Assetto Corsa Competizione | Season 12 Round 8 | GT3 Endurance at Monza

[Meers]

I'm looking forward to race you guys in the new (5th!) season here on the forum!

 

I'm so happy as well - I have since upgraded my laptop's RAM from 8GB to 16GB and that alone has made a massive difference on performance. Last race on Donington showed me that ACC (plus all other background processes) uses ~12GB of RAM on my system, which means the RAM was one of the bottlenecks. Switching to triple buffering helped quite a bit, but in the end you could tell the frame consistency was still a bit off (the RAM was constantly at 95-100% usage).

 

Now however, I've never seen it run so smooth. The extra RAM overhead helps in taking some load off the CPU (which still screams at 100% usage, but I can't swap it out unfortunately) and by the looks of it also gives the GPU a boost. I've gained about 35-40 frames per second in 1080p (60fps became 95-100fps)! The amount of visible cars on-screen has been upped to 23 and it's still smooth in large online races with random opponents. I couldn't believe it!

 

I've decided to set it at 1440p60, just for the clarity of the image. Shadows, AA, materials and textures are on high and everything else on low or off. No mirrors as I prefer the 'look back' function on a button (plus I have prox. markers, radar and crew chief running as well so no worries about me not seeing you behind me). I find the mirrors to be a blurry mess even on the highest setting anyway, and nothing beats a full-screen mirror! 

 

A proper upgrade from laptop to desktop is still going to happen (I've got half of it already) but that's for next year. Until then this will tide me over just fine.

 

Hopefully it helps with my racecraft as well! 

[Meers]

29 minutes ago, davejm said:

 

Good to see you here.  Feel free to dip into any races that you fancy... we have some off season GT4 racing this week (at Bathurst) and next week (at Hungaroring) and then the new season will start.  Here's what the schedule for season 5 is looking like...

 

 

For the GT4 sprint rounds we will have 2x 25 minute races with a short 5 minute hot qualifying session for each.

 

For the GT3 endurance rounds we will have a 60 minute race with one mandatory pitstop (for fuel or tyres) and a 15 minute qualifying session.

 

For the final GT3 endurance we will have a 90 minute race with two mandatory pitstops and the grid order is determined from timings during the week.

 

We start the first qualifying session at 8:15pm with a couple hours practice before.

 

 

Nice, I'll start preparing the spreadsheet!

[Erik]

@Meers, I too have CPU bottleneck. I can max out everything but the CPU will scream at 100 % if there are many cars on track, regardless of if they are AI or players. Only thing that reduces CPU use and especially the microfreezes to me is lowering framerate cap, which is to me now 35. Lowering resolution might also work but I dont want to do that. You could try a cap of say 50 and see if the freezes become less frequent.

[Valver]

@davejm is the server "up"?  I cant see it from the in game server browser currently...

[Meers]

7 minutes ago, Erik said:

@Meers, I too have a CPU bottleneck. I can max out everything but the CPU will scream at 100 % if there are many cars on track, regardless of if they are AI or players. Only thing that reduces CPU use and especially the microfreezes to me is lowering framerate cap, which is to me now 35. Lowering resolution might also work but I dont want to do that. You could try a cap of say 50 and see if the freezes become less frequent.

 

That's a good tip, I'll try that too even though it's running pretty well despite the CPU begging me to kill it. Before my RAM upgrade framerate capping would worsen the frametime even more so I kept it unlocked. Maybe with the overhead RAM it will lower CPU usage as well, I'll keep you posted.

 

Oh, I forgot to mention that I got myself a good cooling pad as well for the laptop to sit on. I felt that overheating also capped the performance, especially last summer. And after prolonged play the laptop becomes hot anyway and runs slower so getting one was a no-brainer really.

[davejm]

8 minutes ago, Valver said:

@davejm is the server "up"?  I cant see it from the in game server browser currently...

 

mmm.... it was reportedly running in the control panel but I couldn't find it either.  It got stuck on the 'pinging' phase.  I've restarted now and all seems well, if you want to give it another try.  I've actually got some issues with this host already (FTP access isn't working) so lets keep an eye on it.  I have another host in mind if this one doesn't work out too well.

[davejm]

34 minutes ago, EuroVapeSim2 said:

 

@davejm Is this weeks Bathurst tomorrow? I might jump into that depending how some practice goes for me this evening. I've only driven the track in PC2 so I know the general layout but no clue how it will be in ACC.

 

Yep, tomorrow.  But don't worry if you haven't practiced, I think there are some other folk in the same situation and it's just an off-season 'fun' week.

