Why does Dom 2 take up so much resources on my computer?

[tinkthank]

Under Windows 2000, Dom2 often takes up 96-99% of my system resources according to the "task manager", even when no game is loaded and it is just on the main screen. This makes it very difficult not only to run even other minor programs (such as an internet explorer or internet software), but to run the system itself.

Is there something I can do about this?

[Norfleet]

You need a better computer. Dom2 is not a major resource hog, so if your computer has so few resources that Dom2 maxes it out, you either need a better computer, or you have a driver problem of some kind.

[Boron]

hm i have a radeon graphic card with 128mb cause i have a quite new computer but in battle replays i have under normal graphics quality ~28 fps and at high only 16 and at too high only 8 fps .
why ? i should easily be able to set it at too high but it doesn't work ?

[tinkthank]

Originally posted by Norfleet:
You need a better computer. Dom2 is not a major resource hog, so if your computer has so few resources that Dom2 maxes it out, you either need a better computer, or you have a driver problem of some kind. <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">On my laptop, which is inferior to the desktop in every way except that it runs Windows 98 SE, it functions like a charm.
Therefore, I doubt it is the power of the machine; how can I figure out if it is a driver problem and, if necessary, fix it?

(Btw: One reason I like dom2 a lot is that I can run it well on such a comparatively low-grade machine -- compared to what new games such as DX2 or ThiefIII require...)

[Esben Mose Hansen]

In linux, the standard answer is: glxgears! I don't know much windows, but in linux glxgears are universally installed and run simply by typing glxgears. Maybe without s. Who remembers the Last parts of commands these days?

If the glxgears numbers are ridiculous low, you're running unaccelerated 3D. If that is the case, upgrade your driver --- I am sure that telling you how to do that in linux is no help at all http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[reverend]

The FPS problem with Radeon cards is well known. And unsolved. There was a thread a while backwhen we compared different systems and videocards, and Radeon always had FPS like you're experiencing.

The resource problem: Is this with Dom2 minimized? Correct me if I'm wrong, but DX / D3D applications always use up near 100% CPU, even when "idle"?

[Boron]

yeah you guessed right Esben Mose Hansen http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
i have unfortunately windows xp home http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

[1000yd_stare]

turn off the starfield (preferences, animated background) and that will reduce the hit on your resources somewhat.

[Arralen]

What does DOM "eat up" ? CPU ? Memory ?

And it would be helpful if you're a little bit more specific about your system ... .

[Gandalf Parker]

I have multiple start-up icons for dominions. Two of them seem to apply here. One runs all the pretty stuff and another that turns all that off. No animations, no fades, low sound, no music, low graphics (there are multiple settings for this so go as low as you can stand it). For some reason, running in a windowed mode seems to help also. There is a file with all the switches. Should be
"C:\Program Files\dominions2\doc\command_line_switches.txt"

Plus in WinXP you can also set the icon to run in a "mode" and to limit the amount of memory the program gets. It lets you decide if you would rather feel the limitation in that particular program, but have the resources available to others.

right-click the Dom2 icon.
copy it
right-click a blank spot and paste it (paste, not paste shortcut)
right-click the new icon and edit the preferences

[ July 05, 2004, 15:08: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

[Ragnarok-X]

bad coding would be my guess...

[Thilock_Dominus]

I don't know if this would help you. It won't fix any problems, but it might get Dominions to run a little better.

In the Dominions folder (eg. C:/program files/Dominion2) make a new notepad file, rename it 'Run Dom2' then save it as a .bat[i/] file instead [i].txt file.
Now Edit the 'Run Dom2.bat' file
Write: start /ABOVENORMAL Dom2.exe
Then save it.
Make a shortcut to the desktop of Dom2.bat
Start Dominion2 through Dom2.bat


Thilock

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by Ragnarok-X:
bad coding would be my guess... <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">heehee compared to what? How many games dont bother to NOT take all the resources it can get. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
Its always ben up to the machine owner to create false ceilings for things you dont want to run as if it owns the whole machine.

[tinkthank]

Thanks much.

It is CPU which it is "eating" (according to the "task manager").

(When battles run, I could care less about fps, it always seems fine.)

Gandalf, I do not understand what you mean by right click it and edit the preferences. When I right click that little icon, what exactly should I do? (I do not know what a "mode" is, sorry.)

EDIT: I'd like to restress here that I notice ZERO problems whatsoever on my crappy little notebook running Windows 98 SE, so I bet it is some yucky Windows problem....
EDIT 2: This is windows 2000, not XP, if that makes a difference

[ July 05, 2004, 17:31: Message edited by: tinkthank ]

[Gandalf Parker]

Im not sure what you see when you right-click the icon. With WinXP I can see the line which calls dom2.exe and add switches on the line.

I also can select a mode such as telling it to run in Win98se mode (this gives it a Win98se environment to run in)

[tinkthank]

But my problem is when Dom2 is up and running NO game, just having the starting screen (create new god, play existing game, etc.) up eats up most of the resources...