Oblivion help, Please!

[markharrington777]

I am an avid roleplayer. A slight newbie when it comes to learning stuff. The only stupid question is the one not asked. My computer (Compaq Presario, AMD Sempron 3200+, 512MB RAM, with an ATI Radeon Xpress 200) is ok for now. I can run and play NWN2 (with minor glitches) and my favorite, Oblivion. Now, Oblivion plays well with no issues when I am in a shrine, ruin, underground, but when I reach the surface, or the "real world", I come into stop frame glitches. It is especially bad in rain. How can I remedy this? Please help. Thank you.

[markharrington777]

Does anyone have any solid advice on graphics issues for Oblivion? I can play it with no issues if I remain in a dungeon, fort, ruin, ect... but in the real world the game stalls like a m%^#$$$%@$. Please help me.

[Jazagod]

turn your settings down, especialy distance, shadows, etc. Oblivion is consuming CPU wise. dungeons are no match for the top world..good luck
JAZA

[DavidGP]

As Jaza mentions turn the graphical settings down in the games menu, as your PC has a graphic card that while will run Oblivion, wont run it at high details, as depending on if its the ATI x200 with dedicated or shared memory it will if the shared type be taking 128mb of your system ram, which if running XP as well wount leave you much left for the game and the processing of the 3d polygons.

Many would suggest adding more memory or a new higher powered Graphic Card but if and I suspect you have a laptop, then thats not easy to do, memory yes you could add more but as the graphics are onboard the motherboard, updating a laptops GFX card is a non-starter.

[markharrington777]

Thank you for yer reply, Halo. I do not, as you assumed, have a laptop. I am running a Compaq Presario w/ an AMD Semperon 3200+, 512MB Ram, and an ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics card. I just, last night, downloaded ATI's Catalyst. What could I do with this setup to run Oblivion better and without the stagger? Oh, say hello to your friends under the desk...my rice crispies told me this morning that they are fairly harmless and probably have friends. I hope to hear from you soon with more advice. Thank you. Peace.

[DavidGP]

The options are then add another 512mb of ram and a dedicated PCI-E Graphics Card if a PCI-E slot is available on the motherboard, to work this out what model number Compaq do you have?

( the Ati x200 is onboard and if you notice if you right click My Computer > Properties that your Ram is lower than 512mb then your card is sharing memory, which as I mentioned will slow XP a tad, especially when running games, I have dedicated 128mb Ati x200 GFX in my laptop which is where I presumed laptop, didnt think they at present were using them in Desktops )


with current setup you will have to lower the graphic details in the game to allow it to run more smoothly.

[markharrington777]

Hello,
Interesting thing, I installed the ATI Catalyst thingy and started Oblivion, and it works...very good in fact. My sword and other stuff has a little jaggies going on, but movement is smooth and weather is not affecting gameplay. Do you play Oblivion? I just started and would like some hints, tips, or tricks if you have them. Thanks man!!!

PS
The purple lepherchaun in my shoe is staring at me...and he winked! I think he wants me Lucky Charms.

[ShockTroop]

If you need help with Oblivion, or any other TES game for that matter, this site has about everything:
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Main_Page

[Jazagod]

Off subject, but Halo, I have always loved the way you go into the finest details about everything, then scrinch a little more, you make my MajorGeek expierience so much fun!
I suppose there is something very fun about reading what is not understood, then learning from it !
lots of hugs to you ...
I love this site!!
ps....ty for the happy B-Day hello

[Dread_2004]

you could also check out www.atomic.com.au it has some very good guides for optimising Oblivion. worth checking out.

Heres the link to guide number 1. There is 3 in total.

http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/article.asp?CIID=36222

There are links to the other 3 from this one.

Turn your settings to the lowest, if that runs fine, just increase the quality until you get performance and quality you're happy with!