Huge loading times in game

from GalCiv3 Forums

Hello everyone.

I have a 6GB of RAM atm and i always liek to play on the biggest maps. Right now i play onf the biggest map available and im sort of mid game with a lot of planets to colonize. At this the game is unplayable it laods so much it hardly stops and everything takes ages to get done and this sint even the biggest map. What kind fo system do i need to play on the biggest map when the game launches? Do i need more like 10 GB so that system will run smoothlly? I have a quad core proccessor that is enough and a good GFX card. So what do i need to make the game playable on biggest maps? 20GB of ram maybe? Can something be done about the game optimization please?

Thank you!

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4,829 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I was able to play fairly well with 8gb.  Judging from my CPU monitor (I use ALL CPU Meter by Intel)  I was regularly using just over 6 gb while playing, suggesting you are really hammering your virtual memory.   And I have a four year old Dell Studio XPS.

Suggest you bump RAM up to at least 8 gb...16 gb if your system and wallet can handle it.   Many people have said it helps a LOT, and I am now one of these as I noticed considerable smoothing going from 8 -> 16.

You might check my post in this forum on other steps to try as well.    https://forums.galciv3.com/461332/page/1/#3523180

 

 

Reply #2 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I see. So i do need more RAM. Ok i will try to get some more and hopefully it will help. Thank you

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Reply #3 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Yes you will definitely need more RAM , at 75% of the largest map cleared, my Ram usage was at a constant 5.4g out of my 6g and would spike often making it almost unplayable. I went and got 2 8gb sticks and it runs flawlessly now at 16g.

I really hope we wont need more than 24g, (hopefully only 16) of RAM for the final largest map.

With all 100 opponents on the largest map, I have a feeling it may end up being that way. If the final map is 4 times as big as the current largest one and if 8gb is good enough to play this size then 8x4=24, (+100 AI opponents),, I guess will see how well the big optimization goes before release. 

This would be a good question for the live stream next week so some of us can prep up. I already spent 150+ cash to upgrade so I could continue my immense map. Sad thing is my x58 will only handle 24g  RAM max as far as I know.

 

 

Reply #4 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I fully expect that when the final optimization is done before launch the Ram requirements will be eased and be much more in line with their recommended specs.  However, the very large maps will still work a lot better with more, so there is still every reason to upgrade if you can.

My 2c as always.

 

Reply #5 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I just wanted to stop by and mention that before release, we will spend time on optimizing the game for performance reasons. :)

Reply #6 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I have an 8 GB system.  One of my gamer kids plugged some Logitech accessory into my system and I can watch CPU and memory used as real-time percentages.  (It's got a joystick and programmable keys and maybe a tractor beam.)(I was impressed.)  I have reached max usage on all four cores at times.  Otherwise, it hovers in the 70s and 80s, with lots of fluctuation on different cores as the games is doing its thing.  The memory usage ramps up as my Immense map loads (~230 turns so far) and can easily get to 90%.  Then it seems to slowly recede, getting as low as 60% at one time.   It is like it is compressing itself if I turn away from the game for a couple minutes while I am sitting there.  Strange.  80% is the mean/average/whatever number I would quote from watching it during my games.  So I can see where 6 GB would be a real tight fit. 

Watching the core usage being busy all the time scares me in a good way.  I keep thinking of what Brad is going to do with all those CPU cycles while I am dithering over improvement placement or just admiring my fleets. 

Given that bigger maps are probably scheduled before the optimization, I guess I have to think about memory upgrades, too.  :D