Small request for reduced cpu load.

My cpu is on fire!

from GalCiv2 Forums
Hi,

I was just wondering if it would be possible to put in a sleep instruction in the main loop so that my cpu wouldn't be on full load constantly, even while the game itself isn't doing anything intensive (like displaying the title screen...). This puts a strain on my sanity, in the form of a loud fan which winds up in order to counter the constant 100% cpu usage.

I more than match even the recommended stats for CPU and graphics card, and I think the simple sleep instruction would let my cpu put its feet up in between processing turns. I'm sure laptop users would also appreciate less power consumption.

Thanks!
2,088 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You've got a few options here:

1. Turn up the music. I think this is what most gamers do.
2. Buy a quieter fan. You'll need to replace your current CPU fan to do this. Most computer shops will do this for you, for a ridiculously large amount of money ($25 to $50).
3. Underclock your CPU, or, stop overclocking your CPU.
4. Reduce the base priority of the game until you're ready to start playing it.
5. Don't sit at the main menu for ten minutes.
6. Run the game in windowed mode. This may help, depending on how Stardock programmed the game. Sometimes games will voluntarily give up time slices when run in windowed mode.
7. Chill the room with the computer in it. Try turning the air conditioning up.
8. Buy a quieter computer, if noise is such a problem for you. You can buy fanless computers now.

It sounds like underclocking would work well for you. You'll need to figure out how to do that on your own, however. I don't know what kind of motherboard or video card you have, and, even if I did, I probably wouldn't accept the responsibility. I will, however, point you to nVidia.com, which has much information on nVidia chipsets and video cards. Another good site to investigate would be tomshardware.com, which has copious amounts of information on under/overclocking, modding, and quiet PCs. Good luck.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Same problem, fan spins up full blast. CPU on 100%. Would be nice if the game knew how to idle. Although, I've never seen a 3D game that doesn't tap the CPU full time. Don't really know the mechanics of it all, but I think going into 3D mode taps the CPU regardless of what else is going on.
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I continually monitor my cpu usage while in the game, and it does not stay pegged at 100%. It varies from around 25% on a single cpu up to 100% on both cpu's.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
On large to huge maps on anything other than the lowest graphics settings - this game performs like a pig. It becomes a slow glitchy wallowing pig. So much for the perty graphics - you'll be switching them off when you want to actually start playing the game.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
YunDog, what are your system specs?
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
This is partly what the "Throttle Frame Rate" option is for under the video menu. However, I can tell you that sleep(1) probably isn't the right choice
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I've got a fairly old PC, and I don't think the graphics are the problem. The game runs amazing up to large galaxies, but with gigantic it gets pretty slow mid to late game. The only affect graphics have for me, is if i zoom way out during the turn transition.

Do you have a crappy video card ?

The only thing i hate, is when during your turn it gets uber slow. This mainly happens when i first declare war, and i suppose the AI is tring to sort out what it's going to do on it's turn. Also it still seems there's a memory leak, so if you play for more than a few hours, it's a good idea to save and restart the game.