Author Topic: Graphics seem to take a while to load... (Read 381 times)

fmjnax · « **on:** January 11, 2008, 10:26:52 AM »

I searched through 6 pages of threads and didn't see this listed. Basically, it takes forever to load the graphics when I first join the arena or when I Alt-Tab back in to the game. Where the graphics are supposed to be, the area is just white.

Here are my system specs:
Windows Vista Ultimate
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+
1G PC6400 (I know, kind of on the low end. 1500MB available in Page File)
NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT (PCI-E w/driver 7.15.0011.6375)
DX10

I don't have any network issues (on a 6Mbps line). I'm not behind a router and my firewall is set to allow AHII in all aspects. Anti-virus and other scanning tools are disabled while playing. I don't have any graphic or load issues in other games (such as Call of Duty 4). I will try and get a screenshot now and will attempt to drop my graphic settings to the lowest for testing.

Does anyone else have this issue?

acfireguy26 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2008, 10:35:41 AM »

I also have this issue and use the same graphics card. I have an amd 64x2
5000+ 2.60 GHz 4gigs ram DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz Nvidia Geforce 8600GT w/ 256mb DDR3

fmjnax · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2008, 11:01:37 AM »

Wow. With 4 gigs of RAM, too!?!?! I guess that shoots down my theory of not having enough RAM, eh?

Also, I just turned down every video option, both in NVIDIA's panel and in AH2. Still same problem. Guess I will just live with it until I can figure out what is causing it.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2008, 12:01:29 PM »

More RAM in Vista just allows ReadyBoost and/or SuperFetch to load more into memory.

On its own, Vista will prefill all available RAM with executables it thinks you are going to run.

Did you check the "Preload textures into system RAM" option in the "Video Settings"? I would only do this if you are running 512 or less due to the memory requirements.

Are you running the game in "Windows 98/ME" compatibility mode? You might want to do that as there is a bug we run into in the AMD dual core CPU's and there is no patch for Vista to fix it. Not one I am aware of anyway.

Also, if you are running Aero on Vista, you can expect texture loads to be slower as we fight for video RAM. Yes, Aero does not run when the game is running, but it does reserve the memory for the GUI on the video card.

Have you done anything to stream line Vista? It can make a big difference.

fmjnax · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2008, 01:01:19 PM »

The option for preloading textures isn't even available to me (it's grayed out).

I will try compatibility mode.

I turned Aero off a long time ago. Hehehe

I have loaded on a fresh boot, with no extra services, processes, or start-up application running. I believe I'm pretty much streamlined. I have 35 running processes from all users taking 34% of my physical memory.

fmjnax · « **Reply #5 on:** January 11, 2008, 01:06:40 PM »

Oops. I guess at some point in time I had read something about trying compatibility mode. It is already set to run in Win 98/ME mode.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2008, 02:42:49 PM »

Having to run in compatibility mode will slow texture loads, but with a 1GB of RAM, or more, you should be able to select the "Preload textures in system RAM" option if you have 512 selected as the "Maximum Texture Size".

Preload skins should be grayed out.

Are you running with "Hardware Vertex Processing" checked?

My Vista Ultimate box has 1GB of RAM and I can select the first proload option. I run the released version of the game, like everyone else.

fmjnax · « **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2008, 03:10:22 PM »

Maybe I'm just not seeing it, but not matter what combination of options I select, I can't get the Preload option to become enabled. Here's a screenshot of my Video Settings:

fmjnax · « **Reply #8 on:** January 11, 2008, 03:27:08 PM »

I lowered the setting (textures, resolution, etc both in-game and via NVIDIA), went to the off line practice, and snagged some screenshots. Notice the white "textures" and the super low frame rate. Also note that I partook in a 100+ plane HQ bomber mission the other day and saw a frame rate of well over 30FPS. This only happens during the first minute or two after logging in to an area of for the first 30 seconds or so after Alt-Tab'ing back to the game.
http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/2819/33234350uy1.jpg
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/2747/66057928uw1.jpg
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/480/55984110zw9.jpg

Eagler · « **Reply #9 on:** January 11, 2008, 03:43:54 PM »

I've got 2gb of system ram and a 7800gs vcard
I have the same issue, takes about 15 to 20 sec for the graphics to load but no big deal. I make it a habit to go through all my views as I sit on the runway so everything is loaded up before I take off the 1st time.

why do you alt tab while playing AH? Shouldn't be doing anything else while playing a resource hungry app such as AH.

fmjnax · « **Reply #10 on:** January 11, 2008, 04:11:11 PM »

Reasons for Alt-Tab'ing differ situation to situation. Mainly do it while waiting for a mission to roll or while on a long flight. I actually don't see AH as resource-hungry as other games I play.

Texture loading aside, my system seems to handle my Alt-Tab'ing well enough. I can handle the texture load when coming back in to the game, but it's the first load of the arena that kills me. I'm not unlike you, though. I've come to realize that I will probably always have this problem so I use the opportunity to check out the squad roster, see who is where, grab a drink, and get my flight area ready.

But still, this texture problem is annoying and hopefully it can be corrected in the future.