Is there any way to increase game's performance?

[RedKi-rr]

Is there any way to increase game's performance?
I haven't changes my PC since 2004.
When I play first 150-200 in civ4 it becomes very slow (this is all about Warlords, but I obtained the same thing in Vanilla and BtS too). Then I exit and open the game again for a few turns I can have more or less normal game but then lags becomes annoying again (it takes 5-10-15 seconds to enter a city). My graphics settings are the lowest.

Is there any way to solve this problem? For example, there is very easy and light graphics in civ3. And it's great. Probably, there are some light custom mods for civ4? Or, may be, there some another graphics for civ4? I don't need all these unnecessary half-animation and so on. I want to play games as fast as I can click mouse

 

[Khoukharev]

I want to play games as fast as I can click mouse

Then there is only one remedy - upgrade your PC

 

[RedKi-rr]

But also I heard that some modes/patches make game better. Can this porblems be because of Warlords patch 1.61?

 

[mintegar]

what are the specs of your pc? Please tell CPU, Ram, Harddisc, Graphics-Card and if you can find out the Mainboard/Chipset.

It could also be that it's got some virus or badly running antivirus (ironic, but both of these can cause trouble) holding it down.

 

[RedKi-rr]

It's about 2.4 GHz, 512 RAM, and GeForce 5600 (256 MB), harddisk are 80 GB (I beleive it's old seagate) and 500 GB (new seagate). The most annoying is the flying camera. In the beginning it wokrs more or less acceptable. But when I continuosly play 200+ turn the game becomes slower and slower. When I move troop, choose troops, enter cities and so on. The graphics settings are the lowest. And I usually play in other OS (windows xp, but without the Internet and without antivirus as well).
I think it could be due to graphics overloading, or at least due to RAM overloading.
In civ3 I don't have such problems at all. Graphics work perfect.

 

[mintegar]

It's the RAM then most likely. C4 is said to somehow use up more and more memory the longer you play a game.
You could go for an upgrade here, it's relatively cheap now. But you'd have to find out the module-type that your Computer uses, and there is a (very low) risk that the new modules will not work in your MB, even if you get the correct type.

 

[RedKi-rr]

I see...Thank you very much, mintegar!

IIRC, I have 2x256 RAM and there no more room for other RAM %) This PC is like poor old man. It can do things fine, but I try don't disturb it (if it unnecessary). I think I should upgrade it a long time ago)

 

[Dman4civ]

IIRC, I have 2x256 RAM and there no more room for other RAM %) This PC is like poor old man. It can do things fine, but I try don't disturb it (if it unnecessary). I think I should upgrade it a long time ago)

Definately upgrade...
but im sure we all understand you cant if ur strapped for cash, but still wana play. I'm sure we all been there. I would first suggest you try to get the 2.13 patch. If you computer at least has an effective cooling system, find out how to overclock the processor, but dont go too far off its grid. That will improve the RAM a lil bit... but the biggest suggestion, if your not familiar, RAM is like short term memory, the more it tries to process the harder it has to work, therefore the more its gotta slow down. The Long term mem of a computer, is the HD, which helps the RAM cuase it takes the load off. They kinda work together. I never go 200+ turns on my games without saving it, I'm running a 4g RAM. I ussually saves thru 4-6 rotating files to save on. When saving, takes the load off RAM puts it on HD, makes the RAM feel like its startin out fresh.

 

[Dman4civ]

so for you... with 2x256 or a 512mg RAM, I would save about every 2-3 Turns, or sooner if you want. After each save, for the sake of the RAM, itll feel like you just started the game.

 

[SamSniped]

So you have single unit graphics, low res textures, no particle effects, and the likes checked off?

 

[RedKi-rr]

@Dman4civ, thanks a lot! I will try to save more often I hope it helps a little bit. I used to exit from the game and load a save again)
I have enough money for upgrade. But my PC is enough for a work and the most of programs run well.

@SamSniped, yes I tried to do minimanl graphics. That is low res textures, no particle effects, and the likes checked off. And I beleive that I did single unit graphics. I checked minimanl settings which I found.

I think, civ4 with graphics from civ3 would be very nice. I would say - ideal for me. Civ3 has much more exploits than civ4.

 

[Pef]

i found that single unit graphics and low setting arent that good ... i get all sort of weird effects up to slowly rotating units around the city , like fighters .
no such effects on medium and normal units graph

 

[RedKi-rr]

@Pef, thank you! I have tried to avoid "single unit graphics and low setting". Indeed, my game worked better (at least, it seemed to me).
The camera with inertia (that is it continues to fly when i don't press buttons any more) is the most annoying. Probably this is due to weak videocard.

BtW, did anybody check "civilizationIV.ini" file? It has a lot of settings. Probably some of them could increase the performance...

 

[Gumbolt]

For me 512mb of ram is too little for modern games. Most pcs come with 2-3gb of ram now as a min.