Very jerky gameplay

[Bal Ur]

Put it into the attachement to save space.

I'm getting a large amount of slowdown and the occasional crash, with most advisors taking several moments to open and close, and all unit responses are 1-10 seconds slow. Also the leaderheads drop my FPS to 2-5, from around 12. I know I don't have a beast of a system, but this sure isn't FEAR, and Pirates! ran beautifully on high, never dropping below 20 FPS and usally staying around 25/30.

 

[Nothingman]

It seems a lot of us have GeForce 5200's. I certainly noticed a huge performance improvement after upgrading to SP2 and turning off hardware acceleration but it certainly isn't running as well as it should. Overall gameplay is still a little jerky, still get some audio skipping on wonders, and leader animations are horribly jerky. It's playable now at least but very annoying. Here are my dxdiag results.

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/27/2005, 15:29:02
Machine name: OURCOMPUTER
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
System Model: Dimension 4600
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A03
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.66GHz
Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 261MB used, 2202MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce FX 5200
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0322&SUBSYS_01B910DE&REV_A1
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Dell P991
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8185 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 10/10/2005 21:49:00, 3921024 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 10/10/2005 21:49:00, 3530432 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4062-11CF-976C-B32100C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0322
SubSys ID: 0x01B910DE
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
Deinterlace Caps: {212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio (emulated)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D5&SUBSYS_01551028&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 65535
Product ID: 65535
Type: Emulated
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Attributes:
WHQL Logo'd:
Date and Size:
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Analog Devices
HW Accel Level: Emulation Only
Cap Flags: 0x2F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 100000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

 

[xNitex]

i seem to have found out wat's causing all these **** troubles and lockups

go to yr CIV 4 folder and u will find shortcut file [ _Civ4Config ] to yr .ini file
backup the .ini first

open the file and find these 2 lines

****** default setting ******
; Enable Trilinear Filtering for the Minimap
MinimapTrilinearFilter = 1

; Sync input to smooth interface (may run slower)
SyncInput = 0
******

edit
MinimapTrilinearFilter = 0
SyncInput = 1

save and run civ 4
u will notice now that everything should be cleared up
no more jerky graphics or lockups

tell me if it works

 

[Tyrole]

No effect, I am sorry to say.

 

[Tyrole]

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/27/2005, 18:58:21
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: INTELR
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.00GHz
Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 287MB used, 961MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 8500DV
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: RADEON 8500 AIW AGP (0x4242)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4242&SUBSYS_02AA1002&REV_00
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (100Hz)
Monitor: HITACHI CM721F
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6575 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 9/14/2005 21:58:47, 241664 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
Mini VDD Date: 9/14/2005 21:58:28, 1339392 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-0102-11CF-1D6A-A022A1C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x4242
SubSys ID: 0x02AA1002
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBLineReplicate
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: SB Audigy 2 Audio [A000]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_10021102&REV_04
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0444 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 10/18/2004 15:21:24, 371376 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Creative
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 4000, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 64, 62
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 64, 62
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: Yes
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

 

[ibcoltscrew]

I HAD bad bad lag (FPS 1-5 when i meet contact and after) ...
My system is :
Athlon XP64 3000+
1Go RAM 400mhz
GeForce FX 5700 Ultra (81.85)
WindowsXP SP2
All disk DEFRAG and nothing in Tray except Norton.
it's enough to run the game as you can see....
Now NO MORE LAG !

I have change my Graphic setting to LOW (1024x768) (32bit) (LOW) with almost everything OFF.
I have change my _Civ4Config.ini

Try this and make sure you got a backup of your original _Civ4Config.ini
in case it wont work for you.


Make sure you save your original before changing these settings... and remember this is not the FULL _Civ4Config.ini, it's only some minor change.

Faster is always better !!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------
[CONFIG]

; Enable Trilinear Filtering for the Minimap
MinimapTrilinearFilter = 0

; Enable Tree Region Cutting
CutTrees = 1

; Enable Quick Slide Show Transitions
PopSlides = 0

; Random seed for map generation, or '0' for default
MapRandSeed = 0

; Random seed for game sync, or '0' for default
SyncRandSeed = 0

; Enable/disable background music
PlayMusic = 1

; Allow Screenshots. May affect performance on some video cards
AllowScreenShots = 0

; Set max frame rate clamp (0 means none)
SetMaxFrameRate = 0

; Set to 1 for dynamic animation paging
DynamicAnimPaging = 0

; Set to 1 for no in-game movies
NoMovies = 0

; Set to 1 for no python exception popups
HidePythonExceptions = 1

; Specify the number of turns between autoSaves. 0 means no autosave.
AutoSaveInterval = 25

; Enable Audio
AudioEnable = 1

; Sync input to smooth interface (may run slower)
SyncInput = 0

; Force numlock always on while playing
ForceNumlock = 0
---------------------------------------------------------------

I gotta say it work for me... i just finish a Quick Game and i didnt got any lag this time...

Have fun

 

[Tyrole]

Unfortunately, this too had no effect. I am hoping that with the rendering problem now solved, we can get some attention for this fairly serious issue.

 

[Ruffin]

It works! Hurrah! I even moved the displays up to medium and turned all the extras back on.

One other thing I did: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=3222519#post3222519

And it works. What a stupid reason to tear my hair out for two days.... stupid on-board sound....

