Fallout 3

[Modular]

If this belongs in video cards and graphics feel free to move it there

I just got FO3 for Christmas and am loving it. I have all the settings maxed out except AA is set to 2x. The game runs very smoothly for the most part, but every once in a while my FPS falls to 10-11 no outdoors. It doesn't matter what I look at; the ground the sky, etc. the FPS just stays at 10-11.

If I alt-tab or close the game out completely, my FPS will jump back up to 30+. Is this a known issue with a fix that anyone's aware of?

Here's my hardware:

A643400+ 2.2 @ 2.53Ghz
1.5 GB Corsair Value Ram
MSI 4850 512MB
Catalyst 8.12

 

[imported_Imp]

Your system screams "bottleneck". I run a similar system, minus 512Mb of Ram, an older VC and A643200+ stock; I can run Fallout 3 smooth at med-high with a lot of sliders turned down.

Are you hitting load zones or is some big object or group of NPCs loading? Since Fallout 3 has no loadzones, I'm guessing yes.

 

[Udgnim]

what graphic setting are you playing at?

I would experience a memory leak eventually if I played at Ultra graphic settings, but if I changed the settings to High, the memory leak became a very rare experience

this was with a 4400+ X2 and 4870 512

 

[MustangSVT]

I would suspect Audio codec.

I had similar problems and after uninstalling few codecs, updating .net framework , some registry tweaks, the game runs well

The game is worth the trouble imo.

 

[Borealis7]

i ran it very smooth on 1600x1200 noAA 16AF no shadows. the only problems were when going into VATS sometimes the game would become a slideshow and then go back to normal after the slow-mo shot.

 

[zerocool84]

Even with a 4850, your CPU is horribly bottlenecking your gaming experience.

 

[Modular]

I understand that the rest of the platform is outdated, but to be honest, I don't get horrible FPS in many games other than Crysis and Warhead. I know that I need to upgrade and will be doing so soonish...

Now that being said, this game runs smooth on Ultra when I'm not having this issue. Sure there are times when the FPS drop, but that's tolerable when the overall gameplay is fine. That is evidence to me that although the system is older, it's not the problem.

Mustang: where can I look to see what Audio codecs are installed?

 

[homercles337]

Originally posted by: Modular
I understand that the rest of the platform is outdated, but to be honest, I don't get horrible FPS in many games other than Crysis and Warhead. I know that I need to upgrade and will be doing so soonish...

Now that being said, this game runs smooth on Ultra when I'm not having this issue. Sure there are times when the FPS drop, but that's tolerable when the overall gameplay is fine. That is evidence to me that although the system is older, it's not the problem.

Mustang: where can I look to see what Audio codecs are installed?

Use this app called InstalledCodec, here:

http://www.nirsoft.net

It lets you disable/enable all the various codecs on your system. This problem you are having is the same one i have, only it freezes for a number of seconds. Usually when i bring up the pip boy. I have read that this means its a direct show filter. Good luck. Oh yes, and like Mustang said, update your .net framework. Fallout 3 shipped with a beta framework.

Edit: Oops, try this link http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/index.html

 

[Martimus]

Originally posted by: Modular
If this belongs in video cards and graphics feel free to move it there

I just got FO3 for Christmas and am loving it. I have all the settings maxed out except AA is set to 2x. The game runs very smoothly for the most part, but every once in a while my FPS falls to 10-11 no outdoors. It doesn't matter what I look at; the ground the sky, etc. the FPS just stays at 10-11.

If I alt-tab or close the game out completely, my FPS will jump back up to 30+. Is this a known issue with a fix that anyone's aware of?

Here's my hardware:

A643400+ 2.2 @ 2.53Ghz
1.5 GB Corsair Value Ram
MSI 4850 512MB
Catalyst 8.12

I had the same problems. I needed to update my CPU driver in XP. Direct link.

All AMD drivers.

While you are at it, the dual core optimizer may be needed as well. I don't know, but I know I needed it for a different game to run correctly.

 

[katank]

@Martimus, he's actually on a single core.

@OP, you should really invest in a dual-core or higher. Many games run horribly on single core CPUs. Personally, Mass Effect was the one for me. Even after upgrading to a modern card, my A643200+ @ 2.6 just doesn't cut it. Even if you don't go to a AM2 or 775 platform, try getting a X2 for your S939 and OCing it will likely go a long way.

 

[exar333]

Modular, what resolution are you running at in FO3?

 

[Modular]

Nah, I'm not investing anything else into this platform. Once I'm done with it, I'll offload it to my mom or another family member who needs a decent browsing PC.

That being said, I appreciate the advice. I was browsing around for an update to .net and found the update for the CPU driver that Martimus hinted at. I think his was for dual core, but the one I downloaded was for single core. The game is running smooth as silk! Thanks again to all who contributed.

 

[Jeff7181]

I'd pick up a dual core for your current setup. You'd be surprised at the difference it makes. I'm positive nVidia's graphics drivers are multi-threaded and I believe ATI's are now too. So even if the game you're playing isn't multi-threaded, you'll still get a performance boost from having that second core for the video driver to offload some work to. Not only that, you'll likely notice a difference in day-to-day tasks, like when you browse to a web page with a crapload of flash on it, it won't bring the computer to a hault while it loads.

 

[Modular]

Originally posted by: ExarKun333
Modular, what resolution are you running at in FO3?

1680x1050

@Jeff: I know what you're saying. I guess it might be worthwhile to check the prices on some 939 opterons or X2's. I I can find them for cheap, it would be worthwhile since I'm not planning to upgrade the platform for a few months yet.