Multie Core use and efficiency, questions.

[Larsenex]

My current rig is a core 2 duo E8400 (3gig), Not overclocked, Gforce GTX 260, 4 gigs ram, Win 7 (64bit) Pro, 300 gig HDD, Asus mobo, cable, yadda yadda yadda.

I read here that this game supports multi core use. Is this true? How well? What about higher graphix cards and/or much more memory?

I ask because I am going to build a new system late February/early March. I rarely play shooters but will ocassionally load up Call of Duty and shoot some poor bastards till I feel better (beats kicking the Kat).

Anyway I was curious if I would see a performance increase jumping to a (much) higher system.

I have in mind this kind of settup...

I7 950 (socket 1366) (3.05 gig) overclocked to 3.6 or 3.8.
12 gigs of ram (3-4 gig sticks to stay in triple channel)
Geforce 470 or 480 (depends on cost at time, might get 2)
EVGA Motherboard or Asus, socket 1366.
Win 7 Pro (64 bit)
2 SSD Drives each 150 gig, one for Windows one for games.
1 HDD 800gig for storage of files such
I am also thinking about a new monitor but would take suggestions on that..

Anyway, back to the question. Does DW make good use of Quad Core Processors and will more than 4 gigs of ram help with very large Galaxys?

[Data]

Elliot and Erik do check these threads also but this type of question you may wanna put in the tech support section also for more visibility

[Larsenex]

I almost posted this in the Tech/help, but thought this was a general question. Thanks.

[Erik Rutins]

Hi Larsenex,

The answer is yes, and we'll make even better use of multi-core processors going forward. The best performance in DW is generally seen on a system with multiple processor cores and 4GB of memory, running a 64-bit operating system.

Regards,

- Erik

[Raap]

On my qx9650@3.8ghz and a Radeon 5870, the only performance issue I have is when I zoom out. The fully zoomed out view is very 'laggy' or sluggish. I always run at 4x speed, but it doesn't seem like it gets any better at 1x speed. Everything's completely smooth when zoomed in on one system or just viewing a few systems slightly zoomed out though. Still rather annoying, as I spend most my time zoomed out except when issuing fleet/ship orders. Can't figure out what the problem is either, since it seems the GPU is barely doing any work at all and the CPU usage is usually around 25-30%( one core and sometimes part of the others).

Maybe it's the big background image for the galaxy?

[samspackman]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

Hi Larsenex,

The answer is yes, and we'll make even better use of multi-core processors going forward. The best performance in DW is generally seen on a system with multiple processor cores and 4GB of memory, running a 64-bit operating system.

Regards,

- Erik

I am running a system which has all of these specs, but the game still seems to lag and stutter, even with only 500 planet systems. What are some optimisation tips?

[Shark7]

ORIGINAL: Larsenex

My current rig is a core 2 duo E8400 (3gig), Not overclocked, Gforce GTX 260, 4 gigs ram, Win 7 (64bit) Pro, 300 gig HDD, Asus mobo, cable, yadda yadda yadda.

I read here that this game supports multi core use. Is this true? How well? What about higher graphix cards and/or much more memory?

I ask because I am going to build a new system late February/early March. I rarely play shooters but will ocassionally load up Call of Duty and shoot some poor bastards till I feel better (beats kicking the Kat).

Anyway I was curious if I would see a performance increase jumping to a (much) higher system.

I have in mind this kind of settup...

I7 950 (socket 1366) (3.05 gig) overclocked to 3.6 or 3.8.
12 gigs of ram (3-4 gig sticks to stay in triple channel)
Geforce 470 or 480 (depends on cost at time, might get 2)
EVGA Motherboard or Asus, socket 1366.
Win 7 Pro (64 bit)
2 SSD Drives each 150 gig, one for Windows one for games.
1 HDD 800gig for storage of files such
I am also thinking about a new monitor but would take suggestions on that..

Anyway, back to the question. Does DW make good use of Quad Core Processors and will more than 4 gigs of ram help with very large Galaxys?

That system is very similar to mine (you are going for a better graphics card and I do not have SSDs). You will be pleased with DW performance with that system. I have no complaints with mine, able to play 1400 star system games with ease.

For comparison, I have:

I-7 Core 930 Bloomfield 2.93 Ghz
12 Gigs of RAM
GeForce GTS 250
Win 7 Home

Bigger monitor is always better, I'm thinking of upgrading to a 23" Wide screen myself.

