Simple solution to create better gameplay

[Devin]

I have noticed many players having issues with lag due to old spec systems theyre running it on, so ive done some research and found this.

Windows is a multitasking system. It means that a lot of various applications are running simultaneously in it. You directly work with some of them, but some of them work invisibly and independently. The priority of an application is a parameter that tells the system which task has priority over other tasks. For example, if there are two programs that are running simultaneously and with the same priority, they will have equal shares of the processor time. But in case you set a higher priority for one of them, the program that has this higher priority will use all the free processor time while the one with a lower priority will use only the rest of it.

For example, if you have an application for rendering a video clip running on your computer, it will use the free processor time sharing it equally with, say, Explorer. It will result in Explorer working jerkily. But if you set a lower priority for the rendering program, it will use only the time that Explorer does not need. Explorer will work more smoothly and faster. It is also convenient to set a higher priority for multimedia players so the playback will be smoother. I also always set a higher priority for Nero when burning a disc so that it doesnt fail and I wont waste a CDR and also when playing games.

You can change the priority of processes on the Processes tab of Task Manager. The problem is whenever you set a process priority, it will reset back to Normal when you restart Windows. Here is a simple way to save the process priority.

Prio (Process Priority Saver) is a compact program that allows you to save the priority you specify for any process. To save a process priority, start the Task Manager, right-click a process and select Set Priority. Set the priority you want for the process. Prio will save the applied changes and each time you start this process from now on, it will set the saved priority for it. You will not have to change the priority manually any more!



Other than that, it also enhances the standard Task Manager by adding useful tooltips containing detailed information about each running process: its name, manufacturer, version and full path to the executable file. It also shows which system services are currently running for svchost.exe. You would also notice that most of the process are highlighted in green. Those green processes are verified because it has a digital signature. For those that dont have one, itll be highlighted in red. If youre sure about the origin of a process while its executable file has no digital signature, you can mark is as valid using the Treat As Valid menu item and it will be highlighted in green.

Prio also adds Services and TCP/IP tab where you can view all installed system services with their statuses, start them, stop them and change the method they are started with. Prio uses the additional TCP/IP tab to display all established TCP connections and all open ports (TCP and UDP). Both statistical data (the number of sent and received bytes) and rate is shown for each connection.

Prio is free for personal use, its small and best part is you dont need to keep it running as it installs a driver. Ive only tested Prio on Windows XP and I am not sure if it will work on Vista. Another great alternative is ProcessTamer which allows you to manually adjust process priorities.

So in short, the aim of this small tool is to save your priority settings for a program as you set it,
By setting the priority of GTAIV higher, it makes more system resources dedicated for the game than for other tasks, therefore better game play as more resources are then used for running the game only.
so to enhance IVMP,

• simply open the game,
• minimize the game,
• Open Task Manager,
• Click on Processes,
• Look for GTAIV on the list,
• Right click on GTAIV, Click on Set Priority and select High and ensure Save Priority is Ticked

Remember you can only save the priority after you have installed Prio and rebooted your system, it works on XP, Vista and Windows 7.

To download the Prio program for 32bit Windows click Here!
To download the Prio program for 64bit Windows click Here! - Thanks to Spinflow (Pude)
To view the origional post click Here!



~Regards
Devin Seville

[Pude]

You forgot x64 versions of windows, Devin

Here it is!

[Devin]

You forgot x64 versions of windows, Devin

Here it is!

Ah thanks for that, I forgot about 64bit. 

[Witchking]

what will this do ?

Make the game run smoother? looks nice due 

[Devin]

Like I had said in short, Windows gives partial system power to each task which is running at the same time, by using this, if makes GTAIV of higher importance than other tasks.
Therefore more system power dedicated to running the game which in turn should make your game run far smoother than before.

[Dexter]

I use game booster for this

[Devin]

Yea I suppose that is another option aswell. 

[DellStorm]

Hi People! Great little application / Topic

Just to mention though, If you think you will reduce lag by setting the game to a higher priority think again. Don't forget this also affects resources, such as the keyboard & mouse with certain applications so expect weird results depending on what you prioritize!

Happy Gaming! Regards, [TCL]DellStorm

[Void]

Quality topic.
I will try this, definitely.

I use GameBooster too.

[Soph]

I dont have as many processes to use game booster, just like 47 or so.
I did set affinity on both my cores and set high priority to my GTA SA. Still it gives me a low frame rate as before. I use the lowest settings possible and its a fresh install from my CD. I don't have any mods, just one or two skin mods.
I never had this lag in 0.3b or in single player, and my game uses to run in "Medium" setting in SAMP 0.3b and SP[ still does in SP]

Ever since 0.3c came, my game is giving a very bad FPS of 7 or so - sometimes jumps to 21 but back below 13. Is there anyone who can help me fix this? I've tried all the methods so far, from re-installing SAMP/GTA to not using mods. My ping remains the same as before. I use windows XP.

Primary thing is, my game never shows FPS problem on SP or 0.3b. And if it helps, I dont lag in the new MTA SA 1.04, it works just how my 0.3b used to work.


 :ps: I do know this is placed in IV:MP thread, but I was wondering if anyone could help me out in fixing my FPS in SA-MP 0.3c

[Devin]

The only reason I can think of which would cause FPS drop on a new client is more details/functions which it has to load.

Since its nothing really new besides a few functions and some setups, I would say you should look at buying perhaps some more Ram as lag if it is caused by more details on the client will get worse and worse with new updates if they continue in the same direction.

[Soph]

I have 2GB of RAM. Should I get more ?
I also have an old graphic card, but SAMP is the only game I play for now. Nvidia 8400 SE - 512 MB.

[Devin]

Well that technically should be enough, I only have 2Gb ram and a Nvidia 9600GT 512mb and I run GTA IV, but the thing is the speed of the ram, its more than likely old ram.

Perhaps upgrading your system will help.

[Soph]

Well that technically should be enough, I only have 2Gb ram and a Nvidia 9600GT 512mb and I run GTA IV, but the thing is the speed of the ram, its more than likely old ram.

Perhaps upgrading your system will help.

Yes, it indeed is an old PC.. but then upgrading my PC just for SAMP.. :<
I won't bother upgrading it as the processor is old too..  I may drag this system on for a while and get a new system in coming months or next year.


Thanks for your help! Appreciate it alot =]

Have a muffin!

[Devin]

Aww but its so small, I want one this size  :redface: