16 replies to this topic

[Breadbox64]

I installed a 2-screen setup now, and are wondering about how it comes that there is such a massive difference in the tables perfomance? Some still run great but others have ball stutter from hell. Of course I do know a second monitor needs some power of the GPU but I still don't get it. It's not like I could say the graphical more complex tables only will have stutters, there are quite simple tables that will have the problem too. Is that because of the way different tables are designed/programmed? As an example Creature of the black Lagoon with much animated playfield illumination and an busy illuminated backglass runs smooth like it have done in a single screen setup. Other tables with less busy illumination and mostly static Backglasses have stutters. Also it also has nothing to do with new or old tables or the original manufacure of the machines or animated/moving elements on the playfield. So i really would like to understand where the differerence is.

[Emanoel299]

Hi Breadbox64

 

I understand your point of view.

How is your hardware setup, VPX DX/GL release, video settings, VpinMame release and backglass server release?

Things that make difference.

You are right.

The tables script are different and make some lags deppending on your hardware and VPX video settings.

"The Creature of Black Lagoon" is a tipical table where deppending on your hardware setup you will have issues like you told.

I had in past with a poor setup

"The Creature of Black Lagoon1.2" works fine

but, "The The Creature of Black Lagoon BW" works with sttuter.

Everything was fixed with a new hardware setup and some better video settings setup.

Edited by Emanoel299, 24 February 2026 - 11:52 AM.

[Breadbox64]

My actual hardware is still improved, I got a new GeForce RTX 3050 but the mainboard and CPU are still crappy. CPU is a Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 with 8GB ram, so no I don't expect wonders. The software is just Windows 10 and the latest Baller installer, the graphics drivers are up to date. I am just irritated by the massive differences in tables performance. I would get it when the tables with more complex graphics have problems but the rest will run fine, but there really isn't anything like that. Some "high-end" tables where you would expect these problems work exellent and others don't, same goes for the simple tables you would expect they will run great but don't. To me as an mechanic it doesn't make sense that some little differences in the script make such a massive difference. I mean you wouldn't expect that a black&white version of a table, who's colored version runs fine, will make problems.

 

EDIT: Forgotten to say i run just a full HD setup, nothing like 4K

Edited by Breadbox64, 24 February 2026 - 12:58 PM.

[forte]

i  only use vpx on exclusive fullscreen mode, using  the normal mode everything lags with ancient hardware for a 3 setup cab, 4gen i5 8gb ram 128ssd and a gtx 1660 ti

 

i run all on exclusive and they work rock solid 60fps 1080p, even some old vp workshop table versions,

 

the con is that you will have to alt tab on some tables to get te playfield back on top, but mostly on original tables, and forget about pup packs and other extras,

 

try it and see how it works for you

[Breadbox64]

@forte I run in exclusive fullscreen already since i got my 2-screen setup, but as far as i know you can't compare an i5 to my crappy Core 2. So next i need is a better CPU for sure. Just was hoping it will be good enough for two small screens in HD. Would had made my first cabinet build much less expensive, since it will be in 2:1 scale only.. Pinball is still an expensive hobby even in VP!

[Emanoel299]

@breadbox64

 

Yeah!

 

I only had a good way to play with a easy hardware setup

 

CPU I7 3770

MB H61 1155

DDR 3 16 GB

SSD 480 GB

PS 750W

GPU GTX 1660 6GB Super and TI

 

I have others systems with

I7 2660

GPU 1650 4GB

 

Some tables need a specific video settings to play better.

 

Yeah !

 

Pinball for me is more than a hobby. It is a passion.

I started with VP8, VP9 and VPX 10.6 in desktop mode in a laptop.

But for a some years it was missing a Arcade enviroment

So, for some years, I built my cabinets with passive LG 3D TV in playfield.

I built in separated, especific Arcade cabinets MAME games.

At moment, looks fine to play at my 70's, 80's and 90´s Arcade enviroment.

 

At last, Think about toa little upgrade in your hardware.

and:

Which especific tables you had this issue.

