SA:MP Argonath graphics / lag issues.

[R401JL]

Specs that I know of:
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XP Pro 2002, SP3

AMD Athlon(tm)XP 1700+
1.46GHz, 512MB of RAM
NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440
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Firstly I'd like to assure people that I have searched and gone through the hardware/software posts, however if I've missed something then apologies to all.

I run SA:MP in medium quality, 800 x 600, 16bit.

The game runs pretty smoothly for a while, except in populated areas, but that's to be expected.
I then start to experience severe lag.
No other programs are running which require the internet (MSN, Vuse, etc). 

Accompanying the lag issues is a strange graphics problem.
I cannot get screenshots as the condition is so severe so I shall attempt to explain.  There is a normal SA scene.
Into this, add a strange conglomeration of increasing numbers of triangles with various textures and lighting.

To me (with my HIGHLY limited knowledge of computer graphics) it looks like model data either "leaking" or being spontaneously generated.
Take a mesh object, randomise all the vertices of all triangles, randomise texture and lighting, and you have the one of the artifacts I see.
The problem "seems" to coincide with me entering the game menu to examine the map.  With a sample size of 3, there's not much statistical evidence for that assumption but it's all I have.

My PC isn't completely "hanging" as I can alt-tab and kill processes (my favourite hobby)

Lastly I'm new here (my 1st post) so any and all help is greatly appreciated and I'd like to thank you in advance for your time, even if you just read this.  My name's Rob but I prefer Raoul, any helpers get free limo/taxi service for ever (although you may find me of limited use).  Only in the state of Argonath, obviously.

[Additional]
Right, these issues have just led to me being banned for "car jump hack / cheat" during extreme conditions (pc freezing, frame updates every minute or so, etc etc) which I consider highly insulting but forgivably laughable as I am incapable of "haxxoring" of whatever you choose to call it.  Any help with this please!?!  If I try and fix it on my own chances are that someone else will mistakenly ban me and second ban is permanent!!!

[Rick.]

i need help, i run a windows Xp and i lagg so much either with population and without.

[Hidduh]

Check the following topic, i've posted something that might fix your problem, good luck.
 http://argonathrpg.eu/forum/index.php?topic=46487.0

[R401JL]

Hey, thanks for replying.  I checked your post and yes my PC can run SA:MP Argo fine.  I have no trouble with MTA either.  I frequently defrag, or check to see if defrag is needed.  It's the strange polygon collections appearing that worry me (and I suspect leads to the lag, as more and more triangles are added) as well as the fact that I can't test any solutuon for fear of being banned.

[Kitsune]

I'm not exactly sure on how to deal with your graphics getting corrupted, but I do have some solutions to general lag issues.

GTA:SA Display Settings
Draw Distance - Minimum
Frame Limiter - On (needed for /fpslimit to work)
Visual FX Quality - Low
Anti Aliasing - Off
Resolution - As low as possible, at 16 bit

/fpslimit
You need to use a program like Fraps, so that you can see your FPS (frames per second) while playing. Basically, evaluate what your FPS averages as during game play, then set /fpslimit to slightly under that number. This is to prevent the lag that occurs when something happens during game play (loading new textures or objects for example), that your computer can't handle at the FPS you were previously on.

Low Quality Mod
The following mod includes some lower quality textures and effects that replace the default ones.

Task Manager Priority
While the game is running, ALT+TAB to your desktop, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to open your Task Manager, go to the tab that says Processes, loot for gta_sa.exe, right click on it, choose priority, and set the priority as high as possible. Depending on your computer configuration, setting it as Realtime may sometimes lead to minor issues, such as the sound cutting out from time to time. If you experience said problems, then just set the priority to the level before Realtime.

Game Booster
A program that increases game performance by disabling unneeded processes and services during game play. It can be downloaded here.

NVIDIA Control Panel
Assuming you don't already have the NVIDIA Control Panel, go to the NVIDIA website, check out the driver section, and download the latest one that supports your graphics card. In installing the latest driver, you're also installing the NVIDIA control panel, as it's all included. Since I'm not absolutely certain on the control panel version that you'd have, this is just a general guide with reference to the version that I'm using. Open the control panel (can be done by right clicking on a blank space on your desktop, then selecting NVIDIA Control Panel), make sure advanced view is selected (if relevant), go to the 3D settings and there should be something with reference to managing the 3D settings for particular programs. If it's not already there, add GTA:SA to the program list, then configure settings that are available. Each setting should show a detailed description, so for the most part, it shouldn't be too difficult to figure what you should change in order to increase performance. Some things to make sure you turn off are Anisotropic Filtering, Anti Aliasing and Vertical Sync.

[R401JL]

Hey, nice one!  I'll work my way through that lot and get back asap.  Thanks once again.
Post Merge: December 01, 2009, 12:05:25 pmKitsune, thankyou for such a comprehensive post.  I have worked my way through it all and can now say that performance has been greatly improved.  That gamebooster thingy's real handy.  And the NVidia ctrl panel (thought it was already on my PC as it was given to me).  Also found a sound card issue which probably wasn't helping, I dunno.  Thanks once again!.

Is the low quality mod legal?  As in will I get in trouble in game for having the mod?

[Kitsune]

The low quality mod is entirely legal. All it does is change some textures and effects to lower quality ones.

[HiddenSniper]

I don't reccomend 16bit, as GTA SA is designed for 32bit modes, and 16bit modes can bug and cause undesired effects in the game.

[Kitsune]

What sort of bugs or undesired effects? I don't recall experiencing such problems when I used to play on 16 bit.

[Kessu]

16 bit just looks bad, it has nothing else different on my PC..