Imrove BtS performance / reduce game sluggishness?

[Catan_Settler]

Well my rig is quite a bit worse than yours and since upgrading from Warlords to BTS I find the game is running way, way faster. I only have 512mb RAM but I get no slow downs or anything with BTS, whereas warlords sometimes could take ages for the AIs to move.

 

[T.A JONES]

Catan you have no deley because you choose wee lil maps with wee lil stacks true?

NO offence some like mini civ, kinda like a quick arcade game or travel civ

 

[JosEPh_II]

I was using 512mb 266 ddr ram on my PIV 2.4 ghz custom built machine. I got lags late game. But when I changed the ram to 1GB 400mhz ddr it's not had any problems with lag. And I only have an ATI Radeon 9550 vid card with 256mb ram.

I play Rise of Mankind with tons of added tech bldgs and units on Huge maps and RoM plays fine. I don't play with more than 18 CIVs though. Actually don't want to either.

My 2cents.

JosEPh

 

[T.A JONES]

I was using 512mb 266 ddr ram on my PIV 2.4 ghz custom built machine. I got lags late game. But when I changed the ram to 1GB 400mhz ddr it's not had any problems with lag. And I only have an ATI Radeon 9550 vid card with 256mb ram.

I play Rise of Mankind with tons of added tech bldgs and units on Huge maps and RoM plays fine. I don't play with more than 18 CIVs though. Actually don't want to either.

My 2cents.

JosEPh

Good call 18 civs is like the pefect number. Sometimes many many civs make diplo a tiresome affair no matter how fast the turns are.


Whats a PIV? Are you using a coreduo2 coreduo or an AMD? :

 

[Quintillus]

I agree with the above; it sounds like you need more RAM. 450 MB at idle only gives you 550 MB to work with, which isn't really enough for huge maps. Another 1 GB stick ought to be $30 or so, so I'd go ahead and get it before upgrading to a new system - ought to solve all your problems for a very low cost.

PIV = Pentium IV.

I assume you have a desktop rather than a laptop, but I thought I'd check just in case. Even the best laptops are miserable for gaming (and anything else computationally intensive), mostly due to the hampered cooling functionality.

You obviously haven't looked at the laptop market recently. I can play every game out there except one at moderate or higher settings with my laptop, and it's a good deal off top of the line now. The best desktops will outperform the best laptops, true, but the gap isn't anywhere near as large as it used to be. Here's the comparisons of the best desktop and laptop hardware:

Graphics
Desktop: nvidia 8800 GTX. 3dmark06: 10763
Laptop: nvidia 8800M GTX 3dmark06: 9137

Processor
Desktop: Core 2 Quad 9650, 3.00 GHz, 12 MB L2 cache
Laptop: Core 2 Duo T9500, 2.60 GHz, 6 MB L2 cache
High-Wattage Laptop: Core 2 Extreme X9000, 2.8 GHz, 6 MB L2 cache
Also note that some laptops use desktop processors, making them equal in base power (if more limited in overclocking).

Memory for laptops is capped at 4 GB, but that's enough for nearly everything now. Hard drives aren't quite as fast, but laptops also have SSD options if you've got the money.

Even with far more moderate specs, as I have, you can still play 99% of all games out there at moderate or higher settings on a laptop. Integrated graphics laptops aren't that great, but if you buy the right parts, laptop gaming comes quite close to desktop gaming in performance.

 

[PieceOfMind]

It's a custom build of course. Only I can assemble computers quiet enough for my taste (except SPCR:ers of course). (I'm hypersensitive to noise.)

Originally when I built it (one or two years ago, can't remember exactly... besides I've been upgrading and downgrading components over time) I equipped it with 2x1GB RAM. But, well, the sticks went bad and I haven't gotten around to replacing them yet. So the 1GB I'm currently running is a lone stick @ 64-bit (single-channel, PC3200 though) I borrowed from another build. So that's why. It was supposed to be temporary, but time goes fast.

I'm planning on building a new rig though, as soon as I can get my hands on a Wolfdale. Then it's 4GB time. And a better GFX (probably 3870, 88GT(S) or 96GT). Hopefully, I'll then be able to run this game in it's full glory (that is Standard size map @ lowest settings).

And I hate memory optimizers. You never really know what they're doing, so I don't trust them. I don't want to turn off my AV (F-Secure AVCS) for obvious reasons and other than that I'm really only running PowerStrip while modding (in case of VGA freeze).

Gonna try Toroidal then, as I don't like Globe View anyway.

