SC4 is running so slow

[mtg]

SC4 is running so slow on a 1/4 developed large citytile... first i thought it must be the RAM.. but i tested it and the game only takes 1 out of 3 GB....      The CPU might be the problem! but nope it only uses 50% of one of the CPU's    The game is running slow with allot of RAM and CPU power left unused? I don't know how to check how much the game batters my GPU. Does any body know how i make the game run smooth?


PC specs.
intel duocore 2200
3GB RAM
GPU ATI X1950 
almost 1 GB of plugins (like CAM, NAM, RHW, and allot more stuff) Packed with datpacker

[WC_EEND]

are you running Vista or XP?

[mtg]

sorry forgot that  XP

[Nardo69]

I would say it's your ATI graphics card or more precisely the ATI graphics card device driver.

The newer the card and the driver the more performanceproblem they have - don't ask me why but Simcity surely preferes nVidia rather than ATI.

An alternative device driver might solve the problem (but don't ask me which and how as I am a dedicated nVidia user) but as a first try you might try to run the graphics not in Hardware mode but in Software mode - I heard that that should help.

Or try to exchange that ATI card with a nVidia card ...

[mtg]

any sugestions on Nvidea cards?

[Nardo69]

Good question ... I've run Sc4 for years with an antique Geforce2 MX400 without any problems untill I eventually got a 7600GS lately for some other games like e.g. CityLife that don't run on the old Geforce2.

Check your other games and then ask your dealer - regarding the (nVidia) graphics card SC4 isn't picky at all.

[mtg]

thanx, new GPU on the way

[vershner]

Try disabling the shadows then restarting the game. I have an ATI card and if I enable the shadows it slows to a crawl.

[mtg]

New Nvidea card is in my pc and well how should I say, it brilliant I can scroll and zoom in and out like i never could before!! thank you Nardo!

[TheTeaCat]

I know this might sound silly  but do you have lots of trees in your cities?
I find my game lags quite a bit if there is lots of trees in a tile

[mtg]

Nope there where no trees at all, i was running the game on a 256mb ati card, now there is a 1gb nvidea card and no problems anymore!