Quote:
Originally Posted by peabody
As a system's engineer you know there is a lot more to it then just CPU and RAM. I have never heard of anyone with this problem as a "bug". It is usually something with the computer and usually a combination of things. Could your machine be overheating? I am running a 3.4 dual (Pentium D) and 3GB Ram and when I have a problem it is usually the video card but I do have problems near areas with a lot of ships.
You may be running into a lot of 'traffic' that is not close enough for you to see, but the computer has to track it. If you sank a lot of ships, that is more info for the computer to track. Try different things, like go to your mission but don't do anything, just turn around and go back, see what that does. Try going towards South America and back, very little traffic there, see what happens.
I know on some fairly fast machines getting near Midway can grind the computer to a halt. I know somewhere on this forum there is a post from someone that can play without many problems, but he can always tell when he is near a big Task Force because his machine starts getting jerky.
Try different routes going back, see if there is any difference. It's a hard thing to pinpoint but it is usually the computer not a bug. Also shut off any other programs you may have running. Also are you running any MODs other than Webster's that you mentioned?
The reason the machine goes slower when you go higher on the TC is the computer can't keep up. So even though the number is bigger, the computer is fighting to try to keep up.
One big thing to try is lowering the graphics settings. I know everyone wants the eye candy, but it's no good if you can't play the game, and most of the time you are underwater looking through a periscope.
Personally if it only happens on the way back, I would suspect overheating first.
Peabody
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Peabody, thanks for all the ideas.
First off, being a systems engineer means I know networks from Unix, Novell, Windows, and have experience with Cisco and Seimens products. It doesn't mean I know about programming or making MOD's for games. So, don't belittle me about something I didn't claim to know.
However, I did spend ALOT of time covering your suggestions. I even loaded SH4 with the U-Boat Mission on my laptop that is even beefier than my desktop to see if I would get better results. I didn't, so it seems it's with the game itself.
Below I'm addressing all of your great ideas so I could nail this down to what's going on...
1. Overheating: No, not the problem I have an automatic fan control to make sure it never overheats and I don't over clock my CPU. This I'm sure of.
2. Video Card: Well, I don't run any graphics mods, and have SH4 set to medium of graphics. Also, I can run MS Flight Sim with add-ons without issue as well as Nascar 2008 at its highest graphics level without any problems. I don't know off hand what my graphics card is at this time but I did spend around $200 for it at Tiger Direct. It had 5 out of 5 stars and assume it is a great card.
3. Traffic: That I can confirm. When leaving port or going into enemy ports the speed definately slows down. I can understand that.
4. Sinking Many Ships: Well this is an interesting one. I went out and sank about 170K worth of ships in ports. That definately slowed everything down. I ask why? Even if I save it should be stored on the HD, not in my RAM. If this game doesn't know how to use a page file, then it truly lacks and misutilizes the advantages of computer processing.
5. Sailing in Enempy Exempt Areas: Yes, I can do that without effort and speed is always good. However, I do notice that once I get my saved file above 2 MB it starts to slow, and once it gets to 3 MB it drags like a dog.
6. Running other Programs and MOD's: Like I mentioned before, I only have 270 MB of RAM being used. No extra programs going. As far a MOD's, I only run a few of Webster's. Air patrol, Mouse, Draft, Clock, and Rain fixes.
7. Lowering Graphics Settings: Tried that but I am still fast going out of port. I know for sure I have no over heating issues.
I believe the problem lies in sinking too many ships and/or allowing the saved file to increase up to or exceed 3 MB. This seems like an adsurb problem that should be fixed.
Like I mentioned above, I can run MS Flight Simulator on it's highest graphics settings, Nascar 2008 on the same, and no issues with performance. But from a 2D view in SH4 with a saved file of 3 MB it can't even do TC over 128 in open water with no enemies around. The same happens if you sink too many ships, so what's that all about?
I truly like the idea and realism this game offers, but the degraded performace surely leaves alot to be desired.
I don't know if this game attempts to use a page file or not, but it sure doesn't seem like it since so many other games out there don't have this problem.
Just my 2 cents, and I'm sure this isn't something that's going to have a fix.