Format my PC?

[MoreSly]

So, when I first got my computer everything ran flawlessly. Recently, I started to play Fallout 3 again but even on low quality graphics it runs so slow!! I used to run it on medium or high graphics (Can't remember which). I don't really mind the low quality graphics, I just want it to run at a proper frame rate. My processor speeds are 2.66 GHz and 2.67 GHz, I have 4 gigs of RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce G100 graphics card. I have already tried a system clean up as well as a defragmentation. I'm just wondering if there is anything else I should try before I just format my system?

[LHammonds]

Check your video card drivers. Try updating them to the latest release...if already the latest, try older versions...probably dated to back when you first tried FO3.

 

Also, check Task Manager to see if anything is hogging your CPU or memory. Close down some of your running apps in the taskbar to see if that helps any.

 

LHammonds

[Vagrant0]

You might also want to review your mod setup and remove any overhaul type mods. The less loading that the game has to do in the background, usually the better. Overhaul mods tend to have alot of extra data files which can slow down load speeds. Although it might have the appearance of being videocard related, it could actually be harddrive related, especially if you're using an older drive, or are playing the game from a system drive. Reformatting probably won't help any of this.

[MoreSly]

@LHammonds It shouldn't be a problem with apps running in the background as I use GameBooster when I play.

I tried updating my graphics card, but that didn't work either. I'll try rolling my driver back tomorrow as my bandwidth is low at the moment.

 

@VagrantO I already tried removing all of my mods, it didn't help.

I don't see how it would be harddrive related. my system is only about a year old, so it isn't an older drive.

 

is there anything else I could try after I try rolling back my video card driver?

thanks for all the help by the way :)

[Ethre]

Take a look to see how much space you are using on your harddrive. If you're getting close to filling the drive that could be a partial cause.

 

If Fallouts the only game you are having performance issues with though, you may want to consider a clean reinstall of the game. Could be some corrupted files in there somewhere (perhaps related to mods, perhaps not).

[Deleted54170User]

There is one more thing you can do. It helps to clear you Virtual Memory page once in awhile after long usage, like, a year or two.

 

It sometimes is helpful cleaning of the Virtual Memory by going into where your Advanced Settings are and clicking on No Paging File, Okay, restart your computer, and than go back and restore the Virtual Memory settings you had or set a number higher for gaming purposes.

 

Find that in your Computer by clicking on, "Start", Right click on Computer, LC on System Properties, Performance Options, Advanced, under Virtual Memory click on "Change" and Write down the numbers suggested for the best amount that your systems says is best before, "Restarting".

 

After LC on No Paging File, Make sure you LC on, "SET" before LC on, "OK". Clicking on, "OK" should call up a request message. Restarting is going to freshen up by cleaning that page file out.

 

When you have restarted go back to the Virtual Memory area. When there, choose to let the software your running do what is best, OR, look up how much you can expand upon for your amount of RAM so you get the best game performance number. If you have the number which will work, LC on Custom, Write the number in the space, LC on "SET". I haven't done it in awhile so you may or may not have to restart the computer again. Make sure you LC on, "SET" though or it wont hold the settings you assigned it when you quit.

[TheTerminator2004]

A good idea would be to run a program like CCleaner to clean up your PC, too. Its surprising how much useless data gets left around clogging up your PC - windows isn't exactly efficient.

 

I think it also clears the virtual page file too, so it saves having to do what Pagafyr suggests.

[Deleted54170User]

A good idea would be to run a program like CCleaner to clean up your PC, too. Its surprising how much useless data gets left around clogging up your PC - windows isn't exactly efficient.

 

I think it also clears the virtual page file too, so it saves having to do what Pagafyr suggests.

 

:unsure: You think it cleans out the Virtual page?! :ermm:

 

What ever you do, don't sign up as a map reader for anyone who thinks like General Patton.

[Sinophile]

A good idea would be to run a program like CCleaner to clean up your PC, too. Its surprising how much useless data gets left around clogging up your PC - windows isn't exactly efficient.

 

I think it also clears the virtual page file too, so it saves having to do what Pagafyr suggests.

 

:unsure: You think it cleans out the Virtual page?! :ermm:

 

What ever you do, don't sign up as a map reader for anyone who thinks like General Patton.

 

 

I just downloaded the latest version of CCleaner, and I don't see an option to wipe virtual memory. As a matter of fact, I believe the OPs problem has to do with either RAM or CPU(more likely RAM since he apparently had a recent downgrade in performance). CCleaner mostly frees up space on your hard drive, and doesn't really affect anything that would improve performance of games. Regardless, Ccleaner is an essential tool that anyone should use at least once a week, same with spybot and ad-aware.

[Deleted54170User]

Virtual Memory when wiped, "reset" and after your machine is rebooted, you have to manually return to that Virtual Memory under the Performance tab and make a choice, "1. Automatically manage paging file size for all drives (if you have more then one hard drive you have to set it for each one and my USB 1TB HDD appears to have been automatically set to "No paging file"). 2. Custom (I set mine for drive C with the to largest amount of RAM it could use). 3. System managed size. 4. No paging file.

 

Another area that goes uncleaned with some clearing software is the Appdata/Temp folder. In the same area that Microsoft Games for Live stored the DLC's we had in the hidden basement files.

 

It is hidden from most inquisitive eyes by the fact it is a sub-file. Once I figured out how to get to it within the Vista Ultimate software I found an inordinate number of empty folders followed by a huge number of files. I recommend it be emptied along with resetting Performances Paging file once in awhile, "Just for cleaning purposes".

 

I don't know about CCleaner. But I do know that after several other products, I tried, I found it was easier just to clear the two files manually once in awhile. It seemed to help when other software failed.

 

I recommend the, "The Page File" under the Performance tab/Advanced tab in the Virtual memory area be given a wipe, and the Users/your "Username"folder/Appdata/Temp" too. Not the one you can see after you click on Users in Vista. The one I am referring to is the one which the Games for Windows Live stored the DLC's for Fallout 3. That Appdata folder was easier to find in Windows XP.

 

There is the temp folder under, "Windows" too. Which my system cleaner doesn't seem to think needs attention, but just like the backup restores file, it builds up a number of temporary files and folders which seem to accumulate like dust, without notice, since a cleaning tool doesn't visit it.

 

If CCleaner does clean out these, "The Virtual Memory 'the paging file', and all the temp folders" if any clearer of temp folders and files after the download and installation is complete, I would recommend it. I haven't checked it out and haven't found the ones I have are equipped too.

 

The thing is, "The Virtual Memory is a paging file and has to be reset to delete the recorded data saved as to it functions performance" I believe. When cleared you have restored it to the point of nothing, "ZERO", for it to report to Microsoft, i.e., if something is recorded that may need attention. Otherwise I don't know what it is for.

 

Again, Performance of Virtual Memory when wiped, "reset" and after your machine is rebooted, you have to manually return to that Virtual Memory under the Performance tab and make a choice, "1. Automatically manage paging file size for all drives (if you have more then one hard drive you have to set it for each one and my USB 1TB HDD appears to have been automatically set to "No paging file"). 2. Custom (I set mine for drive C with the to largest amount of RAM it could use). 3. System managed size. 4. No paging file.