Major Computer/SimCity4 Performance (Win. XP)

[simcity4crazyguy 24]

   This got to be the best way to play!

  Right click on My Computer, choose Properties, go to the Advanced tab, Click on Settings under the Performance section, and then choose Adjust for Best Performance. 

    My bro did this, and his computer speeded up soooo fast, that he clicks on internet, and literally it just pops up!!! https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/6.gif>https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/6.gif>

   I dont know if it'll work with simcity, but Im absolutely sure that it will. I know this because every other game/program spead up!! https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/5.gif>https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/5.gif>

[Dolfan348488 0]

Have you tried playing SimCity like that, because i run mine on best appearance and i have no problems at all with RH.  Somebody should go try it out then come back and tell us the performance difference.

[Tyeguy 1]

Those settings are dealing primarily with performance and appearance based on Visual Effects. So, there are pros and cons to both. It all depends on your computer.

[vidioman 21]

Be careful! It gives your computer a windows 95 look! I have xp with a theme, and when I clicked that, everything got old-looking!

 

-vid

[Screwballl 196]

the new XP style also called luna theme can and will slow down your computer. that theme and all its effects take up usually around 40 MB of memory

[godsend 1]

only thing is it is ungly. 40mb just for the theme/color of the desktop is crazy.

[cammo2003 20]

Well thanks for that tip, I never realised how much that would help my system so much... Oh this is going to be sooo helpful at startup...

[+Guest]

If you didn't know about the Themes service taking up so much memory then you need more help than this thread. Go to Black Viper.com and read up on services. That guy tells you everything you need to know about them AND which ones you can safely turn off which gives back ALOT of system resources.

[simcity4crazyguy 24]

Oh yeah. I forgot that it makes a Windows 95 look. Sorry so much!! But I think its worth it. Put it to 95 before you play, your done playing, and then put it back to XP.

Btw. Im going to try this on sc4 (Rush Hour) right now. Be right back with some results.https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/1.gif>

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDIT: I went to check if it'll work on SC4RH, and it did not work without shuting down all prgrams first (which I do anyway everytime I start SC4). Then it got extremely fast, and great performance. With the default settings, except the detail which is high, the # of sims/cars on the road which is also on high. So for me, it was perfect. Not to mention that the computer has been 100x faster https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/9.gif>. Have fun everyone!

sc4cg

Ps: To close all programs, press ctrl-alt-delete. Then go to Processes, and there close all programs that are Owner, except for the one called explorer.exe.

Pss: (unimportant)My 12 year old brother found this so he gets all the credit https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/8.gif>https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/7.gif>https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/34.gif> (thats unimportant)

[Equinox 1,209]

Yes ... I advise leaving the XP themes off all the time, it saves invaluable resources.

As has been mentioned elsewhere, ending Windows Explorer once SC4 has booted up is also memory-saving.

I have heard that reverting to the 95 theme as you guys call it can save up to 20% CPU cycles.  https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/37.gif>

[simcity4crazyguy 24]

I also found out something else. You know when you're done playing simcity because your parents are screaming at you/threating youhttps://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/39.gif>? Did you notice that your computer is slower than usual? Well, I noticed, that when you press ctrl+alt+delete, go to prossesses, you see that simcity4 is still running in the comp.'s mind. Even when you take the cd out! https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/6.gif> I just end task it [it uses up more than 200,000 kb of ram (about 200mb of ram if im not mistaken)], and the computer goes back to normal in 2-3 seconds.

That^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

is just another tiphttps://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/images/smilies/2.gif>

[Chinaabc 1]

lol, Really Cool Icon Simcity4crazyguy. And, sounds pretty cool, but I would wanna speed up the game to fast or somthign could go wrong .

[Dolfan348488 0]

Yeah, the game will still be running in the system memory for a couple minutes after you exit.  I have no clue why this phenomenon happens, but i also noticed it taking up around 250 MB of RAM of my system at times.  My computer is pretty fast for the most part, so i dont find it too bad after i stop playing.  The only time i notice my computer getting slow is when i leave it on for a couple days........memory leaks.......ahh!

[DuskTrooper 314]

Will this help rendering in BAT too?

[Dolfan348488 0]

If you restart your computer before you start rendering, it will help greatly. 

[DuskTrooper 314]

I know! I was wondering if this tactic improves ALL performances.

