Weird performance problem

Yakoob on 11/10/2009 at 09:43

So when I play fallout I am experiencing a really weird performance problem.

Basically, when I start the game runs fine. Over time, my framerate gradually decreases where, after maybe 3 minutes, it's virtually unplayable (easily 2-3 fps). But then, suddenly, it jumps back to the initial full smooth framerate. And the cycle repeats, over and over.

my laptop is HP Compaq nx9420 with:
Intel Dual Core 1.9Ghz
1 GB Ram
ATI X1600
WinXP Pro

All drivers are up to date from HPs website. I am playing on the smallest graphical settings. Any idea what this might be?

EvaUnit02 on 12/10/2009 at 11:43

Fallout 3 has poor memory management (I recall hearing that all of Beth's games since Morrowind are like this too, but having never played any of the Elder Scrolls games on PC I can't say).

1. (http://www.tweakguides.com/Fallout3_10.html) Turn on multi-threading (add the iNumHWThreads=2 variable as well), it's disabled by default and can't be enabled natively via the in-game settings. Other tweaks relating to memory and sound asset caching are worth looking into as well.
2. Install the latest (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=04ac064b-00d1-474e-b7b1-442d8712d553&displayLang=en) DirectX redist and
2b. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=AB99342F-5D1A-413D-8319-81DA479AB0D7&displaylang=en) .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 is a must.
2c. The newest (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=9b3d84ca-15ef-4652-b7ad-540a25a38f89) GfWL redist is necessary as well, whether you use it in-game or not.
2d. This should go without saying, but run Windows Update and grab all of the criticals (including SP3 if you don't have that already).
3. (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=1086) Kill in-game GfWL integration.
4. Run as few programs in the background/system tray as possible.
4a. Research unnecessary Windows Services and disable them.