FPS Issues

[EternityEnd]

I saw a post explaining exactly what was happening to me in the Windower forums, however, it wasn't answered there.

For some reason, once I get to the FFXI main page after POL, my FPS plummets to 4~10. (It doesn't lag at all until I'm on the FFXI screen.) It doesn't stop after I log in, I stay at 4~10 FPS, and it's a constant lag throughout all areas. (Ex: Yhoator Jungle lags just as badly as Dynamis Windurst. It's universal.) For some reason, though, when I face the camera towards the ground FPS jumps to ~15.

I've tried using Windower, SE windowed mode, full screen... All of them start lagging at the FFXI screen. I've tried turning all filters on, shadows off, weather off etc, nothing works at all. I lowered Clipping Plane to 0, it doesn't even effect it. It's making FFXI totally unplayable.

System specs:

Windows XP Professional
HP Compaq dc5700 Microtower Intel(R)
Pentium(R) D CPU 3.00GHz
2.39GHz, 0.99 GB of RAM

Video Card(lol, but it's not the problem.): Intel(R) Q965/Q963

I run anti-spyware and virus daily, and I searched manually for anything.. Nothing turned up. It's been happening since a month or two before WotG updates. Any ideas?

Ninjaedit: CPU Usage while running FFXI is only ~20-25%. I can't figure this out.

[Isiolia]

Have you tried disabling sound, Antivirus programs, etc?

Sound in particular is something I've seen FFXI have issues because of. There was a reasonably widespread issue with the music file for a handful of areas that would (for some reason) spike the Zone Labs Antivirus engine to like 99% CPU use and effectively lock the computer. So it was more the issue of particular files being in use, but disabling sound got around the problem as well.

More recently I saw a friend's machine progress to being completely unplayable due to what turned out to be a loose (and later fried) sound card. Weird stuff, like character models not appearing, extremely low frame rates, etc. While it'd again be something that was bigger than FFXI, the performance of general Windows stuff didn't get hit nearly as badly.

I would say to at least try going into FFXI Config and turning off sound (there's a checkbox). See if it's at all related to that, since there are issues related to that which'll really hit FFXI performance.

Also, as mentioned, try disabling or switching AV clients. Some of them may not play well with FFXI's use of its own files.

I assume that it used to run better, despite that you have a crappy video card. Was there anything you changed in the system around then? Windows update download a driver? You redo the system and neglect to install chipset drivers?

[levish]

integrated (and fairly old) graphics card and you don't suspect it at all?

that's a little bit naive unless you are running 640x480 or 800x600 (even this might be high)

[EternityEnd]

I'm running 800x600 atm, video card has never been a problem, and it shouldn't be overheating. I know this is a tad silly to include, but WoW plays at max level and 0 lag.

I haven't changed anything with the system, and I download most everything on time.

I said video card wasn't a problem because it has run FFXI fine before, and if I hadn't said that, I'm sure I would've only gotten the standard "Get a new card already." I'm well aware I need a new one.

Edit: I just turned off sound... It's less noticable with sound off, but it remains. Any other suggestions?

[levish]

well since it was running fine before ignore what I said about the video card

run spybot search and destroy (http://www.cnet.com/downloads) in normal boot and safe mode
then run adaware full scans in normal then in safe mode

also check this:
start -> settings -> control panel -> system -> hardware tab -> device manager button -> expand ide ata/atapi controllers

right click primary ide channel and go to properties
click advanced settings tab

finally (/whew)

check to see what yousee under "Transfer Mode:" and "Current Transfer Mode:"
should be Ultra DMA if your hard disk drive is connected to it. if it's PIO and it's not the cd-rom connected to it then you can get super slow/high HDD activity (old windows bug).

alternatively you can check your event logs to see if you find any errors
start -> settings -> control panel -> administrative tools -> event viewer

[altwight]

ill tell you right now. Upgrade your video card and it will fix it. I suggest a 7 or 8 series geforce. PCI-E only.

edit: i had this issue long time ago almost same specs (different yet old gfx card) upgraded to a PCI-E and busted 29 FPS just without doing anything heavy like dynamis or whitegate/jeuno.

[Snowknight26]

Try setting the priority for pol.exe to Normal.

[EternityEnd]

Transfer Mode: DMA if available

Current Transfer Mode: Not Applicable

Even though I really doubt it's the card all of a sudden, I'm going to break down and buy a new one, I guess. What other video cards would you recommend?

[levish]

bang for the buck is the 8800GT if you have a PCI-e Slot

about 225-250$ and if that is outside the budget the ATI 3870 is the next best bet followed by the ATI 3850

On the high end it's the 8800 GTX and 8800 Ultra which I wouldn't go for until they get revamped like the 8800GTS 512mb did

[Griss]

might be a shot in the dark but are you using a usb mouse or keyboard?