Curse

Akisai · Sep 10, 2006, 11:52 PM // 23:52

I recently got a new computer

Intel Pentium D
3.2GHz
1.00 GB of RAM (DDR2)
GeForce 6800 XT

An improvement from

Intel Pentium 4
2.6GHz
1.00 GB of RAM (DDR)
GeForce 5600 FX

Before, I played the game on everything low except texture details (High), now wiht this upgrade, I'm able to play with everything turned to high. When I start the game I get a nice steady 60 FPS, but right after I kill something, it drops to 20 FPS and hovers around there. I turned my graphics all the way down to low, but the FPS doesn't change at all either.

Anyone have any idea what's wrong?

(I'm using an omega driver, could that be what's causing this?)
(Also using -heapsize 512000, did not notice a difference though)

lachescandinavu · Sep 11, 2006, 12:06 AM // 00:06

change the omega to the forceware ones

Akisai · Sep 11, 2006, 03:07 AM // 03:07

I uninstalled the Omega drivers and installed the latest Forceware drivers provided by Nvidia.

Still no dice.

After a few killings at a nice smooth 60FPS, it drops and hovers around 20FPS, even while staring at a wall I would be staring at earlier at 60FPS. Changing resolutions lower, textures lower, anything; it stays around 20FPS.

Riplox · Sep 11, 2006, 03:54 AM // 03:54

Do you have the "Wait for Vertical Sync" option on? If you do, turn it off. I went from 30 some-odd fps to over 70 with that little maneuver.

Akisai · Sep 11, 2006, 03:58 AM // 03:58

Hm, it was on, now it's off. No change in FPS though.

Argh, this is frustrating.

lachescandinavu · Sep 11, 2006, 04:41 AM // 04:41

hmm..no heat problems ??

Akisai · Sep 11, 2006, 10:30 AM // 10:30

Nope, everything is new, the temperature for all my components are normal.

Nanood · Sep 11, 2006, 12:07 PM // 12:07

Try installing the drivers from the manufacturer of the card. Remove the heapsize from the commandline as with your config you should not need to set aside that much memory unless you are running many background applications. I run a similiar config including a 256mb 6800gt on a secondary machine but with a 3.0ghz and have steady 60 fps with everything on max.

FYI the driver version i am running is nvidia 8.4.2.1 so maybe try that one first. Ifit's not the most up to date driver on the page it can be found on the old drivers page on the nvidia site.

Strange problem. Something is obviously loading up your machine at a certain point. Have a look at your running processes when you first start up the game when things are running fine and take note of any applications or processes that are using up your resources. Minimise the game when you are getting the problem and again check to see what applications or processes are using up the resources. See if anything besides guild wars is competing for resource. If that stills shows nothing go to your start button -> Run type msconfig. go to the services tab. Check the "Hide all microsoft services" checkbox at the bottom. Uncheck everything except NVIDIA Display Driver Service which should be in your list. Go to the startup tab. Uncheck everything that doesn't come from the windows/system directory. Hit apply and restart. Play the game and see if the problems still occurs.

Failing that go for a re install of GW. Failing that a re install of windows. Failing that i'm not sure where to go from there.

Good luck, I hate having problems like that.

X-Bomb · Sep 11, 2006, 12:46 PM // 12:46

do u get bad frames in other games?

if not add -nosound to the guildwars startup icon thingy:

e.g "I:\Program Files\Guild Wars\Gw.exe" -nosound , does this improve your frames. If so you better ask anet to improve there sound system, cause its been messed up since they introduced the crappy sound changes a while back

Akisai · Sep 11, 2006, 09:30 PM // 21:30

And I found out what was causing the problem!

(Thanks to everyone who helped out, specially X-Bomb)

It seems that the sound is what was causing this FPS drop... I have no idea why though, it doesn't make sense, would sound affect a game's FPS that heavily?

I used the -nosound switch and now I'm at a perfect 60 FPS almost always... but I'm starting to miss the woosh sounds. Someone stated that by getting the latest version of your sound card driver, it should fix the problem... problem is, I have no idea where I can get it.

SigmaTel or something? I did a search and I have no idea what to download.

Nanood · Sep 11, 2006, 09:44 PM // 21:44

Great job on the sleuth x-bomb.

Having a look at yr start button -> control panel -> Sounds And Audio Devices

At the top of the pop up window it should say what your sound device is eg realtek ac97, creative, sigmatel etc. If you post that i'm sure someone can point you to the appropriate page. I had popping and crackling in my sound after one of the previous updates but it seems to be fine now. It never affected my frame rates like that though thank goodness.

Akisai · Sep 11, 2006, 10:14 PM // 22:14

It says, SigmaTel Audio.

Thanks so much for your generousity to help out a stranger; Nanood... and everyone else, much appreciated!