[Dolfan348488 0]

Yes, it improves everything.  When you leave your computer on for extended amounts of time, it will start to leak memory, or have memory leaks.  Its basically like RAM disappearing from your computer, in a way.  By restarting your computer ever once in a while, you regain all this lost memory, thus making your computer faster again. 

[dolphin66 5]

Just a tip..The only processes you need to run is taskmgr.exe and explorer.exe. All others can be shut down. I got this info from a well known computer company. I run my comp while playing and surfing the web. I have no problems, no errors popping up and play my game on high for everything. Runs great now. I also updating my memory to 512, an $80 investment.

[godsend 1]

good luck cause I have 5 or 6 other process running cause it says can't be shutdown cause it is system regiure or something like that.

Services is the wrost thing MS came up with. First they intergated software to kill companies. Now services to drain our memory. Gotta love Bill Gates!!

[Screwballl 196]

ok here comes a long post:

 

Step 1: BIOS tweaks and kick the RAM (DDR ONLY)

if you have a custom built non-OEM (OEM = Dell, gateway, HP, Comcrap, etc) go into BIOS and look for the settings: CAS latency, RAS to CAS and similar type settings. You may not have all these but at least a few of them should help.

Set CAS latency - 2 (default is 2.5 or 3)

RAS to CAS Delay - 2

RAS Precharge - 2

Active Precharge - 5

Command Rate - 1T

this will help give the DDR memory a small boost and has shown 3% or better performance gains (that maybe all thats needed to let gmax finish rendering). Also while in the BIOS, disable Floppy Drive Seek if you never physically change out the Floppy drive. Also if you never use a CD or floppy to boot from, set your main hard drive (usually HDD-0 or 1) as the first boot drive.

 

Step 2: Clean house

Go to start, Run and type msconfig. then under the Startup tab hit Disable all... or disable all then check only your antivirus program. Also under the BOOT.INI tab (for XP) check the box that says /NOGUIBOOT. This will disable that annoying WindowsXP startup screen. Also as i said above, remove the Luna theme. Hit thw Windows button + Pause/Break key to get system info. Hit the Advance tab then Performance and Settings. Choose adjust for best performance but go ahead and recheck Smooth edges of screen fonts and Use drop shadows for icon label on desktop. Next would be to lose the desktop wallpaper and get rid of all but 3 or 4 desktop icons (up to 10 folders are ok but not icons/links). The computer searches for the linked files everytime the computer reloads the desktop so this usually takes 12-24MB of RAM. Also while you're at it, all those cute little sounds you have when you open or monimize a folder? drop them, those can/will take up quite a bit of memory too. disable all of them except for maybe one startup sound and an error sound. otherwise lose them all.

 

Step 3: Updated updates updates

with ANY computer, it is best to download ALL windows updates, update your drivers and make sure everything is in running condition. A funky soundcard can be causing graphical glitches in the game because its so busy trying to fix the sound error it isnt allowing enough time to render the stuff ingame. For drivers, go to your motherboard or PC website and look for the drivers/downloads section. This includes sound, southbridge chipset, PCI to AGP bridge and all kinds of other things that may not be allowing the best performance of your computer.

 

Step 4: Clean out the cobwebs

go to C:\Windows\Prefetch select all and delete permanently. Go to C:\Windows\Temp and do the same thing (minus history and system folders inside). Do a search computerwide for a folder called Cookies, there should be a few, go inside each one and delete all files. Next to a search computerwide for *.tmp, select all and delete. This deletes all the stray temporary files.

Remember to run Defrag, Scanreg, scandisk, Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D, virus scans, and general cleanup as ive said above every few weeks.

 

Hope this helps

 

 

Hope this helps

[zero_eclipse 3]

Sweet that was awesome, thx a lot screwballl, i had over 4000 tmp files
around 3000 from icq which i uinstalled a year ago

[winkosmosis 3]

Why are you guys complaining about the Win9x look? The WinXP Luna theme is UGLY. Makes your OS look like it was made by Fischer Price. Change the color of your Windows theme to light grey and it will look much more modern.
Mine:


WinXP stock:

[SimMaster 17]

Date:3/22/2004 7:52:44 AM
Author:simcity4crazyguy

   This got to be the best way to play!

  Right click on My Computer, choose Properties, go to the Advanced tab, Click on Settings under the Performance section, and then choose Adjust for Best Performance. 

    My bro did this, and his computer speeded up soooo fast, that he clicks on internet, and literally it just pops up!!!

   I dont know if it'll work with simcity, but Im absolutely sure that it will. I know this because every other game/program spead up!!

quote>

In the My Computer Properties, all I see is a General tab and Shorcut tab.. ?

