Combat lag on decent specs, can't figure it out!

[Sarka]

I've been trying to play New Vegas for quite some time now, but ever since I changed hardware, the game doesn't seem to be co-operative. I've tried playing the game on fresh versions of x64 versions of both Windows 7 and Windows 10. The game runs flawlessly until I start combat with 3-4 enemies and it goes down to about 40-48 frames. I've tried threading options in the INI's, I've tried Stutter Remover, NVAC, messing with various settings. I'm willing to try just about anything at this point to play this game. Fallout 3 runs perfectly and I can't figure out the key differences between the two games. I could just shut up and play Fallout 3 but New Vegas still holds a special place in my heart, thank you.





Intel(R) Core(TM) I5-2320 CPU @ 3.00GHz
GTX G80 (4gb VRAM)
8gb DDR3 Ram

[talgaby]

Most likely combat AI bogging down the scripting engine. If you don't experience any microstutter or lag or frame drops outside combat, then it is the only thing I can think of from the top of my head.

[Sarka]

Are you aware of how to stop the overload of the scripting engine from happening? I've tried starting new games on pure vanilla/fresh install versions (No NVSE, NVSR, Mods, etc.) and it still happens. Any help or info would be appreciated :) My understanding of this all is quite basic.

[talgaby]

Try to free up the first CPU core. Don't run programs you don't need; for example, for some reason torrent clients really love to load only the first core, the one this game wants to use.
Stutter Remover has a feature called heap replacement. The documentation next to it explains it in more detail. Enable it and use SR's own one if you are on Win7, or change it to Windows native in Win8.x and Win10.
If you are not playing on Win7, then change the game's compatibility to Win7. There was some update not so long ago that made the game lag for many people.
Programs that try to add an overlay to games don't play well with New Vegas. If you want to monitor frame rate, use the Steam native one. Don't run anything else that may add an overlay. If you use MSI afterburner or something similar, disable the overlay for New Vegas.

There may be other tips, but this game has so many issues and so many solutions that I always only remember a handful at a time.

[Mad]

Unfortunately, no matter what specs you have, during combat with many NPCs, you'll experience frame drops.
Combat AI is badly optimised and that's why you won't see large battles in vanilla (non-modded) game between factions because consoles were already struggling to keep 30 fps.

It's an engine thing and not much you can do about it.