Does someone have a solution already for this infamous problem?

[Graaf Floris]

I have the infamous problem as I already stated in the following post: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=3255198&postcount=157

I started this thread because today is the third day I have this game and I still haven't been able to play a game properly. This has never happened to me until now. I am used that when I've bought a game I'm able to immmediately start playing it. (Perhaps it's me but I think that's what one could expect when paying around € 50,-).

I was already somewhat irritated by the problem I had with the realtek ac97 issue, which luckily could be solved quite simply. But after that the in the link mentioned problem presented itself and until now I've not heard any real solutions. (I want to emphasise downgrading the sound and graphic quality only is symptom management).

I read the technical section of the forum every day now, but it's easy to overlook things in the multitude of threads. To prevent the situation where I am waiting for a patch while the problem already has been solved elsewhere on this forum, I want to ask anyone who knows a real solution to provide that solution or a link to the relevant thread. I would be very grateful.


By the way, these are my system specs:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/10/2005, 19:44:15
Machine name: UW-4OVL9UQWGVN8
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Language: Dutch (Regional Setting: Dutch)
System Manufacturer: DYNABYTE
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.60GHz
Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 212MB used, 1483MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode



---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: Camera
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: No
Driver Name: usbaudio.sys
Driver Version: 5.01.2600.2180 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 8/4/2004 08:07:56, 59264 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0x44

Description: Modemnr. 4 Line-In (emulatie)
Default Sound Capture: No
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Attributes:
Date and Size:
Cap Flags: 0x20
Format Flags: 0x0

Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Default Sound Capture: No
Default Voice Capture: No
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5170 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 4/1/2003 18:51:30, 719052 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0xFFF

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 42.5 GB
Total Space: 78.1 GB
File System: FAT32
Model: Maxtor 6Y080L0

Drive: D:
Model: SONY DVD-ROM DDU1612
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (Dutch), 8/4/2004 07:59:52, 49536 bytes

Drive: E:
Model: ATAPI CD-RW52XMAX
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (Dutch), 8/4/2004 07:59:52, 49536 bytes

 

[Lucky The Fox]

I'm no expert, but couldn't you have a larger page file?

 

[maartena]

Also, I notice that you have FAT 32 on a 80 Gb drive, which is surely slowing your system down when you need a lot of file access.

There used to be a time when everyone said "FAT32 is faster then NTFS", but that was when a LARGE harddrive was 20 Gb, and the average harddrive in a machine was 10 Gb.

The fact is however that FAT32 becomes increasingly more sluggish and slower past the 32 Gb mark. (There are some interesting articles on it on Microsoft MSDN if you care to investigate). It was for this reason when they launched Windows XP and you installed right from the disc, it will not allow you to select FAT32 if the partition is larger then 32 Gb. The reason why FAT32 is slower is because of the way it indexes files on the disc, and the procedure required to read that file.

They did not implement that restriction because it isn't supported (FAT32 can theoretically go to a volume of 2 Terabyte minus 1 cluster) but because the performance of FAT32 reduces fairly drastically after 32 Gb.

I have actually read reports in the past that noted that on drives that have a lot of files on them, NTFS was already faster on drives as little as 8 Gb in some cases.

Nowadays, unless you have a real reason for using FAT32, such as a multi-boot with Windows 98 or DOS mode, I HIGHLY recommend switching to NTFS. You won't have problems with lost clusters and other FAT(32) problems, and your general performance will increase, especially when it comes to accessing your pagefile.

I would even go as far as that if you really NEED to boot an OS that requires FAT32 for some reason, to make a separate partition of 10 Gb or so on FAT32, and leave your Windows XP or 2000 and main partition running on NTFS.

The "FAT32 is faster" myth died years ago already

 

[maartena]

I'm no expert, but couldn't you have a larger page file?

His page file is about 1.5 times the size of his internal memory which is perfectly good. He probably only had a few browser windows open at the time he posted the system information, so only 250 megs or so of the pagefile was actually in use. If needed, it will expand that to 1.4Gb.

Generally speaking having a page file twice the size if your memory is most optimal, but with 1 Gb of memory a 1.5 Gb pagefile will do perfectly fine. If you leave the setting on "automatically managed by windows" it will increase the page file beyond that if the system should run out of memory.

 

[maartena]

Btw, I have a Realtek AC'97 in my box too, it didn't seem to cause any trouble at all..... I did recently update my drivers for it though.

 

[Graaf Floris]

Alright Maartena, I've followed your suggestion. I know little of computers but because of your suggestion I've converted my fat32 to ntsf. I'll try playing civ4 now. Hope it works.

