Talk:Source Engine Beta

Discussion of the current Source Engine Beta.

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Is it just me, or have load times decreased too? --TomEdwards 01:03, 12 May 2006 (PDT)

It's noticeably faster here. The initial menu loads faster and the map load times decreased significantly too... --Mendasp 06:14, 13 May 2006 (PDT)

Also, no changes in the (HL2DM-)sourcecode --dutchmega 01:30, 12 May 2006 (PDT)

Load time testing

• I've made some testings to see if the load times (start load time and creating maps) were changed
• Here is how the tests were made:

1. I ignored the first result of each test, since it's much higher than all of the others - hence useless
2. Load game: Started timing the moment the screen turned black (in hl2dm it's after the intro movie)
3. Create Map: No bots or any other special settings, started timing when clicked on "create map"

• Maps used for the tests:

1. CS:S map: cs_office
2. HL2:DM map: dm_overwatch

With Beta command
Game	Action	Time (sec')			Average
CS:S	Load game	16	16.9	15.7	16.2
	Create Map	33.5	29.42	28.3	30.4
HL2:DM	Load game	11	11.7	10.7	11.1
	Create Map	22.5	24.7	22.5	23.2
Without Beta command
Game	Action	Time (sec')			Average
CS:S	Load game	13.1	12.5	12.5	12.7
	Create Map	26.6	25	24.3	25.3
HL2:DM	Load game	9.3	9.3	9.5	9.4
	Create Map	25.3	26.8	25.8	26

• Conclussion:

1. CS:S loading times (both loading the game and creating a server) have increased by average of 4sec'
2. HL2:DM game load time have pretty much remained the same, but map creating time have decreased by an average of 3 sec'

• Tests were made by --RP 08:09, 13 May 2006 (PDT)

Uhm, I didn't measure times (yet), but just so we can compare: What are your ingame settings? --Mendasp 12:25, 14 May 2006 (PDT)

Ok, just measured times. I'm using DX8 and I have all the settings on Low, except for the shadows, by the way.

1. In CS:S getting to the menu takes 3 seconds less with the beta, HL2DM is 5 seconds faster.
2. Map load times decreased 8 seconds in CS:S and about 5 in HL2DM.

--Mendasp 13:26, 14 May 2006 (PDT)

Registry editing

• Jeff Lane - I am just wondering why you dont want the reg key values on this page. I'm also sorry for the mass of edits, i kept hiting save, instead of preview. --Amckern

We have a lot of non-technical users that will be installing the Source Engine Beta. The potential for negative results when editing the registry is too high to suggest it as a standard method of installation. --JeffLane 10:48, 12 May 2006 (PDT)

May I ask why you protected this page? It seems a bit overkill if it's only about this registry modification thing. Jupix 11:10, 12 May 2006 (PDT)

We don't want any other changes to this page at this time. The page will be unprotected at a later date. --JeffLane 12:19, 12 May 2006 (PDT)

Beta over?

Does the beta command still have an effect? Or is this update only partial? --TomEdwards 11:57, 25 May 2006 (PDT)

I don't think the command has any effect at all. I was wondering the same thing. --DogGunn 20:13, 29 Jun 2006 (PDT)

I think it's safe to say that the beta is over by now. ;-) --TomEdwards 00:28, 30 Jun 2006 (PDT)