Beware: Dual Core Optimizer & Arma2

[*NOB*Perica 10]

I don't know if this has been posted before but I felt the need to share this with you.

I recently downloaded the latest version of the DCO:

http://support.amd.com/us/Pages/dynamicDetails.aspx?ListID=c5cd2c08-1432-4756-aafa-4d9dc646342f&ItemID=153

because my Bioshock apparently has known issues utilizing both cores.

Few hours later, I fire up my Arma2 and realize my framerate droppes constantly 5-6 FPS on average.

I was like wtf, I triple checked my CCC settings, whatever I did, instead of usual 30-33 FPS I was getting 25 or so. I even defragmented my partition..did everything possible, even reinstalled the drivers. Guess what? The problem was still there.

So, I decided to uninstall the above mentioned DCO utility using Revo uninstaller. Still, framerates were crap...

THEN, I remmembered in one of the threads I read something about boot.ini modified by the software and compared my generic boot.ini (backup file) with the current one.

The current one had an additional entry at the end:

[boot loader]

timeout=30

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS

[operating systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /usepmtimer

As soon as I removed the /usepmtimer, my Arma2 performance was back in the game!

I have Athlon II X2 250 Dual Core @3.1 ghz.

That's it, hope this info proves helpful to you!

Edited August 15, 2009 by *NOB*Perica

[randir14 10]

I use Windows 7 64 bit and the game started running better when the new version of dual core optimizer was installed.

[Alex72 1]

You dont need the optimizer in Win7. At least thats how i understand it. As Win7 handles multi core better than XP. Think i read that somewhere.

I dont use it in Win7 and my FPS is great. Better than XP with DCO.

[mosh 0]

I used DCO with XP. When I upgraded to Vista I was advised to stop using it. I use Windows 7 now and it does not require it either.

If I find the source (I know for myself, but some of you might want proof) I'll edit this with a link or two...

***EDIT***

Looks like there is a newer version, as of a few weeks ago, for vista and possibly windows 7 (which should NOT need it)... still, I have no need for it and won't use it... anyways, here is the article i read

Edited August 15, 2009 by Mosh
more info

[-TwK-Danny 0]

No, it was just missing on the website. I contacted AMD and told them to fix their site so that you could download the DCO again. Hence the recent "updated".

So its not new, but the current 1.1.4 version, wich is supported for Vista aswell as XP.

[MadCatChiken 10]

Just quick question, does this program effect quad-core systems or is it just for dual core?

[Binkowski 26]

I'm downloading the new version and will post my performance improvements / drops.

[SWAT_BigBear 0]

Supposedly it's not needed for Vista nor W7.

On my pc it helped both OS for playing Ravenshield. If I do not enable "gaming mode" (that option doesn't show up on most dual cores), Ravenshield hangs with an intro video that just loops over and over. Other wise, DCO shows me no performance gains nor loses.

Cpu's, 2 FX-74's (2X2)