FPS Problems...

Hi all!

I have been having this problem for a while now, and have been quite frustrated with it. I have two computers. One is my desktop PC, and the other is my laptop which I use for school and travelling. The odd thing is that I get almost *identical* FPS on both machines, even though my desktop should be getting much higher.

My Laptop specs: IBM X41 Tablet PC
Processor: Intel Pentium M 758 - 1.5GHz, 400MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache
Motherboard: Intel i965GM/i910GML
Memory: 1024MB DDR2 Dual Channel RAM (2x 512MB PC2-4300 (266MHz))
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950 with 128MB of memory "dynamically allocated" and shared with the system RAM.
Note: All components for this computer are factory installed by IBM, and I have updated all of the drivers


My Desktop specs: Dell Dimension 3000
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 - 2.8GHz, 533Mhz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache (Socket 478)
Motherboard: Intel i865P/PE/G/i848P
Memory: 1024MB DDR Dual Channel RAM (2x 512MB OCZ PC-3200 (200MHz))
Graphics: BFG Tech. Nvidia FX5500 O/C 256MB, 128bit PCI
Note: I upgraded the RAM from the Dell installed dual channel 256MB modules, as well as added the FX5500 graphics card, and disabled the onboard Intel Extreme Graphics 2 controller. All the drivers are updated to the latest versions.

When GW is run on my laptop, I get ~10 FPS on Med-High settings (determined by GW), with no AA. On my desktop, GW sets the settings *identical* to my laptop, and I get ~10-15FPS in good areas, but it can drop down to 5-7FPS in areas with high reflections or graphical effects (Ex. The Snowmen Lair). Also, another interesting thing is that even if I crank up the graphical settings to max with 4x AA, I only loose 2FPS.

With the specs of both of my computers, I would expect a bigger FPS difference, and I would also expect my FX5500 to preform better than it currenly is. (I can run FarCry on Med-High with 20-25FPS easy)

Any suggestions as to why my FPS are so low?

Thanks for all of your help!

--Ayumi

This is some info I found:

The NVIDIA GeForce FX 5500 128 MB PCI Graphics Card from eVGA is a GPU that will unleash stunning 3D worlds for the mainstream. Powered by enhanced technology and features, the e-GeForce FX 5500 delivers studio-quality color and amazing cinematic gaming effects. With 256 MB of video memory and NVIDIA Technology such as the CineFX Engine and High-Precision Graphics, the e-GeForce FX 5500 offers a lot in a small package.


as per your post:

My Desktop specs: Dell Dimension 3000
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 - 2.8GHz, 533Mhz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache (Socket 478)
Motherboard: Intel i865P/PE/G/i848P
Memory: 1024MB DDR Dual Channel RAM (2x 512MB OCZ PC-3200 (200MHz))
Graphics: BFG Tech. Nvidia FX5500 O/C 256MB, 128bit PCI
Note: I upgraded the RAM from the Dell installed dual channel 256MB modules, as well as added the FX5500 graphics card, and disabled the onboard Intel Extreme Graphics 2 controller. All the drivers are updated to the latest versions.

It appears this is vid card related. this is a older card with not much memory. When the vid card can no longer process the graphics it relies on the system. Your cpu/ram/ ect.

I have a similar issue with my on board graphics card, which is comparable to the card you have. (which is junk)

When I open GW it slams the cpu usage to 100% and holds it there. meaning my poor cpu and ram are trying to pick up the slack of my on board junk. to test this: open your guild wars and minumize it, then press Ctrl+Alt+Del and look at how much your cpu it is using. if it is at 100% your hardware is not able to render it alone.

I will suggest that you upgrade to a better card and get a sound card for your desk top and your fps will go up ALOT, this is also what I am in the process of doing.

as far as a graph card get a 8800 gt if you can find 1 they are the most bang for your money( and are dx 10 compatible)

Slow video hardware on both computers.

The Intel GMA 950's junk, but you probably knew that already.

The GeForce FX 5500 is a low-midrange card from three video card generations ago. Its (theoretical) maximum raw pixel fillrate, while slightly better than most GMA 950's, is still worse than some integrated video cards, and the GeForce FX series' (first ever) implementation of Shader Model 2.0, used for those cool reflections and stuff, is so poor the card's unlikely to reach half that performance in a shader-intensive scene like that in the snowmen's lair.

i disagree with the first reply. the OP's desktop is a trashy dell. it does not have a pci-e slot. as such, the fx5500 PCI is one of the best available. even then, it still sucks.

the OP does not really have any room to upgrade. the best thing to do is to buy a new computer.

and btw, all games will use 100% of CPU resources regardless (unless you have dual core, in which case most games will use 50%, or one of the cores).

I only looked up the vid card and missed the no pci-e, and ty for the useage info.

Yes, I do know that my desktop is bad. It was meant for work, not play. I will be getting a new computer (self-built) around my brithday (so in about 5 months). As for that computers specs, I am leaning towards a Q6600 over a C2D 6750, at least 2GB of the fastest DDR2 ram, possiably making the jump to DDR3 if prices go down, as well as a 8800GT or probably by that time the Nvidia 9xxx equivalent. That sound better than what I have?

For now, I guess this will have to do.

Thanks for your responses.

--Ayumi

A PCI video card will be unable to keep up with Guild Wars, they can barely keep up with regular computer use. Your problem with the 5500 isn't that the card can't handle the graphics. Guild Wars honestly isn't all that graphics intensive. It's the PCI bus that can't handle the traffic. PCI can only handle 133 MB/sec throughput. That's not very much. Running at a lower resolution would probably help, as would disabling post-process effects. Everything else gets stored in the video card, which is why 4xAA doesn't really affect your speed.

But, in reality, your game will probably max out at 20-25 fps if you really tweak the settings. PCI just isn't up to the task of 3D graphics.