game runs SLOOOOOOWWWW

[dac5]

i am baffled at how slow this game is running at my comp:

i have 3.0 p4, 256 mb radeon x800, 512 pc3200 ddr400

But the game runs pretty slowly. I've already put the graphics down to low everything but loading and reloading a game takes forever. Even ending turns and waiting for the next one is sooo slow.

Can anyone help? Anyone else experiencing this?

I've already increased my virtual memory to 3 gb

 

[zsc]

in case you havent, try updating the ATI driver, run the UNPAK fix (directions are in the sticky), and try making some modifications to your INI file (directions also in the sticky, i think). Settings graphic options didnt really help much with me, it helped, but not much.

 

[zsc]

also, have you gone through the Fix-It list in the sticky? Hit backspace and scroll up, hard to miss.

 

[dac5]

thanks im gonna try those now

 

[DreamTheaterSFG]

Welcome to Civ4!! .

I hope you get your problem fixed, but theres a chance you wont, like many others. So pull up a seat, get cozy, grab a pillow or two and enjoy your stay here at the tech support forum.

 

[dac5]

thanks, unfortunately it seems this problem is more widespread than i thought.

will try the unpacking fix now..

 

[dac5]

still pretty freak'n slow..... especially now that the whole map is revealed..

this is ridiculous

im thinking of just sticking to CIV3 since i havent really noticed that many differences besides graphically

but the game still shouldnt be running this damn slow

 

[zsc]

i noticed that you set your virtual mem to 3GB, try setting it back to 1.5, the default. That's what I have set on mine. And have you tried the INI file fixes?

Virtual mem are allocated on the harddrive, and harddrive access is much much slower than direct memory access. I've noticed that while running Civ 4, it takes up around 600MB of memory (check task manager). Try ending all the unnecessary processes in task manager, do it at your own risk, though.

if all else fails, give the developer some time to patch this game. good luck

 

[dac5]

i was thinking of buying another 512 mb or ram, but i read a post in which this didn't really help at all, your take on this?

in addition, a patch could probably fix all the startup/driver problems but will probably do nothing to improving the performance of the game, since that all seems to be due to the games HUGE memory usage and cpus usage. Unless there is a problem with virtual memory which could be a case.

In any case, about the ram, would upgrading help?

 

[zsc]

If you're comfortable with the inner working of a PC and wouldnt have too much trouble buying/installing/(returning if it doesnt help), then might worth a try...I have 1GB RAM. But the patch could possibly fix memory-related problems, as it has been mentioned in some threads that there might be memory related problems (and not just the threads that I've responded to). But installing additional memory could lead to other hardware problems (if you've been unfortunate as me in the past), so it's like a double edge sword.

EDIT: Like i said before, I havent touch my Virtual Memory settings at all.

EDIT: Here's an example of a mixed opinion about memory upgrades, also check out the link to another thread in the thread that this link takes you to....try saying that three-times fast.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=138196

 

[dac5]

yup looked at that thread before posting..

..able to play the game a little better now with all graphics to low, no AA, 1024x768, with 766mb-3gb vritual memory, and the unpack fix.

..but the game still "hangs" quite badly when processing orders, etc.

..in conclusion....

this sucks!

edit: its playable.. but the slowdowns make it not as much fun as civ 3. very unfortunate.