Cannot load standard-huge maps

[Plazmuh]

I did previously post about my client crashing whenever I would try to load a new game and I found that, this was because of the size of the map. I have messed around with it a lot. I am capable of loading a small map with 11 civs and maximum city states, yet am unable to load a large map with 2 civs and 0 city states. I have closed almost every program in the background, and have all my game settings on bare minimum and this has almost no effect.

I am able to run most other games I play, Oblivion, Fallout 3, Starcraft 2, Europa, APB. Struggling to understand how this game is failing to work.

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.100216-1441)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: XFX
System Model: MB-750I-72P9
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q9400 @ 2.66GHz (4 CPUs)
Memory: 3072MB RAM
Page File: 487MB used, 4473MB available
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

 

[Plazmuh]

Oh, incase you also needed info on the graphics card
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8800 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0611&SUBSYS_06DC19F1&REV_A2
Display Memory: 512.0 MB
Current Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)

I have the latest drivers installed.

 

[nihil8r]

edit: check this thread http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=380973

i don't know what to suggest. i'm not crashing like that but i am having major issues with slowness. i can load huge maps but the game is super slow. i'm pretty sure that firaxis just totally screwed up the graphics and didn't optimize at all for "older" computers. there's obviously major problems with this engine.

computer:
amd 6400 dual core
8gb ram
vista ultimate
geforce 8800 gts