UT2k4 sluggish?

[Soulburner]

I'm having some problems with UT2k4.

I have two machines, and one exhibits the problem much worse than this one (in my sig).

My rig plays it pretty well. I have tried different levels of AA/AF, and different settings from Highest, to Normal. It does run better on normal but there still some small "pauses" sometimes where it seems like its loading. I am running the game at 1280x960. It is running the game from a 36gb Raptor.

The specs are a 2.4c @ 250x12 5:4 2-2-2-6 with an R9800XT using CAT 4.4.

My other system is a 2.4b @ stock on a 3:4 divider 2-2-2-6 with a Ti4400 @ 300/600, and it experiences long pauses sometimes at random right in the middle of the game. It is much worse than it is on my system and it only seems to do it on certain maps. It is running the game from a WD 80gb SE drive.

Both systems have 512mb of RAM. Do you think this is the problem?

[veyx]

When you get these pauses...does the sound cut out and it seems like your comp has "frozen"?

[Soulburner]

No only the video freezes.

I found 1024x768 works great on my system and the game runs pretty good now.

But my other computer still gets those long pauses that can last up to 5 seconds. I am running the game at the same settings as I do on mine, 1024x768x32, "Normal" detail levels, just without any of the 6xAA 8xAF that my 9800XT handles so wonderfully without slowdown.

[`schr0et]

It's cause of the amount of RAM in the system, I got similiar issues when using 2X256MB sticks of BH-5. When I switched to 2X512 it went away.

Seems UT2K4 is a memory hog :(

`s

[Frank E. BoNeS]

Soulburner: Did you uncheck "Preload all player skins" under the 'Game' tab? Seems this option is on by default and trys to load every skin to RAM causing major swap-file usuage if you have less than 1G of RAM...

[Soulburner]

Originally posted by Frank E. BoNeS
Soulburner: Did you uncheck "Preload all player skins" under the 'Game' tab? Seems this option is on by default and trys to load every skin to RAM causing major swap-file usuage if you have less than 1G of RAM...
Thats what I assume the game is trying to do, i'll look for the option and test it out.

I guess there would probably be a performance penalty for it though. It does slow down to around 30fps with a lot of bots already.

[Frank E. BoNeS]

Originally posted by Soulburner
I guess there would probably be a performance penalty for it though. It does slow down to around 30fps with a lot of bots already.

Nope, no performance penalty at all...even with tons of bots. I think that option is to speed servers up...god only knows why its on as a default.

[twiggy]

512mb of RAM just dont cut it anymore...

[Soulburner]

Originally posted by twiggy
512mb of RAM just dont cut it anymore...
Yep I know but computer upgrades will have to wait for a while.

[Iridium192_217]

must be your ati video card:shrug:

[texuspete00]

All the hot new games need it. Probably all the wide open maps. Farcry, UT2004, and BF:V all run pretty poorly on 512mb. I wouldnt say UT is a memory hog. It's just progression.

[Soulburner]

Originally posted by Iridium192_217
must be your ati video card:shrug:
The system thats having trouble has a Ti4200...

[Rukee]

I don`t think it`s the amount of memory you have, I run with 512mb and it runs great, and to test, I just pulled one stick and ran with 256mb and it was fine.

If you are OCing your VC at all, too much core speed (even if it completes benchs) will make it hard lock. My FX5950u will do 565mhz in 03 bench, but locks up just like what your are discribing in 2k4. I have to back it down to 550mhz then it`s fine.

[Soulburner]

No, because it only does it in certain maps...

[Rukee]

are you OCing the core??

[Soulburner]

Yes, but I know exactly what happens to an NV card when you take it too far, I have experienced it myself. That's not what is happening here.

Besides its only on "certain" maps, in "that" game. No other games do it at all...I also know what the limits are for the card and it is not at its limit.

I did turn off the preloading thing and it seemed to load faster and run a little better, but I got another 2 second "hiccup" after a while so the problem remains...

[Rukee]

turn off any core OCing and try it again. You must rule that out, as it locks for me with a core OC, you have to consider it, even if other games and benchs run at the speed you have it now.

[Soulburner]

It doesn't "lock", it only pauses for a few seconds then resumes...but I will try anyway...