[LoxagosSnake]

First of all, hello, as it's the first time I'm posting on the PC World forums! OK, on to my problem. I should first note that this was happening since I got my computer (almost 1 year ago). It's specifications are (sorry if I'm missing any details) :

• CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33 GHz
  
• RAM: 4GB DDR2
  
• GPU: ATI Radeon HD4600 1GB (with latest drivers)
  
• HDD: 1TB (2x500GB)
  
• OS: Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1

OK. All in all, I can play demanding games with satisfactory settings and framerates (for example, Modern Warfare 2 is maxed out at 1280x1024 with 2xAA or 0xAA, not sure). I first noticed the problem in Crysis. I was playing on a High/Very High setting combination, and I was near a small encampment. On the ground was a flare with red smoke. After I killed the guards, I tried to casually walk across the smoke, and the game suddenly started lagging. I decreased the settings, it happened again. Even on older games, it happens when I go through particles (I hope what I'm describing is really called particles!!!) and to be more specific:

• Fire
  
• Rain/Fountains/Water Splashes
  
• Sandstorms
  
• Snow
  
• Smoke
  
• Near explosions
  
• Other particle effects, like magic, shockwaves etc.

I even tried to play COD4: Modern Warfare on Low settings and low resolutions with no antialiasing, and when I go through smoke grenades, I'm lagging - and it's more intense when I use Smooth Smoke Edges. What's strange is that I could go through smoke in my old computer (on the same game) which had far inferior specs (single core at 2.44 GHz and 768MB RAM, need more...? ) and have no problem...!

The reason I posted this is because of Metro 2033. I spent a good half hour to tweak the settings so it's not a slideshow, I played a while, and when I got out in the open and there is this ashstorm/snowstorm/whatever-storm, I lagged terribly... I don't think it's the open world that poses a problem, because Fallout 3 played great on max settings (and all other open world games I've tried). With my minor hardware experience, I suspect it's the graphics card problem...or something software related.

OK so there was the problem. I apologize if anything was misleading or not that clear; if so, ask and I'll post more info. I know I should've tried to solve it since I saw it, but I never found the time to sit down and give it my attention. Don't get me wrong, I'm fairly experienced in computers generally, but this really puzzled me! Thanks for your help in advance

[coastie65]

Hi and welcome to the forums. Ok, I have played Crysis on my eMachines (see signature; Nvidia 8600GT at the time) with the settings maxed and the AA turned off, with no problem. Your system specs seem to be pretty good, and I don't think it is a hardware issue. I noticed that you are still running SP1, you might try updating to SP2. It seems that with each one, Vista is less buggy, in fact, I have upgraded to SP2 and it is running quite nicely. You could upgrade to the HD4850 card I guess, although I believe that is a pretty decent card. There is a possibility that the card has problems with the "Extra" graphics stuff such as smoke, rain, snow, etc and a change of cards may rectify the situation.


Edited: Moved this topic to a more appropriate dicussion.

This post has been edited by coastie65: 22 April 2010 - 05:19 AM

[LoxagosSnake]

Hm...I downloaded the SP2, reapplied the drivers for the GFX card, but still the same lag...

[coastie65]

LoxagosSnake, on 23 April 2010 - 12:54 AM, said:

Hm...I downloaded the SP2, reapplied the drivers for the GFX card, but still the same lag...

The system specs ae good. The only thing I can think of is that maybe it is time for a new card. It could be heading south. If you had another card that is reasonably powered & 128 bit, you try that.