Graphics issues with new SPQR6.4

[Element-UK]

Has anyone any idea as to why I am getting speckled biege spots everywhere, both on the campaign map and in battles? I use a GF fx5900 set to no Anti-aliasing and Vert sync and Ans filtering are set to 'controlled by program'. I have tried updating the drivers from Nvidia but no change their, so it's not a driver issue. It has played perfectly before many times but when it does not, the screen eventually gets so clustered with biege spots dancing everywhere, the screen starts to waver and then the game freezes and crashes but not to desktop.

Anyone else ? Its stopping me playing - booo. Btw the battles are great fun. I was wondering why the 'Loose' and 'close' formation button's could not be switched for the roman shiled wall formations. ie Loose is open etc. could the actual names on the icons not be switched around ?

[GaussSoldier]

When it freezes, does it do it at certain times?

Like while the general is making his speech, or after a battle?

[Element-UK]

No, the freezing is when the graphics mess builds up over a short time like 2 turns. It usually starts soon after loading and stays until either it crashes my game or gets to interfering to play. All latest drivers etc, not that it helped lol. Sometimes i get various colours like blue spots as well, though mainly its just a horrible beige. I was wondering if its something to do with this script or not. btw, it says 'don't forget the to activate the script; I thought that 4 season thing was an option...or is the script not that?

[Alatar]

Not SPQr's fault, probebly a problem with your machine.

[GaussSoldier]

I got the same hiccups but it was not only happening on the menu screen. What really caught me off guard was that it was happening with my other games too. It didn't start until I installed 6.4.

I reinstalled all of my games and it stopped. Maybe you could try that.

[Garnier]

No, the freezing is when the graphics mess builds up over a short time like 2 turns. It usually starts soon after loading and stays until either it crashes my game or gets to interfering to play. All latest drivers etc, not that it helped lol. Sometimes i get various colours like blue spots as well, though mainly its just a horrible beige. I was wondering if its something to do with this script or not. btw, it says 'don't forget the to activate the script; I thought that 4 season thing was an option...or is the script not that?

Your graphics card is very old and probably can't handle SPQR.

[lt1956]

Sounds like you VC is dying, I suggest picking another up, But First Try downloading the LATEST drivers for your card, if that doesnt work, your card is probably overheating or just dying, they do that when they go

[Element-UK]

whats a 'VC'? My gfx card is not old lol, it handles MTWII no problem, and all other games. 2 yrs is not old, especially as rtw came out b4 that. Everything was a fresh install. IE I get no slow downs during 10,000 man battles.
Also, if my gfx card was breaking down...i would be getting probs outside of rtw.

[lt1956]

fx5900 isnt that great of a card its based on older tech plus the fact the Fan is crap at keeping the GPU cooled. In this summer heat, its easy to damage you VC (Video Card) and not even really notice it. The type of problem you mentioned is caused by a couple of things.

1. Drivers (Most common)
2. Mainboard is having issues with the Slot/Bridge
3. Video Card is dying in the sense its suffered some sort of damage or is defective.

Overclocking and Crappy fans that alot of your budget VC makers gives are a killer.

BTW I had a 7800GS Before I got my new card, and I got slowdowns or lag with 10k battles.

Lt

[Element-UK]

I have just run other tests and actually, other games are suffering the same thing now. It just seemed like weird timing that the first time it happens is when i try this new mod lol. So... I need a new gfx card eh...Any recommendations. Not top of the range as their just ridiculously priced, but something that will handle rtw and mtw with no probs.

How about the ZFX 7900 range?

[Brusilov]

Before you splash out on a new card - have a 'spring clean' of your current PC. Remove all dust from the case. Unless a component has failed (e.g. the fan) your PC should still be able to be used.

I guess there are many ways to do this - I personally have a 'blower brush' which I bought to clean camera lenses. It's just a hollow rubber ball with a nozzle - squeeze the ball and air is pushed out through the nozzle. It's quite good for blowing dust out of the case.