My specs are now as follows:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 11/4/2005, 17:42:33
Machine name: UW-4OVL9UQWGVN8
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Language: Dutch (Regional Setting: Dutch)
System Manufacturer: DYNABYTE
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.60GHz
Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 217MB used, 1478MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 6600 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_00F1&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A2
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug en Play-monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8185 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 10/10/2005 21:49:00, 3921024 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n.v.t.
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 10/10/2005 21:49:00, 3530432 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-43B1-11CF-497C-0A2003C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x00F1
SubSys ID: 0x00000000
Revision ID: 0x00A2
Revision ID: 0x00A2
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
Deinterlace Caps: {212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1039&DEV_7012&SUBSYS_A0021458&REV_A0
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5940 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 10/4/2005 17:39:00, 3797632 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 8000, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 26, 25
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 26, 25
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

Description: Modemnr. 4 Line-Out (emulatie)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID:
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 81
Type: Ge-emuleerd
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Attributes:
WHQL Logo'd:
Date and Size:
Other Files:
Driver Provider:
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0x0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: Camera
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: No
Driver Name: usbaudio.sys
Driver Version: 5.01.2600.2180 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 8/4/2004 08:07:56, 59264 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0x44

Description: Modemnr. 4 Line-In (emulatie)
Default Sound Capture: No
Default Voice Capture: No
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Attributes:
Date and Size:
Cap Flags: 0x20
Format Flags: 0x0

Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Default Sound Capture: No
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5940 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 10/4/2005 17:39:00, 3797632 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0xFFF

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: n/a
Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
Realtek AC97 Audio, Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
Microsoft MIDI-mapper (emulatie), Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Microsoft GS Wavetable-software (emulatie), Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
Device Name: Muis
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Toetsenbord
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Logitech Attack 3 USB
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC214
FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB-hoofdhub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x1039, 0x7001
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 8/4/2004 08:08:42, 57600 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 9/6/2001 22:00:00, 4736 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ Standaardtoetsenbord (101/102 toetsen) of Microsoft Natural PS/2-toetsenbord
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 8/4/2004 09:55:30, 53760 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/4/2004 09:57:18, 25216 bytes
|
+ Toestenbordstuurprogramma voor Terminal Server
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 10:03:46, 40840 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/4/2004 09:57:18, 25216 bytes
|
+ Logitech-compatible Mouse PS/2
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0f13
| Upper Filters: L8042pr2, LMouFlt2
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 8/4/2004 09:55:30, 53760 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/4/2004 09:53:36, 23552 bytes
| Driver: L8042pr2.Sys, 12/17/2003 09:50:00, 51729 bytes
| Driver: LMouFlt2.Sys, 12/17/2003 09:50:00, 70801 bytes
| Driver: Logi_MwX.Exe, 12/17/2003 09:50:00, 19968 bytes
| Driver: LCoInst.Dll, 12/17/2003 09:50:00, 23375 bytes
|
+ Stuurprogramma voor muis van Terminal Server
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 10:03:46, 40840 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/4/2004 09:53:36, 23552 bytes

----------------------------
DirectPlay Service Providers
----------------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)

DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Passed, Half Duplex: Passed, Mic: Passed
DirectPlay Test Result: Not run
Registry: OK

-------------------
DirectPlay Adapters
-------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider: CastleNet 56K PCI Modem
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM1
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM2
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM3
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider: IPX Adapter 1 - (00000000,0030BD66B369)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Draadloze netwerkverbinding 5 - IPv6 - fe80::230:bdff:fe66:b369
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface - IPv6 - fe80::5445:5245:444f
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Automatic Tunneling Pseudo-Interface - IPv6 - fe80::5efe:
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Draadloze netwerkverbinding 5 - IPv4 -

-----------------------
DirectPlay Voice Codecs
-----------------------
Voxware VR12 1.4kbit/s
Voxware SC06 6.4kbit/s
Voxware SC03 3.2kbit/s
MS-PCM 64 kbit/s
MS-ADPCM 32.8 kbit/s
Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbit/s
TrueSpeech(TM) 8.6 kbit/s

-------------------------
DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps
-------------------------
Flight Simulator (DX8) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: FS9.Exe (9.01.0000.40901) LauncherFile: (<Bestand ontbreekt>)
Age of Empires II (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: Empires2.ICD (<Bestand ontbreekt>)
Age of Empires II - The Conquerors Expansion (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: \age2_x1.icd (<Bestand ontbreekt>)
European Air War (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: eaw.exe (<Bestand ontbreekt>)
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: FS9.Exe (9.01.0000.40901)
Railroad Tycoon II (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: RT2.EXE (<Bestand ontbreekt>)

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 37.3 GB
Total Space: 78.2 GB
File System: NTFS Model: Maxtor 6Y080L0

Drive: D:
Model: SONY DVD-ROM DDU1612
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (Dutch), 8/4/2004 07:59:52, 49536 bytes

Drive: E:
Model: ATAPI CD-RW52XMAX
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (Dutch), 8/4/2004 07:59:52, 49536 bytes

 

[maartena]

Just FYI, converting FAT32 to NTFS will help with general computer performance, not necesarily help you play Civ 4 better.

