Windows 7: Low FPS when playing Assassin's Creed

Hello,

This is my first time joining a forum, so Im sorry if I have created a wrong thread in a wrong place.

Anyway, this is my specs:

Dual OS: Windows XP SP3 + Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
CPU: Intel Dual Core 3.0MHz
Mainboard: P5GC-MX/1333
BIOS: American Megatrends V0207
Memory: DDR2 4096mb (2 x 2gb)
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT 512mb

I don't know where to start but anyway, I was playing this game first time on xp, it was Assassin's Creed Revelations and it was fine, then I wanted to try Windows 7, and I installed it (I also re-install the game). For few weeks, it ran normally the speed was also normal, until then suddenly it's changed, 'til now Im still playing it though. Well the symptom is, it opened normally, it ran fine, FPS was normal. but after few minutes, its suddenly down and it happened over and over again, the fps just slowing down (maybe like playing at 10-15 fps) just few seconds and it ran normal again, but after few seconds fps is dropping down again, and its normal again, its just like that all the time, so I closed the game (alt+f4). Ive checked the viruses with MSE and MSE detected the viruses, it deleted the viruses, but the problem is still there. But when I tried to play on XP it ran normal and no problem at all, it just happened on 7. Ive updated all the drivers and Windows. It happened just like there is a program running in background, but when I checked on task manager, I couldn't find anything. Until now I still didn't know what's causing it, any help will be appreciated, and Im sorry for my bad English. thx b4

Hi,

Well your graphics card "NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT 512mb" isn't to beefy. Have you tried lowering the graphics settings ingame to see if it gives you a higher FPS?

Let me know how you get on,

Thanks, but it was already at low settings (on 7), even when I play it on xp I didn't have to lower the settings, I mean its not a 'constant' low fps from the beginning until I closed the game, but its just happened after few minutes, and its just happened for about 3-4 seconds, then the speed returns to normal. But when I played it a while ago, it was okay and no problem at all, I don't know if it solved or not. But seriously, does Nvidia GeForce 9400 GT 512mb still not good enough? What is the better graphics card then? Or its just about the 'mb' thingy, and I still have to get higher than that? Like 1 GB? *sigh* then I have to save my money to buy a new graphics card

When you upgraded to win 7, did you also updated your Video and Audio drivers? windows 7 will install newer drivers but those are mainly Generic/Universal drivers than don't do much for gaming... download the drivers from the manufacturer and install those... make sure you uninstall the ones you have now, restart and then install the new ones.

Thanks, Ive searched the update for all my drivers 2 days ago and yes, I have updated all (graphic & audio). But anyway I play it right now and it seems the problem doesn't appear anymore, and after I checked when it slows down I tried to minimize the game and saw that there is a notification said that my audio cable is unplugged. Cause apparently my audio cable seems loose (I think I have to buy a new one ), does plugged/unplugged cable cause the game to slowing down? hmmm Anyway I just bought Assassin's Creed III, and it runs normal . Wew, I think the problem is solved for now, but I don't know if it will re-appear again. Anyway thank you very much for helping me guys. I'll continue my journey as connor right now btw for now or later I think I'll search a thread for "fix hdd error" cause I have a new hard disk problem now on my laptop wew, my problems seem never end and if the problem (about the game) is re-occured, I'll let you know guys, thx

Unfortunately, looking at the minimum requirements of that game, it appears your video card BARELY meets those requirements. I wouldn't expect much out of it to be honest.

Yeah..if we talk about minimum requirements I admit it :P its still not enough especially for Assassin's Creed III, it reeeaaally nasty when it comes to scene which there is a lot of people, like in Boston and NY (AC3), really bad, slow but still playable, cause I really waited too long and I haven't changed my graphics card, so that's the consequence :P

I think the next investment for you would be a new graphics card .