Multiplayer only: Heavy CPU lag for first 10 minutes

[Hobbnob]

Hey guys, so I've had this issue since installing DCS a few years back where I would be fine in singleplayer but multiplayer would start lagging as soon as I got into a server. I never thought anything of it, but recently a friend with a similar spec pc to mine got dcs as well and is having no issues.

 

What I'm getting isn't internet lag. The aircraft selection lists consist of scrolling, waiting 30-40 seconds for a response, then scrolling again and repeating over and over until I see the aircraft I want, then clicking, waiting more, then pressing briefing waiting more etc etc you get the idea. This happens for the first 10-15 minutes of gameplayer where it'll be a slideshow, so I just leave the computer for a while and occasionally move the mouse to check that it's still frozen. After that it will be absolutely fine, running everything silky smooth apart from a slight stutter when someone new loads in.

 

Here are my specs, thanks for any help :)

 

i5 4570 3.2ghz

4gb DDR3 RAM

GTX760 2GB GPU

20MB internet

[dooom]

Something definitely amiss... Should be no problem - I wonder if it's a network issue? Have you tested ping/packets with ping plotter? I assume you have tried fresh install - have you game as far as a reformat?

[NineLine]

Might be related, but your RAM is below the recommended minimum (6GB). Are this missions you are loading into big missions, lots of units and stuff going on? Maybe check your RAM usage when you are loading into these servers?

 

Hey guys, so I've had this issue since installing DCS a few years back where I would be fine in singleplayer but multiplayer would start lagging as soon as I got into a server. I never thought anything of it, but recently a friend with a similar spec pc to mine got dcs as well and is having no issues.

 

What I'm getting isn't internet lag. The aircraft selection lists consist of scrolling, waiting 30-40 seconds for a response, then scrolling again and repeating over and over until I see the aircraft I want, then clicking, waiting more, then pressing briefing waiting more etc etc you get the idea. This happens for the first 10-15 minutes of gameplayer where it'll be a slideshow, so I just leave the computer for a while and occasionally move the mouse to check that it's still frozen. After that it will be absolutely fine, running everything silky smooth apart from a slight stutter when someone new loads in.

 

Here are my specs, thanks for any help :)

 

i5 4570 3.2ghz

4gb DDR3 RAM

GTX760 2GB GPU

20MB internet

[AtaliaA1]

Might be related, but your RAM is below the recommended minimum (6GB). Are this missions you are loading into big missions, lots of units and stuff going on? Maybe check your RAM usage when you are loading into these servers?

 

 

For Sure. also making sure your Virus program isn't checking every command sent by DCS. By way of turning it off. or setting it to accept all commands from DCS.

 

 

What Virus Program are u using?

[Hobbnob]

Thanks for the suggestions fellas! To respond:

 

Ping: Pingplotter was uncooperative even after opening the firewall (I'm using avast AV with windows firewall) but I'm relatively certain it's not a network issue as I'm unable to scroll or navigate menu's properly when I'm in a server.

 

AV: I've added DCS world to avast's exceptions list and restarted the pc and game but to no avail.

 

RAM: It's possible that it's the culprit, however the task manager is only showing 2.1gb usage which is slightly below some of the other games I run without issue (arma 3, project cars being the main ones)

 

I actually haven't tried a reinstall yet as the download size makes me pale (especially when you include the aircraft I purchased ie nearly all of them) but I'll consider it if there are no more ideas tomorrow.

 

Thanks for all your suggestions so far guys, it's great to see a community aiding a crippled pilot :)

[Hobbnob]

I reinstalled today, no luck.

 

One thing I forgot to mention was that I had an odd incident where everything was fine a week ago. I'd loaded into a server but something went wrong with my internet and I got kicked. When I loaded back in, everything ran silky smooth and showed no signs of any issues. I could scroll, select things and do everything a normal player can do.

[Frostie]

DCS requires a 64bit operating system. I don't know if it is even possible to run on a 32bit anymore so I guess you're already using 64bit windows.

Other than that 4Gb maybe too low and 6Gb or more would obviously be a better option.

[DTWD]

What are you scrolling through? Is this information likely to be something that is stored locally or on the server?

 

If it's the latter it could be your internet connection.

 

If you can, can you take your PC to your friends and test it there? It might be quicker and easier to do that than trying to diagnose a network/ISP fault.

[Cibit]

I had exactly the same issue and doubling my RAM eliminated it immediately. From scrolling through menus to spamming F2 on MP servers everything became crisp and instant.

 

Hope you find a solution that works for you:)

[Wolf Rider]

are you using landline or mobile (USB broadband dongle) internet access?

 

also, iiuc, the vga overlaps over current RAM... 2.1 usage + 2 VGA = 4.1 - what is the set up regarding Page File... is it at (what should be) System Default? Have you modified to Fixed Size"?

Edited May 15, 2015 by Wolf Rider

[Hobbnob]

are you using landline or mobile (USB broadband dongle) internet access?

 

also, iiuc, the vga overlaps over current RAM... 2.1 usage + 2 VGA = 4.1 - what is the set up regarding Page File... is it at (what should be) System Default? Have you modified to Fixed Size"?

 

Landline broadband access, I'm not sure what VGA is so can't comment on that but I've enlarged my paging file slightly since it was hampering my music work. Could it be the computer accessing this that's causing my slowdown? It's important to clarify that I have absolutely no slowdown in any singleplayer missions :)

[joebloggs]

Sounds like it's got something to do with your connection if single player is fine. I'd try resetting your router to factory setting and inputting your setting again.

[Hobbnob]

Hey guys, just checking in to say that once I upgraded from 4GB of RAM to 12 the game ran like a dream and I no longer have any issues at all with DCS online :)