[EuroVapeSim2]

Cool I'll at least make sure my wall hits are kept to a minimum 

[Count Buffalos]

33 minutes ago, Meers said:

Oh, I forgot to mention that I got myself a good cooling pad as well for the laptop to sit on. I felt that overheating also capped the performance, especially last summer. And after prolonged play the laptop becomes hot anyway and runs slower so getting one was a no-brainer really.

 

Have you got a recommendation for a cooling pad @Meers?

[Valver]

27 minutes ago, davejm said:

 

mmm.... it was reportedly running in the control panel but I couldn't find it either.  It got stuck on the 'pinging' phase.  I've restarted now and all seems well, if you want to give it another try.  I've actually got some issues with this host already (FTP access isn't working) so lets keep an eye on it.  I have another host in mind if this one doesn't work out too well.

Hmm, still couldn't see it just now.  Will try again this evening.

 

Had a practice (locally) on Bathurst instead -  with the BMW GT4.  OMG, it felt so slow.  It seemingly refused to accelerate, or felt like I was driving with the brake lightly applied.  My best lap was a 2.19.  Terrible.  Something must've been wrong.  I cant be *that* far off the pace, surely?! 

[davejm]

7 minutes ago, Valver said:

Hmm, still couldn't see it just now.  Will try again this evening.

 

 

Was down again   I've switched back to the previous hosts for now (we still have it for a couple of days).  Let's see whether the connection issues are a general ACC server browser issues or a problem with the new hosts.  If it's a hosting issue I'll sack these ones off and go with the alternative.

[davejm]

11 minutes ago, Valver said:

Had a practice (locally) on Bathurst instead -  with the BMW GT4.  OMG, it felt so slow.  It seemingly refused to accelerate, or felt like I was driving with the brake lightly applied.  My best lap was a 2.19.  Terrible.  Something must've been wrong.  I cant be *that* far off the pace, surely?! 

 

How many laps did you do?  I was doing 2.19s to start with.

[Erik]

18 minutes ago, Valver said:

Hmm, still couldn't see it just now.  Will try again this evening.

 

Had a practice (locally) on Bathurst instead -  with the BMW GT4.  OMG, it felt so slow.  It seemingly refused to accelerate, or felt like I was driving with the brake lightly applied.  My best lap was a 2.19.  Terrible.  Something must've been wrong.  I cant be *that* far off the pace, surely?! 

 

If you can use 5th gear on Mountain Straight and 6th on Conrod, acceleration and top speed should be fine. Compared to GT3, GT4s are slightly less about smashing power down on apex and late braking, and a bit more about maintaining speed through corners.

[Meers]

21 minutes ago, Count Buffalos said:

 

Have you got a recommendation for a cooling pad @Meers?

 

Yep, I got this one here:

 

 

 

 

 

Just kidding. I got this one. It really is generating very cold air! Cheap too. Excuse the Dutch site.

 

[EuroVapeSim2]

For the Bathurst race tomorrow is the start time 20.30 UK time and how long is the race? 

 

I got onto the server for a few laps to sort out tyre prrssures and try for a few laps to see how my time is, I'm very slow around Bathurst and damn I forgot how brutal the mountain section is.

[davejm]

31 minutes ago, EuroVapeSim2 said:

For the Bathurst race tomorrow is the start time 20.30 UK time and how long is the race? 

 

We'll be doing 2x30 minute races each with a 5 minute qualifying session.  First qualifying will start at 20:15 UK time.

 

[EuroVapeSim2]

4 minutes ago, davejm said:

 

We'll be doing 2x30 minute races each with a 5 minute qualifying session.  First qualifying will start at 20:15 UK time.

 

Cool I might just miss the first qualifying but will be there for both races. Excited to plod around the back of the pack, the more experience I get the better.

[milko]

That plodding about the back position might be quite hotly contested actually!

[Meers]

2 minutes ago, EuroVapeSim2 said:

Cool I might just miss the first qualifying but will be there for both races. Excited to plod around the back of the pack, the more experience I get the better.

 

Ok, but watch out for me there. I might be flying over the track.

 

Literally flying. 

 

As in Back To The Future flying.

[EuroVapeSim2]

24 minutes ago, milko said:

That plodding about the back position might be quite hotly contested actually!

 

At least we should have some fun racing at the back then.

 

 

 

23 minutes ago, Meers said:

 

Ok, but watch out for me there. I might be flying over the track.

 

Literally flying. 

 

As in Back To The Future flying.

 

I'll keep my eyes peeled for a UFO!

