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MUST READ- Huge dosbox performance improvement for Linux/Windows users

Posted: 04.04.2019, 03:10
by samsepi0l
So lately I've been playing Grand Prix 2 in addition to ICR2 in my dosbox. I use Linux (I actually have Debian 8 installed).

On both games I have all of the graphics turned on to the highest amount of detail.

ICR2 runs pretty much full frame rate except when I have many cars on the screen, with a very detailed carset. I am using the reynard 99 carshape and the images are very detailed so occassionally dosbox slows down now and then just a tiny bit. My pc is a I7 8-core 3.5ghz.

Gp2 runs full frame rate nearly all the time, except at Monaco where I have some higher processor occupancy- especially after turn 1 going up the hill. This was driving me crazy. I was literally ready to drop some money and build a better machine. I had tried messing with the config files for dosbox- for HOURS. Nothing would make the games run at a better frame rate. I actually noticed no real difference no matter what options I tried.

In a bid of desperation- I posted this as a question on the VOGONS forum. I received a tip from a user that I want to give credit to "Qbix":

If you haven't: compile/get a 32 bit version of dosbox. (apt-get install dosbox:i386)

you might need to add the architecture
dpkg --add-architecture i386
apt-get update

It's considerably faster.



I did this and let me tell you--- it is WAY faster now. ICR2 does not even drop frame rate (no matter what the conditions or carset) and GP2 runs at a max of 70% processor occupancy even at Monaco in the tough detailed spots. most of the tracks run at 30%!

I am VERY happy with the results so far. I HIGHLY suggest everyone try this because it made a HUGE performance upgrade for me.

I salute you Mr Qbix! thank you!

Re: MUST READ- Huge dosbox performance improvement for Linux users

Posted: 04.04.2019, 16:57
by rremedio
That's very nice! How does it do at heavier tracks like Nurburgring Sudschleife or Michael Raballand's Monza 84?

Re: MUST READ- Huge dosbox performance improvement for Linux users

Posted: 13.04.2019, 19:14
by samsepi0l
I have not driven at those tracks (I never downloaded them) but just to give you some numbers as data.

Turning into turn-1 at Monaco just going up the hill the processor occupancy would jump up to around a max of 180% with the 64 bit version.

Now, in the exact same place with the 32 bit version I never get past 70%. I have driven the entire lap at monaco with all of the CC cars on screen and full graphics (forward and rear) with max detail- never goes past 70% and I get the maximum framerate all the time.

Re: MUST READ- Huge dosbox performance improvement for Linux users

Posted: 13.04.2019, 21:07
by rremedio
Yeah, that's better than what I get on my Windows 10 system. At Monaco, I get 110% at the race start and 50-80% for the rest, with small increases on the first corner (sometimes it gets to 110% if there are many cars on screen).

Sudschleife and Monza are more problematic tho because Sudschleife has two sections where the slowdown is big and Monza (Michael's version) has the same problem at the Ascari chicane which makes it very annoying.

Re: MUST READ- Huge dosbox performance improvement for Linux users

Posted: 29.09.2019, 20:56
by GP2tifoso28
Does anyone know if this is worth trying on Windows? We never stop in our relentless pursuit to optimise dosbox / GP2 settings

Re: MUST READ- Huge dosbox performance improvement for Linux users

Posted: 01.10.2019, 07:22
by samsepi0l
GP2tifoso28 wrote:
29.09.2019, 20:56
Does anyone know if this is worth trying on Windows? We never stop in our relentless pursuit to optimise dosbox / GP2 settings
Yes - 32 bit works better than 64 in windows also.

Re: MUST READ- Huge dosbox performance improvement for Linux users

Posted: 01.10.2019, 20:05
by samsepi0l
maybe an admisistrator can change the title of the post to "MUST READ- Huge dosbox performance improvement for Linux/Windows users"

Re: MUST READ- Huge dosbox performance improvement for Linux/Windows users

Posted: 01.10.2019, 21:39
by rremedio
Done! Btw I think the person who started the topic can also do it by editing the first post and changing the subject at the top.

Re: MUST READ- Huge dosbox performance improvement for Linux/Windows users

Posted: 02.10.2019, 20:18
by DaSilva82
Hey guys,

this seems to be a great solution. But where do I put these add-ons?

Re: MUST READ- Huge dosbox performance improvement for Linux/Windows users

Posted: 12.10.2019, 21:40
by samsepi0l
DaSilva82 wrote:
02.10.2019, 20:18
Hey guys,

this seems to be a great solution. But where do I put these add-ons?
This isn't an add-on. It's a completely different emulator. The instructions are for Linux, but you can download a 32 bit version if you are using windows as well. In that case it will be the same as any typical program installation on windows.