[Tampa_Gamer]

Shark7, on a related note I am on the same quest of replacing my beloved Viewsonic p225f CRT. I build a new system about every 3 years, but I have held on to my CRT since it has been great for gaming at 1600x1200 85hz for years. Unfortunately, it has recently started to fade badly (e.g. brightness and contrast at almost 100% and I am still having trouble seeing certain things in dark games) so I too am looking for a 23-26" LCD/LED. I have managed to thoroughly confuse myself looking at the usual forums (Anandtech, Toms Hardware and Hardforum.com). Just when I think I have found the perfect match, I find there is a significant flaw that turns me off (most recently this was with the Dell U2311H that everyone seems hyped up about but appears to have a recall going on.
So if you find something, please let me know and I will do the same. Thanks

[unclean]

ORIGINAL: V for Vegas
I am running a system which has all of these specs, but the game still seems to lag and stutter, even with only 500 planet systems. What are some optimisation tips?

There's a few:
In advanced settings, turn of nebulae - HUGE performance boost.
Turn down your desktop resolution. Here's the method I use. This one gives a large boost as well.
Turn down the star density setting in options. Gives a small but noticeable gain.

I've tried a few other things like turning off windows compositing and changing some graphics driver settings, but they didn't seem to do anything.

[Shark7]

ORIGINAL: Tampa_Gamer

Shark7, on a related note I am on the same quest of replacing my beloved Viewsonic p225f CRT. I build a new system about every 3 years, but I have held on to my CRT since it has been great for gaming at 1600x1200 85hz for years. Unfortunately, it has recently started to fade badly (e.g. brightness and contrast at almost 100% and I am still having trouble seeing certain things in dark games) so I too am looking for a 23-26" LCD/LED. I have managed to thoroughly confuse myself looking at the usual forums (Anandtech, Toms Hardware and Hardforum.com). Just when I think I have found the perfect match, I find there is a significant flaw that turns me off (most recently this was with the Dell U2311H that everyone seems hyped up about but appears to have a recall going on.
So if you find something, please let me know and I will do the same. Thanks

Right now I'm using a 18" AOC and have had no problems with it. I also have a 18.5" Wide Screen Acer at work and it too works perfectly. I think the key is not to buy an unknown brand, stick with the more reputable companies and you should be fine.

[caerr]

Since this is somewhat of a general performance thread, is anyone having extreme slowdown issues when there is lots of stuff happening on the screen?

One specific case might be the kaltor infested base you need to investigate along the storyline.

Or just large scale battles with maybe hundreds of guns firing at the same time.

I have quad core 3ghz, HD5850, 4 gigs of ram and Win 7 and I've managed to get below one frame per second in certain scenarios. Also I wouldn't describe 1400 stars late game smooth going either.

[BigWolfChris]

Always had that problem
Just always presumed it was due to the game not currently being optimized fully yet (either CPU or Graphic rendering optimized)

[Shark7]

Most likely grahpics, I've found that when I experience the slowdown at zoom out, going to the planet/ship view completely eliminates the slowdown...processing doesn't seem to be the issue, but rendering all the stuff going on to the screen does.

[Baleur]

ORIGINAL: unclean

ORIGINAL: V for Vegas
I am running a system which has all of these specs, but the game still seems to lag and stutter, even with only 500 planet systems. What are some optimisation tips?

There's a few:
In advanced settings, turn of nebulae - HUGE performance boost.

So true.. I wish i could have nebulas but for some reason they drain down my fps when zooming in our out like crazy, or not really fps but.. It stutters like crazy, every single zoom level takes a sec or two to load.
I really dont know why, other games can manage it, this game cant. I do hope a graphics engine rewrite is in the plans for Distant Worlds 2.

Also if the dev's are reading, the option to turn off nebulae does NOT affect the actual gas clouds, so when zooming into those it still stutters like nuts.

[solops]

So what do I have to do to get DW to use my multi-core? Is it automatic?

[Raap]

ORIGINAL: caerr

Since this is somewhat of a general performance thread, is anyone having extreme slowdown issues when there is lots of stuff happening on the screen?

One specific case might be the kaltor infested base you need to investigate along the storyline.

Or just large scale battles with maybe hundreds of guns firing at the same time.

I have quad core 3ghz, HD5850, 4 gigs of ram and Win 7 and I've managed to get below one frame per second in certain scenarios. Also I wouldn't describe 1400 stars late game smooth going either.

Strangely, no. I always play 1400 stars, and zoomed in to system view everything is smooth here no matter how much stuff is happening or how many ships are fighting. This even at 4x speed, which is my default. I only get slowdowns/choppiness late in the game, and even then it's only when zooming out so that at least 1/4 of the total galaxy is visible. Pretty much anything else is perfectly smooth( except opening ships/bases windows and such, of course). I only have a slightly better system than you( c2Q 3.8ghz, 8gb ram, 5870) and I'm also running Win7, so it's kind of odd.

