Curse

Trunce · Aug 08, 2006, 02:30 AM // 02:30

Been playing Guild Wars for over a year, just reinstalled it after a 5 month absence and a new computer.
Specs of my computer (Sorry, don't know the exact details)
512 RAM
256 Nvidia Video Card
3.06 GHZ processor
over the reqs for it.

Anyway, now after an hour of Gameplay, I get some lag. Pretty bad, I might say. I hope to get into FoW and UW, but with this lag after an hour of gameplay will make it impossible.

I have no clue what this could be. It's perfect until that hour mark, when the lag comes fullforce. I've played with the settings, and it makes no difference.

So, anyone have any ideas? -.-;

Feel free to E-mail me at [email protected]

Thanks for any help, and lem'me know if there's anything I can do.

Tarun · Aug 08, 2006, 03:14 AM // 03:14

Are you getting any balloon tooltip sounds saying your pagefile is too small or Windows is increasing it?

Windows XP could really use 1GB of RAM for gaming.

Trunce · Aug 08, 2006, 03:31 AM // 03:31

Nope. I know what you're talking about, though.
I know, but I played it on 256 and did fine. It's really odd.
Anyway, planning on getting a gig stick for it.

Tarun · Aug 08, 2006, 03:00 PM // 15:00

Right click My Computer > Properties > Advanced > Performance > Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory

What are your settings?

If you don't want to worry about it, set it to "System Managed Size".

RTSFirebat · Aug 08, 2006, 03:18 PM // 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarun

Right click My Computer > Properties > Advanced > Performance > Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory

What are your settings?

If you don't want to worry about it, set it to "System Managed Size".

Also Ideally if you want to set it Manually, which is more ideal then letting Windows do it for you.

You need to make sure the min page file size is set to the same as your current RAM amount, so in your case 512MB, and then set the max to twice your RAM, so 1024MB.

Setting it to "System Managed Size" is not recommended. Windows uses a lot of CPU time and resources to manage the page file size itself, and therefore the cause of your lag could be the fact your Physical memory runs out of space at that time, and then Windows kicks in.

However I would still highly recommend you get another 512 stick of RAM and upgrade your memory to 1GB, as its recommended amount for most games these days.

Trunce · Aug 08, 2006, 04:50 PM // 16:50

Beleive me, I know. I've been stressing getting another one, but money's a bit tight for me. I should be at least getting another 512 stcik within the next few months. Thanks for the help, and I'll defiantley try this out. I'll post my results later.

EF2NYD · Aug 08, 2006, 04:53 PM // 16:53

Sounds like the old sound-fps bug. Try turning your sound properties down or play with the -nosound command line switch to diagnose.

gabrial heart · Aug 08, 2006, 05:22 PM // 17:22

Alot of stuff you can try... I know that i get lowered FPS with an X1800 crossfire setup after about an hour. If it's an older system (been sitting in one place for awhile, try cleaning it out, get the dust/dirt out of the fans and heat sinks. Check system temps and fan speeds to see if you're running hot (70c +). Run an error chdsk and defrag. Set your virtual mem to 1024 intial 3072 max. Usually it can be down to a general maintenence type thing if it runs fine intially, then starts to lag over time. Heat being a major culprit.

Trunce · Aug 09, 2006, 07:43 PM // 19:43

System's pretty new, just built it 2 months ago. I'll try the new Virt. memory, as I ran into the problem again, just at about the 2 hours mark. Defragged my computer two days ago, and I doubt it's really heat, as when I was running WoW I didn't get anything like this. Anywho, I updated my Virt. Memory and I'll reply back when I try it out. Thanks everyone.

UPDATE: Nothing's worked. -_- Well, nothing's solved the problem permanently. The best luck I've had was changing my Virt. Memory to 512/1024. Anyone else have any ideas? >.<!

gabrial heart · Aug 09, 2006, 08:06 PM // 20:06

Are you cycling in and out of the game? Like for web browsing, voice software? I'm not positive why this happens on my system at the moment, but if i do some alt+tab'ing it will get really laggy. If you build the system recently, did you put in a new hard drive also (have a low RPM drive or low transfer rates)? If you're hitting VM as you continue to play, you might be taking a good performance hit there. If you are in fact getting better luck with a very low page file as mentioned, you may be hitting the VM a little later then usual.

You might want to, if you haven't yet, test out the breaking time when GW runs out of memory (if it does at all) by running without a page file. If it's in-line with the time you start to experience the game play lag you mentioned, then most likely it's a VM issue, which tossing more physical RAM (obviously) at it will help out a lot.

