Getting Frustrated

[Sloehand]

So, I've cleaned garbage of HD by reformating, got a newer better video card, changed from USB Internet connection to Ethernet (also added a router for firewall protection).  System is more stable, and my framerate seems more consistant, but never exceeds 59fps.  But now I have frequent and significant screen freezes.  When I change views with the hat, when I pull the trigger, etc.  More planes around, more freezes.  Getting very frustrating.
Have not eliminated all unnecessary Windows services, but have stopped Windows Update and my virus/firewall software is stopped when I play.  I also pulled back all video settings, etc. from max. per HiTech Help file to see if that would help.  No difference whether I'm running texture size at 1024 or 512, and I've disabled Optimize Objects, Optimize Terrain and all pre-load includig skins.

System config-
P4-3.0ghz
Asus Mobo
1GB Ram
nVidia 7800GS
WD Raptor 36GB HD
Linksys Router

Is the router causing the problem?  The new video card should be a significant upgrade from the ATI 9600XT I had in there.  Do I need more RAM?  Can't play the game this way, but I can't afford much more in upgrades without knowing things will improve.

Anyone got any ideas?

[eagl]

Framerate capped at 59 fps means either you have AH set to cap at 60 fps, or your monitor refresh rate is set at 60hz.

As for the other stuff, what soundcard do you have?  If you have onboard sound, you should try updating the motherboard chipset drivers and the sound drivers.  If you have onboard sound and updating those drivers doesn't fix it, you might consider trying an add-on soundcard like a soundblaster audigy2 or audigy x-fi.

The rest of your system looks fine.  None of those parts should be causing the problems you see.  Check for viruses, spyware, etc. using multiple anti-spyware and antivirus programs.

When you updated your video card, did you completly remove the old drivers?  If it was an nvidia card, you should run detdestroyer in addition to just removing the old video drivers.  Make sure you have the latest video drivers from nvidia.

Also, try using 256 textures.

Your system looks fast enough that you shouldn't have to disable services or anything like that.  That's why I suspect the sound card, video drivers, or motherboard chipset drivers.

If you're using an LCD display, 60hz is probably all you're going to get so don't ever expect more than 60 fps.  Some LCDs will run 75hz but they're usually optimized for 60hz.  If you have a regular monitor, you just need to go into display properties and change it.  I used to like setting 75hz for resolutions up to 1280x1024.

[Sloehand]

Thanks for the input.
However, if you'll notice in my original post, I said I reformatted the HD's so the old drivers are gone and there is no spyware/adware/malware or virus.  I have three different spyware programs plus PC-Cillin Internet Suite, plus a hardware firewall/router to keep it that way, and besides it's only been two weeks since I did all this upgrading and the screen problems were present the first time I got into the game after the upgrade.
I've already dropped the texture from 1024 to 512, but shouldn't have to drop it further, not with the new card giving me 100% more pipelines and capability.  That card is supposed to handle 1024 easily.
The brand new nVidia card has the latest drivers as does the Mobo, and I have the Audigy Platinum II ZS with breakout box for sound.
As for the Monitor, it is a 19" CRT at 1025x768 resolution at 60hz.  I can change it to 75 hz, but while framerate may go up, I'll bet it does nothing for the freeze problem.

[eagl]

I noticed that you have a P4...  Is there any chance that it's thermally throttling on you?  There is a utility called "throttlewatch" that will tell you if the cpu is ever throttling back.  There is NO warning or indication that it does this, since it's entirely an internal cpu function with no operating system warning.

It usually isn't a problem, but occasionally a heatsink will be just fine for normal use but under game use, the cpu barely gets hot enough to throttle back and from then on the only indication is weird performance dropouts for no apparent reason.  Anyhow, it's a free utility so it's worth a shot.  Just run the utility before running AH, run the game for a little while, exit the game, and check the utility.  It will keep track of if the cpu throttles back.

[Skuzzy]

You will want to leave the two optimization options checked in the video settings for that video card.  And you can preload into system RAM.  Just do not use the other two options.

Also, as you did a fresh install, make sure your monitor INF files are loaded.  Check the "Monitor" tab in the advanced video settings.  if it says"Plug n Play", then you need to load the INF file for the monitor.

[CYLONN]

Sloehand,

I have noticed the same problem and have found that NOT preloading into system memory or skins to fix this. Also, my frame rates are now back up to refresh rate of the monitor.  All detail sliders are maxed and texture set to 1024.  Resolution is 1024x768.  Refresh set to 75.  Give it a try and good luck, GENRLX.

Sys. specs:

ASUS A8N-SLI Premium
AMD FX-57
2 G. OCZ pc 3200
BFG 7900GTXoc 512mb
ASUS Vento 3600 case
ANTEC 550W psu:

[38ruk]

How good of a power supply do you have ?  if you could give the name brand and model number maybe your lacking power for the 7800 when in high load situations .

[TequilaChaser]

no computer genius here, but if ya getting screen freezes when switching views or pulling trigger, check ya directx and see if you got your sound card set to 3/4 verses full..........since you went and reformated everything and reloaded everything fresh.......

[Eagler]

Originally posted by 38ruk
How good of a power supply do you have ?  if you could give the name brand and model number maybe your lacking power for the 7800 when in high load situations .

what 38 stated..
I just upgraded from a ati9800 pro to evga 7800 gs co
my system would lock solid after a couple of minutes playing ah with high res, textures, etc..it would jump frames sometimes b4 it froze
my 400watt ps didnt have the amperage on the 12volt rail to push the card and cpu. New power supply cured my problem.
see this thread:
 http://www.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=176566