Microsoft KB Archive/820093

= The game performance may be unexpectedly slow when you try to play Rise of Nations =

Article ID: 820093

Article Last Modified on 11/14/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Rise of Nations
 * Microsoft Rise of Nations: Gold Edition
 * Microsoft Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots

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SUMMARY
When you try to play Microsoft Rise of Nations, the game performance may be unexpectedly slow.



MORE INFORMATION
To increase the speed of game performance, use one or more of the following methods in the order that they appear.

Method 1: Verify the Video, Processor, and RAM System Requirements
Verify that your computer exceeds the minimum video, processor, and random access memory (RAM) requirements to play Rise of Nations. To do this, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Start, click Run, type dxdiag in the Open box, and then click OK.
 * 2) Click the System tab, and then note the value next to Memory and Processor.
 * 3) Click the Display or the Display 1 tab, and then note the value next to Approx. Total Memory.
 * 4) Click Exit.

Compare the values on your computer to the system requirements. If your computer does not meet the minimum system requirements, contact your manufacturer for more information about how to obtain the necessary updates and upgrades. If this does not resolve this issue, continue with the next method.

For more information about the Rise of Nations system requirements, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

820088 Rise of Nations: Minimum system requirements

Click Play to view this streaming media demonstration.

Method 2: Analyze and compare the computer that you are using to other computers
To analyze the gaming performance of your PC and to view the ranking of the system relative to other computers that are on the market, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://gameadvisor.futuremark.com/gameadvisor/service/

For more information about the Windows Game Advisor, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx

If your PC ranks low, you may be able to improve the performance of the game by using the methods that are listed in this article. However, you may have to update your PC's hardware for optimal performance. For information about how to update the computer's hardware, contact the manufacturer of the computer.

Method 3: Adjust the level of graphic detail
To adjust the level of graphic detail, follow these steps:
 * 1) In Rise of Nations, on the main menu, click Options & Profiles.
 * 2) Click the Graphics tab.
 * 3) In the Render Element pane, click Low, and then click OK.

If this does not resolve this issue, continue with the next method.

Method 4: Adjust the in-game screen resolution
To adjust the resolution in the game, follow these steps:
 * 1) In Rise of Nations, on the main menu, Options & Profiles.
 * 2) Click the Graphics tab.
 * 3) Click the Resolution drop-down menu, and then click a resolution setting that is lower than the current resolution setting.
 * 4) Click Change to Resolution, and then click OK.

If this does not resolve this issue, continue with the next method.

Method 5: Turn off the in-game music
To turn off music in the game, follow these steps:
 * 1) In Rise of Nations, on the main menu, click Options & Profiles.
 * 2) Click the Sound tab.
 * 3) Click to clear the Allow In-Game Music check box, and then click OK.

Method 6: How to improve game performance
For more information about how to improve game performance, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

815069 Games: How to improve game performance

Additional query words: performance speed

Keywords: kbconfig kbinfo KB820093

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