Work to lessen LAG problems

While the frequent updates are pleasant, I would hope the Lindens would put some effort in reducing the #1 frustration in the game, namely LAG.

The gee-whiz new stuff isnt much help to me if each update makes it more difficult to walk or even turn in a circle.

My PC is an Emachines T5010 desktop, 2.93Ghz Pentium 4, 512mb ram, 200GB hard drive),
eventually I'll add more RAM and I better game card. But I dont want to run to the store to upgrade every time the SL has an update.

AMD Athlon 1.47Ghz
512mb Ram
GeForce 5500oc 256mb vid card
80Mb HD
Windows XP

Now running graphics at max.

I run better after the update. 20-30 fps depending on area. Rez times are about 200% faster (what used to take 30 seconds now takes @6). Little to no lag for me anymore.

I'd suggest looking at your settings, routing and ISP. Not a tech-head but seems to me if everyone else is doing better in SL, there has to be somethign wrong on your end causing the problems, and your machine sounds like it's more than up to date.

Perhaps all the people having problems should list all thier information. CPU, Vid card, ISP, routers, firewalls, Ant-virus programs, OS, etc etc. Gather all the info you can and look for a common problem.

SL isn't the common problem as there are many more that gained from this update than those that are lagging.

Not jumping on you, only pointint out that SL can not be the problem when others don't have it.

Best of luck.

~Jessy

As a 20+ year sysadmin and programmer, please allow me to say: Ain't so.

Bugs in a program may not show up until certain video drivers or programs are also found in memory, but that still does not mean the problem is not with the program in question.

Diagnosis of a problem is also based on seeing if any other programs react to the system in a similar fashion. Generally, it trial and error testing, and can take hourse, days, or even longer. I have seen software that would only crash with a certain video driver and sound driver combo.

This is why it is important to send in bug reports as often as you can: LL needs as wide a selection of data as possible to find some problems.

And this is why it's the hardware. Reprogramming cna fix the issues for this hardware, but as the program works for some, I call it a success. Doesn't mean it can't get better to encompase what doesn't work now though.

And why I suggested listing all the components and seeing what IS the common factor so it can be fixed.

~Jessy

There are 3 things that most people call lag, and two of them are somewhat wrong.

Network Latency: The time it takes for the data to move between User and Second Life's servers, as well as the return trip. In the Statistics panel, these are denoted by 'ping'. This, is most non-SL situations is what is reffered to as lag.

Common signs of high latency are when you move the avatar, and it responds to your controls with a distinct passage of time before it appears on screen, sometimes several seconds.

Physics: When the physics of a particular simulator has become overburdened or has otherwise taken on issues, the entire processing of data on the simulator can slow to a crawl.

A sign of this is when you are unable to move, or chat in the open, but IM's still work at normal speed.

Client Rendering: When the data is taking a long time to be processed by the client, there can be a distinct difference between the actions that the user is taking and the actions performed by the avatar.

THis last update actually improved performance for most people. If you havne't upgraded your video card yet, you have an Intel GMA 900. That's not even one of their better integrated graphics cards, and as far as I know, has never been on SL's supported list. Frankly, you should get yourself a graphics card for *anything* graphical you want to do.

Unfortunately, it appears that the T5010 doens't even ahve a graphics slot for a better video card. So you're stuck with a PCI video card. This is probably the best you can get:

BFG 6200 PCI at Newegg

But it's only $30 and will be 100% better than what your computer came with.

And 512M really isn't enough nowadays.. As it is, after current AV programs, Anti-spyware programs, and miscelaneous other things, you probabaly have about 100M or less (Depending on how clean your system is) to put towards anything else you want to do. SL is a graphically intensive program, and *any* program of that type will benefit highly from more RAM.

Since you can't increase your video card, you should go big on RAM. Here's a good kit:

Kingston 1GB dual-channel DDR

That will triple your RAM and for only $77. So for around $100 you can get your computer closer to the minimum specs to run SL.

