Windowed Mode?

[random_rocker4]

Is there any programs that allow this game to go into windowed mode?

[Justin]

3D Analyze (as posted in the pinned downloads topic) claims to do it, but I've never had much success with it.

 

Report back your findings!

[random_rocker4]

Works great for me and its less laggy!

[Justin]

Works great for me and its less laggy!

Cheers, 'tis always good to get some feedback.

 

Glad it's working well.

[stan101]

You can also go to your desktop (Or create a GTA: VC shortcut) and right click the SHORTCUT, find the "target" line and at the end of for example:

 

"C:\program files\rockstar games\grand theft auto vice city\gtavc.exe"

 

Add to the end of it:

 

"C:\program files\rockstar games\grand theft auto vice city\gtavc.exe" -window

 

After the quotes. I haven't played GTA VC in a while. So I guess this'll work.

[Demarest]

What's the benefit in playing in a window? Just curious. I do my share of alt+tabbing in and out of the game, but I just make sure to play my game at the same settings as my desktop as not to wear and tear my monitor and so I don't have to wait as long.

[Ring_of_Fire]

Why not just lower the resolution (16-bit) and play in fullscreen mode, lower the draw distance, and turn off the frame limiter (even though it might not make much a difference)?

[Demarest]

You assume that they wish to play in a window to improve performance (which is daffy because windowed would make it rougher on performance). Since nobody has answered my inquiry as to the benefits of so doing, I'm not sure on what you base this presumption. However, you should know by now that recommending turning OFF the fram limiter is never a good idea.

[Ring_of_Fire]

I know, because if their GPU is not capable of delivering a constant fps in certain scenery areas, then the fps will drop whether or not the fps is capped at 30fps regardless.

 

"even though it might not make much a difference"

Ever since that LEViANT guy, I am not sure if people think that 30fps isn't smooth enough for them?

 

 

You assume that they wish to play in a window to improve performance (which is daffy because windowed would make it rougher on performance).

Well, lowering down the graphical settings is another way to improve performance rather than just playing in a window. When I never had my X1950PRO and was left with an Xpress 200, I never touch the window and all my games ran in full-screen mode. I just lowered down the settings. Of course, it runs fine on max res. and settings at 30fps - but I'll get the frequent lag when it fogs, smokes, rains, or when there is too much lightings or when things blows up especially when inside the Malibu/PPC and when doing "The Job" mission. All that dropped my fps to a mere 5-15 fps.

Edited June 26, 2007 by Ring_of_Fire

[Dreakon]

 

What's the benefit in playing in a window? Just curious. I do my share of alt+tabbing in and out of the game, but I just make sure to play my game at the same settings as my desktop as not to wear and tear my monitor and so I don't have to wait as long.

Talking on IM programs is a mess when you have to Alt+Tab every time you think they say something. Easy solution, don't use the IM program while you play, but if you can... why not do both and be efficient about it? Not to mention any the other programs I'm sure people could have a use for while playing.

 

Everyone doesn't run the game at the same settings as their desktop.

 

Plus, from what I could tell with San Andreas at least, the performance hit wasn't huge when playing in a window. There was definately a hit but the game was still playable... and my laptop sucks.

Edited June 25, 2007 by Dreakon

[Demarest]

You assume that they wish to play in a window to improve performance (which is daffy because windowed would make it rougher on performance).

Well, lowering down the graphical settings is another way to improve performance

You must not have read what I said. I said that you assumed it was for performance gain. I said that you have no reason to presume that because the person never responded with what they were looking to accomplish by playing in a window. I said that to presume it was for performance gain is daffy since it would actually be a performance dip. You can't say "Well, lowering down the graphical settings is another way to improve performance" because it wouldn't be ANOTHER way because playing in a window isn't A way.

 

@Dreakon: I guess I never thought of it because my AIM audio alerts me when a new message comes in and I've had tons of convos at the same time as GTA'ing (and as much as a half doezn other things at the same time). I didn't expect the performance dip to be terribly conspicuous; I was merely pointing it out to let ROF know that his presumption that the person was looking for a performance gain was unfounded as it would actually have the opposite effect.

[Ring_of_Fire]

Oops, I never knew that playing in a window would make things more laggy? Plus, the thread starter said that it worked great for him and it was less laggy. I guess it's because some graphical settings don't support windowed resolutions very well. I heard of a ReadMe file saying that it was beneficial to "play in fullscreen mode rather than window mode to increase performance." But seeing as though the resolution is lower in windowed mode, I'm surprised that it makes the performance worse. It looks like that all I was mixing up was fullscreen in-game window (some Strategy God games) and fullscreen resolution (all games).

 

But I know now: one time I started a game and I tuned up Full Scene 6x/16x AA-AF while in windowed mode, and the performance was severely reduced. But when in fullscreen, my fps was back to normal! Looks like it was just some incompatibilities when certain graphics settings are used in windowed mode with different GPUs. Anyway, for my case, it's just a matter of turning off AA-AF while in windowed mode to make the performance almost about the same as when AA-AF is turned on in fullscreen.

Edited June 26, 2007 by Ring_of_Fire

[Demarest]

With all due respect, you're approaching the hypothetical incorrectly. The way you know that it will be lower performance is to consider what the video card has to do. I'm on 1280x1024. I play the game at that resolution, but let's say I didn't. Say I played at 800x600. When I'm playing the game, my video card has to draw all that information at 800x600. now say I go to an 800x600 window. My video card still has to draw all that information PLUS the window itself and everything outside of it on your desktop or whatever windows you can see behind it. Having to process MORE means lower performance. That's all.

[Ring_of_Fire]

I really thought that the CPU/GPU would have pu tmore priority attention to the game inside of the window itself. But I guess not. So it looks like it will have render both inside and outside, instead of only inside alone via fullscreen.

 

 

Having to process MORE means lower performance. That's all.

Yes, I know.

[Demarest]

I really thought that the CPU/GPU would have pu tmore priority attention to the game inside of the window itself...

 

 

Having to process MORE means lower performance. That's all.

Yes, I know.

Clearly you don't if you can make statements like you think it has to do with priority. A+B > A (assuming B is positive, which it is)

[xxxzzxxx]

Hey guys ! i installed the program mentiont above the window mode the game, unfortunatly it dident work for me...just as the -window option...sadly...

 

Ohyeah, why people want to run games in window modE? so u can watch a video or chat on msn while paying a game..

 

Greetz !

[cjbnascarfan]

For me, I'm trying to get GTA in windowed mode because I go between GTA:SA (I know this is for VC) and my trainer and browser alot, so it's easier when in windowed mode. Also I make videos of GTA:SA for friends and YouTube and can only get 'ok' quality in windowed mode. also can anyone tell me if they make videos, what do you use? I know this has been dead for 3 years.

[Spuds725]

I dont make vids but everyone used to use fraps.... get on you tube and look uo stunt vids from vc.... usually in the creduts they indicate what software they used for capture and editting the videos.