Vid: Why does that picture of Simtropolis have the Recent Replies bar?

[Equinox 1,209]

If you use WindowBlinds, it even saves memory over the default XP theme, it has been proven by PC Magazine. www.objectdesktop.com Makes your computer look real spiffy, and is more memory-efficient. For rendering, check out the tip in my signature...

[iMacWin95 0]

Sure the XP theme is ugly, but how would I get java's metal theme to show up on XP?

 

And btw, it's classic style

[simcity4crazyguy 24]

Date:11/9/2004 5:40:34 PM
Author:iMacWin95

Sure the XP theme is ugly, but how would I get java's metal theme to show up on XP?

 

And btw, it's 'classic style'

quote>

Um...What do you mean?

[jay_allen1978 0]

This is probably a little old to reply to, but that method doesn't work. the only thing i learned about sc4, is that first you have to meet the minimal requirements, more ram the better just more, more, more.of everytihng. plugins slow it down too..lol

[simcity4crazyguy 24]

Date: 11/13/2004 8:50:48 PM
Author: jay_allen1978
This is probably a little old to reply to, but that method doesn't work. the only thing i learned about sc4, is that first you have to meet the minimal requirements, more ram the better just more, more, more.of everytihng. plugins slow it down too..lol

quote>

Ever tried ending your processes as mentioned above?

[Rymac91 15]

I went from 128Mb(which is below the requirements) of RAM to 640Mb Of RAM.That is so much faster and the game can handle cities bigger than 1,000 sims after I got it. but RAM does really help speed up simcity or at least makes it run longer.

[bobucles 0]

Woah, you were running the game with 128MB of RAM? I'm suprised the game started up at all! That's such a critically low amount, that the game is likely to crash if you try to do anything.

Just about every store-bought computer is completely inadequate when it comes to RAM. There's only enough RAM to explore the internet, and nothing when it comes to playing games. That's why I always recommend upgrading your RAM. For reference:

128MB- (5%)- AAHH!!! RUN! Many modern games won't start up, or even install with such low RAM. If your computer came with this much RAM, you'll likely need a new computer anyway. If you have XP, you'll free up much needed RAM from downgrading your OS.

256MB- (15%)- is inadequate, even for running XP. Performance is horrible. Some games may refuse to play at all. Upgrade!

384MB- (30%)- is very good for exploring the Web, but not much else. SC4 game performance will still be choppy. At this level and below, you're likely a master of closing programs to free up RAM to run your games.

512MB- (50%)- is the modern minimum. You'll quickly appreciate why people say not to go with less. Good, but not great for SC4. Fine for multitasking in XP. (games excluded)

768MB- (75%)- is the modern sweet point, and what my PC has. I recommend it for most gaming, including SC4 and MMORPGs. Very good for multitasking in XP.(with games) It's the best and most cost-effective upgrade to make from 256MB. Most modern systems now have dual channel RAM, so it can be more trouble getting DC 768MB then it's worth. Just go for the next step, you'll need it sooner or later.

1GB -(90%)- for awesome SC4 performance. Any more upgrades won't do much at this point. Great for MMORPGs, adequate for HL2 and Doom 3. Don't buy a modern gaming machine with less than 1GB of RAM, unless the extra RAM comes separately, or you simply hate FPS games and MMOs.

1.5GB- (98%)- for perfect SC4 performance. A very solid amount for playing HL2 and Doom 3 at high settings. SC4 will always appreciate more RAM, even if it won't do anything at this point.

2GB- (99.9%?) - Maybe you just like having every setting in your HL2 or D3 game at the max. This amount of RAM will last for a long time, but it may be best to get 2GB only when you need the upgrade. Waiting for prices to come down and all.

4GB- (WT.F%) Well, you're just planning for the future, or do a lot of video and 3d rendering stuff. Either way, you keep a game of HL2, Doom3, and SC4 running at all times, just to anger your friends. At this point, you've likely broke off all contact with the world, or vice versa.

All comptuers will have a different RAM limit that you can not pass. If you have a pre-built computer, check the manual, or go to the company website and check the computer model number for the RAM limit. If your computer is home-assembled, check the motherboard manual, or the motherboard web site. If the RAM limit is too low for a good upgrade, then it's likely you'll need a new computer anyways.

You can't go wrong with the upgrade! RAM is the easist thing to upgrade, so I recommend it for any computer, new and old.