Trunce · Aug 09, 2006, 08:21 PM // 20:21

Actualy, now that I think about it, I get the lag sooner when I cycle.
I always use X-fire to talk, especialy while I farm Totem's. Could that have anything to do with it? And thanks for you're help Gabrial Heart.

Tarun · Aug 09, 2006, 08:50 PM // 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTSFirebat

Also Ideally if you want to set it Manually, which is more ideal then letting Windows do it for you.

You need to make sure the min page file size is set to the same as your current RAM amount, so in your case 512MB, and then set the max to twice your RAM, so 1024MB.

Setting it to "System Managed Size" is not recommended. Windows uses a lot of CPU time and resources to manage the page file size itself, and therefore the cause of your lag could be the fact your Physical memory runs out of space at that time, and then Windows kicks in.

However I would still highly recommend you get another 512 stick of RAM and upgrade your memory to 1GB, as its recommended amount for most games these days.

No. No no no, just plain wrong and no. System Managed Size is a GOOD thing.

Stop spouting this incorrect information. It's a myth.

Some people like the "2x rule" where you set the minimum to 2x your max RAM, and the maximum for your pagefile to 2x the minimum.

You do not need to mess with the settings at all. Let Windows handle it, because it will know when it needs more memory. (What, you think you will?) Also, with today's hard drive sizes nearing a terabyte of storage, you don't need to worry about the pagefile taking up space.

You can educate yourself by reading the SH/SC Wiki page on Windows Memory Management.

gabrial heart · Aug 09, 2006, 09:09 PM // 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trunce

Actualy, now that I think about it, I get the lag sooner when I cycle.
I always use X-fire to talk, especialy while I farm Totem's. Could that have anything to do with it? And thanks for you're help Gabrial Heart.

No problem. I don't use (or have ever used x-fire) so i don't know how it works. We all (our guild) uses teampeak w/ teamspeak overlay to communicate, which allows a push to talk function. With overlay, you get the info on whos talking, what server your connected to, which channel your currently in and FPS. Making it so you don't have to cycle or run in windowed mode to see whats going on in teamspeak. Also, i have a mac sitting next to me and my g/f so we can read stuff on guru, check maps and find skills for capping, kinda freakish, especially since our desk looks like computer central, LOL!

Oh i forgot to mention, just closing and reopening gw seems to fix the screen lag it just fine.

Trunce · Aug 09, 2006, 10:40 PM // 22:40

...
Really?
D:
And, I guess I'll try your way Tarun.
Thanks for hte help again, all.

RTSFirebat · Aug 10, 2006, 07:55 AM // 07:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarun

No. No no no, just plain wrong and no. System Managed Size is a GOOD thing.

Stop spouting this incorrect information. It's a myth.

Some people like the "2x rule" where you set the minimum to 2x your max RAM, and the maximum for your pagefile to 2x the minimum.

You do not need to mess with the settings at all. Let Windows handle it, because it will know when it needs more memory. (What, you think you will?) Also, with today's hard drive sizes nearing a terabyte of storage, you don't need to worry about the pagefile taking up space.

You can educate yourself by reading the SH/SC Wiki page on Windows Memory Management.

Er... no, no and no again... I don't require educating thank you

It is not incorrect information at all! It's not a myth. It's simply another method.

You have two options, let Windows do it, or manually set it. Both methods work fine.

I've been using the manual setup method for months, years even. Its never even me any issues.

Having Windows do all the work has given me issues in the past.

Both methods work think fine.

Its not a matter of harddisks running out of space, I simply don't want Windows wasting resources and CPU time contantly dynamic making my page file bigger and smaller.

This has nothing to do with harddisk space! No one has a small harddisk these days

The company I work for (IBM) happily uses the manual set method on many of our workstations. So please don't downplay with method, with its perfectly fine to use.

Educate yourself with this page on Page file Optimization: http://www.petri.co.il/pagefile_optimization.htm

Note that the page above is slightly outdated, read the guy's rant below about it. Its best to use the 2x method.

Tarun · Aug 10, 2006, 02:11 PM // 14:11

Actually, you really do need to learn a lot about the pagefile and memory management if you think that page is correct. It's not right!

I've seen and read over that page before. It's so wrong it's not even funny. What makes it that much worse is that people actually believe it's correct.

So what you work for IBM, that has nothing relevant here. You could be a janitor there for all we know and still "work" there. I wouldn't be surprise either, no offense. But from what you've said about the pagefile; you really aren't showing any real computer knowledge. You sound like most end users I encounter every day and have to correct about the pagefile.

