How much RAM is need for a gigantic map in DA?

from GalCiv2 Forums
I used to play GCII without much slow-down on a gigantic map but playing a gigantic map in DA seems to cause more slow-down and feels laggy. Does a DA game requires more RAM than a standard GCII game?

My specs
p4 2.8 ghz HT
1024 mb RAM
Ati 9800 se
8,859 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You should be fine with what you have. Make sure you have your virtual memory set to at least 2048mb though if it isn't already.
As far as your card, I don't know the specs. NVIDIA all the way here!
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
my system is pretty similar, and i play gigantic maps easily enough. i've always had some slow down late game, but not enough to discourage me from playing.

make sure you have your prefs set to what they were; DA sets everything back to default, including AA at 4 and other graphical features that may slow down your system.

the other thing it may be is the AI CPU usage. are you playing with the force max CPU option turned on? the AI became more intense in DA. the major differnece in my system is a dual core pentium (2.8 Ghtz), which means the AI thread runs on the second processor. from what i understand, using this option with a single core machine might cause some lag, but Brad mentioned that it shouldn't be too bad.

i also have a slightly better graphics card (ATI radeon X600 LE), but i don't think it's your GPU unless you're using LogicSequence's HRG mod.
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
if it makes you feel any better I get slowdown when playing GalCiv 2 on a gigantic map and I've got one of the best computers that can be purchased today.

Intel QuadCore (oc'd to 3.2 ghz a piece)
4gigs of ram
8800gtx

So yeah slowdown happens no matter what you've got - I notice its worse if I turn on the CPU option for having the AI utlize fully.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Intel QuadCore (oc'd to 3.2 ghz a piece)
4gigs of ram
8800gtx


how much did that cost?
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
how much did that cost?


probably betweein US$4,000-6,000. the quad core alone is $1,500, and if he OC'd it he may well have a liquid cooling solution (hopefully it's not Dell's POS).

and if the ram is one of the new high end, 1Ghtz sticks, that could run it up another $2,400.

me? fantasies about building my own power machine? noooo.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It seems like ATI cards are having slowdown problems with the new graphic enhancements, especially on older ones like 9800s.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The slowdown isn't graphical, its the AI logic. You turn it up high enough with large enough AI empires, and it'll take some numbercrunching power to get them from one turn to the next.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yeah, it is the time between turns! Early on in the game it just takes seconds, late in the game it takes about 30s-1min a turn!
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Even with my dual-core i get slowdown late game in gigantic. Havent noticed too much of an issue with improved AI enabled. Just find a quiet part of the map and zoom right in before ending yor turn. Seems to help turn times.

D

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Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It's amazing what $1,000 buys you in a desktop when compared to a laptop - It's more amazing what $3523.00 gets you. I've got a cooler master liquid cooling solution with 4 raid-0 Raptor drives (the 150gb model).