Hey I'm an SPCRer now. Because the computer I just built is near silent and much cleaner than my older computers, I'm never going to buy an OTS computer again! I definitely recommend the 8800gts you're thinking about - the Gigabyte one anyway. In an adequately ventilated case it never gets too hot.

As for the slowdown you're getting, have you checked your power supply is still up to the task? And 1GB is not much for Civ4 but I don't know why you'd have a problem on a tiny map.

 

[PieceOfMind]

The delay in the globe view is because of slow video cards, going from a 7900gt to an 8800 gts g92 smoothed it out totally for me.

Can you be certain of that? As someone mentioned I think the available RAM was the bigger issue. By getting a faster VGA with (probably) more memory too, you're possibly freeing up some more RAM and CPU time and so noticing an improvement.

 

[T.A JONES]

"Desktop: Core 2 Quad 9650, 3.00 GHz, 12 MB L2 cache".

This looks like the king with all that L2 no need to use ram memory to much wouldn't you say this means much less deley?
At what price may I ask.?

Edit: scratch. googled it. To much coins for me

If anyone knows if its possable to put more L2 in the Ceder mill P4's or the older Prescott's, please let me know. Thanks

NOTE: Don't you guys wish they put civ4 in a benchmark just for once?!
Its such a popular game, sellin milllions upon millions worldwide and its also famous for have being a hog and hard on the resources. I guess its just me but so youd think these dummies would realize thats the showdown some would like to see, on occasion. Instead, the 1000th Halflife or unreal tourney benchmark gets demo'ed once again. *sigh*

 

[krille]

I suggest a cedermill. Its 64 bit supported with 2mb of L2 and if eqpit with great cooling systems and software that deals with energy and heat issues, your really set to scorch the game where turns are concerned

While I'm all for giving others advice and help, I'm not sure in what way (other than possibly price) a Cedar Mill (65nm single-core P4/netburst, 2MB L2) would be superior to a Wolfdale (45nm dual-core C2D, 6MB L2)? Now, the question for me is not if it's going to be Wolfdale. Rather what Wolfdale (what speed bin), this I'll have to figure out by myself though.

You're not running Nero by any chance are you? If so, do a search on disabling Scout. It has a background process that can easily eat up half of your processing power. I ran into problems with that awhile back and couldn't figure why some of my games were suddenly running like crap. Until I happened to look at my Task Manager and saw this process using up at least 50% of my CPU, while I was only sitting on my desktop. The process is called NMStoreServ.exe, or something like that.

Whoa! You are quite right. I *AM* running all kinds of crazy Nero "stuff" (not the s-word I was looking for...) as background processes. That's embarrassing, I never really took notice of those. Thanks to you, they're now disabled. Hopefully, that'll result in some performance improvement / reduction in overall system sluggishness.

 

[Melhisedek]

The game works faster when maps are toroidal, since the globe view is disabled and it doesn't occupy place in cache. Previously globe view didn't occupy any place, but it took hell of a lag of time to kick in after scrolling away from standard view. Disable the globe view for better results.

How do you disable globe view? I can just set it to low I think...

 

[krille]

Noticed I'd missed a few replies, anyway:

PieceOfMind, good job! Did you get the Accelero S1 for your 88GTS? If so, did you have to attach an additional fan to it? My PSU is a Seasonic S12-600, btw. So, it definitely should not be the problem.

It's a desktop of course. (P180B/P182B FTW!) Sure, lappies can provide some excellent gaming performance, however it's never up to par with a desktop. (And I hate lappy screens. I hate lappies.) Moreover, lappies are noisier and more expensive for the same performance as their desktop counter-part. I used to have an 88GTX (G80), but it was a real screecher once you put on some load, so I sold it and got the 26XT I'm currently using.

T.A JONES > The Yorkfield (45nm C2Q w/ 12MB L2) is really just two Wolfdale dies tucked in the same package. That is, it's really 2x6MB or a 1-way DP system. No good for silent Civ-ing at the moment (noisier for the same performance, Civ ain't even DC optimized).

This computer is definitely going to see 2GB again. Not sure exactly when though. I still think 1GB should be enough for Civ without the eye-candy though! Oh, well.

 

[krille]

How do you disable globe view? I can just set it to low I think...

I think the idea was to play on toroidal maps?

 

[Zelig]

Can you be certain of that? As someone mentioned I think the available RAM was the bigger issue. By getting a faster VGA with (probably) more memory too, you're possibly freeing up some more RAM and CPU time and so noticing an improvement.

Totally certain? No, but confident enough to make the claim.

I've seen quadcore systems with 8gb of ram struggle in displaying the globeview with onboard video cards.

