New laptop doesn't play well....lag

[Mark VII]

My last head to head game ended in 2015, now thinking of getting back in. However, new laptop (2017) doesn't like the game, as there is massive lag. In going through the forums I have found and tried several "switches" if that is the correct term. I am not a techno wizard. I have tried:

"C:\Matrix Games\War in the Pacific Admiral's Edition\War in the Pacific Admiral Edition.exe" -f -pxf1920 -pyf1080 -archive -deepColor -multiaudio -dd_sw -altFont

-f -dd_sw -deepColor -fixArt -SingleCpuOrders -altFont

-wd -pxf1920 -pyf1080 -archive -deepColor -multiaudio -dd_sw -altFont

None of these have solved the lag problem.


I have a HP Pavilion 15-bc051nr, it's a somewhat fast unit for video editing.

specs are......

Intel® Core™ i7-6700HQ with Intel® HD Graphics 530 (2.6 GHz, up to 3.5 GHz, 6 MB cache, 4 cores),

6 GB DDR4-2133 SDRAM (2 x 8 GB),

and graphics 6 GB DDR4-2133 SDRAM (2 x 8 GB)

Massive thank you if any one has any ideas.

regards,
Terry

[Korvar]

If you have the latest update to Windows 10 (version 1709 a.k.a. Fall Creator's Update) initial reports are that removing -dd_sw clears up the lag. This version of Win 10 is the only instance I've heard of where -dd_sw isn't a help; otherwise it's a standard recommendation to use it.

You can find out what version you have by hitting the 'windows' key, typing in 'cmd' clicking on "Command Prompt" that pops up at the top of the Start Menu, and then typing at the prompt 'winver'.

[wdolson]

Try -cpu2 or another cpu# switch. The problem is the game doesn't work well with multi-core processors. The game engine makes calls that create another thread and then waits for the other thread to finish. On a single core machine, the other thread runs on the same core, so it just waits for a tiny fraction of a second and the other thread finishes. On a multi-core machine, the other thread is spawned on a different core and while the first thread is going into wait, the second core is done and every core sits around waiting for the other to do something. Finally after a timeout of something like a second, the first thread makes the call again and discovers the answer is sitting there waiting and continues.

I've really wanted to fix this problem for some time and Michael and I took a shot at it about 2 years ago. We made some progress but both of us got called away with our "day jobs" and we never managed to get it completely working. It's a case where I know what's happening, but I can't quite figure out how to fix it.

cpu2 will force the game to only use the 2nd core. The first core is often used for Windows functions and some people have had problems with -cpu1, but -cpu2, -cpu3, or -cpu4 should work better.

Bill

[Mark VII]

I have version 1709 (OS build 16299.125)

Trying your recommendation directly.

[Mark VII]

removing -dd_sw didn't work. currently on...
"C:\Matrix Games\War in the Pacific Admiral's Edition\War in the Pacific Admiral Edition.exe" -f -pxf1920 -pyf1080 -archive -deepColor -multiaudio -altFont

ORIGINAL: Korvar

If you have the latest update to Windows 10 (version 1709 a.k.a. Fall Creator's Update) initial reports are that removing -dd_sw clears up the lag. This version of Win 10 is the only instance I've heard of where -dd_sw isn't a help; otherwise it's a standard recommendation to use it.

You can find out what version you have by hitting the 'windows' key, typing in 'cmd' clicking on "Command Prompt" that pops up at the top of the Start Menu, and then typing at the prompt 'winver'.

[MakeeLearn]

...video editing

Conflicting software in background / video settings?...screensaver?

[Mark VII]

Where do I put in the "-cpu2"

Yes, I suspected the 4 cores was a likely problem.

ORIGINAL: wdolson


Try -cpu2 or another cpu# switch. The problem is the game doesn't work well with multi-core processors. The game engine makes calls that create another thread and then waits for the other thread to finish. On a single core machine, the other thread runs on the same core, so it just waits for a tiny fraction of a second and the other thread finishes. On a multi-core machine, the other thread is spawned on a different core and while the first thread is going into wait, the second core is done and every core sits around waiting for the other to do something. Finally after a timeout of something like a second, the first thread makes the call again and discovers the answer is sitting there waiting and continues.

