Civilization4 memory usage fix

[Zoid]

Originally posted by Harkonnen604
Dr Zoidberg
If that happens after alt-tabbing, set 'insane_mode=0'. If happens on itself later in the game, reduce 'vid_mem_usage by 10-20.

I t happens on itself almost immediately. The first time I was 10 squares away from it to the right and about 20 upwards. I suppose I was in a corner. The second time I discovered it after 40 or so turns. I´ll try reducing the vid_mem_usage.

[eluciv]

Thanks so much, Hark!
I was never unable to play complete games, but the bog was noticeable the further I zoomed out, as well as later game.

I have an Ath 3000+ with 1.5GB RAM and GeForce 5900XT 128MB video. I turned off AA and noticed no real difference. I also set all graphics options to medium. I can barely tell, though some detail is missing in forests and jungles (big deal).

I set the vid_mem_usage to 267 using a 256MB BIOS AGP. The game smokes! It plays so fast, I have to remind myself to slow down and think about what I'm doing...great stuff!

[Harkonnen604]

eluciv
With your system it is not essential to go 'low detail'. You may also bring AA back in. And thanks for kind words

[PGM]

Originally posted by Harkonnen604
PGM
Yes, some people had this problem solved with my fix, though I didn't address this issue directly within my fix, only memory consumption.

Didn't solve the blackness for me...
Thanks anyway for your great work. Even though the game remains unplayable for me, due to the black terrain issue, I did notice a better performance in general.

[Tommar]

Originally posted by dannyevilcat


As far as I can tell, this "fix" consists of pretty much turning off all the eye candy. Gimme a break, it would be unacceptable if this was coming from Firaxis.

I'd dump the eye candy in a heartbeat (and have already done so, at least the options given via the user interface.)

I don't play single player, turn-based games for eye candy. I play them for mind candy, not mind numbing boredom waiting for my turn to play against a computer.

However, I won't use an unofficial patch like this one until it's been thoroughly vetted.

[Enigma_Nova]

You've got spams of positive messages. It's been Alpha, Beta -and- Delta tested. What else do you want?

[Finsch]

Originally posted by Tommar

However, I won't use an unofficial patch like this one until it's been thoroughly vetted.

The game runs slow and lots of people are experiencing CTSs - but is has been officially tested.
The unofficial patch gives people a much better gaming experience, less Crashes, has been tested by many players - but was never tested by 2K.

What do you want? A game with an "approved by firaxis" button that does not run (on huge maps); or a working product?

[Tiberius]

Harkonnen, thank you very much for your hard work in creating the patch!

My game runs much faster, especially in the late ages where it was crawling before. I experience some weird bugs with the wonder movies and the animated leaderheads, but that's not so important important in my view. If you can solve this in your next version then it's perfect, but if not, I still thank you for making the game more enjoyable for me.

[Wildcat]

Originally posted by Tommar However, I won't use an unofficial patch like this one until it's been thoroughly vetted.

So sad for you.

Originally posted by Enigma_Nova You've got spams of positive messages. It's been Alpha, Beta -and- Delta tested. What else do you want?

Take your medication.

[polarnomad]

Originally posted by Tiberius
I experience some weird bugs with the wonder movies and the animated leaderheads, but that's not so important important in my view. If you can solve this in your next version then it's perfect, but if not, I still thank you for making the game more enjoyable for me.

I had the same trouble. Dropping the video memory usage a little helped.

[Tiberius]

You mean lowering the vid_mem_usage value a bit ?

I use 80 for a GeForce 3 Ti200 with 128 MB of RAM. What other value should I try ?

[polarnomad]

Yeah that's the one I mean. I had to drop vid_mem_usage to 50 on my 6600GT (128MB). The vids are still a tad jumpy at times, but much better. When I had the vid_mem_usage set to 80 the leaderheads were just grey squares, the movies wouldn't play etc.

[Tiberius]

I'll try a lower value to see how it works. Thanks a lot for the tip.

[polarnomad]

Originally posted by Tiberius
I'll try a lower value to see how it works. Thanks a lot for the tip.

Don't thank me... I'm just a parrot!

*founds Cult of Harkonnen*

[Harkonnen604]

Tommar
Well, CFC and Apolyton are top-most official fan-sites for civ4. And CFC has posted a link to my fix on the main page in their 'news' section for 8th December (see www.civfanatics.com).

I wasn't active forum member at CFC before writing this patch, and currently 99% of my posts are about solving civ4 technical problems. So, isn't this a considerable level of trust by putting a link to my fix on the page which most visitors of 2kgames open seeking for some help?