Laggy gameplay. Cause of the problem ?

[metaknigth]

Laggy gameplay. Cause of the problem ?

Hello!
First of here are my Specs:

MS Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
Intel Pentium E2140 @ 1.60GHz
2,00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 267MHz
ATI Radeon HD 5670 (Sapphire)

If there's anything else you guys need just say.

So, I can run the game on medium but the lag is well.. choppy. I'm playing on Low right now and I'm up to chapter 1 in Flotsam. Cutscenes and dialogs are fine. But gameplay is definitely playable, but choppy. Not slow or sluggish just a big choppy. When I start the game I get around 10 FPS until it loads everything properly then it starts to float around 15 - 25. May drop down to 8/10 if it starts loading something all of a sudden but it also jumps to 30 or even 40 at places. Depends and what I'm doing/looking at/where I'm at/etc.

I was just wondering what might the cause be for this. I have UberSampling turn off and from looking at the system requirements for the game my GPU is enough but I think my CPU may be a bit behind everything else. I know the game is most heavy on the GPU but what does it need most after that ?

P.S. I just checked and I can run the game on high too. The difference is that it takes a bit longer to load everything but if I'm walking around one spot were stuff have loaded properly I get around 10 - 18 FPS.

 

[soundcreepy]

Ram (as I see it) is a major issue for how choppy your game-play is. 2 gb isn't all that much when it comes to this game and coupled with that speed of 267mhz, your ram is constantly playing catch-up. CPU could use a bit of a boost too, but I think its more ram related.

 

[Vinthir]

It's not the RAM, I suppose it's more GPU and CPU-related. You can have a look at this article on Techspot for some guidelines as to what to expect with your graphics card, your HD 5670 is very similar to HD 6670 in terms of performance. Notice how the framerate changes depending on the resolution. You have not given us the resolution on which you are playing but as you see the lower it is the higher the average FPS.

You mentioned choppiness, not consistently low fps but it is natural for the FPS to rise if you don't move. Furthermore, some areas in the game are simply more demanding. Likewise some actions e.g. fights against many enemies, with a lot of spell-casting etc.

Also, your processor is not that new anymore, however in this graphics-intensive game it's the graphics card that's the most important.

Finally, just in case, it's always a good idea to keep your graphics card drivers updated.

 

[GuyNwah]

Vinthir is right: this game is GPU-intensive, and the 5670 can't make high frame rate at high resolution, at any settings. The CPU and RAM are of less concern: you could theoretically upgrade those a long way, but you would see little difference.

My guess is that the Red Engine makes heavy use of the output processors, and many recent entry-level GPUs like the 5670 have a design that is short on output processors [the 5670 has only 8]. Upgrading just one step, say, to a 5750 (16 output processors) is a big win with this game.

I have the same card, and 1280x720 and medium settings is what you can expect from it.

 

[metaknigth]

I'm very sorry that I forgot to mention the resolution.
Playing at 1280x720.
About upgrades... I know the CPU and RAM are kind of the weakest spot in my machine but unfortunately I can't afford any upgrades at the moment. Didn't know about the output processors on my GPU, so thanks for that.

Will try playing around on the lower resolutions too see what results I get but for now its playable. Just kinda choppy/laggy here and there. I can play on my current settings, I just even completed the quest "Troll Trouble".

I just wanted to know what the cause might be so I can keep it in mind for the future. Thanks a lot of the help. Will post if there is anything else.

I'm really enjoying the game though! Even with the lag and what-not. Its not unbearable.

 

[GuyNwah]

Processors like the E2140 are generally found on proprietary motherboards that weren't made to take CPU upgrades. So it's a little hard to say how upgradeable your setup is (even if you had the funds to do so). But since the game is playable for you, enjoy it

 

[metaknigth]

I kinda know about that. I had made some research before and asked here and there, and there are CPU's that can go on my motherboard but... its pretty pointless. From a money side of things and the fact that those CPU's are going to be behind and pretty weak pretty soon. So if I am going to make an upgrade I'm most likely change nearly everything. Or in best case get an entirely new machine.
Thank again!

 

[metaknigth]

So I lowered my resolution to 1024x768 and the game runs so much better now. Hardly drops below 20 (only when its loading something or in a similar demanding situation) and I even get up to 60 FPS at certain times and places.
Thanks a lot. Might screw around with the options some other time but for now its just high enough resolution that I can stand and doesn't annoy me cause I can't tell what's what and the framerate is nicely playable for me.
Really enjoying the game now !

 

[Edralion]

You need to change your cpu.. You'll be able to play with your graphic card, but the cpu.. Take a Phenom 955, core 2 quad or FX-4100. If you want to play the witcher 2, you don't need a i5. But a pentium e2140 isn't enought at all..

 

[GuyNwah]

The CPU's effectively not upgradeable. Motherboards that took the E2140 won't take any CPU that's a worthwhile upgrade. And the CPU is not the limiting factor in his setup, so please don't give advice to spend money to no purpose.