[Breadbox64]

@Emanoel299 years ago pinball was my life, my whole apartment was like an arcade hall with pinball machines and video games everywhere. But life is a bitch and sometimes it will bite you, so i was forced to sell all the stuff. Now some years gone i felt that itching again and decided to get at least an virtual machine, I just don't have the money and enough space now to get a bunch of real machines again. I can remember i was using pin mame or one of the early versions of VP just to get a very first expression of machines that looked interesting enough maybe to buy. But with all the real machines i had it just wasn't anything I would have play'd for real. Today when Vp has made an awesome evolution and is an alternative for real I am really happy with VP. Good thing is I already can play Addams Family, Indiana Jones, Jack Bot, Junk Yard, Theatre of Magic and Police Force again. Bad is i still miss World Cup Soccer 94 because that is one of the tables that just won't run proper, also a lot of other tables that i never had myself but are way to good to miss on a virtual machine like Stern's Rolling Stones and AC/DC. So there isnt any option not to upgrate my hardware, it will be on a budget and not high end for sure. Just enough to make most tables playable.

[Emanoel299]

@Breadbox64

 

Sorry about you lost your real machines.

At least, the emulation can save our better moments.

I think my setup is not so expansive and can run easy, at least for me, 100% of the tables.

with 3 screens, VPX GL 3D.

I don´t need high FPS even though my 3 screens are limited to 60 Hz and the playfield has half vertical resolution per eye in 3D.

My MAME arcades works fine with I5 260, MB 1156 internal HDMI video, DDR3 8G. These components maybe no more exist.

My Pinball works fine with the setup told you before

Take a look in your country about I7 kits, PS and GPU.

I hope you can built your good pinball machine again.

 

Cheers

[Breadbox64]

Just one more question of mine. You mentioned PUP packs, always thought these just are collections of media to be displayed by some frontend like PinUp Popper?

[fourbanks]

Pup packs require a GeForce RTX 3050 minimum, a CPU with a minimum speed of 3700GHz, and 16GB of RAM. 

[Emanoel299]

Just one more question of mine. You mentioned PUP packs, always thought these just are collections of media to be displayed by some frontend like PinUp Popper?

Puppack media are video files that are displayed on screen as Playfield, Backglass, DMD

There are wheels, flyers and a lot o things only for frontend view

 

Puppack Pupvideos are video files system that simulate Backglass and DMD.

Most of Pup tables don´t use backglass file and most of times no ROM needed.

 

To run smoth Fourbanks gave a good information about it.

[SuperCatFooz]

Something not immediately obvious that I found: try messing with "Maximum Texture Resolution" in VPX's video settings; some tables ship with incredibly high-res textures that might be way overkill for your needs. Something around 2048 works wonders for me (I mostly play in VR but I imagine this applies to all setups.)

[Breadbox64]

Thank you all for your answers! Now I have learned something new i need to keep in mind.

[BigOnYa]

You can also enter preferences, and set the video options for that table only, to "set for low-end pc", then you can play with those settings even more if needed like turn off bloom, no ball shadows, no ball reflections, no table lights, no sync, etc; until the table runs well for you.

Edited by BigOnYa, Today, 02:08 AM.

[jpsalas]

You can also enter preferences, and set the video options for that table only, to "set for low-end pc", then you can play with those settings even more if needed like turn off bloom, no ball shadows, no ball reflections, no table lights, no sync, etc; until the table runs well for you.

 

That will help with VPW tables, as they don't need any of those options as they have all that baked in the images.

[Breadbox64]

You can also enter preferences, and set the video options for that table only, to "set for low-end pc", then you can play with those settings even more if needed like turn off bloom, no ball shadows, no ball reflections, no table lights, no sync, etc; until the table runs well for you.

Yes I have done this already but it wont have any significant effects on the performance, some tables stay unplayable with backglass. It's really strange that backglasses can have such a massive impact to tables.

[Emanoel299]

Hi Breadbox64

 

below my especific "video settings" for Fish Tales VPW1.1.

You need to open the table, change the video settings and save overrides that will be saved in INI file.

Close the VPX and open again to the cjanges make effect

 

 

It is for my low setup hardware:

I7 2660

MB H61 1155

GPU 1650 4GB

DDR3 16 GB

PS 750W

SSD 480 GB

 

I suppose you are updated for all VPX programs as VpinMame and Backglassserver versions

 

RTX 3050 with a basic CPU.

Take a look if There is a Bottleneck

8 GB it is not enough to share memory sometimes.

VPX needs at least 16 GB

 

Open windows task mananger.Stay on top. performance TAB. Check CPU clock behavior.

Edited by Emanoel299, Today, 11:38 PM.