Video Card and framerates.

[ValiantKnight]

So if FEAR extraction point, at medium settings plays at around 19-38fps, and everquest plays around this same FPS on raids of 50 people in 2-3year old areas, and groups(6) people in the brand new areas, that means everquest is equal to FEAR?

With MAXIMUM settings it is 6fps-10fps in firefights, 20fps elsewhere.
This is with those nice AA/Ansiotropic/Antialias/ and other things on, all settings to max.

Hmm.

Well which component would you turn to if that means video/system is not the problem... which I'm not sure that it proves.

*edited*
Seems it didn't take the first time I set it to max and it was still on medium.. those are the true max numbers.

[Odaisé Gaelach]

So if FEAR extraction point, at medium settings plays at around 19-38fps, and everquest plays around this same FPS on raids of 50 people in 2-3year old areas, and groups(6) people in the brand new areas, that means everquest is equal to FEAR?

Not exactly. With Everquest, before the computer can render each frame it has to wait for data from an internet server. If that server becomes slow or bogged down with connections, then it takes longer for your computer to receive the data needed to render each frame.

It's like that with my computer too: Second Life usually is as slow as S.T.A.L.K.E.R. on very high detail settings, if not slower. When playing Unreal Tournament 1999 against the AI, it renders hundreds of frames per second; when I'm playing online, it drops to around 30 and becomes choppy.

With FEAR, the computer doesn't need to wait for data from an Internet server before it renders each frame. But because it has higher system requirements than Everquest, it's harder on your computer and runs slow on it.

Well which component would you turn to if that means video/system is not the problem... which I'm not sure that it proves.

The problem's not with your computer, it's with the Everquest server itself.

[ValiantKnight]

Forgive me for failing to grasp it but how do others in game claim they have no frame rate problems or lag?

I do not have "lag" in the sense of the word it is in First person shooters, and fast paced games, where a player can "Warp", "ghost", "skip", "slow down/speed up".

However it'll be running at 60-80 fps looking at open flat 3d generated countryside, then turn around and look at a town of 30+ vendors with 10-15 players running around in it, and it drops to 20-30. Crank that up to 60 people running around, and it gets much lower framerate.


Hmm, if it is internet related and nothing to do with the computer, then...

Linksys BEFSR41 4 port switch/firewall nat router
firmware 1.43.3 looks to be outdated, so maybe I'll upgrade that.

Marvell Yukon 88E8001/8003/8010 PCI Gigabit Ethernet Controller

So this is all my internet connection then, which is fast, but apparently has some kind of weird latency or horrible problem that creates this framerate?

[Rostum]

I know that in Final Fantasy XI, when you are at a popular auction house (used to be Jeuno, now is Whitegate), it will lag a lot. This isn't because of my computer specs (2.13GHZ Core 2 Duo, 7800GS, 2GB RAM) but because of the game's servers dealing with hundreds of players in a compact area that are accessing a lot of code in the game. (hell, I can run bioshock on max settings at 1600x1050 smoothly!)

It sounds like you're having a similar problem, and it generally has to do with either your connection, your ISP, or the game's servers. Make sure you have all the corresponding ports forwarded (usually documentation from the developers will tell you ideal ports to open).

Not sure what else. Everquest is a very old game and should run absolutely fine on any system built in the last 7 years...

[o_O]

I think Odaisé probably hit the nail on the head by suggesting it's your internet connection, because it doesn't matter what the resolution is. You might want to check that your ISP doesn't shape that type of traffic. You'll also want to check that you have the correct ports forwarded in your router. You can check how to do that <a href="http://www.portforward.com">here</a> if you need.

You don't need to buy a new graphics card, especially not a 8800gtx/gts/gt/anything, and don't listen to anyone who tells you that you do. The general concensus seems to be that DirectX 10 features thus far are pretty expendable and cost a whole load more than a card almost as powerful like a 7950.
I was able to run Oblivion on my 6600gt with medium settings, so I have no doubt your card is more than capable of running Everquest.

