Slow Performance

[fcam1387]

It's definately a graphics card, possibly NVIDIA issue.

I did some troubleshooting of my own and rolled back my drivers to default VGA mode. The game runs like clockwork. When I reinstalled the NVIDIA drivers, performance deteriorates... Is this something that can be patched in an update?

My only problem is that for some bizarre reason I cannot turn of my video acceleration in display settings or dxdiag because it says: "your current display driver does not allow changes to be made to hardware acceleration settings". Supposedly this is because I have a "dependent driver" - I'm a bit stuped with what to do now but for others that do not have this issue I think the problem is fixable.

[AttuWatcher]

I think it's an NVIDIA driver issue for a lot of people as well.
My computer is WAY above recommended specs however; after several hours of uninterrupted play I have noticed some slight sluggishness work it's way in. Nothing like 1 second delays or anything, just a bit of chop when scrolling.

Unfortunately I'm using relatively old drivers (182.50) because of some other things on this computer that require those drivers.

oh never mind I see you have laptop drivers.

[fcam1387]

I've tried it with several, now I'm using 182.46. I downloaded the newer 186.03 last night but it didn't work either.

Until the issue is fixed I think it is a matter of disabling DirectDraw etc in dxdiag or display settings, but my system won't allow it for some reason.

[AttuWatcher]

Mine does not allow altering DirectDraw settings either.

[Erik Rutins]

We're working on this from several angles behind the scenes to see what we can do for you guys. In the meantime, can you also try the suggestions posted here:

tm.asp?m=2182033

[Montbrun]

I have an ATI card...

[invernomuto]

I have the same problem in fullscreen mode on my laptop (dual core, ATI graphics card). I have to play with -wd option but I can't see plane art unless I disable hardware acceleration in the ATI control panel...
In fullscreen mode game is totally unplayable due to performance problem.
 
For those that are experiencing problems with AE and ATI card, try to set your graphics card to "optimal performance" in the ATI Catalyst Control Panel (right click on "ATI icon" in your sys tray)
 
Bye

[wdolson]

Is there anybody having video problems who has a single core machine?  I believe the common denominator is dual core processors, though it's obviously dual core and something else because some dual cores work fine.

For those who are unable to shut off DirectDraw, somebody mentioned having this ability in dxdiag.  Have you tried using the DirectX selection in Control Panel?  There are many options for turning things on and off there along with the ability to turn off DirectDraw acceleration.

Bill

[Erik Rutins]

Another suggestion from the pinned thread:

"Here is an link to Microsoft Vista forums. You can actually setup Set Affinity on your shortcut icon.

http://www.vistax64.com/gaming/197915-s ... -easy.html

Just copy and paste on to your shortcut icon and you are set to go.

I tried with my dual core AMD Turion processor (Vista Home Premius 32) and seems to have made the run much smoother."

[fcam1387]

Hi there,

Setting affinity does not work for me. I can't use the program and when I try it manually from the taskbar it makes no difference.
It must be a graphics card problem.

[Mark Weston]

ORIGINAL: wdolson

For those who are unable to shut off DirectDraw, somebody mentioned having this ability in dxdiag. Have you tried using the DirectX selection in Control Panel? There are many options for turning things on and off there along with the ability to turn off DirectDraw acceleration.

Bill

I don't have a control panel applet for DirectX (Windows XP), but in the advanced display settings (right-click on desktop, properties, settings tab, Troubleshooting tab) you can play with a Hardware acceleration slider. There are six gradations from "none" to "full" and the key one for AE is the third one on the scale, which says "Disable all DirectDraw and Direct32 accelerations, as well as all cursor and advanced drawing accelerators." For me that's the level to set it at (before starting AE) to fix the performance problems.

A couple of interesting things. Once AE is running and showing the main tactical map I can push the slider back up to full acceleration and AE still runs fine. But if I start AE with DirectX at full acceleration and *then* try to turn off DirectDraw from that slider, AE hangs; it simply stops updating the display.

[devoncop]

Hi,

Unfortunately I too am having serious delay performance issues. I have tried disabling my ATI cards without success.I am running a Dell quad Core 6600 with 3GB of Ram and 2 fully updated ATI 3870 graphics cards.I have 32 bit Vista.

Can someone give me a quick tip on how I get to the dxdiag options mentioned from Vista as I am pulling my hair out wanting to play this game!!

Many thanks

Ian

[Erik Rutins]

You can access DxDiag in Vista by going to Start -> Accessories -> Command Prompt and then typing "dxdiag" and hitting Enter. The Display tab should give you the option to Disable DirectDraw acceleration.

You may also be able to reduce video acceleration through your Display Driver Control Panel if that doesn't work.

Note that these are work-arounds, we are still also working on a way to do all that's necessary within the program. While we had dual/quad-core systems with recent video cards in our testing, they did not present the same issues some customers are reporting now, so work continues.

Regards,

- Erik

[devoncop]

Really appreciate the help Eric.I have confidence in you guys coming up with a permanent solution and at least i dont have my hard copy and manual yet so it isnt critical yet!!

Thanks again

Ian

[wdolson]

ORIGINAL: Mark Weston
I don't have a control panel applet for DirectX (Windows XP), but in the advanced display settings (right-click on desktop, properties, settings tab, Troubleshooting tab) you can play with a Hardware acceleration slider. There are six gradations from "none" to "full" and the key one for AE is the third one on the scale, which says "Disable all DirectDraw and Direct32 accelerations, as well as all cursor and advanced drawing accelerators." For me that's the level to set it at (before starting AE) to fix the performance problems.

A couple of interesting things. Once AE is running and showing the main tactical map I can push the slider back up to full acceleration and AE still runs fine. But if I start AE with DirectX at full acceleration and *then* try to turn off DirectDraw from that slider, AE hangs; it simply stops updating the display.

I'm not surprised. DirectX is pretty woven into the system and changing settings like that while a game is active would cause unpredictable results.

Bill

[Oldguard1970]

I had sluggish performance from an old PC running Windows XP.  I used this advice from Mark Weston:
 
"I don't have a control panel applet for DirectX (Windows XP), but in the advanced display settings (right-click on desktop, properties, settings tab, Troubleshooting tab) you can play with a Hardware acceleration slider. There are six gradations from "none" to "full" and the key one for AE is the third one on the scale, which says "Disable all DirectDraw and Direct32 accelerations, as well as all cursor and advanced drawing accelerators." For me that's the level to set it at (before starting AE) to fix the performance problems."
 
I also used the tune up software Aztez suggested.  (Post 28) 
 
My slow cursor worked just fine after that.  (I have only played a few minutes, so I do not know if the fix will hold, but it sure looks better so far.)
 
Thanks to Aztez and Mark Weston!
 
Now I will spend some time learning about DXdiag so I can follow up on Erik's advice.