The fact remains however, that your computer was never meant to run a graphically intensive program like SL in the first place, and the lack of even an empty graphics slot inside your computer supports this. If you want to run a 3D program like SL, you really need a 3D capable video card at least. That's a *minimum*. The fact that you've been running SL up until now is surprising, and if you've had a good experience with it, that's *amazing*. But really, your system didn't meet the minimum requirements even before the latest patch. It's like entering your daily family car into the Indy 500. Yeah you'll make it to the finish line, but by that time, everyone's gone home.

So set aside a few dollars a week and you'll be very happy with how SL runs after these upgrades.

Walking around anbd chatting are WAY better.. building tools are gone mad though ; ;

IM HAVEING PROBLUMS WITH MY SECONDLIFE THIS NEW UPDATE HAS ME FROZEN IN ONE SPOT LAGGY AS WELL IM NOT GONNA BE DIRTY TALKING BUT IM VERY LAGGY NOW
My PC is an Emachines T5010 desktop, 2.93Ghz Pentium 4, 512mb ram, 200GB hard drive
I DONT NO WHY I LAG NOW

First: Please don't use all caps. It makes you seem quite mad.

Second: Video card? I'm betting integrated, and if that's the case, you need a new video card.

minimum system requirements are http://secondlife.com/corporate/sysreqs.php
# Video/Graphics Card**:

* nVidia GeForce 2, GeForce 4mx, or better
* OR ATI Radeon 8500, 9250, or better

it also goes on to say
**
Second Life may not run on graphics/video cards other than the ones listed above. Unfortunately, if your graphics card includes any of the following words, it's NOT compatible with Second Life:

* nVidia cards that report as a RIVA TNT or TNT2
* ATI cards that report as RAGE or RAGE PRO
* ATI cards that report as RADEON 320M, 340M, 345M, or similar model numbers
* Intel
* Intel Extreme
* 3DFX
* RIVA
* TNT
* SiS
* S3
* S3TC
* Savage
* Twister
* Rage
* Kyro
* MILENNIA
* most cards by MATROX

Several sources indicate the T5010 has a PCI-E slot.

From my experience (and I mean absolutely NO disrespect when I say this), eMachines (and Intel graphics accelerators) are total crap for anything other than casual web surfing, word processing and VERY minor gaming (which SL definitely is NOT). But unless you can afford a better machine, a good PCI video card (something like this Nvidia based card should do the job) and more RAM should help you out, just be sure to turn off the onboard graphics in your BIOS (if it doesn't shut off automatically when you install the new card). Also, be sure to match your RAM...ie: don't just buy any old stick of 512Mb and add it to your system to get a total of 1gig, buy two NEW sticks of 512Mb and REMOVE your existing stick. Doing this will get you far better performance and much less risk of any compatibility issues that can occur when mixing RAM sticks. Kingston ValueRAM should serve you well in that machine and is relatively cheap. Do make sure to check compatiblity with your system prior to buying any RAM.

Good luck and I hope you find an equitable solution for your situation!

You have the same machine as the OP. See my post above

It's a PCI-E x1. For a graphics card it would need to be a PCI-E x16 slot.

Lag is not caused by the system -- it's caused by the residents. Fewer attachments (particularly SCRIPTED attachments), fewer prims in clothing and jewelry, and no bling/poofing/HUDs/AOs.

no

Scripted attachments are only to blame for lag if they are either poorly written, use open or active listens, use extensive timers or are constantly updating (and likely several other things I failed to mention). However, the lag effects experienced tend to correlate with the quality/power of the computer the user has and the more I read the forums, the more it becomes apparent that far too many SLrs have sub-standard computers (such as eMachines and the like). Some relief can usually be achieved by lowering some settings in your preferences.

We all must understand that LL isn't going to cater to any one group of users. They are going to do their best to keep SL playable on lesser machines but at the same time improve it which tends to slowly edge up the minimum system requirements to play. If they actually used the latest technologies available for SL, only those of us with powerful systems would be able to play. Lucky for us all they don't.