I've really wanted to fix this problem for some time and Michael and I took a shot at it about 2 years ago. We made some progress but both of us got called away with our "day jobs" and we never managed to get it completely working. It's a case where I know what's happening, but I can't quite figure out how to fix it.

cpu2 will force the game to only use the 2nd core. The first core is often used for Windows functions and some people have had problems with -cpu1, but -cpu2, -cpu3, or -cpu4 should work better.

Bill

[Korvar]

I would give wdolson's suggestions a go - I've always thought of the cpu switches as more of an AMD thing, but the truth is there are so many multicore processors out there now (both Intel and AMD) that it's really a case-by-case basis to find the "sweet spot" for your PC. Of course, you can experiment with and without the -dd_sw switch along with the cpu switch.

[Korvar]

ORIGINAL: Mark VII

Where do I put in the "-cpu2"

Yes, I suspected the 4 cores was a likely problem.

I haven't seen any ordering requirement for shortcut switches in WitPAE. I also have a quad core system and have never had any issue once I began using -dd_sw. I also froze my Win 10 version at 1607, two versions older than 1709 (for reasons unrelated to WitPAE, but I don't mind avoiding the issues some folks have been experiencing).

Another key difference between our processors is that I have an i5 while you have an i7. Your processor has what's called "hyperthreading", which is basically a way to treat a physical core as two (so in theory you have up to 8 cores). Hyperthreading might make the -cpu switches more valuable to your PC.

[Korvar]

To be as straightforward as possible, I would try:

Code: Select all

-cpu2 -fd -archive -deepColor -dd_sw -altFont 

Then delete -dd_sw if that doesn't work.

[Korvar]

Just remembered something - it's also worth a try to turn off Win 10's transparency settings.

[Mark VII]

currently on....."C:\Matrix Games\War in the Pacific Admiral's Edition\War in the Pacific Admiral Edition.exe" -cpu2 -f -pxf1920 -pyf1080 -archive -deepColor -multiaudio -altFont

Lag seems mostly gone but game loads "offset" to the lower right and I don't see everything.

[Korvar]

Try:

-cpu2 -wd -pxf1920 -pyf1080 -archive -deepColor -multiaudio -altFont


You'll have a title bar at the top, but it should center the screen.


Edit: Another thought - are you using a resolution other than 1920 x 1080? That could be a cause for the non-centered game window. You'd want to have the resolution switches match whatever you're actually using.

[Mark VII]

Now game image is way larger than my screen, I can move game around by grabbing top bar but can't see all of game at same time. I guess some kind of resolution issue.

ORIGINAL: Korvar

Try:

-cpu2 -wd -pxf1920 -pyf1080 -archive -deepColor -multiaudio -altFont


You'll have a title bar at the top, but it should center the screen.


Edit: Another thought - are you using a resolution other than 1920 x 1080? That could be a cause for the non-centered game window. You'd want to have the resolution switches match whatever you're actually using.

[Mark VII]

just checked, I'm on 1920 x 1080

[Korvar]

Right-click anywhere on an "unoccupied" area of your desktop on the wallpaper directly (not on an icon, etc.).

Then left click:
Display Settings --> Advanced Display Settings (blue link towards bottom)

It should then show you the actual resolution in the "Resolution" drop-down box.


Edit: You beat me.

[Korvar]

See how this looks:

-cpu2 -f -archive -deepColor -multiaudio -altFont

[Mark VII]

THAT'S IT!!!! Thank you so much. lighting in a bottle.

ORIGINAL: Korvar

See how this looks:

-cpu2 -f -archive -deepColor -multiaudio -altFont

[Mark VII]

thank you for your time and patience!

ORIGINAL: Mark VII

THAT'S IT!!!! Thank you so much. lighting in a bottle.

ORIGINAL: Korvar

See how this looks:

-cpu2 -f -archive -deepColor -multiaudio -altFont

[Korvar]

You're welcome.

You might want to tweak it to:

-cpu2 -fd -archive -deepColor -multiaudio -altFont


IF you'd like daily (in game terms) autosaves - I've found it to be a good idea. Adding -skipVideo will also automatically skip the opening video if you get tired clicking through it.