News: X3:TC Update 1.4 now available for download

[Jeckhyl]

Can anyone confirm how the performance is with the 1.4 patch, is there significant improvements on fps? It is the only thing that is holding me back from getting this game

E6600 @ 3.0ghz
9800 GTX +
4 GIG RAM

I have the feeling that most of the big performances problems are seen with computers with 4 Go Ram inside. I had serious troubles with other games (Age of Conan for exemple) when I used 4 Go (with a 32 bits OS), and all went fine when I removed 1 Go.
atm I have the same config than you (but my E6600 isn't o/c and still runs at 2.4ghz) and don't have real troubles (except some short freezes when new ships enter in already crowded zones).

PS sorry for the froggie english, mate.

[Wesdon Jannston]

Yeah, unless your OS is 64 bit, 3 gigs is your max. That extra gig will either be invisible, or it will make your overall system performance dramatically worse.

[Cycrow]

I'm reinstalling as we speak, as I was worried that the patch might have messed with the dat/cat files I had to place into my x3 folder for some scripts. Anyways, for next time, what would be the propper upgrade procedure using a rather heavily scripted X3?

Thanks for the patch Egosoft and Merry Christmas

if everything was installed via thep lugin manager, then open that and select, "Prepare Patch Mode".

install the patch.

then back in the plugin manager, goto "Restore Patch Mode"

and it should work out the update automatically and rename any of your patch files to fit in wiith the new files.

if you have cat/dat files that were installed without the plugin manager, then you will need to rename them manually before installing the patch

[paulms1980]

cheers cycrow for the info
just remove the cat n dat files or the script completely?
or do i jus move the manually added files n copy them bak over after?

[Terre]

Have any of the station models been corrected; chiefly the Dumbfire Missile Production Complex and the Flower Farm, if so - will this only effect newly placed factories.

[Cycrow]

cheers cycrow for the info
just remove the cat n dat files or the script completely?
or do i jus move the manually added files n copy them bak over after?

move them out and rename them back after would work fine

[ollSNAKEllo]

I'm reinstalling as we speak, as I was worried that the patch might have messed with the dat/cat files I had to place into my x3 folder for some scripts. Anyways, for next time, what would be the propper upgrade procedure using a rather heavily scripted X3?

Thanks for the patch Egosoft and Merry Christmas

if everything was installed via thep lugin manager, then open that and select, "Prepare Patch Mode".

install the patch.

then back in the plugin manager, goto "Restore Patch Mode"

and it should work out the update automatically and rename any of your patch files to fit in wiith the new files.

if you have cat/dat files that were installed without the plugin manager, then you will need to rename them manually before installing the patch

Tnx for the info, was about to ask that

[Scoob]

Hi,

Firstly cheers for 1.4 a most unexpected gift!

Secondly, this patch has done something...unexpected...

I have a Q6600 @ 3.4, running Vista 64. I tend to give TC cores #2 and #3 to run on while #0 and #1 do 'other stuff'.

Anyway, I also have a 2nd monitor and last night (v1.3) I was using it to monitor TC's resource usage. I had the following apps running on my 2nd screen:

1. GPU-Z - keeping an eye on GPU temps
2. Core Temp - checking core load & temp
3. Process Explorer - for general CPU history graphs on all cores, plus checking the X3TC.exe Performance Graph.

Anyway last night, under 1.3, my CPU load showed the following while TC was running:

Core #0: minimal activity, <5%
Core #1: minimal activity, <5%
Core #2: busy with TC, 60 - 95% with the odd blip of 100%
Core #3: fairly busy with TC - 30 - 50%

I assume Core #3 was effectively handling the Graphics thread, where Core #2 was the main game.

Overal CPU usage by X3TC.exe was reported as between 22 and 30% while playing TC. Oddly pausing this game only reduced overall CPU use by 3-5% - weird.

After patching to 1.4 today I'm simply continuing my game but I notice the following:

Core #0: minimal activity, <5% UNCHANGED
Core #1: minimal activity, <5% UNCHANGED
Core #2: busy with TC, 50 - 75% average, hits 85% even now & again
Core #3: fairly busy with TC - 50 - 75% average, hits 85% even now & again.

Looks like cores #2 and #3 (the ONLY ones I've allowed TC to use) are much more evenly balanced. Overall CPU usage by X3TC.exe is now reported as being higher at 25 to 35% for the most part.

Gameplay certainly feels a lot more fluid, a definite improvement, and those large complexes many of us like to build are once more having a reduced FPS hit when viewing. Good stuff!

FYI I just simply patched my game & carried on playing where I left off last night. I've been in a few minor skirmishes, viewed a Colossus and attending fleet get jumped by an Odysseus and its fleet - quite a battle that, Colossus went down early but it's escorts & the 20+ fighters it managed to launch before hand took down the Ody...big fight & no noticable slow down as I watched.

