SHIV Blues

[Urge]

Hi, I'm new to this game, bought it on impulse when I saw it in a store cause I'm an old diesel boat sailor(USS Carp SS338) I also served on the USS Nautilus SSN571 and the USS Shark SSN591. So, I get home and check out the specs and realize that I need a fast, new computer to play this. This system that I built replaces an HP Brio circa 1998-99 that I rescued from the dump after losing 2 computers to lightning strikes over a 2 year period(with GOOD surge suppressors). Now I am using a surge suppressor and a UPS, hopefully they will die before my new computer?! I think this system should just cruise thru this game with everything maxxed out but it is not cruising, it's barely afloat at times. My fps goes from readings in the hundreds to 9-10fps. my mouse wanders around and the other day the chronometer wouldn't work when I was trying to time a ship. It was working better, I think, earlier(I have been playing for a few weeks or so) but after transiting the pacific with TC set at max over 8000(I forget the exact #) when I went to the bridge I couldn't get more than 10fps and other weirdness was happening. I am thinking that my graphics card settings must have something/everything to do with it. I have never had a computer with this kind of ability before and I am not knowledgeable enough to know what to change. It seems to me that all my potential adjustments are SHIV specific so I don't know anywhere else to look for advice. I am loving this game although I have been sunk more times than I care to admit but I have also sunk a carrier, using manual TDC, with 1 torpedo(is that real or is it more weirdness)? I am unable to save games. When the save screen comes up with the box and the headings mode, name, date etc. I can't do anything with it. I haven't tried career mode yet but single patrols or quick missions don't want to save.
Computer specs:
DFI LanParty DK P35-T2RS, Intel Xeon 3110 CPU, Arctic 7 Pro CPU cooler, Diamond Radeon HD 3850 512M, 2gigs Corsair SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400), WD Raptor XWD1500 150GB 10,000rpm, WD Caviar SE16WD3200 320GB 7200rpm, Corsair 650W PS. I am using onboard sound.
WinXP Pro SP3 all drivers updated(except a bios flash that I am a little nervous about doing)
Video card settings: anti-aliasing 8x-0ptions- app. managed 2x, 4x,8x
temporal antialiasing checked
anisotropic filtering-application managed-0ptions- app. managed 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x
catalyst A.I.-standard-options-disabled, standard, advanced
mipmap detail level-high quality-options-high performance, performance, quality, high quality
wait for vertical refresh-off unless application specifies
adaptive antialiasing-enabled-options-enabled, disabled
direct 3D settings-support DXT texture formats(checked) alternate pixel center(unchecked)
open GL settings-options-triple buffering, force 24-bit Z buffer depth(nothing is checked)
resolution 1600X1200 32 bit color refresh rate 60hz(I think I should set this to 75-85hz?) I just played this at 1280x1024 and it was worse.
graphic settings: high
game resolution 1024x768 4:3 60hz
sliders maxxed except-
terrain objects density 80%
terrain objects LOD size 20%(what is LOD?)
gamma 50%
all check boxes checked except-
windowed mode
vert. sync
sound settings:
realistic sound travel time
gameplay settings: custom
realistic repair time
manual targeting
realistic sensors
realistic reload

Mods:
greenlamp
360 degree bearing plotter imperial 1.4
Questions
should my monitor resolution match the game resolution? What should I set it at? I think my monitors native resolution is 1600x1200(21" flat screen-not the current flat screen thin panels but a HUGE honkin' flat screen monitor circa 2001-2002)
What should I set my refresh rate to?
Do I need to change any/all of my graphic card settings? Am I missing something completely?
Oh, one more thing I haven't been shutting off any running processes including my antivirus program, should I?
I have defragged the computer and it is set up with multiple partitions i.e. OS, Prog.files, Data etc. Hopefully I have provided you with all the info necessary to come up with some easy answers and an experienced skipper or 2 might lend a hand. Thanks, Urge

[THE_MASK]

are you patched to the latest 1.4 or you can buy the 1.5 uboat addon which patches to 1.5 . Without the 1.4 patch its aweful . You need to set your catalyst control centre up how you want it for the game to regognise it . Maybe set your card to 4XAA and 4XAF and whatever your native res and refresh rate is . Then go into the game graphic settings and adjust those to match your card . Then save and exit from the game , once you restart the game then the settings will take effect . In the game options disable dynamic fog and see how that goes . Even though your specs are great , if you have your card settings maxed out , dynamic fog on plus maxed out game settings , maybe this is too much . over .

[Fincuan]

Nice sub career you have there Urge, and THAT is the way to ask for help when one wants an answer. Plenty of information for others to work on.

Doing what sober adviced above is a good start. On top of that I'd also disable Temporal AA and Adaptive AA completely(leave "normal" AA at 4x) and see if improves things. What comes to your time compression problems and other times when SH4 seems to be "lagging" for some reason, it usually helps to go to map view and pause the game, then Alt+tab out of the game, wait a few seconds, Alt+Tab back and continue playing.

Welcome to Subsim :up:

[Urge]

I forgot that part, I'm patched to 1.4. I want to get the add on and t maru maybe rfb but I'm not that good yet and these probs aren't helping. I'll have to look into settings tomorrow, it's late. Thanks