[Meers]

7 minutes ago, EuroVapeSim2 said:

I'll keep my eyes peeled for a UFO!

 

I'll help you identify me easier:

 

 

[Valver]

Bathurst?  CRASH-Hurst!

 

My "CC – Car Control" rating took a beating practicing tonight.  I must have dropped 5 points (now I'm low 80's)

 

I tried a selection of cars.  I was about equally fast in the Cayman and the Alpine.  But the Alpine was constantly trying to kill me.  Wow, the lift off oversteer on that thing, it just snaps round so quickly.  And at the top of the mountain section with the two very fast lefts, I often have to have a little lift to not hit the wall or go onto the kerb on the exit before  the little straight - and round the Alpine goes!

 

So Porsche Cayman for tomorrow night I think...

 

Best I could manage was a 2.17

 

edit:  As its a "for fun", welcome the new guys race tomorrow, are @Pockets or @winky also joining in?

[Valver]

1 hour ago, davejm said:

 

We'll be doing 2x30 minute races each with a 5 minute qualifying session.  First qualifying will start at 20:15 UK time.

 

5 mins of qually here means one out lap of about 2 1/2 mins, and then you might JUST squeeze in two flyers if you made it out of the pits sharpish at the start of the session.   Otherwise, or even if you have to fall back much to get a decent gap - it will just be a single lap and its going to be chaos 

 

[davejm]

Yep, it's gonna mix up the grids I think... which is the intention.  If we try it for these two off season races, then put it to the vote to see if we keep it or switch back for the league.  It might not work too well in reality, but it's worth a try whilst we're off season.

[winky]

21 minutes ago, Valver said:

Bathurst?  CRASH-Hurst!

 

My "CC – Car Control" rating took a beating practicing tonight.  I must have dropped 5 points (now I'm low 80's)

 

I tried a selection of cars.  I was about equally fast in the Cayman and the Alpine.  But the Alpine was constantly trying to kill me.  Wow, the lift off oversteer on that thing, it just snaps round so quickly.  And at the top of the mountain section with the two very fast lefts, I often have to have a little lift to not hit the wall or go onto the kerb on the exit before  the little straight - and round the Alpine goes!

 

So Porsche Cayman for tomorrow night I think...

 

Best I could manage was a 2.17

 

edit:  As its a "for fun", welcome the new guys race tomorrow, are @Pockets or @winky also joining in?

 

Hi I just moved house, wheel is not set-up yet nor do I have internet. If I get online (and get my hotwater fixed) then I may be able to join, but probably will have to miss this one. How does one join the server, as when I get setup I can at least put some practice laps in to see how far off the pace I am.

[davejm]

1 minute ago, winky said:

 

Hi I just moved house, wheel is not set-up yet nor do I have internet. If I get online (and get my hotwater fixed) then I may be able to join, but probably will have to miss this one. How does one join the server, as when I get setup I can at least put some practice laps in to see how far off the pace I am.

 

I'll PM you the server details tomorrow so when you get set up you can join in for whatever you fancy (practice or any racing)

[milko]

Brake harder! Or earlier, dunno. They're easier in that aero isn't doing a lot so it's simpler to set up*, there's a lot less you can do, but I dunno about easier to drive exactly, it's quite different. And yet fun, especially since this is a non-league race you should join in just for the experience, it'll help you mightily for later.

 

This track is pretty lethal though, I understand the reputation now. I can manage a low 2.17 (offline, my Quest ran out of power while I was trying on the server!) but for the race it seems likely that a safety first approach would be prudent. Just about managed to string enough laps together for my competence stars.

 

*still, any Porsche tips welcome, I've only really bothered doing pressures and pads. Feel like I'm maybe understeering a bit but I don't know really.

 

[Erik]

2 minutes ago, milko said:

*still, any Porsche tips welcome, I've only really bothered doing pressures and pads. Feel like I'm maybe understeering a bit but I don't know really.

 

 

Always brake pad 2 for GT4s! This is something I only recently learned from developers Aris and Panky. Pad 1 is apparently heat too much too easily for most GT4s because the cars are soft and have loads of weight transfer. Exceptions can be the lightest cars like Alpine and maybe rear brakes.

[davejm]

Yeah, I saw Aris choose different pads for the front and rear to get around limitations of what you can do with car setup.  Interesting stuff, and yeah I go with pads 2 for GT4.

[davejm]

Morning guys.  It's race day!  Who's up for some fun on the mountain?

 

Main difference from the normal sprint format is the shorter qualifying session and slightly longer race.

 

 

Practice timings...