Rather pleased with 1.4...was happy with 1.3 performance for the most part already

Probably could have just said '1.4 = Good' but I'm a nerd with two monitors

Cheers,

Scoob.

[bigmacmonster]

This is the kind of support that makes these games so enjoyable
Its always getting better


Happy Christmas & A Happy New Year

[Creston]

Thanks Egosoft, and many many many thanks to Gazz for his work in fixing the 900000000000000000 broken turrets!

Creston

[dinac29]

Just wondering if maybe the same people at Egosoft that talked to Steam about 1.3 could make the call early about 1.4. I'd really suck to spend all the next week waiting for the patch again.

Seemed like as soon as someone got onto Steam about their timetable they got off their butts and posted the patch. I know there are validations to be made about compatibility with Steam etc

[fred3535]

many thanks keep up the good work and merry christmas

[Creston]

Yeah, unless your OS is 64 bit, 3 gigs is your max. That extra gig will either be invisible, or it will make your overall system performance dramatically worse.

3 Gigs is NOT your max. Your max is 4 Gig - (sum of all other memory that needs to be addressed). So if you have a 512 MB card, your total usuable memory would be ~ 3.5 Gig. And the idea that your performance is dramatically worse is just nonsense. I have a 4 Gig machine and 80+ games installed, they all run just perfectly fine.

I have the feeling that most of the big performances problems are seen with computers with 4 Go Ram inside. I had serious troubles with other games (Age of Conan for exemple) when I used 4 Go (with a 32 bits OS), and all went fine when I removed 1 Go.

I would hazard a guess that that 1 GB was faulty and you got lucky when you removed it. There is no downside to having 4 Gig on a 32 bit OS. You won't get to use ALL of the 4 Gig, but this mythical tale that the extra Gig completely nukes your computer is just that : a myth.

Creston

[kennet0508]

I WAAAAAANT the pirate galleon turrets fixed, the way it is now makes me wanna cry... also made me stop playng for a while since that is a crucial factor to me =(

or is it fixed? =P THANKS for the patch anyways, keep up the work!
great job implementing gazz's turretfix aswell!

[fud]

Just wondering if maybe the same people at Egosoft that talked to Steam about 1.3 could make the call early about 1.4. I'd really suck to spend all the next week waiting for the patch again.

The 1.3 patch was released on a Thursday, it was available on Steam the following Tuesday. Given they have to encode the exe themselves, I'd say this is wholly acceptable. Even if it took a whole week, it'd be acceptable.

Seemed like as soon as someone got onto Steam about their timetable they got off their butts and posted the patch. I know there are validations to be made about compatibility with Steam etc

You may have misread the 1.3 thread. I don't recall that being the reasoning, nor the "discussion" between BurnIt! and Steam.

You make it sound as if an ultimatum was given, that was not the case.

Fact of the matter is, Steam will release it when they release it. Egosoft has no real control over it.

[GBlair4811]

My own theory on the steam delay was that they were having trouble with the DRM until Ego gave them a hand with it. At least thats the signals I was getting, the proper patch for steam users was giving a DRM error, so thats probably the kink they had to work out. Hopefully they picked up how to fix it and will get 1.4 out sooner (work days wise).

Even then tho, we (steam users) probably will not get to see the patch until next year, what with it being the holidays and all. Game patching isn't exactly necessary for the world to go round so I highly doubt they will work it out over christmas / new year. If we are extremely lucky the patch team might work 1 day in between and manage to squeeze it out.

I am not going to flame steam for it, nobody is perfect, perfect example being some people here still need to learn the virtue of patience .

[H.F._Mudd]

... some people here still need to learn the virtue of patience .

Wow! This is why I love Egosoft... Steam, not so much.

[TTD]

Firstly,I'd like to say thank you to Egosoft for proving that they listen to us and continue to develope our beloved game universe.HAPPY XMAS etc.

I am downloading tonight !

Seems some still want everything at once.
There is a saying Rome was not built in a day
Just wait for new patches , or work on the problems and send in your fixes.

Me? I just wish I could programme again,but I can only do so much with my time,so I enjoy what time I can playing X-series.

Getting into TC now and done a few low-key missions while exploring and upgrading etc.

[supakillaii]

Well, back to GC2 TotA while waiting for 1.4.

Merry christmas Egosoft & Fellow Xverse fans

Edit1: And mods! Don't forget the mods you dimwit

[Uk_skid]

Sorry if this has been covered before, but if we upgrade from 1.3 to 1.4, do we have to restart the game to appreciate/use the new patch or will it work with saved games on patch 1.3?


Many thanks for the hard work guys, have a great Xmas everyone!