dok's "FIFO is overflown by Gatherpipe" fix

**skid** · 10-13-2010, 08:58 AM #1

dok.slade has posted a fix for the "FIFO is overflown by Gatherpipe" error that pops up in some games. He is looking for testers.

The patch is here. Would someone please compile a build and post it in this thread?

The fix seems to work well for me.

**Xtreme2damax** · 10-13-2010, 10:53 AM #2

It works, but it also causes slowdowns. The slowdowns seem random enough to suggest that it's an issue with the code. I'm seeing -10 to -20 FPS in some instances, games where I had full speed now run quite a bit slower.

This is on my i7 system btw. I'm not going to bother uploading since the drop in speed will likely cause complaints.

Legend80 · (This post was last modified: 10-13-2010, 11:15 AM by Legend80.)

(10-13-2010, 10:53 AM)Xtreme2damax Wrote: It works, but it also causes slowdowns. The slowdowns seem random enough to suggest that it's an issue with the code. I'm seeing -10 to -20 FPS in some instances, games where I had full speed now run quite a bit slower.

This is on my i7 system btw. I'm not going to bother uploading since the drop in speed will likely cause complaints.

I think several people like myself would at least like to "test" it and maybe confirm that the errors are addressed. Then at some point once the speed is fixed we should be all ready to officially commit! Plus others might not have the speed problems that you have which would be another reason to post it now - to determine the true cause at this time instead of forcing a delay later. Shouldn't be a problem so long as we make it well known that this build has speed issues.

Wonder if this would fix NBA Jam...it was broke by some FIFO changes but I don't get that message.

**Xtreme2damax** · (This post was last modified: 10-13-2010, 11:02 AM by Xtreme2damax.)

Btw, by random slowdowns I mean framerates are nearly halved in places like the overword map in Super Mario Galaxy 2 and the Starfox Adventures title screen.

It doesn't seem to solve the issue with Pokemon XD booting which was broken a while back due to a fifo commit. Also doesn't solve the Resident Evil Code Veronica issue the game being locked at 20 FPS with FPS (VPS) is on auto and/or audio throttle is enabled. I will upload it, but it won't be as one of my regular builds, I will upload to my Skydrive instead.

**skid** · 10-13-2010, 12:32 PM #5

From my testing, it did not fix any non-playable game or break any working game when compared to the current svn. It is more like an "auto hi watermark finder" patch. Pretty useful as the watermark value needs to vary depending on your personal hardware and game.

**Xtreme2damax** · (This post was last modified: 10-13-2010, 12:56 PM by Xtreme2damax.)

I see. Why did it require alterations to so many source files though? Tongue

Any idea why it's causing slowdowns though?

**skid** · 10-13-2010, 02:02 PM #7

It's pretty normal for some changes to affect many files. That says more about dolphin structure than the change itself.

No idea on what is causing the slowdown. My understanding of the problem is that CPU thread is running too fast relative to the GPU emulation. Logically, the fix would be to slow down the CPU so that it is in sync with the GPU. dok.slade would know the answer for sure.

Have you posted it on your skydrive yet? What is the link again?

**Xtreme2damax** · (This post was last modified: 10-13-2010, 04:08 PM by Xtreme2damax.)

I haven't got around to uploading yet, been pre-occupied real life stuff.

I'll update you when it's uploaded.

My bad, I don't think dok.slades change was responsible. I think it was because of a change to DSP.cpp I made earlier, I'll test if reverting that change solves the slowdowns. For now disable audio throttle and it should fix the slowdowns. I'll upload a new build later minus the change I made so speed should not be an issue.

Sorry about that. Blush

**Xtreme2damax** · (This post was last modified: 10-13-2010, 04:39 PM by Xtreme2damax.)

Okay, did some more testing without the alteration. It fixed a slowdown I was getting on the Starfox Adventures title screen, but the slowdowns with other games still exist and it's not related to audio throttle. This will cause slowdowns in SMG1/SMG2, slowdowns on the overworld map and in some galaxies. I will post a link to the builds in a few here, should be tested with audio throttle off since that's what the alteration that was made effects else there will be other slowdown issues.

Any idea how to make the CPU/Sync or fix the slowdowns if that is the issue?

Download here:

http://cid-b8ece3275d590dda.office.live.com/browse.aspx/.Public/Dolphin

**Jack Frost** · (This post was last modified: 10-14-2010, 03:54 AM by Jack Frost.)

I only tried Starfox Adventures since I applied it, and didn't have any problems in DC mode (yet).
Are those slowdowns with games that didn't have any issues before?

Compiles with the patch:
http://www.rapidshare.com/files/424849053/Dolphin_r6277.zip
http://www.rapidshare.com/files/424849684/Dolphin_x64_r6277.zip
http://rapidshare.com/files/424855807/Dolphin-r6277.dmg