NPC Load Times - Solutions?

Hey all,

I think it would be helpful to explore a solution for slow-loading NPCs. While I know that this will start a "its ur rig" and "its tehe server lag" debate, I do have some insight - in particular, a good example that suggests it is not server related.

Here is the example:

Player 1: running a Radeon HD 5450, updated drivers, AMD Phenom II (x6), 800w PSU, 8gig Ram

Player 2: running a Radeon HS 5770, updated drivers, AMD Phenom Black Edition (x4) 965, 850w PSU, 4gig Ram

Player 3: running a Radeon HD 4750, updated drivers, AMD Dual-core 945, 500w PSU, 2 gig Ram

All 3 are running Windows 7 (64bit)

The problem: player 1 expriences very poor NPC load times, while player 2 and 3 have no issues. Moreso, player 1 and 2 live in the same home, with player 1 directly connected to the router while player 2 is connected via wireless hub (ethernet cable connected to hub).

Based on the above information, something leads me to believe that player 1 has an issue in settings that is causing this slow load time. All settings are on standard or low - the same as player 3.

I should also note that player 1 has no additional lag issues - mobs spawn quick, no delay in WSs, etc. Just NPC loading.

Any ideas would help.

Are all player's settings identical? I'm not just talking about in-game either (but that is included).. Are all computers running identical desktop resolutions? Are all running comparable amount of background programs? Are all in-game settings absolutely identical?

Somewhere player 1 has settings, or something, different from 2 and 3.. But for me to figure it out, I'd need to be there to play with different settings and observe the results myself.

That's the mystery of it all. I'm not there to play with it. But the suggestion of screen resolution might be something to explore a bit. Good idea!

As far as background programs, no - there isn't anything that would be stiffling the GPU or CPU.

It would be great to figure this out. I will post back with any solutions.

I'd be inclined to also look at differences in hard disk setup, including the physical drive specs, logical partition layout, current fragmentation levels.

I notice a huge amount of disk activity when I run into an area with alot of NPCs or PCs, so that's where I'd be looking. Is there also a considerably longer black loading screen on login on the first pc?

May want to try defragmenting the HDD, FFXIV has over 140k files ~_~

I have a setup with SSD and another without, the difference is hueg like 3 xbaxs.

are settings in CCC the same also?

Yes, all the same. I had hoped for that to be the easiest solution. The whole situation doesn't make any sense, thus, driving me nuts.

Again, thanks for all the suggestions. I know a lot of people have trouble with this so finding answers would make the whole game experience that much more fulfilling for everyone.

Is the setup with the problem running crossfire?

Also, did they play the beta and, if so, did they uninstall the beta before installing the game?

This.

My bet is using a SSD would give a noticeable improvement in any type of player/npc model loading.

Here's an example from WoW, but I bet 14 would benefit in a similar way too.