Random lag spikes

I think this has been happening since 2.28, but I've noticed it getting more regular with 2.29 and 2.3. The spikes aren't related to any particular action, they just seem to occur, without any pattern. When a spike occurs, the IN rate drops, and the game slows.

I don't think it's server side, or everyone would be complaining about it. I haven't touched my rates, nor have I made any type of modification to my client. I have a feeling particles might by at fault, as I get particle errors in my console (can't create system, cannot precache, etc).

 

Paste the errors, but I would say there's a 99.999% chance they're unrelated. Particle errors in the console are nearly always map related.

 

i noticed that too
and not only in empires
i get it in two worlds 2 and even (sit tight) IN FREAKING 3DS MAX!!!

this shit seems to occur since i updated my ATI catalyst driver to 10.11
not sure though

 

I haven't updated any drivers.

 

do you have nvidia or ATI?

 

Nvidia GeForce 9400 GT.

 

hmm well i got ATI as said
but since i heard it from mootant that steam fucks up his 3ds max too
that may be the source
(atleast im accusing steam for letting my rightclick menu disappear)

 

Code:

Attemped to precache unknown particle system "heavy_dust"!

This occurs for plenty of other particles. Not sure if it's related or not.

 

A few more errors...

Code:

unrecognized conditional test lowfill?$minfadesize in particle/smoke1/smoke1_nearcull
unrecognized conditional test lowfill?$maxfadesize in particle/smoke1/smoke1_nearcull
unrecognized conditional test lowfill?$blendframes in particle/smoke1/smoke1_nearcull
unrecognized conditional test !lowfill?$depthblend in particle/smoke1/smoke1_nearcull
unrecognized conditional test lowfill?$depthblend in particle/smoke1/smoke1_nearcull
unrecognized conditional test !lowfill?$startfadesize in particle/smoke1/smoke1
unrecognized conditional test lowfill?$startfadesize in particle/smoke1/smoke1
unrecognized conditional test !lowfill?$endfadesize in particle/smoke1/smoke1
unrecognized conditional test lowfill?$endfadesize in particle/smoke1/smoke1
unrecognized conditional test lowfill?$blendframes in particle/smoke1/smoke1
unrecognized conditional test !lowfill?$depthblend in particle/smoke1/smoke1
unrecognized conditional test lowfill?$depthblend in particle/smoke1/smoke1

 

Go fix your computer. Pasting warnings from Empires won't fix anything.