Mod performance

[Aquila SPQR]

Can anyone tell me how stable is this mod? I'm interested in at least giant maps (biggest preferred) with at least 16 civs and on slowest speed. I've heard about viewports - do they really work as intended and solve all memory problems?

 

[SargontheGreat2]

Unless you have a good computer, don't. This mod used a lot of memory, but the team has something in the works. Welcome to c2c!

 

[Aquila SPQR]

Well... I'm playing AND 1.75C on giant maps and usually don't have more than 1 CTD every few hours (in late middle ages era) and probably mostly because I sometimes alt-tab to browse the internet. So the question should rather be - is this mod's performance better than AND 1.75C or not? And if yes - then how big is the difference?

My specs:

Dual core 2.66Ghz
GeForce 9600GT
4Gb RAM
Win 7 64-bit.

 

[Koshling]

C2C is much more scalable than AND 1.75, but it's also pushed to a much greater scale, so I'm unsure where the net balance is.

Someone like Joseph (who plays both) would be best positioned to answer, though he doesn't like slow game speeds, so his experience would not necessarily entirely match your own. I think Sgsslick also plays both, so you might try PMing them for their views.

 

[Thunderbrd]

While I haven't played AND recently, I can attest to huge improvements in this mod where performance is concerned. Crashes usually fairly quickly get sorted out if posted and are fairly rare in and of themselves. And this, I believe, is the first mod for civ IV to utilize multi-core processing in some limited and yet now expanding portions of the codes. It's faster for me than AND was when I used to play it, and far more stable, though I know that AND has come some ways in those regards too so I'm not sure about any direct comparisons. This mod is much larger in scope and content than AND but I'm thinking it's still most likely more stable and a bit faster to process. Your computer has fairly good specs for it I believe.

 

[stoferb]

I'm playing my current game with viewports because it turned out the map was alot bigger than what I expected, maybe I mis-clicked or something. It does save you from starting over again as it really is loading the damn game that takes forever, but it's not smooth sailing either. The lag in the gameplay itself is actually similar to AND and not at all noticeable slower as one would have imagined. Viewports on the other hand makes the graphics engine behave strange, the great wall sometimes turn up in the middle of the ocean, caves anywhere and atleast in my experience you cannot use the strategy layer (in fact the game craches if I try to open the BUG options at all).

 

[teakbois]

Im getting a new computer that hopefully will be able to play the larger maps (not the only reason for getting it, but a nice perk)

chip will be an i7-3770, hopefully that does the trick

 

[Nimek]

I have similar computer configuration to yours and have crash only once.

I always play on GEM

If you want faster turn times disable Barbarian civs gameoption.
It uses cpu and not give much to gameplay.

 

[civfan613]

Viewports are a must!
I got crashes EVERY turn on GEM until I turned those ON.
No more crashes now.

 

[DRJ]

I am super happy with performace right now. Game loads fast (anyone remember the +10 min loading times with the first version? Ok I still had my old computer then^^)

"Precolumbian G(iant)E(arth)M(ap)" rocks the most for me at least cause the civs (20?) starting locations are pretty balanced. Imo, the ultimate challenge right now is to start isolated as England or Japan while AI starts with 2 cities (deity). Really not easy to catch up fast as you can't attack AI before you construct your first ships (eternity game speed recommended, as well as minor civs start and autoteleportation of animals disabled in XML (a_new_dawn_defines. xml I think)

But once you manage to build rafts the game is on! Have fun

EDIT: I am playing GEM in ancient at the moment and have viewports off but once I get into medieval or renaissance I will turn them on. Also turn on autoend turns and faster AI turns in Bug menu, really helps in beginning with slower game speeds like Eternity)

 

[Aquila SPQR]

Thank you all for replies. I think I'll try this mod as soon as I finish my current game.

 

[LumenAngel]

No crash problem with viewports, using a regular version (not a SVN one).
I play with Huge map, lots of civs and barbarian world.

 

[civfan613]

Faster-AI is only good if you have something to do outside of your PC.
Cause you can't even switch to other programs with it ON.
Even with Task Manager.
Or at least I can't.

 

[pi4t]

And if you could, it would take processing power away from the game.

That said, have you tried playing in windowed mode? I've never bothered, but I believe it's possible and you can probably switch out from there.

 

[Koshling]

And if you could, it would take processing power away from the game.

That said, have you tried playing in windowed mode? I've never bothered, but I believe it's possible and you can probably switch out from there.

This works.

 

[strategyonly]

That said, have you tried playing in windowed mode? I've never bothered, but I believe it's possible and you can probably switch out from there.

Also if you need to go to windows, on all NEW keyboards is a Windows key it is located in-between the Ctrl and Alt keys. (On my keyboard)
I use it alot when doing other things, or i get an error from the game and i want to report it right away, before i forget

 

[AIAndy]

Also if you need to go to windows, on all NEW keyboards is a Windows key it is located in-between the Ctrl and Alt keys. (On my keyboard)
I use it alot when doing other things, or i get an error from the game and i want to report it right away, before i forget

That only helps if you are in windowed mode or Civ4 is not busy at the moment.

 

[pi4t]

Also if you need to go to windows, on all NEW keyboards is a Windows key it is located in-between the Ctrl and Alt keys. (On my keyboard)
I use it alot when doing other things, or i get an error from the game and i want to report it right away, before i forget

As AIAndy said above, that doesn't work IBT.

 

[civfan613]

Yup, don't take me for SUCH a noob.
But even "go to Windows" doesn't respond with this ON.
Like I said, even Task Manager only takes you out of Civ, but you CAN'T use other wondows.
If you click them, you just get thrown back into Civ.
I tried, so I know.
Thus, I rather play with it OFF, which is slightly slower overall, but I can do other stuff meanwhile.

 

[Koshling]

Yup, don't take me for SUCH a noob.
But even "go to Windows" doesn't respond with this ON.
Like I said, even Task Manager only takes you out of Civ, but you CAN'T use other wondows.
If you click them, you just get thrown back into Civ.
I tried, so I know.
Thus, I rather play with it OFF, which is slightly slower overall, but I can do other stuff meanwhile.

That's weird then. I use that option always and have no issues whatsoever switching to other apps, provided Civ is not full-screened. What version of Windows are you using (not that I can really see any version that supports Civ being early enough for this to be an OS issue TBH - Win 95 would have been the last version that I would **expect** that sort of thing to occur in)