Major Gameplay Slowdown

from GalCiv2 Forums
I got this game around 2 months ago, and am running 1.31. I never used to run into this problem (b/c I actually prefer small to large maps and very slow tech tree) usually won by alliance or influence very early on. However, this became increasingly hard to do with 1.31 so i tried my hand at a large map. Whenever more than 3 or 4 ships were on the screen the frame rate dropped drastically-under 20 fps. I have turned off everything possible in the video options and am running lowest resolution.

So am i doing something wrong or is it just time to upgrade my cpu?

P.S: I do make ships that have extensive extras, but do not use them in game. Most of the time i just slap a couple on to tell my ships apart and call it a day.
6,036 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
If you post the contents of the debug.err file located in the same directory as galciv2, we can see your hardware setup and offer some more directed performance/upgrade tips.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
What are the stats on your computer? Do you have cpu intensive algorithms on?
Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hi!
Zoom out until planets and ships on your screen turn to icons. With my 1GHz P-3 comp I play exclusively in that mode.

BR, Iztok
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Ok sorry about the 24 hour delay (i got two a day practice and school   ) so here's my debug.err. Oh, and i do run intensive algorithms-i didnt know that it made a difference.

Debug Message: Version v1.31 last updated on: Wed Sep 13 18:41:18 2006
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/19/2006, 20:17:38
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: GAMES2
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: ABIT
System Model: 6A69SA1B
BIOS: BIOS Rev:0.1
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1700MHz
Physical Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 374MB used, 1771MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: RADEON 9200
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: RADEON 9200 AGP (0x5961)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5961&SUBSYS_20021002&REV_01
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6601
Driver Date: 2/21/2006 20:46:48
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0007&SUBSYS_10061102&REV_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: P17.sys
Provider: Creative Technology Ltd.
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0314
Driver Date: 6/4/2004 04:27:46
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Sound device 1:
Description: Intel(r) Integrated Audio
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2445&SUBSYS_0507147B&REV_04
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ac97intc.sys
Provider: Microsoft
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.3523
Driver Date: 8/17/2001 12:20:04
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0



Debug Message: *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message: Entering WinMain
Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONE
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (sw vp): RADEON 9200
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 60
Debug Message: Bit Depth: 32 bit.
Debug Message: *********Checking D3DDevice Caps***********************
Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now Fullscreen
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM\Movies\techs\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM\Gfx\Race\*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM\Event Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: TitleWnd: Cannot find OBJID TitleWnd_Bink_Window
Debug Message: * Collectors Edition *
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Cannot find tech requirement ImpossibleTech for tech AllHullsMod
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM\Data\ShipDefs\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM\Gfx\Planets\C0*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM\Data\PlanetImprovements\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM\Data\UPIssues\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Games\GalCiv2\Mods\KHSM\Data\StarTypes\*.xml
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Casey\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Casey\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\temp\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Casey\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Casey\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Casey\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Casey\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Casey\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Casey\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\temp\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Casey\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Casey\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Casey\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Casey\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: Killing threads.
Debug Message: Kiling civs.
Debug Message: Killing ships.
Debug Message: Killing rallypoints.
Debug Message: Killing misc objects.
Debug Message: Killing stars.
Debug Message: Killing anomalies.
Debug Message: Killing space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
Debug Message: Clearing Turn Event Log
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Loading Custom Map
Debug Message: Loading Data Defs
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Loading TechDefs
Debug Message: Max num techs: 257
Debug Message: Loading ImprovementDB
Debug Message: Loading Component Defs
Debug Message: Loading ShipTypes
Debug Message: Loading ShipConfigs
Debug Message: Loading AnomalyTypes
Debug Message: Loading RandomEvents
Debug Message: Loading UPIssues
Debug Message: Loading ResourceTypes
Debug Message: Loading InvasionTactics
Debug Message: Loading SBmodules
Debug Message: Loading PoliticalParties
Debug Message: Loading Planet Types
Debug Message: Loading Star Types
Debug Message: Loading Game
Debug Message: Loading: Game mode is normal.
Debug Message: Loading Galaxy
Debug Message: Sectors across: 12 x 12
Debug Message: Loading FOW Map
Debug Message: Loading ZOC Map
Debug Message: Loading Planets
Debug Message: Loading Stars
Debug Message: Loading Anomalies
Debug Message: Loading Resources
Debug Message: Loading Civs
Debug Message: Loading Colonies
Debug Message: Loading RallyPoints
Debug Message: Loading Ships
Debug Message: Loading Fleets
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Loading Turn Event Log
Debug Message: Loading ENDGALAXYDATA
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 10
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Enabled
Debug Message: GameScreen: Cannot find OBJID Main_Current_Tech_Title
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: OptionsWnd: Quit Btn
Debug Message: Posting WM_CLOSE message.
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy
Debug Message: Killing threads.
Debug Message: Kiling civs.
Debug Message: Killing ships.
Debug Message: Killing rallypoints.
Debug Message: Killing misc objects.
Debug Message: Killing stars.
Debug Message: Killing anomalies.
Debug Message: Killing space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
Debug Message: Clearing Turn Event Log
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy: Completed
Debug Message: Shutting down sound system.
Debug Message: Clearing sound and music handles.
Debug Message: WorkAreaBack.png not cleared 1 counts left.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. 2 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally




Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have a pretty fast graphcis card (7900 GT superclocked) and if I have a lot of ships rendered in the frame, I get big slowdowns in framerate. Most of the time I play in tactical view which isn't affected by that. When I am zoomed on a lot of ships, I just live with it since it's only for a short time. Personally, I think the way ships are rendered is not done in the most efficient manner.

Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thingamabob,

One thing you might do is disable your motherboards onboard sound chip. It is taking resources that can be better used elsewhere.

It may not help your slow fps, but it might help overall gameplay.
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
In this case it looks like the bottleneck is probably your video card--while the rest of your system isn't too up-to-date, the R9200 is by no means a beast of a card. But with the rest of your system's stats, you're probably better off waiting until you can get a whole new system rather than trying to swap out any one part from this one (as you'll just run into other bottlenecks after you upgrade the one part).
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
thanks for the info. i've been saving up for a much better cpu--just really haven't got around to it yet. Between playing three sports a year and two instruments gaming is just something i do when i'm bored now.

Anyhoo, thanks again all