I have gone in during patch 7 and now get stutters as some new object explodes, or some such.  Previously, those things didn't change anything on my computer, but now they make it stutter. Also, when I see a GV, it has to load. Then, when I die, my computer has to reload the GV. Plus, the Ctrl+I display shows absolutely no memory on the video card being used. I am not sure if this is a bug or not, but it really weirds me out.
Screenshot:

DxDiag:
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System Information
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Time of this report: 8/25/2009, 19:12:53
       Machine name: CORONADOFAMILY
   Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.090206-1233)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: powerspec4.1b
       System Model: ps6640
               BIOS: Default System BIOS
          Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+,  MMX,  3DNow, ~2.2GHz
             Memory: 1024MB RAM
          Page File: 665MB used, 1795MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode
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DxDiag Notes
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  DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
      Display Tab 1: The file ati2dvag.dll is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL).  You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
          Music Tab: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.
        Network Tab: No problems found.
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DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)
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Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: RADEON X700 Series  
     Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
        Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x5E4B)
         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5E4B&SUBSYS_23021002&REV_00
   Display Memory: 256.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (75Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6912 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 2/11/2009 11:59:32, 324096 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: No
  WHQL Date Stamp: None
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 2/11/2009 11:59:44, 3488768 bytes