You're using latest video card drivers and such? I also have the in-game fps capped at 70fps through the game-menu, though I'm unsure if that has anything to do with it.

[Spacecadet]

ORIGINAL: Tampa_Gamer

Shark7, on a related note I am on the same quest of replacing my beloved Viewsonic p225f CRT. I build a new system about every 3 years, but I have held on to my CRT since it has been great for gaming at 1600x1200 85hz for years. Unfortunately, it has recently started to fade badly (e.g. brightness and contrast at almost 100% and I am still having trouble seeing certain things in dark games) so I too am looking for a 23-26" LCD/LED. I have managed to thoroughly confuse myself looking at the usual forums (Anandtech, Toms Hardware and Hardforum.com). Just when I think I have found the perfect match, I find there is a significant flaw that turns me off (most recently this was with the Dell U2311H that everyone seems hyped up about but appears to have a recall going on.
So if you find something, please let me know and I will do the same. Thanks

Pretty much in the same boat as you.
My CRT seems/ed to be getting dimmer and dimmer so I've been looking into LCD's for a couple of months.

I really don't like anything I've seen about any of them [:(]

I finally broke down to choosing between a Dell U2410 and the ASUS VW266H - I definitely wanted 1920 x 1200 and not 1080.

Ended up going with the ASUS VW266H as there was talk of the Dell having a "grainy" or "dirty" look to it from the anti-glare coating. I've seen that "dirty" look on other Monitors and didn't care for it.

Still tweaking the ASUS, but it's pretty crisp and was a pretty good deal for the price.


DW sure looks different on it, I can tell you that [8D]

[caerr]

ORIGINAL: Raap
Strangely, no. I always play 1400 stars, and zoomed in to system view everything is smooth here no matter how much stuff is happening or how many ships are fighting. This even at 4x speed, which is my default. I only get slowdowns/choppiness late in the game, and even then it's only when zooming out so that at least 1/4 of the total galaxy is visible. Pretty much anything else is perfectly smooth( except opening ships/bases windows and such, of course). I only have a slightly better system than you( c2Q 3.8ghz, 8gb ram, 5870) and I'm also running Win7, so it's kind of odd.

You're using latest video card drivers and such? I also have the in-game fps capped at 70fps through the game-menu, though I'm unsure if that has anything to do with it.

Can you do a quick test? Design a starport with around 200 area weapons and spawn 100 or so enemy ships around it, you can do it quickly by entering the editor. If you have smooth fps on that one I definitely have some sort of problem.

[Zhany]

ORIGINAL: caerr

ORIGINAL: Raap
Strangely, no. I always play 1400 stars, and zoomed in to system view everything is smooth here no matter how much stuff is happening or how many ships are fighting. This even at 4x speed, which is my default. I only get slowdowns/choppiness late in the game, and even then it's only when zooming out so that at least 1/4 of the total galaxy is visible. Pretty much anything else is perfectly smooth( except opening ships/bases windows and such, of course). I only have a slightly better system than you( c2Q 3.8ghz, 8gb ram, 5870) and I'm also running Win7, so it's kind of odd.

You're using latest video card drivers and such? I also have the in-game fps capped at 70fps through the game-menu, though I'm unsure if that has anything to do with it.

Can you do a quick test? Design a starport with around 200 area weapons and spawn 100 or so enemy ships around it, you can do it quickly by entering the editor. If you have smooth fps on that one I definitely have some sort of problem.

I tried this on my system Core I7 870 4gb ddr3 ram gtx470 video card and I defiantly got a major slow down when the 200 area effect weapons went off but was otherwise game play was smooth when the area weapons did not fire.

[Raap]

I'll see if I can try it out when I get home. I certainly think it's possible to slow the game to a crawl though, the lag I have on the zoomed out galaxy map would indicate such, but it hasn't actually happened in any regular game situation for me. Then again, I rarely actually see the AI using bigger fleets than 40'ish ships tops, and when I send my torpedo ships to wipe those fleets out it's always a smooth battle.

Maybe it could be AoE weapons causing it? I'd assume even a single fire from such a weapon likely has more of a performance impact than 10 other ships firing. I never really use them myself since they just destroy my own ships unless they are flying completely solo. Also kind of annoying to have my space ports destroying every civilian ship close to them, both my own and allies', if I mount them with AoE weapons.