Improving game speed

[Inspector Javert]

When I get to later eras on my tera map the game really slows down particularly when I end a turn. Somtimes it takes as much as a few miuntes for me to regain control, and thats only if a leader doesn't contact me, what parts of my cheapo computer do I need to improve to speed up the game and how much is that going to run me?

I had one peson tell me all I really had to do was update my graphics card is there anything else that I'd have to update? Thanks guys

 

[Underdawg]

First, you need to state the current specs of your computer

CPU
RAM
Graphics Card

The CPU and RAM have the most bearing on how smooth and responsive the game will run.

 

[Inspector Javert]

okay here's my data

 

[sabo]

hahaa, I knew it was a Gateway when I saw the machine name as YOUR-Fxxx, Your specs are OK, but you have an on board video right? If so a good video card would help, also you got 512mg of RAM, keep in mind that XP uses about half of that by itself, so another 512 would do wonders for you, windows loves memory.

 

[Inspector Javert]

ok how much money are we talking, and BTW i am considering jumping ship to Mac can I play Civ on it?

 

[Underdawg]

Hmm... is this a laptop?

Intel Pentium M 1.70Ghz (A fine processor, about equal to a 3.0-3.2Ghz Pentium 4 but without all the heat or noise)

512MB RAM, you'll need at least another 512MB stick and if possible upgrade to 2GB (there is a significant increase between 1GB and 2GB of RAM in Civ IV, unlike in most other games) Ram is cheap so a 512 stick + 1GB stick will come up to be about $50-$60

Intel(R) 82852/82855 GM/GME Graphics Controller
Bah, integrated video.... bad bad bad... is this a laptop? If so, you won't be able to upgrade the video card, but if it is a desktop... do you have an AGP slot or a PCI-e slot? It's only Civ so you won't need much graphical horsepower, just enough so that moving the screen doesn't cause lag at the lowest settings (a solid performing 7600GS will cost about $70-$80).

 

[Inspector Javert]

it's a laptop what are my options will getting more RAM fix that? And if it does how do I go about istalling it do I have to keep my data stick in it at all times (giggity gigity goo)

 

[Inspector Javert]

still there guys?

 

[tmarcl]

it's a laptop what are my options will getting more RAM fix that? And if it does how do I go about istalling it do I have to keep my data stick in it at all times (giggity gigity goo)

I use a laptop as well. To my knowledge, there is no way to add either RAM or video cards to them. I'd call the manufacturer and find out. Otherwise, you may need to buy a new computer.

Now, that's a last ditch measure. What's worked for me is to lower the graphics to the most basic, then reduce the size of your map. I don't play on anything bigger than Standard. Don't check Aggressive AI!!!! Believe me on this one. The added units that they build will slow you down considerably.

I have noticed a very tiny decrease in in between times if you zoom all the way in on an grasslands or plains square before hitting enter. I've never tested this to see if there really is an benefit, or if I'm just imagining it, so take it with a grain of salt.

All this having been said, I think my laptop is faster than yours. I'm not at home right now, so I can't double check.

Marc

 

[Inspector Javert]

so I can't get more memory for my laptop? Oh well

 

[Underdawg]

I'm pretty darn sure you can add RAM to your laptop and it is as easy as putting lego pieces together, only you stick the RAM in the slot.

Remember the RAM you'll want is SODIMM ram, the RAM for laptops.

 

[Dzhel]

You can definitely add some RAM but to my knowledge there's no way to upgrade a laptop video card. In my experience, the map size you play on plays a big part of the end game slow-down. Try picking a smaller map and see if that helps.

 

[T.A JONES]

Hmm... is this a laptop?

Intel Pentium M 1.70Ghz (A fine processor, about equal to a 3.0-3.2Ghz Pentium 4 but without all the heat or noise)

Are you sure? IM sure it dosn't measure up to my 3.2 with 2m L3 cache.
DO you have any citations that confirm this PentM 1.7 you speak of out performs my 3.2 pent4? ...Oh heres mine

 

[Underdawg]

Are you sure? IM sure it dosn't measure up to my 3.2 with 2m L3 cache.
DO you have any citations that confirm this PentM 1.7 you speak of out performs my 3.2 pent4? ...Oh heres mine

Jeez... people are ever so confrontational on the internet.

Someone just has to make me dig up old benchmarks. And as if Super PI was the be all end all yard stick for CPU's.

DO you have any citations that confirm this PentM 1.7 you speak of out performs my 3.2 pent4? [/B]

I also never said it outperforms a 3.2Ghz Pentium 4. The following quote is what I said:

(A fine processor, about equal to a 3.0-3.2Ghz Pentium 4 but without all the heat or noise)

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=2342&p=11

Obviously, look for the Intel Pentium M 1.7Ghz; it's listed in every benchmark chart. There are many tests and the link I listed starts at the beginning.

 

[Inspector Javert]

ok I tried a smaller map size and there was still some slowdown (of course I was at war with almost every country...) so I'm going to have to add RAM to my christmas list. Now I'd like to know if adding RAM will void any warrenties (will I have to break a warrently seal or is it just as easy as sticking in a RAM card) and will I have to reinstall the game?

Thanks for all your help

 

[Grimus]

I'm certainly no computer expert, but I have added RAM to computers in the past among other things.

Just do a little research and make sure you get the right kind of RAM. It's as easy as just sliding it into the slot and it's done.

I also try to "mirror" each slot... instead of getting a single 2 gb RAM card, I think it's better to get a 1 gb RAM card for each slot. If this is necessary, I forget and I'm not sure - others more knowledgeable can probably verify this.

No reinstallation of the game is necessary... though, I don't know how it'll affect your warranty.

Also, check what types of outside programs are running as well along with the game while you're playing... they could be eating up your RAM too.

 

[Underdawg]

It's as easy as just sliding it into the slot and it's done.

Installing RAM is a cinch. It's as easy as connecting lego pieces.

Also, if your motherboard supports it, you'll want to place them in dual channel configuration, the RAM will probably have a manual with pictures showing you how to do it. Or your motherboard will.

It does not void the warranty of your computer whatsoever AFAIK.

A good place to buy computer parts would be from http://www.newegg.com. They are the largest online retailer of computer hardware in the USA. They have very competitive prices and excellent customer service. However, they only ship in USA. I suggest you do not buy computer parts from stores such as Best Buy, Circuit City, and the like, they overcharge on computer parts by as much as 100%, specially on video cards.

 

[Ghost Ranger]

A good place to buy computer parts would be from http://www.newegg.com... They have very competitive prices and excellent customer service... I suggest you do not buy computer parts from stores such as Best Buy, Circuit City, and the like, they overcharge on computer parts by as much as 100%, specially on video cards.

I agree, I was able to get RAM (2GB), from newegg, for my mac for about $70, where Apple was charging $300 for the same type/ performance RAM.

 

[KMadCandy]

ok how much money are we talking, and BTW i am considering jumping ship to Mac can I play Civ on it?

civ4, yes. up-to-date BtS civ4? no. expansions don't get released for mac anywhere near as soon as they do for pcs, afaik there's no date announced for when BtS will come out for macs.

edit: actually, it hasn't even been announced that they will release it for macs at all. so i suppose they might not.

 

[Quechua]

You can definitely add some RAM but to my knowledge there's no way to upgrade a laptop video card.

Sure you can, just search on ebay for a video card for your specific model of laptop. I had fried the video card on my laptop (probably from too much gaming), but I was able to get a replacement and Civ works fine for me. They're more expensive than desktop cards, and you have to take apart the laptop to install it, but it is possible.