Curse

Darth Nathan · Jun 09, 2007, 10:52 AM // 10:52

Hey guys

Just bought a new computer. Just an Acer pre-built job, nothing fancy. Specs are:
Core 2 Duo E6400
2GB DDR2-RAM
ATI X1650 Pro 256MB
Vista Home Premium 32bit

Running GW at:
1680x1050, maxed settings, no AA

I'm not exactly an expert on gaming rigs, but I don't think that's too bad. With this setup though, I'm only getting 25 FPS. I got this same speed on my old computer, which was only:
Pentium 4
512MB RAM
ATI X300 128MB
Windows XP

All drivers are as up to date as I can find. Not running any background programs, defragged, etc. So, what's the deal? Is the machine not really that great, and this is all I can expect? Is driver support for Vista bad? Is Vista bad? Hehe, answers are appreciated, I was really hoping for a bit of a performance increase with this new machine, so whatever you can help with is great.

milkflopance · Jun 09, 2007, 11:30 AM // 11:30

If you have V-sync on, it'll cap the FPS at about 30. Try turning it off and then see what you get.

You shouldn't be able to see any/much difference between the two frame rates, so you should leave V-sync on to stop tearing.

Yanman.be · Jun 09, 2007, 12:52 PM // 12:52

V-sync should not cap at 30 fps...60 is more like it...the 60hz refresh rate from your monitor (for LCD's/TFT's ). CRT should be 85+.

milkflopance · Jun 09, 2007, 01:04 PM // 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yanman.be

V-sync should not cap at 30 fps...60 is more like it...the 60hz refresh rate from your monitor (for LCD's/TFT's ). CRT should be 85+.

You're right, it is 60

Playing in a window instead of fullscreen will also drop the FPS, so make sure you're not doing that.

lordpwn · Jun 09, 2007, 03:41 PM // 15:41

Most games run around 10-20% slower on Vista due to immature video drivers and other stuff, ATI seems to be suffering more from this than Nvidia at the moment and the Radeon X1650 Pro is already easily the weakest part of the system.

Try turning the shadows and water reflections to a lower setting (both hit the performance hard at their highest values) and hope ATI improves the drivers a bit in the near future. Or upgrade to at least a Radeon X1950 Pro or a GeForce 7900 GS, that CPU goes to waste with a video card like that.

Gimme Money Plzkthx · Jun 09, 2007, 05:52 PM // 17:52

25 in battle, or 25 idle? Try sitting in your GH not moving with no one else in there, and then tell us what you get... if you mean 25 in a heated gargantuan battle, then it's not TOO bad...

Darth Nathan · Jun 10, 2007, 02:27 AM // 02:27

Thanks for the answers guys. Vsync wasn't the problem, made no difference on or off. I've changed a few settings, leaving all the GW settings at max, but fiddling around with some of the computer stuff. Now the FPS goes from about 30 in heavy battles and full towns to 40/50 in less intense areas. I'm pretty happy with that, so no more worries.

Oh, and lordpwn, I know that the graphics card isn't the best. I didn't want to spend too much on it, 'cause I plan on replacing it before the end of the year with a DirectX 10 card when they become cheaper and more widespread here (in Australia). Fingers crossed that drivers become a bit better in that time though.