New computer, still poor frame rate

[Kaltes]

Hey guys,

I recently setup my new computer. I have updated the game as well as my drivers. My system specs are as follows:

Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R Motherboard
Intel C2D E8400 (3.0GHz) Processor
GSkill 2x2gb DDR2-1000 Memory
EVGA Geforce GTX-260 216c Video
Drivers: Geforce 181.22
OS: Windows Vista Business x64

I know I shouldn't be getting extraordinary frames in Dalaran, however I know that I shouldn't be getting 18FPS with settings all the way on low. Can someone please help me figure this out so I'm playing where I should be? Something isn't right...

[Khab]

Something sure isn't right. What resolution are you playing at? Turn shadows all the way down to start with.

[elsegundo]

nope. something isnt right. make sure your computer isnt overheating. make sure if you need a power supply to the videocard that its connected. make sure that the fan to your videocard, if its there, is working. make sure you run a diagnostic and one of those benchmark things.

[Kaltes]

Resolution is 1680x1050 on a 22" Monitor.

Again, shadows have been all the way down when I had the lowest settings possible enabled on the game. :(

[Khab]

Have you tried any other games? You may want to run 3DMark to see how the system does.

[Khab]

Also, take a look at this thread:
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=5287373979&postId=53753649186&sid=1#0

[elsegundo]

is the multisampling turned to... x1, or x2?

also, is this a problem only with WoW? have you tried another game?

[Kalos]

I'd check with other games as well. Would be useful to know if it is something widespead or focused precisely on WoW.

[tylrdiablos]

Vista Business? Hmm.

I heard that Vista Ultimate requires 80 background processes to run.

Check that you're not running un-used processes in the background.
Find out what's safe to switch off etc.

(Windows Update can go for a start. ETC)

[Kaltes]

It doesn't appear like I have too much running in the background. I also have not attempted to install any other games, though I may try Day of Defeat later. I have run 3DMark, and the score is:

Score: 11179 3DMarks
CPU Score: 30961
GPU Score: 9216

Is that low, or high?

Also, where do I check the multisampling? I am following the other thread right now, downloading Rivatuner.

Edit: Duh, found the multisample. What should this be set to?

[Kaltes]

Guys I think I just somehow found out what the problem is. I am presently playing in Windowed mode. When the game initially starts up, it doesn't take up full screen, so I maximize it... 15fps.

When I restored it back to what it opens up to with the game, boom... 50fps Dalaran.

What gives?

[elsegundo]

i find that setting your multisample to 1 or 2 uses minimal resources, so you can keep it at that. you videocard is capable of going 60+fps at 2. if its at 16.... you're at max for that videocard.

once we figure out what the problem is with your card, you can adjust it to your liking.


EDIT: your windowed mode problem should not be happening. perhaps its the resolution you have that's different. your screen resolution (of your windows) vs. the resolution you're playing in does not match? best thing to do would be to start the game NOT in windowed mode.

[Kaltes]

Thanks Else.

I've gone back to playing full screen mode. My computer is now fast enough that I can comfortably alt-tab out and do what I have to do... I just got this pit in my stomach anticipating on how long it will be until this starts feeling slow again!

Both my desktop and my game were set to 1680x1050 (widescreen) resolutions. I always found that odd because my game never opened up maximized, on my 22" LCD I had about 3/4 of an inch of desktop visible on each side of the window. Since it's more distracting to play the game when it isn't maximized, I just went back to full screen mode.

I must say... I'm in pure awe at how the game looks now!

[NiGHTsC]

Ever try to OC your E8400?
Eg. up to 3.5GHz or even 4GHz, it should helps alot.