BF2 not using enough memory...

[orkan]

Ok... I have what is considered by most to be a fast computer. Yet BF2 seems to be choppy as hell after playing for a few minutes.

Everyone is talking about how BF2 uses 1 - 1.5GB of ram when loaded into a map and playing. I pulled up my task mgr today just to see, and at the MOST, bf2 memory utilization is 650mb.

My settings: All in-game settings to High, 6xAA, 1024x768.

On a fresh reboot, with those settings, I get 80-100fps. As soon as a few minutes of active play goes by... I drop to 50-75fps, and it is choppy as hell. Gets progressively worse as I play.

I've re-installed the game no less than 10 times, Re-installed my OS (XP Pro sp2) no less than 3 times. Used 3 different kinds of memory. Used 2 different processors, and every revision of nvidia and ati drivers I could find.

My Computer:
DFI LanParty SLI-DR
A64 X2-4400+
2x1024 OCZ PC4000 EL Gold
X850XT
2 74GB Raptors in RAID-0 + 250GB Storage

The only thing that I've been able to find "wrong"... is this whole memory utilization thing. Why is everyone else claiming to have 1GB or more being used, when my system, with my specs is only loading less than 700mb?!?!?!

This HAS to be my bottleneck. Instead of loading textures from memory... its loading it from hdd. As fast as my raptor array is... it still cant handle that kind of load.

I'm sure I'm not the only one with a killer machine, having these kinds of choppy lag problems. Lets get this resolved...

[Turok]

Im sure you already did this, try updateing your game to version 1.03.

If you already have 1.03 installed, try changeing BF2 to different compression settings. At the highest resolutions and the least compresion. Compare with each setting.
Im not sure how much RAM BF2 actually uses, but those people who said it uses 1-1.5 Gb were probably estimating because their 1Gb ram would lag a bit, or because they were looking at the entire ram usage, and the game + their OS and some background files could probably add up to the 1-1.5 Gb

even if the game toped up to 1.5 Gb, you would have enough ram to run the game without problems. It could also be that your RAM isnt working properly on your mobo? Download CPU-Z and check if your ram is working in Dual mod, and check your timmings to see if they are fine. If there is something strange about your RAM. If there's something wrong with the RAM, run a Memtest to see if it's stable. Your BIOS may need a BIOS flash if it's too old and is'nt recognizing your hardware for some reason

Also try checking if there's a backgroudn file holding you back. Check for spyware to see if it's messing up your performance. This probably isnt a problem, because you said you formated your PC several times, so you should be clear from spyware and stuff

[orkan]

I've done everything you suggested Turok. Benchmarks I've run:

3DMark01 - 29,000+
3DMark03 - 14,000+
3DMark05 - 7,000+
Aquakmark3 - 87,000+
Super-Pi - 32m = 28m
Prime95 - overnight
memtest - overnight

Perfectly stable system. I decided to disable my page file, just to test what would happen in bf2. It now uses between 750, and 820mb when loaded... depending on map. Performance was helped quite a bit. Not quite as choppy at all.

Something is borked. There has to be something telling BF2 to NOT use more available memory.

[bender222]

It was like that on my agp rig and i changed my apature size. i dont know if pci lets you do that. i changed it equal to my video ram

[orkan]

Just for testings sake... I disabled my page file, and it seemed to help slightly. ... not much though.

[Martinx]

If it starts getting choppy after a while for no reason whatsoever it has to be your graphics card overheating. What type of cooling system do you have? If it's on air, how's your sexy airflow?

[Frisch]

If it starts getting choppy after a while for no reason whatsoever it has to be your graphics card overheating. What type of cooling system do you have? If it's on air, how's your sexy airflow?
My first thought too, heat.
My old card (9700 Pro ) , did the same until i invested in some proper cooling.
The stock cooling on those cards, stinks.
Be sure to get the ram on the card cooled too.

[orkan]

I have a DD maze 4 gpu block... running through dual BIX 120's, Laing D4 pump.

41c Load on gpu core. Pretty low from what people have experienced... isn't it?

[brandinb]

yeah thats strange bf2 on my system uses from 700 -900 then after some map changes and some new rounds in 64 player servers it uses 950-1100mb

total memory usage about 1.3gb including windows and all programs.

make sure in your system properties it is optomized for program performance not system performance ie not the server setting but use the workstation setting but it is that way by default so probably not the problem

[orkan]

make sure in your system properties it is optomized for program performance not system performance ie not the server setting but use the workstation setting but it is that way by default so probably not the problem

Did that.

[orkan]

I installed the latest X2 Driver from amd's site... all problems are gone.

[DriveEuro]

To the thread originator. You're only running 1024x768. I doubt that's high enough to force your to use more ram. If you bumped up to 1600x1200 then maybe. I run 1600x1200 2xAA 8xAF SSAA enabled and I BF2 uses only about 900mb of ram for me. I think your numbers are fine.

[`SippY]

if it gets choppy after a few minutes of playing then it is probably something overheating, try running 3d mark 05 on high res a few times and see if you get anything.

[join nbk]

I installed the latest X2 Driver from amd's site... all problems are gone.
didnt anyone see this lol

[`SippY]

didnt anyone see this lol nope

[join nbk]

wow, im starting to reconsider the people here at xtreme systems

and to think i left overclockers club for here lol

[MRBIGSHOT]

to bad i didnt see this earlier, my guess was the x2 driver.

[SPL15]

Dont forget the windows hotfix stickied in the AMD section.