Tungston as far as not seeing how it should make a difference. However, I've read in numerous magazine articles on "Speeding Up Your Computer", etc. that turning off clear type will make a difference. I've also read where those little b.s. animations can also slow down your comp.

If it works for you, go with it.quote>

 

Thanks -- I've read those articles too and that's sort of what I was getting at, i.e., the ClearType is robbing the comp of resources, but, as noted, probably not enough to make an appreciable difference in performance.  I think in my case it was more some sort of a conflict issue than performance issue.