It tells you to use the 1.5x method for setting your pagefile which is incorrect.

Wow, he even talks about using the Task Manager to understand your pagefile. That's sad.

The method is not perfectly fine for use when it's incorrect. Let Windows handle your pagefile, or use a 2x method (which you really don't need to do).

RTSFirebat · Aug 10, 2006, 03:13 PM // 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarun

So what you work for IBM, that has nothing relevant here. You could be a janitor there for all we know and still "work" there. I wouldn't be surprise either, no offense. But from what you've said about the pagefile; you really aren't showing any real computer knowledge. You sound like most end users I encounter every day and have to correct about the pagefile.

It tells you to use the 1.5x method for setting your pagefile which is incorrect.

You are right to point out that the 1.5x method is outdated for systems such as Windows XP and 2003, but it was more suited to systems such as NT and below.

So yes you are right about that. However I never said anything about the 1.5x method.

Never at any point did I say everything in the page is correct.... you making speculation and putting words in my month. I selected that page because it was the best I could find at the time...

Also the IBM point was to say that the 2x method is used here, not that I was saying me working for them makes any damn difference.

So yes the 2x works, but 1.5x is outdated, so the page is a bit wrong. I'll hold my hands up to that, but its unfair to make flat out claims that I don't know what I'm taking about purely based on 2 forum posts in a thread... that is sad.

Also when did I say anything about the Task Manager? Please get your facts right. Heck I've even removed the link if it bothers you that much.

I'm only trying to help, like everyone else here. You need to get past your ego.

Allowing Windows to do it, or 2x method works. Depends which one your more happy to use. The fact remains that you PC does do slightly more work if you let Windows do it.

That is the only point I was making before. Don't try to be clever, because it makes you seem arrogant.

Ristaron · Aug 10, 2006, 04:13 PM // 16:13

I don't want to get in between your little war in here, but perhaps Guild Wars is filling up your caches at a rate that usually takes about an hour (give or take whatever program you are running). Flushing the caches may help.
Or is Guild Wars more sophisticated than that? I used that method via an in-game function ( tab -> flush ) on other games I have played.

*dons precautionary flameproof jacket*

Tarun · Aug 10, 2006, 04:28 PM // 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTSFirebat

You are right to point out that the 1.5x method is outdated for systems such as Windows XP and 2003, but it was more suited to systems such as NT and below.

So yes you are right about that. However I never said anything about the 1.5x method.

Never at any point did I say everything in the page is correct.... you making speculation and putting words in my month. I selected that page because it was the best I could find at the time...

Also the IBM point was to say that the 2x method is used here, not that I was saying me working for them makes any damn difference.

So yes the 2x works, but 1.5x is outdated, so the page is a bit wrong. I'll hold my hands up to that, but its unfair to make flat out claims that I don't know what I'm taking about purely based on 2 forum posts in a thread... that is sad.

Also when did I say anything about the Task Manager? Please get your facts right. Heck I've even removed the link if it bothers you that much.

I'm only trying to help, like everyone else here. You need to get past your ego.

Allowing Windows to do it, or 2x method works. Depends which one your more happy to use. The fact remains that you PC does do slightly more work if you let Windows do it.

That is the only point I was making before. Don't try to be clever, because it makes you seem arrogant.

Re-read my post, as you missed the key points. I'll even put them in bold and italics for you.

"Actually, you really do need to learn a lot about the pagefile and memory management if you think that page is correct."

That's not saying that you said it is correct. Simply if you think it's correct, it's not.

Re: Task Manager
Wow, he even talks about using the Task Manager to understand your pagefile. That's sad.

Now, he is not you; right? You didn't write that page, did you? I hope not.

Case in point is that you (said in general so no one gets upset and throws a hissy fit) do not need to change the settings of your pagefile. Let Windows manage it for the best results.

gabrial heart · Aug 10, 2006, 04:38 PM // 16:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ristaron

I don't want to get in between your little war in here, but perhaps Guild Wars is filling up your caches at a rate that usually takes about an hour (give or take whatever program you are running). Flushing the caches may help.
Or is Guild Wars more sophisticated than that? I used that method via an in-game function ( tab -> flush ) on other games I have played.

*dons precautionary flameproof jacket*

Yeah, i think the OP has long abadoned this thread, now it's just a clash of will. I think we established between alt+tabbing and extended play gw will get laggy on a 512MB machine.