Testing your system's memory for SW3DG games.

Post by **Vice** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:07 pm

I've put together a small utility that checks the available memory on your system to help determine if there is enough to reliably run games like Evochron Mercenary and Arvoch Alliance. Details below:

Testing Available System Memory

The program at the link below will test the available consecutive memory on your system. There are 4 tests you can run for different memory limits. Generally speaking, your system will need to pass test 1 to reliably run Evochron Mercenary or Arvoch Alliance. If your system passes the test, the program will display a 'Success!' message and prompt you to press the space bar to close the program. If your system fails the test, the program will just close on its own.

http://www.starwraith.com/evochronmerce ... ryTest.zip

mikeuk · Post by **mikeuk** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:36 pm

Thanks Vice I only get to 2 'Success!';) new computer in the new year;)

Post by **Marvin** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:46 pm

Nice. Thanks, Vice. For once, I can test my computer's memory without then being pestered to buy extra sticks by some third-party vendor.

Post by **Vice** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:53 pm

This program is focused on testing available memory rather than stress testing for reliability, so it differs from other test programs you might be using. The focus of this program is to help determine if your system simply has enough consecutive memory to handle EM or AA.

If you can pass the first 2 tests, then your system has enough memory for the games, including with mods using slightly higher detail. Tests 3 and 4 aren't really important unless you're really pushing the limits of graphics in mods.

This program may also come in handy for anyone wondering if their system has enough consecutive memory for other high resource games.

Post by **Marvin** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 12:03 am

Doing tests 3 and 4, my memory usage never gets above 38% but the program crashes, creating a CrashOn_11_16_11.txt file with 0 bytes (the file is empty).

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 12:34 am

Didn't work for me... got a screen with options but nowhere to click!

Post by **Marvin** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:08 am

Try using your keyboard.

Post by **Vice** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 2:42 am

Doing tests 3 and 4, my memory usage never gets above 38% but the program crashes, creating a CrashOn_11_16_11.txt file with 0 bytes (the file is empty).

Memory usage is only an overall consumption of available capacity. What this program measures is how much of your system's consecutive memory is available to a program. It's a more accurate gauge of just how much memory your system will offer a program. A system might have 4, 8, or even more GB of memory installed, but only provide about 1 GB or less of it to a program, resulting in the kinds of problems (freezing, crashing, error messages) gamers sometimes encounter with high resource games (including some recent releases such as Skyrim and Battlefield 3). If the base memory is being chewed up by other programs running on their system, they can often find that their system has little left for a game. Even if they have a lot of memory installed.

If your system makes it through tests 1 and 2, then you're likely running a pretty lean and efficient setup with enough of its memory available for resource hungry games.

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 6:25 am

My ancient XP passed every test except 4. When I select 4, it starts, but never finishes, and just returns to the file menu.
Don't know if that means anything.

[Edited on 11-17-2011 by MMaggio]

Post by **Marvin** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 7:22 am

It means I'm either tossing this brand new laptop into the trash or replacing Win7 with XP.

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 8:06 am

I think it's a little more than just XP.
While I only have 2 gig of overall memory I have a very good video card and do not have anything running in the background.
Add to that, I regularly update my video card.
But I heartily recommend the XP as an operating system over Win 7

DennyMala · Post by **DennyMala** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 8:42 am

Tested with all background programs that I usually run and passed step 1,2 and 3.

Step 4 crashed something over 180000 outputting an empty TXT file.

Well, seems all ok here.

Post by **DaveK** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 10:35 am

Thanks Vice

Mine (with 8GB fitted and 5.5GB free) actually blobs out at just under 1.8 - it passes 1&2 and nearly passes 3!

It will do me fine!

Itoliog · Post by **Itoliog** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 11:14 am

Thanks vice, a nice little program there.

4 year old laptop, 2gig ram & win xp, passes everything except #4.

Post by **Marvin** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 3:35 pm

I'm going to fire up the old XP machine today (currently in "cold storage" in the garage) and will be sorely vexed if it performs better than the new laptop.

Post by **Vice** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 5:07 pm

New laptops and desktops often come with a hefty load of pre-installed software from the factory. So it's possible that the new system is just running more programs in the background that is using up its base memory. Passing steps 1 and 2 are good results though.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 5:26 pm

Thanks Vice, 1 & 2 passes, 3 almost makes it, to 1.75 of 1.80GB. I have 8GB installed so a lot of resources are being used by my computer!....

Dingo · Post by **Dingo** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 5:41 pm

Passed all four, do I win a prize? Why should Maars get to win everything?

Knight Rider · Post by **Knight Rider** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 5:49 pm

How do you know if you passed? I ran the test for all four, watched it run, after it was done, the screen just clicked out, didn't see a read out, or anything.

49rTbird · Post by **49rTbird** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 5:55 pm

From post: 119772, Topic: tid=8149, author=Knight Rider wrote:How do you know if you passed? I ran the test for all four, watched it run, after it was done, the screen just clicked out, didn't see a read out, or anything.

program will display a 'Success!' message and prompt you to press the space bar to close the program "IF" you pass each one. Press # 1 key then wait. If it says you pass then exit the program and run it agian and press # 2 key. Keep repeating untill you do NOT get a "YOU PASS" messege.

[Edited on 11-17-2011 by thetiebers]

Knight Rider · Post by **Knight Rider** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 5:58 pm

O.k., thanks, I started with the number #4 Key.

Knight Rider · Post by **Knight Rider** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 6:02 pm

I passed 3 out of 4. Thanks Vice this is really a nice tool.

Post by **Marvin** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 6:07 pm

The laptop passed two. The old desktop passed three. My son comes for Thanksgiving. He isn't leaving until the laptop matches the desktop in performance.

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 6:09 pm

LOL, better make up the spare bedroom!

Post by **Marvin** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 6:09 pm

It's already made ... clean sheets and everything.