Please note that new user registrations disabled at this time.

"To cache" or not "to cache"?

This forum is to be used for all discussions pertaining to BioWare's Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn.
Post Reply
User avatar
Littiz
Posts: 1465
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2001 11:00 pm
Location: The Valley
Contact:

"To cache" or not "to cache"?

Post by Littiz »

I was wondering...
I have a full install, why use the cache at all?
I mean, the HD is the same, loading times do not change!
If I set the cache to 0, maybe I'll just avoid the transactions
to the cache folder thus QUICKENING load times!!!!
Am I wrong?
Some experts here? ...
:rolleyes: :rolleyes:
BG2 - ToB Refinements Mod: Website

BG2 - ToB Refinements Mod: Forum and announcements

"Ever forward, my darling wind..."
User avatar
Sabre
Posts: 1658
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2001 10:00 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Contact:

Post by Sabre »

Actually, I believes that Caching improves loading. Since full install basically copy all of the CDs to your hard drive, thus reducing the time needed to access the CDs, but the way the data is stored is still the same. Caching basically go through all of the data and retrieve almost everything (depending on cache size) for a certain area, and store it in one file. So everytime you go back to that area, it just simply retrieves the data from the cache file, saving the time needed to search through all the directories again. This would probably mean a very long loading time for areas that you haven't visited yet, but it should be quick for areas that you have. This is what I think it does, please correct me if I'm wrong.
User avatar
Quitch
Posts: 806
Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2001 11:00 pm
Location: Surrey, England
Contact:

Post by Quitch »

Isn't all the information compressed into large archives, and thus needs to be extracted. The cache holds uncompressed versions outside the archives... something like that.

Basically, yes, cache will help even with a full install.
Past: Ascension
Present: The Broken Hourglass
Future: Return to Windspear, Imoen Relationship
"Perfection has no deadline"
User avatar
Pebz
Posts: 591
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2001 10:00 pm
Location: Norway
Contact:

Post by Pebz »

Originally posted by Quitch
Isn't all the information compressed into large archives, and thus needs to be extracted. The cache holds uncompressed versions outside the archives... something like that.

Basically, yes, cache will help even with a full install.
No archives, but the files are indeed compressed (about 50%).
"The measure of our hearts is taken by the kindness we show to the least of our brethren."
- Keldorn, Paladin of Torm

"Alea iacta est"
"The die is cast"
User avatar
Salabesh
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2002 8:59 pm
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Contact:

Post by Salabesh »

Actually, full install puts ALL areas into your cache, not in a separate file. This means that the game doesn't have to cache areas as you come across them. If you want to check this, do a full install, then before playing, check the cache file. Everything should be in there.
User avatar
Sabre
Posts: 1658
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2001 10:00 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Contact:

Post by Sabre »

No it doesn't, it simply copy the CDs into CD2, CD3, CD4 directories, nothing is in cache unless you have actually started a game and went to the area - if you haven't started the game yet there is no Data directory in Cache, so nothing is there. I know, since I've always do full install for BG2.
User avatar
Littiz
Posts: 1465
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2001 11:00 pm
Location: The Valley
Contact:

Post by Littiz »

You must be right, if the files are uncompressed there,
I'll keep the cache! :) :)
BG2 - ToB Refinements Mod: Website

BG2 - ToB Refinements Mod: Forum and announcements

"Ever forward, my darling wind..."
Post Reply