Thread: CPU load
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Old March 27th, 2015, 04:48 PM
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Default Re: CPU load

The original DOS game took 100% of the CPU, all the time, as did the original Windows conversion.

The windows rewrite will give some CPU time to other processes, when idle, but not all. It only does this as a courtesy to other Windows programmes that may be active. However if minimised, then it takes almost no CPU time, as with any other windows programme.

As its a game, it assumes that you are playing it as the primary purpose of running the computer at that time if it is on the screen. When its doing something, it grabs the CPU, and when its "idle" it will still grab it for screen updates several times a second.

Thus the game is not "idle" simply because the end user is not poking keys currently. It will be continuously pumping out screen updates, especially if the game map is visible.

Games are designed differently from office apps. They hog the CPU, unlike word processors etc - But I designed this one to let the office apps get a look in by giving it an OnIdle event!

If you really need that CPU time to do something else than play the game - then either shut the game down or minimise it to the task bar.

cheers
Andy
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