Thanks much

Correction: It runs beautifully until I meet the enemy, then it slows back to a crawl. Is there any way to turn off the animated leaderheads?
This is a geforce 5500, btw.

 

[xNitex]

No effect, I am sorry to say.

Tyrole try to find a solution in one of those ATi threads

most ppl here on this thread are on a solution for GeForce Cards.
GeForce owners config with the above settings prove to be working fine.

but as u are having an ATi card, those might not work
i cant help much as i dun have ATi card atm.

 

[Kaygee]

I turned hardware acceleration off and it is STILL choppy.
Way to release a broken game. It goes back if it isn't fixed by saturday.

 

[Eleri]

Walk me through any fixes you come up with slloooowwwly please. I am an anti-geek.

 

[TheBarnacle]

hmmm, i've upgraded sound and video drivers (this after actually dropping $$ on a new friggin' vid card just to get rid of chesire cats!!! creepy!!)....

i tried downing the sound accelerator. and i tried changing the .ini file.

i still get choppy/lag game play. in fact, i played some last night with black terrain and it was real smooth! now, i see the terrain, but it chop-p-p-p-p-s by. not sure which is worse. i'm totally frustrated now..and that's a bummer since this is a friggin' game. shouldn't be ridiculous like this. anyway, any other thoughts?

--
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce FX 5200
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0322&SUBSYS_B3093842&REV_A1
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8185 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 10/10/2005 21:49:00, 3921024 bytes

Description: Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0007&SUBSYS_10071102&REV_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: P17.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0512 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 7/7/2005 16:14:30, 1389056 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: CREATIVE
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 4000, 96000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 64, 62
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 64, 62
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: Yes
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

 

[cpcomeaux]

i still get choppy/lag game play. in fact, i played some last night with black terrain and it was real smooth! now, i see the terrain, but it chop-p-p-p-p-s by. not sure which is worse. i'm totally frustrated now..and that's a bummer since this is a friggin' game. shouldn't be ridiculous like this. anyway, any other thoughts?

--
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce FX 5200

I have the same card and get the same results. It normally runs around 7 FPS. If I zoom out to the global view, it increases to a tolerable 15 or so.

-- Chris Comeaux

 

[Captain Amazing]

I'm having the same framerate issues. No sound issues. I upgraded to service pack 2 and turned off the sound acceleration. I think SP2 may have helped a little, but I'm still having problems.

Guess what videocard I have. GeForce FX Go 5200. 64 megs.

Is it just me, or are we seeing the number 5200 a lot in this thread?

 

[Tyrole]

I have the same card and get the same results. It normally runs around 7 FPS. If I zoom out to the global view, it increases to a tolerable 15 or so.

Since it appears the developers do in fact read the Apolyton boards, I posted this issue there. Unfortunately, it appears at this time my (our) requests for help are falling on deaf ears (my post has been pushed back to the 2nd page of topics in only a matter of hours).

If all the above fixes fail you as they have me, it appears our best bet is to wait for a few official patches and hope that one accidentally fixes our gameplay problems...

 

[Coop421]

I'm having the same framerate issues. No sound issues. I upgraded to service pack 2 and turned off the sound acceleration. I think SP2 may have helped a little, but I'm still having problems.

Guess what videocard I have. GeForce FX Go 5200. 64 megs.

Is it just me, or are we seeing the number 5200 a lot in this thread?

Same card, same problem too :-\

 

[Truenova]

I haven't had any sound problems outside of the video/sound skipping during the movies. And the game is also really laggy and I just feal its not worth playing this way I am just so dissapointed.

ATI Radeon 9200 128MB

Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 510MB RAM
Page File: 445MB used, 800MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

I have all updates for my system and cards. I tried the fixes listed here and none have helped at all. And now you guys can't say its a mainly geforce problem....

I attached my directx file to.

 

[Kaygee]

As I stated before, I have a pretty new video card (geforce4 6800gt 256mb of ram) and I still have all the problems the lower end users are having. I have tried to contact the "civ4 tech support" but I have still gotten NO solution to the problem.

Like I said, I was VERY excited about this game, but I am returning it if there is not a solution to this problem by Saturday.

 

[Tyrole]

I have all updates for my system and cards. I tried the fixes listed here and none have helped at all. And now you guys can't say its a mainly geforce problem....

And I have a Radeon 8500 - so we are not entirely alone Truenova. It is also worth noting that the 5200, 8500, and the 9200 are all fairly similar cards performance-wise.

Also, after my 3 exams tomorrow morning (why am I typing this message at 12:30 a.m. when I should be asleep? ...*sigh*), I will be dedicating an even larger amount of time to finding a solution to this problem.

 

[sorion]

I just dont understand what is wrong, I have friends playing the game with graphics cards lower than mine or similiar and they run smooth as hell, My card is a Ge Force 5200 128MB,

Now when i first ran the game it ran smooth for ages and ages, not perfectly smooth but playable, then it would go so slow and I would have to restart the game, Now when I came to start a new game it was slow right from the beginning unbearably slow.

Now I can still load my previous game and it runs fineish thats what I dont understand, And when I play a new game it runs slow although better since updating my drivers to 81.85, But still the game is way too slow.

I have tried everything you guys have said to no avail... Wondering what to do...