Super Low FPS: Just My Cruddy Comp or Poor Game Optimization?

Arunei · April 2014

So, I usually swing between 11-17 FPS while I'm playing. This easily shoots down to around 8 or 9 when the area gets more populated. However, in numerous dungeons I tend to get a steady 25-30 FPS. I assume this is either because there's less rendering in an enclosed map, fewer people, or a combination of both. I also tend to get an upwards spike in FPS when first exiting a dungeon into the world or phasing in from using a Wayshrine, though this quickly tends to drop to the normal 11-17.

So this leads me to ask; is it just my rather crappy processor stuff causing this painful lack of frames, or could it be more of an issue with the game not being properly optimized? I've got all my drivers updated, I've tried turning off my add-ons, I try playing in full screen/windowed, I turn all my settings down to the lowest/off...and still I can't seem to hit above 15 FPS on average when outside and roughly 20 when in a closed area like a building. Yes, my computer's specs are below the minimum requirement in some areas, but I was honestly thinking it wouldn't cause such a massive drop in performance. Also, what leads me to think it might at least partially be an optimization issue is several of my Guildmates running higher-end machines also report getting ridiculous drops in FPS quite often, sometimes as little as 2-5 (which happens to me but very rarely),

I've gotten used to the low FPS in general but I always get disappointed when they hit around 30 in an enclosed map, only to rapidly sink to 12 or 15 when I head back outside. I'm not sure what else I can try doing other than replacing my processor or getting a new rig entirely. Seeing as I don't exactly have the money for either of those options currently, I'm really hoping there's just some optimization that needs straightening out. I don't care about 60 or 80 or 100 FPS, I'll settle for 30-40 on a regular basis x__x.

Here are some computer specs, so people can tell me if there's any hope in getting better performance or if I'm stuck with what I got until I can upgrade:

OS: Windows 8.1 64-bit
Processor: 1.40 gigahertz AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
Multi-core (2 total)
RAM: 4GB
Video Card: AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics (Dedicated Video Ram minimum is 512MB but I have 384MB)

oeb17_ESO · April 2014

Im amazed that you even got it to run on that wooden pc u got there.
Is this a laptop ?
All Hardware in there needs a upgrade to run it faster.

Arunei · April 2014

Nah, it's a desktop, but I also just got it like last year, so even if a few things aren't quite "there", I would assume it should still run well enough.

Mind you I'm not looking at maximum setting requirements here, just minimum requirements to run at something above a stutter lol. Like I said, I'm totally okay with only getting 30-40 fps on average.

Like I said though, I don't really have have the funds to do an entire overhaul of my hardware or get a new rig. I plan on moving to TX before next winter and I'm currently saving all my money that isn't going to food, living expenses, and ESO/Netflix/XBox Live sub fees. So if it's a matter of ugrading or dealing, I'll just have to deal.

Elvikun · April 2014

Honestly, I think it's your computer, it's not exactly powerfull. The game has relatively high requirements (especially on CPU it would seem) for smooth running.
Then again, I can't complain, I've yet to see it dip under 60FPS on Ultra, as it usually keeps around 90. (Sorry, bought a new computer and have the urge to mention it randomly.)

michaelpatrickjonesnub18_ESO · April 2014

1.4 ghz? You know how bad that is?

And 4GB of ram, with an HD 7310, with 384 MB.

This stuff is not only bottom of the spectrum. It's completely off the spectrum.

You can not play this game.

Arunei · April 2014

One of the best parts of getting a new rig is to brag ;P.

But yeah, when I originally got this I didn't really intend to do any intensive gaming on it. Meh, I need a new computer that is specifically made for gaming but until I move and save a few checks, I won't be getting anything but below-average FPS it seems.

michaelpatrickjonesnub18_ESO wrote: »

1.4 ghz? You know how bad that is?

And 4GB of ram, with an HD 7310, with 384 MB.

This stuff is not only bottom of the spectrum. It's completely off the spectrum.

You can not play this game.

As far as not being able to play, idk, I seem to be doing fairly well for a computer that apparently "can not play this game" -__-. There's a difference between being unable to run a game at all and not getting stellar performance. And I think it should be obvious from the specs that this isn't a gaming computer, thus my asking if there was anything I could do other than upgrading hardware or whatever.

Elvikun · April 2014

Arunei wrote: »

As far as not being able to play, idk, I seem to be doing fairly well for a computer that apparently "can not play this game" -__-. There's a difference between being unable to run a game at all and not getting stellar performance. And I think it should be obvious from the specs that this isn't a gaming computer, thus my asking if there was anything I could do other than upgrading hardware or whatever.

Honestly, you can run it, but I would not expect mora than 10-15 FPS average, combined ith ocasional "pure slideshow" and some crashes as the game runs out of memory.
Also I would be worried about chips exploding in Cyrodiil during some of the bigger sieges.

Honestly, I don't think you can do much about it, apart from playing on lowest resolution and settings and perhaps getting some Game booster or the likes.
If you were to upgrade, it might be good to consider that the game seems to put heavy load on CPU and exceptionally light load on GPU (at least that is the case for me).

Arunei · April 2014

Yeah, basically was asking if there was a way to expect more than what I'm getting. Wasn't hoping for much but figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. As far as PvP goes I probably won't be doing much of that, as I doubt my poor computer could handle it. The last thing I want is for it to burst into flames before being devoured by the planes of Hell.

I already tried playing on lowest settings, including lower resolution, and it doesn't seem to really matter much. So for now I have some things turned up a bit so the world isn't too bland and untextured.

When I get a new computer in the future I'm going to hunt around for one that's designed specifically for gaming, but I'll keep in mind to also look for one with a strong processor(s) for ESO in particular.

WylieCoyote1511 · April 2014

I have this and not getting much better fps in ESO

Arunei · April 2014

I'm good at getting computers running right, at telling you things to try to get your internet working, and finding things via clever wording and serious search engine exertion. But it's like trying to read Braille when I look at specs, since I never really needed to worry about them before. Are your specs really good then? I honestly can't tell lol.

Either way, I feel your FPS pain.