How to Get the Fastest Frame Rate

Software

Now jump into your Second Life software and make sure that it's set to reduce your lag. You can look back at our Emmy award-snubbed episode "Reducing Lag in Second Life" for most of these settings. Remember though, when you're trying to get a more responsive program, you're actually going to be reducing the graphical settings, not increasing them. You want frames, not detail. You don't need to see every silken thread of your opponent's kimono to behead him.

System Settings

Finally, your system settings. Now here's my boilerplate warning on this. This step is for people who A) back up their computers, and B) have a solid understanding of computers. You'll have to do research here, but when you do, don't look up optimizing system settings for Second Life. The real pros at this are those digital soldiers who play first-person shooters.

Search for tips on optimizing your system for games like Counter-Strike, Half Life 2, Battlefield, Gears of War and so on. These are games where you live or die by your gaming rig and these guys have optimization down to a science. And while you're at it, play a few first-person shooters. Despite what many Second Lifers believe, twitch gaming will not give you polio.

That's it for this episode! So until next time remember, guns don't kill people, low frame rates do.