I believe it's also possible to buy cans of compressed air to do the job as well.

I usually keep my PC covered in a plastic dust cover which reduces the amount of dust that gets into the PC but it still does and it does accumulate.

A graphics card is old after 6 months!

[Element-UK]

So their promise of these cards to cater for future software releases is a load of poo? I'll never fall for their retoric and buy a card every 6 months lol. what a waste of cash. I'll buy a can of air-spray and give it a clean again. I would have thought that covering the case in a bag would decrease airflow big time. My prob is smoke exhalation. Pc's hate smokers lol. Why can't they simply build a filter over the air holes on the backs of the cases - To easy ?

Thanks for all the replies and advice guys. Any card recommendations around the £120 - 150 mark. Btw 'LT 1956', what card did you upgrade to please?

[Garnier]

Lt got an 8800 gts if I remember correctly.

I have an air compressor at home so I blow out my computer once a month

[lt1956]

Well sounds like you have a PCI-E, so you have alot of options open, basically Go with A BFG that you can afford, that Brand is one of the best and use Better fans than most. You can also get cards already factory OCed and they warenty them for life. So if you have torubles give it back they fix or replace. ;-)

Also Keep the old one as backup incase the new one was defective which can happen (1 in 10 electronics are defective right out of the box).

[Element-UK]

I have to find something compatiable with my A8V board. It looks as if even the 7600GT 256mb DDR3 DVI HDTV TV Out PCI-E Graphics Card, will be a jump up from mine and now its only £63. For that price, i might even upgrade my CPU from my Athlon 64 3200+. I know most pple wouldn't go this low, these days but quite frankly i don't see any good games in this genre being made. I think the best is already here. just how much more demanding can RTS's get? I think this card will run things contentedly. Anyone disagree? I'm no tech-head.

[lt1956]

I suggest a 7800GT if you can afford it. I use a 8800GTS and have no graphics issues only CPU issues. but before I needed a 7800gs just to play at good graphics without AA. So the 7600 I dont know, But go for a BFG or you may be sorry. I think within your price range you can afford something better than a 7600

[Element-UK]

I have no idea what a 'BFG' is lol. The 7600gt is still a big jump up and as I don't envision myself racing to keep up with the latest games, i shouldn't have difficulties. However If I spot a well priced 'better card' i will get it. I assume just the number being bigger denoted improvement?

How about this one for £140?

256MB BFG Technology 8600GTS OC, PCI-E (x16), Mem 2000 MHz, GDDR3, GPU 710 MHz, 2x DL DVI/HDTV, HDCP

Is it really that much better than this one for £92? although i don't like the sound of 'overclocked' especially as i don't have a freezer in my case.

256MB BFG Technology 8600GT Overclocked, PCI-E(x16), 1400MHz GDDR3, GPU 565MHz, 2 x DVI/HDTV, HDCP

[Pachinko]

I have a BFG 7800GS .... Thats all I can say... Awesome! My daughter who has the BFG 7600 ... And it is awesome too. Both of em are a AGP card.

[Garnier]

As far as I have heard, the 8600 isn't so great.

Sure its DX10 capable... but by the time games need DX10, it won't be able to run them very well.

[Element-UK]

As i just discovered, my m/b does not have a PCI-E slot. So whilst I save up for a new Mobo, CPU and gfx Card together...I thought I would flog the dead-horse for a while longer.

I got myself a GF7600GS. It's at least 3 times better than my old fx5900 card and all plays very well now. Cheers fore all the advice guys. No doubt even the cards you mention above will be disposable in a year anyway. Man i hate how they force us all to march to the beat of their drum.

Why can't someone just make a superb card for pc gaming only! Just one great card that forgets all about TV connections and all the mostly useless (for gamers) perephirals poo. Maybe then they can make an excellent card - cheaply?