stutters?

[phatzo]

this problem has only just popped up for me, when I look around my screen stutters. when I approach a task group my frame rate drops dramaticaly. My frame rate used to sit on a solid 60 now its all over the place, look up and its 118 or higher it just seems unstable. When I look down or left or right it drops to slide show rates.
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 12/29/2009, 16:20:31
       Machine name: ADDMAN-PC
   Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.090803-2339)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
       System Model: System Product Name
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 12/04/07 09:19:21 Ver: 08.00.10
          Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual  CPU  E2180  @ 2.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
             Memory: 2046MB RAM
          Page File: 1102MB used, 3240MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 7.00.6002.18107 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS   
     Manufacturer: NVIDIA
        Chip type: GeForce 8400 GS
         DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_06E4&SUBSYS_82661043&REV_A1
   Display Memory: 1011 MB
 Dedicated Memory: 244 MB
    Shared Memory: 767 MB
     Current Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
      Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
   Driver Version: 8.15.0011.9038 (English)
      DDI Version: 10
   BGRA Supported: Yes
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 7/15/2009 05:54:00, 7565824 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-45A4-11CF-BD50-6DA201C2C535}
        Vendor ID: 0x10DE
        Device ID: 0x06E4
        SubSys ID: 0x82661043
      Revision ID: 0x00A1
      Revision ID: 0x00A1

[Skuzzy]

What is the configuration of the game? 

In "Video Settings": Video resolution? 
Texture Size? 
Anti-alias setting? 

In the game, what options are selected in the Options->Graphic Detail->Advanced panel?

[phatzo]

1024 x 768
was 512 texture dut got better performance now by changing it 256
anti aliasing off
I only use detailed terain in graphics option, I have disabled other skins
this just started happening after working fine.
defragged and iobit gamebooster in use.

edit: I just read challenge's thread prolly makes more sense than anything here too.

[Skuzzy]

The 8400GS video card does not have enough performance to run with the "Detailed Terrain" option checked.  You can run with "Bump Mapping" and "Detailed Water", but not "Detailed Terrain" if you want to get decent performance.

[chewiex]

  Just curious Skuzzy... would a 9400GT have the performance to run detailed terrain ok? I was personally considering the 8400GS until I read this post and your initial answer of "... 8400GS doesn't have enough performance..."

[ebfd11]

If you are going to use the 9400gt I personally would go 1 step higher and get the gtx version or a little higher end card. I am using the dual sli'd 9800gtx + cards and I have everything maxed tpo the limit with no problems what so ever. Just do a little research as to you budget and if your mb can handle it.

I'm sure others out there can give you better advice but this is my set-up.

[guncrasher]

I may be wrong but I think both the 8400 and the 9400 are basically the same card.  when looking at nvidia cards look at the second number, higher the better.  If you decide to get the 9800gtx+ that is a BIG CARDS, And I mean huge, but its a great card, except that your processor might be a little on the slower side for that card.

semp

[chewiex]

I may be wrong but I think both the 8400 and the 9400 are basically the same card.  when looking at nvidia cards look at the second number, higher the better.  If you decide to get the 9800gtx+ that is a BIG CARDS, And I mean huge, but its a great card, except that your processor might be a little on the slower side for that card.

semp

They are basically the same except the 9400 is a 1GB vs 512 MB and its 128bit with dual RAMDAC vs 64bit? Per another poster on another thread the 8400GS has a faster core and memory clock. I'm kinda S.O.L. atm when it comes to upgrading my system. Being told by many that my system right now isn't worth dumping money into it for gaming.... period. But, my PC has run AH with a few things turned up and working fine since I started playing back in '04-'05. I have a PCI slot so I am limited as to the cards and effectiveness I will be able to use. These two cards are the cheapest way for me to go as upgrading goes. Until the day when I can really build a system for gaming which might be another year thanks to the economy tanking a while back. Thanks for the input, wasn't trying to hijack the thread.

   A8Chustr