PC Performance: Hints for laggers

[Kaltsu]

The main reasons for lag:

1. Slow connection or distant location or both = high ping
2. Slow computer = usually no high ping, but you still lag to other players.

But first of all, make sure you (or other people in your home network) are not downloading anything during the time you play, because it usually makes you lag.
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1. Slow connection / distant location

High ping is usually caused because of your distant location from Mid-Europe (e.g Australia, Brazil, Japan), but it can also happen because of your slow connection. For your location and connection you can't usually do much (except change ISP or speed for example), but if you have a router and/or a cable/DSL modem, you can try to update it's firmware to the latest one. Usually the changes are very minimal, but sometimes a firmware update can take your connection to a whole new level, so it's worth of trying. You can also try updating the drivers of your network card.

Please also note that if you are downloading something while playing, it makes your ping high aswell. That's why you might be asked to stop/pause your downloads during the time you play.

If none of these actions help, you better contact your ISP and ask what is wrong.
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2. Slow computer

If the lag is because of slow computer (e.g Vice City is not running smoothly), it's easier to fix by yourself, but you might have to buy some new components etc. and it usually requires some time. But before you buy anything, you can try to make your computer faster for example by installing the optimal drivers for your graphic card (latest are not the best for older cards) and getting rid of some heavy software, such as virus programs (e.g. Norton, Panda etc.) and switch to a more lighter one (e.g Kaspersky) etc.

Also, switch all background programs (e.g. MSN, virus program, internet browser, downloading program) off for the time you are playing. It will help especially if your computer is slow.
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If you are lagging and need help with fixing it, feel free to contact me in game or PM in forums.

[Call_me_Dad]

A few Questions:-
What if the ping value of a player is too low?
What is meant by ping of a server?
What range of ping lags?

[Gandalf]

A small technical explanation.

Ping is the time it takes for a packet of data to reach another computer and get acnowledged. The internet works because your computer sends many packets of data to other computers, and when they receive it they send it back.
This time is influenced by how many computers there are between your computer and the one you are sending it to, as every computer will have to send it to another one until it reaches the destination.
If you are far away, chances are that between your computer and the server there are 5 or 8 relay servers. You can test this by a traceroute command. Because of more relays, your ping will be higher. When you are closer, the connection can be only one relay server and the ping is lower.

Not only downloads influence your lagg. Everything that sends data or uses your harddisk can cause lagg. Example: e-mail progams that check automatic, MSN or other messengers, internet radio, TeamSpeak, drive optimalization programs.

If your computer is slow or has not much RAM, try to run nothing else as the game. If the computer is well up to date, close any program that uses internet bandwith.

If you can not fix the lagg, you should fight as little as possible. People get accused of cheating because of lagg, it is very hard to kill someone that laggs even for the best fighters. So if you have a high ping, RP more and fight less.

[Niitro]

I founded out why i lag ...
I have 192mb RAM ...

[Kaltsu]

I founded out why i lag ...
I have 192mb RAM ...

Yes, that amount is pretty low....especially for San Andreas.
For your case I could suggest to get more memory ASAP (at least 512mb total), but before that you can try to shut down ALL of the background programs (including MSN, Anti-Virus, download software etc...) when you play.

Btw, I remember you mentioning that you're getting a new computer soon. That true?

[Watti]

192 Ram oooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmgggggg How can play SA with that

[Niitro]

Nop, not new just :...
RAM +512 mb,
new DVD ROM ,

[Bilbin]

I have a geforce2   :redface:

[Wayne]

another hint:
100 - 0.1 seconds lag
200 - 0.2 seconds lag
300-  0.3 seconds lag
...

Error corrected

[Gandalf]

another hint:
100 - 1 sec lag
200 - 2 sec lag
300-  3 sec lag
...

 :ps:this is unly valid for network connection not the game.

Uhmm... no  D)
Ping is in ms (miliseconds). So
100 = 0.1 sec lag.

[Call_me_Dad]

as the distance between users affects ping then :
i lag coz i live in india and its too far from majority of players, 
but if i play with a player who also lives in india wont he/she experience the lag the others do??

[Gandalf]

You will both experience the same lagg. The distance of the player to the server is determining the lagg, not the distance from the players to each other.

[Watti]

Is there any way to connect 2 servers.. say an australian one and the current one... Reducing the ping of Australian Members... and Letting them play with the people playing on the german server connected through the Australian Server...

[CJ]

i have 256 mb of RAM :cool:

[ItwasBrad]

-I won-

1 gig =D