Pulling my hair out LOW FPS

[Nighthawk38]

First off, I realized this issue has been posted before. I have read all the threads, tried all the various suggestions and I STILL can't get this worked out. If anyone can help me with this, I will be eternally grateful.

System : Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6700 @ 2.67 GhZ
8 Gb RAM
750 Gb HDD
NVidia GeForce 9800 GS graphics card
Running Windows Vista Home 64-bit OS

Problem: When opening multiple instances of WoW, everything is acceptable until I open the 5th instance. My FPS drops to 2.2 max at the log-in screen. After suffering through logging in, my FPS on the new team, sitting at the crash site in Amman Vale is a whopping 1.4 to 3.2.

I have all video settings at LOW, affinity set at 15 for each instance, and every other suggestion I could find on this site regarding increasing performance.

If I open just a single instance of WoW, my FPS runs anywhere from a high of 75 to a low of 60 in Dalaran. 2 instances running, FPS drops to approx 35 on each. 3 instances drops it to approx 25 each, and 4 instances running FPS holds between 17 and 21. Opening Task Manager shows CPU usage of 53 - 74 %, and memory usage of 38 %.

Is there anything else I can try ???

P.S. Using ISBoxer if that makes any difference.

[Babysir]

I noticed when you mentioned the fps that you said each. Normally the slaves have a limiter on. For example, all my slaves are limited to 20fps and my main to 60. Perhaps you should try limiting the slaves to maybe 20 fps and see if that helps.

[Svpernova09]

Check your power options and make sure everything is set to High Performance is about the only thing I can think of if you've done all the preliminary steps.

[Nighthawk38]

OK,

let me clarify : when I set up ISBoxer, I set the FPS cap on the slaves at 20, and the cap on the main at 60.

also, to SuperNova... I reset my power settings to High Performance, even using the regedit code given on Microsoft's website, to ensure the changes took.

I am completely baffled at what else to do at this point. I suppose I could dig out one of my crusy old PCs, install WoW (12 hrs of patches...UGH), and run ISBoxer thru multiple PCs, but UGH.

sorry for the rant, this is just getting extremely frustrating.

[Drommon]

OK,

let me clarify : when I set up ISBoxer, I set the FPS cap on the slaves at 20, and the cap on the main at 60.

also, to SuperNova... I reset my power settings to High Performance, even using the regedit code given on Microsoft's website, to ensure the changes took.

I am completely baffled at what else to do at this point. I suppose I could dig out one of my crusy old PCs, install WoW (12 hrs of patches...UGH), and run ISBoxer thru multiple PCs, but UGH.

sorry for the rant, this is just getting extremely frustrating.

How did you set affinity to 15? If you did it through config.wtf file then it may be overidden by the virtual config file that ISboxer makes.

Try setting each client to use 4 cores in ISboxer itself. Each character should have a core selection for them.

Look at your virtual config files and make sure they are set right. Also look at task manager and make sure all all cores have a wow client(s).

Memory at 38% has me concerned. normally, 5 wow clients take up 6GB with OS. You are only using 3GB for load.

This is all I can think of for now.

Drommon

[nissen]

The only thing i can think of is either your gpu is to weak( or could be having heating/power issues ) or you havent adjusted the gfx settings on the others virtual files.. needs a pretty decent computer to max out wow on 5 comps at once since they are all rendered at the same time with isboxer.

[Nighthawk38]

I'll re-check the WTF files again, but I checked the first one and it was set at 4 cores and affinity 15. I'll double-check the others.

As far as checking the cores in task manager, I'm afraid you'll have to give me step-by-step instructions. I know when I set up ISBoxer, I highlighted all 4 cores for each toon in the character set.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

System : Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6700 @ 2.67 GhZ
8 Gb RAM
750 Gb HDD
NVidia GeForce 9800 GS graphics card
Running Windows Vista Home 64-bit OS

If I had to guess, the 9800 GS is the problem. I can't find any specs on that thing on NVidia's site and the only places I'm seeing the GS linked with a 9600 or 9800 are low-budget/obsolete systems. On the older lines, GS was usually a tier below the standard GT line, in some cases comparable to the GT/GTX of the previous generation's cards. Considering that NVidia GTS 250 (which is about 30% faster than a 9800GT) for $130, that'd be my suggestion.

[Drommon]

There is a gpu utility that lets you check the load of your gpu. It is called gpuz. Google it and get it. Start up gpuz and check it everytime you load a wow client. If you are on the 4th client and your gpu load is above 75-80% then it may be time for a gpu upgrade.

Drommon

[nissen]

If I had to guess, the 9800 GS is the problem. I can't find any specs on that thing on NVidia's site and the only places I'm seeing the GS linked with a 9600 or 9800 are low-budget/obsolete systems. On the older lines, GS was usually a tier below the standard GT line, in some cases comparable to the GT/GTX of the previous generation's cards. Considering that NVidia GTS 250 (which is about 30% faster than a 9800GT) for $130, that'd be my suggestion.

not quite sure if this measure , but at work i can run with a nvidia gt 120m ( which is pretty low end ,maybe above the 9800 gs abit ) ,with 5 instances of wow. and i get a slowdown , however that is not the gpu slowing down its the cpu maxing out at 100% with my laptop duo shit processor . and it dont trigger at the 5'th per say , but i get a good 10-20 fps on all with low settings.

( an other way of saying this , any gpu no matter if its a 9600 , 5200 whatever crap , it should be able to run 5 wow instances on low )