/3GB switch and slow OpenGL

I have a large scene set up with Vray and am having to use the /3GB switch to get the scene to render without errors. I noticed after enabling the /3GB switch that my viewport speed became noticeably slower. Checking my 3DSMax viewport settings, I saw that my dualplanes checkbox was ghosted out, and that my machine was running OpenGL 1.1 . With the /3GB switch not enabled, my viewport speed is snappy, and my OpenGL driver is version 2.1. Just wondering if anyone else has this problem, and if they have found a workaround.

I am using WinXP Pro with an Nvidia 8800GTX card.

dont use open gl, use direct x, will be a tonn faster.

While I agree DX is faster when working with Shaded Viewports, I still find OpenGL to be quicker in Max 8 when using wireframe mode.

it is…but I think open gl is not being looked at as a main video system for 3ds max anymore. Since 9, direct x is greatly improved. And viewport speed in general.

Apparently a lot of the newer nvidia drivers from 91.xx onwards had problems with the /3gb switch - a lot of the time my machine will start up in 640 x 480 with it and not let me use the native res of my monitor. Try using an older version of the driver.

morbid- i have found that DX on my workstation to be much slower than open GL in max 9

agreeing on DX beeing a lot faster. Considering /3GB switch with newer GFX-Cards. We had some Problems (including non-working or slowness) with newer cards and much memory on the vidcards. PCIX Vidmemory seems to block parts of the RAM in order to work properly. To take that into account you can use the /USERVA switch together with the /3GB switch to lower the 3GB value to the needed one (i mostly use 3GB-VidRam wich seems to be failproof so far).

Regards,
Thorsten

what kind of video do you have?

7600gs and a 7600gt. I have tried lots of different drivers and openGL is the best

DX is certainly faster for me as well. By a long shot.

Only problem with the OP is he is running a 8800gtx so he cant rollback his drivers to far.. mid 96’s I think are the earliest that support the 8800.

I have yet to try the /3gb switch but I might give it a shot tonight to see if I experience slowdowns in opengl as well.

loafer87gt, you running the latest 158.22 drivers?

Hey Daforce - I am actually running the latest 160.03 drivers right now. Previous drivers seemed to have the same problem. :frowning: