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Slowdown when online - Does this make sense?

nudetothis

nudetothis

New member
It doesn't make much sense that this is happening but it does .. I am still stuck with dialup (cable is finally coming later this summer), and whenever I'm online I experience some slowdown and sound chittering during gameplay for a couple "high system requirement" games, for example Perfect Dark and the patched version of Jet Force Gemini (f1). Most games still play 100% while online, and this isn't an urgent problem of course. But I'm curious about the likely cause and what I can do.

Here's my specs.. Epox 8KHA+ (using onboard audio)
Athlon XP1700+
512mb Kingston PC2100 DDR
PNY GeF 4 Ti4400
Maxtor 60GB Quiet Drive 7200rpm
etc. etc.

Other relevant consideration (?) - if I'm online, then WinMX is running. I'm always downloading SOMETHING. Also, I am running PJ64 with frame limiter ON and audio sync OFF, but reversing these settings doesn't change the problem when its happening. I have the latest RDB. I am running PJ64 ver. 1.4 because like many others I had big slowdowns with ver 1.5 beta.

My system's handling of these few games is acceptable to perfect if I run PJ64 only and nothing else. It's only when running other apps that there's any effect, and only for a few games. As I said, all other games are not affected by the running of other apps or being online. So, anyway, other than just playing these particular games only when I can devote the PC 100% to playing them, what is my best bet to boost my PC so it doesn't "blink?"

1. trash onboard audio and get a soundcard?

2. Another 512mb ram?

3. other?

Any help appreciated.....thx.:pj64:
 
OP
nudetothis

nudetothis

New member
don't think so ... std 56k v90 jobbie from circuit city. Plug-n-play. I only bought it so we'd have internet access for the few months left before we switch to broadband. I built this computer in March and at that time the cable was supposed to be available by June 1st. That date got pushed back, so I had to get the modem. Have a Linksys 10/100 card waiting to go. Why would the type of modem matter? Edumucate me.

Guesses and speculation welcome.
 
Allnatural

Allnatural

New member
Moderator
Winmodems use the CPU. In other words, they're actually software-based. Internal modems are almost always winmodems.
 
OP
nudetothis

nudetothis

New member
Ahhh... got it. No, it's on a PCI slot. That's why i'm curious about the onboard audio though - I've heard that audio and video decompression can take a big chunk of CPU, but I also posted a thread here once about whether my onboard audio should affect my PJ64 performance given my specs and the replies were "not likely."

Even if replacing my onboard audio with a Turtle Beach and bumping my ram doesn't alleviate this problem, I'll still be happier with my PC if I do. And, even if either one of these fixes did fix the problem, that's a pretty expensive fix for just making two or three games playable while multitasking when they already play ok when PJ64 is the only app running.

I just hate to have my PC tell me "wait up," no matter what the circumstances. I'm sure you all understand.;)
 
RadeonUser

RadeonUser

Moderator
Most PCI modems are Winmodems... If you look at the requirements, and it says something along the lines of "For Windows Only" then it's a winmodem... Usually, winmodems are cheap, very cheap... They tend to cost roughly $20 USD where I live... The modem I have (don't use it anymore... on cable now) is one that costs ~$100 USD... Sure, expensive, but... there's very little problems with it.

If it is a winmodem, then, yes... It's probably eating up resources like there's no tomorrow, which is why you're having a sluggish experience. About the on-board sound... It may as well be using up cpu resources... It really depends on what type it is... Some on-board audio devices do indeed use the CPU extensively during sound playback... Since there are good, cheap, high quality sound cards now a days... It's a good idea to pick one up :) Just remember to disable the on-board one (your motherboard's manual should come with instructions on how to do that)

Always remember too, research ;) I don't care how much you know about computers / computer hardware / peripherals, there's still a good chance you'll be suckered into buying something that's a total waste of money ;)
 
OP
nudetothis

nudetothis

New member
well, thanks guys. I didn't read the post from Allnatural close enough the first time. Chances are youre right - it's a winmodem. $20 at Circuit City and even with this situation I'm still glad I bought it instead of an external US Robotics for $$$. This dialup hell has got to stop soon, no point in investing heavily in it anymore. I've got router and firewall purchases to think about, you know.

I also agree it could never hurt to get the soundcard. I had always planned to, but I went ahead and built without it and was surprised with the results. But more than one person has told me it makes a surprising change for the better to get the Audigy (nah) or Turtle Beach (yeah). And yeah, I know how to disable the onboard audio plus the onboard gameport and midi port in bios. Thanks tho.
 
A

a3t

New member
If i try to emulate whist im online and downloading larger files (modifyed DC++), i get really lousy fps (around 15fps)

So.. everytime my HDD is being used, project 64 slows down quite a bit!
 
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