Curse

Basement Geekette · Jan 30, 2011, 10:38 PM // 22:38

I have googled my little brains out and read everything in the forums here and elsewhere about raising my FPS. Currently the highest FPS I'm getting is 10, but it usually hovers around 5 with a ping around 250.

I have a good computer. I play Runes of Magic all the time with very few issues. I have even beta-tested RIFT.

I've done all the recommended steps: turned down graphics, unchecked this and that, stopped all processes using Game Booster, ran SpyBot & friends, defragged, cleaned, updated drivers, swore profusely, rolled back drivers, checked for overheating, etc etc, ad nauseam.

What else can I do??

SPECS:
HP Compaq dc5100 SFF
Windows XP SP3
Intel Pentium 4 CPU 3.20 GHz
2.50 GB RAM
nVidia GEForce 8400 GS

Cool Name · Jan 30, 2011, 10:53 PM // 22:53

This is one of the steps that might be considered part of "all the recommended steps", but have you tried disabling any anti virus? Have you also tried booting into safe mode and trying it? Also do you have a second OS you can try it on (unlikely, but worth it if you can)?
Your specs are reasonably good, mine are worse than that I get consitent and higher FPS.

Also I assume a reinstall would have been one of the things you've tried?

Just Sai · Jan 30, 2011, 11:13 PM // 23:13

try (if not already) running the game in your monitors native state

eg/ [email protected] on both monitor and game and disable/enable vsync to see if it helps.

also maybe check if you have something like a nvidia control panel thats not inhibiting performance throu a bound setting

Chthon · Jan 31, 2011, 12:29 AM // 00:29

By chance do you have some monitor crapware like Gateway's EZTune installed? Programs like that can interfere with the video driver and cause massive performance problems. (I mention EZTune specifically because it's known to bork GW pretty badly.)

Elder III · Jan 31, 2011, 01:15 AM // 01:15

eh, what ingame settings are you using?

lv42daze · Jan 31, 2011, 07:22 AM // 07:22

doesnt sound like a hw issue. have u done a tracert to arenanet to c if its a network thing?

lv42daze · Jan 31, 2011, 07:25 AM // 07:25

btw --> run --> cmd ---> tracert www.arena.net

Riot Narita · Jan 31, 2011, 11:55 AM // 11:55

You might want to check the heatsink on your CPU is not clogged with dust, and the CPU fan is running OK.

Pentium4's run hot, and when dust builds up in the heatsink they run even hotter.
If it gets too hot, the CPU may automatically throttle down to avoid meltdown.

Bit of a long shot though, if your other games are running OK.

Basement Geekette · Jan 31, 2011, 06:16 PM // 18:16

Thanks for all the great replies. You guys rock!

Anti-virus: I can try this but haven't bothered with it yet cuz my CPU usage is very low. But I will try this next time I log on.

Reinstall: yup, been there, done that. Might do it again just to be safe.

In game settings: basically turned them all to low plus turned off v-synch. I tried running in windowed mode and in full screen as well. Would that make a difference?

nVidia control panel: went there and turned some application-specific setting off for Guild Wars specifically. We'll see if that helps.

EzTune: never heard of it and don't see it on my program list, but I'll double check for other similar crap

The trace: 14 hops?? not sure what that means.

Cleaning: yes, I recently installed another gig of RAM so I cleaned the inside at that time as well. Hmmm, just thinking about that, wonder if I messed something up when I was in the case?

Thanks again, all!

lv42daze · Jan 31, 2011, 08:03 PM // 20:03

another thing to try is an updated vid card driver. and how long was it between the 14 hops. high pings can cause low fps.

Cool Name · Jan 31, 2011, 08:16 PM // 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basement Geekette

...

Anti-virus: I can try this but haven't bothered with it yet cuz my CPU usage is very low. But I will try this next time I log on.

...

My reason for this was because it might be restricting guild wars because it's trying to analyze it, so this wouldn't necessarily cause high CPU but might cause low FPS.

Quaker · Jan 31, 2011, 10:58 PM // 22:58

Make sure, as the computer is booting up, that the system recognizes the CPU as the proper type and operating frequency. Some times, things like noise spikes on the power lines can scramble the CMOS settings in the BIOS.

Also, make sure that the system recognizes all the installed RAM.

The 8400GS is a very low-end card, so don't expect much anyway.

Make sure all the cooling fans are running.

Reseat the video card in it's slot.

Chthon · Feb 02, 2011, 04:16 AM // 04:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by lv42daze

doesnt sound like a hw issue. have u done a tracert to arenanet to c if its a network thing?

This is silly. FPS is always an issue with the local machine.

Rushin Roulette · Feb 02, 2011, 07:51 AM // 07:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basement Geekette

Cleaning: yes, I recently installed another gig of RAM so I cleaned the inside at that time as well. Hmmm, just thinking about that, wonder if I messed something up when I was in the case?

Thanks again, all!

A Silly question here (Hopefully silly). Was the installed RAM matched to your old already and still installed RAM? And are you sure that the old and new RAM is working and set into the socket/locked down correctly?

Riot Narita · Feb 02, 2011, 09:11 AM // 09:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basement Geekette

Hmmm, just thinking about that, wonder if I messed something up when I was in the case?

Maybe check your CPU heatsink is still fully locked down, and making good contact?

Are your other games still running OK? Cos if so, it seems unlikely to be a hardware problem anyway.