GF 4 (driver?) problem - forced 16 bit z-buffer in Open GL

[NZedPred]

Well, I don't know how many other people have noticed, but it seems that even the latest drivers still force a 16-bit z-buffer in Open GL regardless of the setting in the driver panel.

Serious Sam is a good application to show this off (I just use the fly-by), switching between Open GL and Direct 3D modes can reveal several areas where the issue presents itself.

I'm starting to wonder if Nvidia has any intention of fixing this. I'm sure it does wonders for benchmark numbers especially with the lack of image quality checks in reviews. Really the card is fast enough not to resort to such 'optimisations' (or whatever they're calling it). Please Nvidia, just fix it.

 

[OpenGL guy]

Re: GF 4 (driver?) problem - forced 16 bit z-buffer in Open

Well, I don't know how many other people have noticed, but it seems that even the latest drivers still force a 16-bit z-buffer in Open GL regardless of the setting in the driver panel.

Did you try Quake 3? You can set the Z depth to 24 and stencil bits to 8. Then you can enable the stencil shadows. If they don't work, then you know the driver is busted.

 

[PSarge]

Well, strictly speaking, that only proves that you get a stencil when you ask for it.
No guarentee that it's not 16bit Z + 8 Stencil, or that you only get 24bit Z when you ask for a stencil.

 

[Ante P]

I have the same problem, in Serious Sam I only get a 16 bit Z-buffer and when using the sniper scope you really see some object going haywire in the background.

I discovered it after doing a whole slew of benchmarks for a review and now I'm not sure I'll publish the results.
I sure as hell hope this isn't some freakkin' cheapskate plan from nVidia in order to get a small speed boost..

 

[ERP]

Well, strictly speaking, that only proves that you get a stencil when you ask for it.
No guarentee that it's not 16bit Z + 8 Stencil, or that you only get 24bit Z when you ask for a stencil.

There is no 16 bit Z with 8 bit stencil format. So if you get a stencil you are definitely getting 24 bit Z.

 

[Ante P]

actually there's 15+1 format, dunno if it's ever used though?