Help. ETW only using one processor core.

**Gandreg** · March 04, 2009, 06:08 PM

Empire is only using the first core on my Athlon 64 X2 4400+. Is there any way to fix this? Did CA test this game on AMD processors? Perhaps there is a setting in an ini file? Any help would be great.

I have the AMD processor driver and dual core optimizer installed.

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System Information
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Time of this report: 3/4/2009, 17:37:11
Machine name: HOME
Operating System: Windows XP Professional x64 Edition (5.2, Build 3790) Service Pack 2 (3790.srv03_sp2_gdr.080813-1204)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4400+ (2 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Page File: 392MB used, 1529MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.3790.3959 32bit Unicode

**Evan** · March 04, 2009, 06:53 PM

I'm noticing that it appears to only be using one core of my 64 x2 as well; what a bunch of rubbish. It could be why it is running so slowly for me; with only one core being used, the CPU minimum requirements are barely met!

**Maizel** · March 04, 2009, 06:59 PM

I'm not sure if there is much you can do about that.

**Evan** · March 04, 2009, 07:05 PM

Why would it even be doing it in the first place though?

**Maizel** · March 04, 2009, 07:07 PM

Well multiple-core support has to be programmed into the game.

Maybe they just didn;t do it, or it just doesnl;t work for your processor. Apparently it's difficult business, making something multi-threaded.

**Evan** · March 04, 2009, 07:12 PM

No multi-core support really wouldn't make sense in 2009.

**sambasam** · March 04, 2009, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by Evan

No multi-core support really wouldn't make sense in 2009.

yeah, how could a i7 be good if it doesnt even allow you to use most of the cores?

**Maizel** · March 04, 2009, 07:14 PM

It doesn't use more than 1 core on an i7 either? Since they're advertising that i7 and stuff.

**sambasam** · March 04, 2009, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by Maizel

It doesn't use more than 1 core on an i7 either? Since they're advertising that i7 and stuff.

really it doesnt? wow, so will the Amd 5600+ work?

**Maizel** · March 04, 2009, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by sambasam

really it doesnt? wow, so will the Amd 5600+ work?

I was asking you if it works on an i7 or not.

**PXZyan** · March 04, 2009, 07:21 PM

Well that explains why I get some stuttering no matter how large the battles are. I can play with 1000 troops and get a bit of stuttering and play with 5000 and get the very same performance. I can't believe this is not multi core support!! What is that all about!!

**Gandreg** · March 04, 2009, 07:22 PM

From what i can gather multiple cores work on Intel processors (the newer ones at least)for ETW, but many AMD processors are not running empire on all cores. Hope this can be fixed in a patch or something.

Evan what OS are you using? I am using XP 64 bit.

**Gandreg** · March 04, 2009, 07:24 PM

PXZyan are you sure yours is not working on all cores b/c you have a core 2 quad?

Open task manager and leave it open and run a custom battles. Then exit the game to see if you have activity on all cores.

**Evan** · March 04, 2009, 07:32 PM

I use XP 32bit

I just ran a 20 vs 20 battle on all low settings, and while the framerate was considerably higher, I still got stuttering (freezing for <1.0 second) every 30 seconds or so. So, like PXZyan, the performance is basically the same regardless of battle/unit size (and even graphic settings to some extent -- higher framerate doesn't really matter with the stuttering and the absolute horrible graphics in low).

**Yojimbo** · March 04, 2009, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by Maizel

Well multiple-core support has to be programmed into the game.

Maybe they just didn;t do it, or it just doesnl;t work for your processor. Apparently it's difficult business, making something multi-threaded.

single core procs were obselette in 2006. there is no excuse whatsoeve for etw to not support multi cores if it doesnt.

how are you checking your proc usage in game i cant alt tab. Or are you using some sort of cpu uaage history?

**Gandreg** · March 04, 2009, 08:26 PM

ForlornHope: Yes, checking processer usage history in task manager. Open task manager and click on performance tab. Leave task manager open and run empire total war. Try a quick custom battle and exit the game. Then, Check your processor usage history in task manager.

**gingerbill** · March 05, 2009, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by Evan

I use XP 32bit

I just ran a 20 vs 20 battle on all low settings, and while the framerate was considerably higher, I still got stuttering (freezing for <1.0 second) every 30 seconds or so. So, like PXZyan, the performance is basically the same regardless of battle/unit size (and even graphic settings to some extent -- higher framerate doesn't really matter with the stuttering and the absolute horrible graphics in low).

game runs poorly for me on intel dual core with 8800 on xp . I just dont get how its so bad . Turning the graphics down so they look worse than RTW doesnt help either . I'm ok outside of the biggest battles , but big battles is what TW is all about.

**Ketchup** · March 05, 2009, 10:30 AM

Similarly, the game runs poorly on my rig, on which I would expect it to run very well if I'm honest:

Q9450 2.66 GHz
2x 9800GTs in SLI
4GB RAM
20" monitor

Because the game is not really using more than oe core, it seems that I'm limited by my CPUs clock speed, which is annoying...