CPU bound with WarCraft3. Suggestions?

[RandyS2]

My group of 3 plays WC3 on a LAN. We play as one team, and set up 5 to 8 computer-players on teams of 3 or less. As play progresses, the number of objects (units and buildings) becomes very large. On large and huge size maps, play becomes impossible. Movement becomes 'jerky', combat areas become one big blob of color, individual units become indistinguishable, etc. The game can eventually lock up the computers entirely.

Checking the XP Task Manager/Performance screen, I can see that the CPU is maxed out during 'poor play' periods. All WC3 Video Options are at the lowest possible setting, except for resolution, 1024x768, because we are using small flat panels. I noticed that Blizzard did not ship large or huge maps on the Frozen Throne CD. I have not played with the video card settings.

Following a memory upgrade, 250 MB to 750 MB, there was a slight performance increase. (It took a little bit longer for the game to become unplayable.) The game seems to peak at about 360 MB memory usage.

Given the configurations shown below, what is the biggest performance bottleneck? What upgrade would give the most bang for the buck? How much difference would faster RAM make, if any? Is it possible that no reasonable system can handle that many objects? Are there video card settings that may help improve performance? Should we just live with only playing on 'medium' size maps?

Thank you for your time,

RandyS2

TYPICAL SYSTEM:

1.7 MHz Celeron, (upgradeable to 2.8 MHz P4)
750 MB P2100 RAM, (can accept P2700)
GeForce TI-4200, 64 Mb

 

[edmundoab]

Maybe you need a faster VGA card?
since its multi player..

but I may think that the LAN connection maybe a factor too...
as in connection speed..
using DSL or cable?

 

[RandyS2]

I thought the video card would be enough. It is for all other uses and games; including less taxing WC3 play. It looks fantastic with all the WC3 settings at 'high'!

The LAN is CAT-5 and a Hub. Last time I checked, it was runing at 100 MBit. One time I ran one PC across a wireless access point (11 MBit), and it did not seem to reduce performance.

RandyS2

 

[henryay]

Strange, i play warcraft 3 on battle.net with a Geforce 2 GTS 32MB on 1024x768 16bit and high settings and I don't experience major lag.
I think warcraft is CPU dependent, because i upgraded from a 800mhz to a 2.5ghz and the lag did go away.

That celeron doesn't help IMO.

 

[Cat]

Much of the decreased performance comes from the pathfinding. I don't think it's a strictly linear decrease either.

 

[DarkKnight]

dump that celeron. Its the one thats holding you back cause of its lack of cache.

 

[Pete]

The Celeron is probably holding you back. Try lowering your resolution, and if the game is still choppy, then the CPU is at fault. If it's smooth, then the video card is the culprit.

Remember, online multiplayer (with multiple other humer players) is usually much more stressful on the CPU than singleplayer mode.

BTW, how do your friends' PC's fare, and what configs do they have?

 

[Ecliptic]

your ti4200 and 1.7mhz processor should be plenty for the game (though a celeron doesnt help). If you are all playing on the same LAN instead of over the internet, your hub could be the bottleneck. If there are more than 2 computers connected to a hub, it becomes very ineffecient. The jerky movements could be associated to the hub dropping packets. My first suggestion would be to replace the hub with a full duplex switch. A switch is fairly inexpensive, running less than $20. If that does not solve your problem, then you might want to consider a better processor.

 

[JBT]

I would bet the processor is at fault it is a VERY CPU dependant game also try the game in 16 bit mode instead of 32 if you are there is virtualy no difference in image quality but game play should be MUCH smoother. So try a new CPU and/or lower to 16bit that vid card is more than enough and so is the RAM.

 

[BFG10K]

Your Celeron is definitely holding you back; you should upgrade your CPU.

Also make sure the server machine is fastest machine you have and better yet, set it up as a dedicated server.