Stutter and Slow

[DruStorm]

Here's my DXDiag file. Any suggestions on how I can adjust to get this game to function on my system? Right now, it is displaying all the traits described in other posts: stuttering, unbelievable slowness, can't place buildings, movement takes several seconds to register, etc. If I turn everything off and everything to min then it is somewhat improved, but only to what I would consider minimum playability. And, of course, the graphics then suck.

If you do have suggestions, I would appreciate very much plain, clear instructions as I have only remedial computer tech skills.

The DxDiag file does not seem to indicate that I am running XP Media Center Edition.

This computer is only a month old and has very little loaded on it. Oh, okay, WoW and CivIV.

Since I purchased this computer solely for gaming, I am also interested in
knowing if the graphics card, nVidia GeForce 7300 LE is a worthwhile card for this purpose or if it is advisable to replace it.

Thanks very much for any suggestions you may have.

[PCDania]

Try disable shadows and water effects, if that doesn't work you could try update your graphics card to a 7600 model. Keep in mind that some graphics cards require that the power supply in your computer is a 350 Watt model or stronger. A good place to check for power requirements is newegg.com as they note such things at the graphics cards they sell.

[Keith]

DruStorm, are the video drivers you have installed now from Dell or from Nvidia? Which model Dell system do you have? DXP051 is used by several Dell systems.

You may want to try the older Dell supplied 7300LE drivers (http://search.dell.com/searchcom_redirect.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&cs=&k=Dell+DXP051&cat=sup&tdc=11&tcn=1&curcatni=1&curcatna=sup&tdcp=12&lbcp=1&ubcp=11&ty=content&cd=1&sfp=res&redp=http%253a%252f%252fsupport.dell.com%252fsuppo rt%252fdownloads%252fformat.aspx%253freleaseid%253 dR129651%2526c%253dus%2526l%253den%2526cs%253d%252 6s%253dgen&redpe=4c70552d-c45c-b5a8-5c78-ba539517b0eb) that they provide. These were written for you system, by Dell. It's worth a shot before you do anything else. Make sure you uninstall the version you have now and correctly install any other video drivers you may try.

[PCDania]

DruStorm is using the 91.47 driver.

[DruStorm]

Many thanks to your suggestions and well spoken opinions. I suspected the LE card was <ahem> (obscured sound). I'm going to run right out and get a better card, because nothing stands between me and my game.

Cheers!

[kguda]

Try disable shadows and water effects, if that doesn't work you could try update your graphics card to a 7600 model. Keep in mind that some graphics cards require that the power supply in your computer is a 350 Watt model or stronger. A good place to check for power requirements is newegg.com as they note such things at the graphics cards they sell.

dumb question: although u get a high end video card which requires increased wattage, how much of the processor chip would u factor in. like if ur processor cannot take high end stuff, won't ur system get heated up pretty fast which in turn may have some adverse affects on the system?? for example comparing P4 systems vs Pentium M systems (which runs cooler due to low wattage requirement). thanks in advance for ur clarification

[PCDania]

dumb question: although u get a high end video card which requires increased wattage, how much of the processor chip would u factor in. Not a dumb question. That is unfortunately difficult to say as it depends on how the game is programmed. Generally speaking a 2.6Ghz Intel CPU (or comparable AMD) should be able to 'feed' a GF7600 in most games but it also depends on how much AI the CPU has to calculate and how the game is programmed. Try look at the requirements for Oblivion, a RPG. A 3Ghz CPU is recommended and tests show that you need the best graphics card you can get for playing with everything enabled at 1280x1024.

What heat generated by high settings in a game goes: the system will of cause heat more up but you will be tired of the lagging gaming experience before your computer gets too hot. I'm here talking about a computer that is kept nice clean inside including in fans and heatsinks.

for example comparing P4 systems vs Pentium M systems (which runs cooler due to low wattage requirement)
Before the Intel Core CPUs, when comparing a Pentium 4 to a Pentium M then a Pentium M 1.6Ghz is comparable to a Pentium 4 2.6 Ghz in most programs. This is caused by a combination of the very effictive core and the large cache in the Pentium M. The Pentium M 1.73Ghz is allmost as fast as the Pentium D 2.8Ghz and even beats it in some programs. I haven't had the chance to test myself or read articles comparing the Mobile and Desktop versions of the Core and Core 2 CPUs but they are likely of equal effectivity as they are using the same technology. This is not the case with the Pentium M and the Pentium 4/Pentium D.

[kguda]

thanks pcdania. i wish computers were also loaded with some sort of an inbuilt CCD device for reducing the heat.

[PCDania]

Do like me and use water cooling :p ;)