[Mirage]

I know that in Final Fantasy XI, when you are at a popular auction house (used to be Jeuno, now is Whitegate), it will lag a lot. This isn't because of my computer specs (2.13GHZ Core 2 Duo, 7800GS, 2GB RAM) but because of the game's servers dealing with hundreds of players in a compact area that are accessing a lot of code in the game. (hell, I can run bioshock on max settings at 1600x1050 smoothly!)

By lag, do you mean high latency, or low frame rate?

[Discord]

I think he is using PCXs2 right ? 10 fps is all I get with it too. Try their forum, there are people who get over 100 FPS with it

Those people have Alienware PCs with 4 TB, 4 GB RAM and 4x 3GHz CPUs.

** Dies of envy!! ** :mog:

Exactly! I wouldn't mind having one either, but considering the fact that it'll cost me about 13 000 Euro (monitor not included), I might just as well spend them on something else. Link's below:

Alienware: Area-51 ALX Desktop s- Learn More!

You can try configuring it and see what happens. It's, simply put, insane. Even the PS3 is a doodle compared to that thing.

[ValiantKnight]

Mine is low framerate.

Basically I was deciding whether to spend a smaller amount on a 7600GT 256mb and replace or buy another ram stick, and perhaps replace/get an extra fan. Since I really don't plan on getting into a higher end game or anything close to requiring the power of a newer system to my knowledge. Vista is still buggy and I doubt I'll go to it for a long time.

So for 2~ years, I want to make this system run my game, and do normal things, no video editing, no first person shooters. It's only been january~ 2006 when I upgraded it to this, and hence the wondering why it was slowing down so soon.

I've configured the router to forward all ports mentioned, according to the company, the game does not really do much incoming unless it was actually first generated by the PC, but I forwarded them anyway. (most firewalls will let in a packet if an outgoing packet generated it, or something to that effect, ie... in response to. At least most residential firewall/routers will).

Change ISPs? or how would I go about investigating the ISP and if it is contributing to the low framerate.

Thanks again for all the responses.

[o_O]

You can probably find out from your current ISP's website (or from their tech support) if they're shaping gaming applications or ports.

It may not be your ISP that's slowing you down though. If you're using wireless, you should have a strong signal without interference. Regardless, you definitely shouldn't have more than 2 metres of ADSL cable if you use DSL.

[ValiantKnight]

Wired CAT5e cabling, Linksys wired router/firewall/switch.
Time warner cable/Road Runner

Don't see any mention on the website of port work, but will try tech support.
Thanks
I sent in my RMA for the ram, and still might think about getting a 7600, because its only around 100$, and my 6600 still gets up to 80-84C at times. Also going to grab a new set of fans for it.
I think I'll stay with the system for a little while, and upgrade fully later.

[o_O]

That's pretty hot for anything in your PC to be getting. Even if it's not heat causing the problem, I'd definitely invest in a couple of case fans if I were you.

I doubt you'll notice much of a performance increase in changing to a 7600. I have a 7600GS in one of my computers, and it didn't really provide better performance than my 6600GT which I had in my main PC. That could be something for you to consider.

When I say ADSL, I mean the length of cable from the router to the phone jack. Unless you're actually using cat5 as your phone line (possible, but not standard), it will be a different looking cable.

[ValiantKnight]

The coax cable comes straight in from the cable box on the side of the house... literally on the other side of the wall from where my modem is...
2 TVs, and the cable modem.. then a 5ft~ cat5e comes off the cable modem to the linksys. Then a 50ft cat5e comes thru the attic to my comptuer.

The video card ranges from 60C(idle probably 65C depending) to 84C.
The CPU is 39C(idle) to 51C(load)
The case is 30C(idle) to 38C(load)

6600GT to a 7600GS is about the same card
It's an slightly faster/better memory mid-range 6series to a regular mid-range 7series. The 6600GT pulls more power and heats up more. The 7600GS has heat and power saving features, while still maintaining the power of a 6600GT, mostly.


7600GS vs 6600GT

7600GT vs 6600

The 7600 has a bigger pipeline, but the 6600GT drives faster down it's narrower pipeline because of the GDDR3 ram