Civ IV Runs Extremely Slow

[antihate01]

This is my first post on these forums; having attempted to call the technical support hotline in the back of the book (getting nothing but either a message that the number is disconnected, or after around 15 minutes on hold, being told "my call is important," then being disconnected) and to consult the 2kgames website (which doesn't work in firefox or internet explorer for me), and having received no reply to the e-mail I sent usa@take2support, I figure I'll just send out an open cry for help. I've looked through the technical support forums for a few days, and notice there are a few people who have the same problems I have, particularly with GeForce go5200 video cards and laptops.

In my case, the opening cinema works fine, but the instant I begin a game or a tutorial, the game's FPS slows to a more or less unplayable rate--I'd estimate 4 FPS at most. This problem is consistent, and unaffected by lowering graphic levels. It is also made more severe by patch 1.52; versions 1.00 and 1.09 seemed to run more smoothly (although by no means at a playable rate), but while loading the "Python" failed to load, and the game had no interface--just a guy and a map! This isn't exactly playable either.

My system specs are: Dell Inspiron 8600 Laptop
1.6Ghz Pentium M Processor
1.25GB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 Video Card
Around 9GB free HD space once game is installed.

Obviously it isn't an optimum system for running the game, but with the excess RAM I have, it seems like the game should run decently, especially with low graphics and resolution. I've tried some of the solutions, such as installing omegadrivers or patching in different orders. Since the game won't run in 1.09 (or, if it runs, won't give me an interface to play with), I can't use Hark's patch. The one time I got through to technical support, they suggested I update my drivers. However, when I try and download from Nvidia's website, I get a message saying that it "can't find the hardware corresponding to the patch". This occurs with both the "go" patches and the regular GeForce patches. I'm by no means a computer whiz, and I'm reaching the end of my rope.

It's obvious the game has a great community, and I'd really like to play it, but how can I when it is either intolerably choppy or interfaceless? Help!

 

[AgentJones]

First, nVidia doesn't support GeForce Go cards, with the sole exception of the Go7800. That's because all Go cards are made by the laptop manufacturers, and should be supported by them. For Dell you want to hit the first link below and enter your information. It should refer you to the most recent drivers.

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=&s=gen

If, however, Dell doesn't have up-to-date [enough] drivers, you can hit the following link that will allow you to modify the regular nVidia Forceware drivers.

http://fredfred.net/skriker/index.php/geforce-fx-go5200-with-latest-forceware-drivers/

The most recent official nVidia driver, version 81.98, can be d/l'ed here:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_81.98.html

However, honestly, the FX5200 in all forms is about the crappiest video card of modern times. It's weak, really weak. I know because my PC was delivered to me with one in it and I couldn't dump it fast enough. So my recommendation is that you check to see if Dell has an upgrade for your notebook (they should, but they may not). Notebook vidcards are custom made to fit in each laptop series. You can't just buy any new card off the shelf, so you're stuck with Dell's best offereings. Dell offered an nVidia Go5650 or an ATI Radeon 9600 Pro for the 8600 at one time, at least. If they still have those cards, go for the ATI.

List of available GPU upgrades for Dell n/b's

 

[antihate01]

Thank you for your advice! Obviously I'd prefer to not spring for a new video card, but it's obvious that whatever I have hasn't stood the test of time. Can video cards be installed without wiping my HD? I know, I know, I'm ignorant; still, I've had parts replaced before, and it always seems to entail reinstalling Windows or something.

Again thank you for the advice regarding my video card!

 

[AgentJones]

You shouldn't have to reinstall windows. In fact, I just replaced my video card last week (xmas gift) plus added RAM. Unless you're replacing a hard drive there never should be a need to reinstall WinXP during a hardware upgrade.

 

[antihate01]

Good to know. Do any of those other cards have known problems running the game? I wouldn't want to upgrade the computer, then go through all this comedy again...

 

[AgentJones]

Either upgrade has 50% more to twice the power of the FX5200. However, the entire Nvidia FX5000 series is pretty weak with DirectX9 games like Civ. The ATI 9600 was a fine card in its day and would be your best option. You'll see an improvement.

 

[haofeng]

You have another choice to solve the problem without upgrading your card.

I have the same graphic card and got the same problem. Luckily, I found the below article posted by another user and solved my problem. Hope it helps for you.

Quote:

The Nvidia Tweak program worked for me.

http://www.nvhardpage.com/

I run a 2.6ghz P4, 1.5Gmb RAM and a Geforce 5200fx. I had choppy cinematics and sluggish gameplay/scrollspeed. I downloaded the program from the above site and changed my pixel shader to 1.1 and it dramatically increased performance AND made the wonder cinematics run perfectly.

Highly recommended.

 

[Smidlee]

Obviously it isn't an optimum system for running the game, but with the excess RAM I have, it seems like the game should run decently, especially with low graphics and resolution. !

Not having enough ram can cause problems late in the game (less with 1.52). If you get bad framerate at the beginning of a game then graphic card is your bottleneck.
IMO low settings make little different to the demands on the graphic card. I have a GF 7800 GT card and notice the more trees and jungle on the map the hotter my GPU run. A huge map fully loaded with trees and jungle (notice they have movenment) can run as hot as FEAR with max settings. As a lot of trees and jungle gets chopped late in the game my GPU runs cooler than on a new map.
AFAIK there is no way to stop tree movenment yet.