Introduction
I have fiddled with lots of settings and have finally found a setup that lets me play the game in 1024x768 (external monitor!) with a playable frame rate (in space 15 to 30 FPS, in cities on planets 7 to 12 FPS). Compared to PCs optimized for gaming, this rate is very low, but it's the best compromise between visual quality and speed a Netbook with the given specs can offer.
If you don't own a netbook, please don't blame me on playing with mine -- it's the only computer I have, and there is no possibility for something faster in the next time(s).
Basics
First, all performance tips Vice has given in this thread should be followed.
I replaced my former Avira with Avast, as this is very unobstrusive. I also tried AVG, but it was even worse than Avira.
I disabled many Windows services not necessary. Especially searchindexer is a real resource eater -- so if you use the Windows Desktop Search, don't allow searchindexer to start automatically.
Before starting EL, I close every program, even explorer. I start EL by running it manually from the task manager.
If you have only 1 GB of RAM and to share it with the graphics card, you should have at least ~750 MB free physical (!) RAM before issueing this command. Close apps until you reach this number.
Note: If you freshly booted Windows, it might need take a little time until you see this amount -- observing task managers shows that more and more physical memory is available with every second, often starting with something like 500 MB, slowly increasing to 600, and higher. You might consider to wait some minutes before starting EL (however, once you've started it, it will grab all RAM it can get, so it does not _really_ matter).
Directly after calling EL, close the task manager before EL shows up, because the task manager needs about 7 MB precious RAM.
Note: See below if you want EL to run with higher than normal processor priority.
Driver Settings
The next step should be to upgrade to the latest graphics driver and to choose well-working 3D settings. You can stick with the latest offical driver, but there exist also some modded versions here which are expected to perform slightly better. I have not experienced any problems with these drivers, but I can't confirm if they have a positive influence. You might check it out for yourself.
Regarding settings, at least for me the following set works fine:
(please note that I have a German version of the driver, thus the names of the settings may differ; I simply start with the first one, then going down)
Asynchronous Change: Off
Triple Buffering: Off
Flipping Policy: Flip
Depth Buffer: 24-Bit
Force S3TC Texture Compression: On
Force FXT1 Texture Compression: On
Driver Memory Footprint: High
Texture Color Depth: 16 Bit / Texel
Anisotropic Filtering: Off
Game Settings
Then, it's obvious that you need to set all graphics settings to low, including the star's quality. You should also disable the cockpit.
Keep, however, the background nebula, as they add very much to the beauty of the game.
Window mode should be 1024x768, 16 Bit, full screen (fixed) with max. vsync.
Processor Speed
Recent Intel processors, incl. Atom, include a technology called SpeedStep, changing processor speed depending on the needs. At least for me, SpeedStep has to be enabled in BIOS settings -- otherwise, the processor runs with the lowest possible speed.
Then, it is possible to increase processing priority of EvochronLegends.exe -- players of other programs report that this can bring an additional performance bonus. In the process tab of task manager, right-click on EvochronLegends.exe, then "Priority". Choose "Above Normal" or "High" (but don't use "Real Time", because you still need processor time for input devices, for example).
Tweaking GMA Clock Frequency
The biggest performance gain is added by unlocking constraints put on most mobile versions of the GMA 950, such as the GM 945 Express and similar families. Usually these mobile versions run with only 166 MHz, although the chips are built for and tested with 400 MHz. This is locked mainly to use less power.
There exists, however, a tool that can force the chip to use higher frequencies. The tool is called GMABooster, it can be downloaded from here and it allows you simply to select the desired speed (166 MHz, 200 MHz, 250 MHz or 400 MHz).
Note that this is no real overclocking -- power consumption is increased minimally, and it has no negative thermal effects; the chip won't be damaged, as it performs in its normal range.
Regarding GMABooster note also that you have to repeat this setting after every boot, as it is not stored in BIOS or anywhere.
There might be other possibilities to do the same trick -- I know that on Linux it's possible to enter some cryptic terminal commands to achieve the same effect. Perhaps something similar exists on Windows, too, because GMABooster is donationware -- if you don't donate, GMABooster will stop to work after 7 days and you have to re-download and re-install it for another 7 days. This is a bit annoying, but as one can decide on the amount of money, it might be okay. However, if you know some other method, let me know, so I can update this thread.
Theoretically, increasing the clock frequency to 400 MHz can give a 2,4 (i.e. 240%) boost on graphics speed, but this highly depends on the applications and is very unlikely.
Usually, 25% are normal, which is not much, but better than nothing.
Conclusion
When I played EL the first time in multi player, Babylon 5 told me that my frame rate was 7 to 12 FPS, even when I was in nearly empty Sapphire space. I had 1024x768 with the game graphics settings above, but without applying Vice's tips and the driver settings.
I then started to play in 800x600 16 Bit and had 12 to 18 FPS. While the frame rate was okay for me, the visual quality was not, because 800x600 16 Bit look really ugly on a TFT screen -- producing nearly unreadable fonts.
Now, with all tips applied and with 400 MHz instead the default 166 MHz, I have the aforementioned 15 to 30 FPS (30 when it's _really_ empty). And this makes the game very well playable
-- I even win dogfights against the AI
Today (this evening) I had the best time ever in EL's multiplayer, and the increased performance was surely one of the reasons for this.
So, perhaps you may profit from my findings, too. I can't guarantee, however, that it will work for you, and of course using tools like GMABooster is your own risk (although nothing negative will happen).
[Edited on 12-9-09 by haloterm]