A fast video card paired with too little ram or too slow a processor could result in the slow world view as well. However, I was surprised myself when upgrading my video card smoothed everything out. Few people with systems slower than mine (2.8 GHz Athlon X2, 4GB ram) are going to bother upgrading to a video card of this speed.

So, to be even more specific, on any reasonably modern system (Athlon X2>2.8 GHz, any Core 2 duo, any quad-core or higher, with >2gb ram), putting in a fast card should smooth out the globe view.

 

[Melhisedek]

I think the idea was to play on toroidal maps?

Please excuse me for my ignorance but how do you do that and what is toroidal map?

 

[PieceOfMind]

Noticed I'd missed a few replies, anyway:

PieceOfMind, good job! Did you get the Accelero S1 for your 88GTS? If so, did you have to attach an additional fan to it? My PSU is a Seasonic S12-600, btw. So, it definitely should not be the problem.

It's a desktop of course. (P180B/P182B FTW!) Sure, lappies can provide some excellent gaming performance, however it's never up to par with a desktop. (And I hate lappy screens. I hate lappies.) Moreover, lappies are noisier and more expensive for the same performance as their desktop counter-part. I used to have an 88GTX (G80), but it was a real screecher once you put on some load, so I sold it and got the 26XT I'm currently using.

T.A JONES > The Yorkfield (45nm C2Q w/ 12MB L2) is really just two Wolfdale dies tucked in the same package. That is, it's really 2x6MB or a 1-way DP system. No good for silent Civ-ing at the moment (noisier for the same performance, Civ ain't even DC optimized).

This computer is definitely going to see 2GB again. Not sure exactly when though. I still think 1GB should be enough for Civ without the eye-candy though! Oh, well.

P182 ftw agreed! I get the impression anyone who visits SPCR would end up buying a P182 at the moment. Anyway, I left the VGA as is. Actually I just realised I typo'd bad because I have the 8600gts. It's definitely a great passive card. I'm guessing the 8800gts which I accidentally mentioned actually has a fan already. The system you're going for is obviously more powerful than what I'm running so you'll need more skill than I had to keep it quiet. Now they just need to make quiet DVD drives and I'll be all set.

 

[PieceOfMind]

Totally certain? No, but confident enough to make the claim.

I've seen quadcore systems with 8gb of ram struggle in displaying the globeview with onboard video cards.

A fast video card paired with too little ram or too slow a processor could result in the slow world view as well. However, I was surprised myself when upgrading my video card smoothed everything out. Few people with systems slower than mine (2.8 GHz Athlon X2, 4GB ram) are going to bother upgrading to a video card of this speed.

So, to be even more specific, on any reasonably modern system (Athlon X2>2.8 GHz, any Core 2 duo, any quad-core or higher, with >2gb ram), putting in a fast card should smooth out the globe view.

Ok, thanks. That's handy to know.

 

[PieceOfMind]

Sorry for the triple post but one last comment...

You could just not discover Calendar. I noticed in one of my games the globe view wasn't working even though I'd revealed most of the world map. Turns out I'd just left Calendar out of my to do list because I had no calendar resources to connect.

 

[Titus]

Are sea maps slower than land maps? I'm playing a sea game which is slower than my usual pangaea games, but I don't know if it's necessarily because of the water?

 

[Mat777]

Hi!

Are there any guides on how to improve BtS performance? Config settings, maybe mods, etc?

I find the game very laggy, slow, unresponsive and sluggish even on the lowest settings (in the in-game options) and on tiny maps! And my system specs aren't bad: 2.6Ghz AMD Dual-Core, 1GB RAM, HD 2600XT (256MB or 512MB, not sure).

You can go in the option of you video card and change the graphic quality for FAST instead of good.

I did this on a slow computer and it really help.

BTS is lagging at late game on my 7950G7 with a core2duo.
The micromanagement at some point get very slow. Sometimes take 1 sec to change working tile.
But all the settings are at max.


It is for sure a good thing to close anti-virus before playing. Because some programs like av really slow donw a computer.

I also noticed that if you save and QUIT civ4 and restart and re-load your game, it will run faster.

edit: You can also turn off the animation, this really help to improve your performance.

 

[shaunthegreat]

have you tried to reinstall windows. This is especially important if you bought an off-the-shelf PC

PC manufacturers tend to put a lot of software you don't need on new pc's. Even if you uninstall all the software, in my experience at least, you will still experience slow downs. I actually did this on my soon to be replaced PC that I built about 3 years ago, and I've noticed a significant improvement.