There are bugs in Civ 4 that simply need to be addressed by Firaxis.

 

[Vraslosken]

What was the Realtek AC97 issue?

And how do i change from FAT32?

 

[Graaf Floris]

I know Maartena, but after four days hope is important.


Vrasloken, the realtekac97 issue was an inability of the game to startup because of certain sound card settings with regard to voice input.

If you want to change to ntfs first look at www.ntfs.com to get some more information about it.

If you then want to change it type convert c: /FS:NTFS in the command (uitvoeren) box which you can access directly via the start button.

 

[Graaf Floris]

Okay, I've played civ4 for about 2 hours now. It started slow and it kept going slow. Especially when a lot of units are in the picture. This worsens as the game progresses and I get more units, but the lagginess seems less when I move the view to a part of the map where I can see only 1 city and no active units. There the rivers flow smoothly. This is when completely zoomed in however and when I zoom out a bit the lagginess recommences. Also, most of the game isn't spent on an island but on continents amidst many units and cities.

I'm not sure if this is a memory leak, because like I said the moment I move to a less densely cultivated part of the map the graphics become smooth again, so I don't need to restart the game for that which I would if there was a memory leak. Perhaps the changing to NTFS has indeed helped in some way (Thank you Maartena, my computer does seem faster ).

This perhaps raises the question if the graphics quality isn't too high that systems like mine can't manage it once the game progresses to a stage where there are many units and cities.

 

[Shadowlord]

What size and type of map are you trying to play on, by the way? Of course if you're trying to play on a huge map, try some smaller ones to see if it's any better.

Perhaps disk fragmentation could be causing problems for you? You could have windows defragger analyze your drive to see the level of fragmentation. I hear 20% or less is what you should ideally have - mine's at 53% or so right now, and I've been trying to get it lower without much luck so far.

Another possibility: I don't know if the 6600 has problems with pixel shader and vertex shader 2.0 (FX 5200 and 5600 and maybe other FX cards do), but you could test to see by rebooting your computer, running Civ and loading a saved game, seeing how fast or slow it runs, then exiting Civ, locking PS to 1.4 and VS to 1.1 with RivaTuner, and then rebooting again, then running Civ again, loading the same saved game, and seeing if it's running any faster. (Alternately, instead of setting PS and VS for all programs, you can have RivaTuner edit or create a profile for Civ IV, and only set the PS and VS override for Civ IV)

I'd recommend using a program which shows your framerate (like FRAPS) in the game, as opposed to just trying to guess if it's faster. With the 5200 and 5600, framerate usually doubles after limiting PS to 1.4 and VS to 1.1. (I haven't seen any difference in speed from PS 1.1 versus PS 1.4, by the way)

If locking PS and VS lower doesn't fix anything, to undo that just go back into RivaTuner, and change the PS and VS settings back to "no override," and reboot again.

 

[Graaf Floris]

As you can see here: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=137896 I am managing to play a decent game without to much lag. The game rocks but after a while it does get sloppier and more laggy. This is still something which definitely should be looked at, but for now I'm happy a game is possible. Thanks again for the suggestion Maartena. Shadowlord, because of your suggestion I have defragmentated my hard drive now too. I wonder what the affect will be.

 

[Graaf Floris]

During a very large war with the Mongolians the lag and sloppiness were very big. Defragmenting unfortunately didn't help. Once the war was over and the Mongolians destroyed the lag and sloppiness were less apparent.

 

[Graaf Floris]

I have found my problem. It turned out my computer power supply of 250 W was far too low. I've upgraded it to 400 W and now I've seen the intro movie for the first time, all without stuttering. The moving of units goes much much faster now. The game really rocks now! This probably won't work for others, cause it's probably a problem arisen while upgrading my video card a month ago. Now I sometimes only see some artefacts on the screen but I think nothing a bit of settings-finetuning can't help.

 

[Graaf Floris]

The last problem I had with visual artefacts is gone! I've "downdated" the driver of my NVIDIA 6600GT from 81.85 back to 77.30. That seems to have helped.

To all those still having problems: Keep trying to solve them. If you get depressed or irritated then know is worth the effort.
I hope to see you around at the gameplay parts of this forum