Age of Mythology: Extended Edition is known to have a whole host of issues relating to poor optimisation, performance, you name it, and whilst these were somewhat improved with the last two updates (2.7 and 2.8) there is still a lot to be desired.

The biggest issue of which is that much like the original game, Ex can turn your CPU into less a CPU, and more an esoteric oven.


Why does this happen? Well essentially CPU overcooking is due to poor optimisation, and the device using more power than it needs to, resulting in excess power being turned into heat. This is bad; pure and simple, and like me most people do not have the money, time resources, or lack of intelligence to invest in liquid cooled computers (which like water beds are cool, and work, but once they go; you've just lost thousands of dollars like a Mississippi flood)

In this guide, I'll be showing you how to prevent AoMEx's CPU cooking.

Boom, big reveal; You will need a NVIDIA GPU, and NVIDIA Control Panel for this guide, whilst there are alternatives for non-NVIDIA users, this guide is NVIDIA.

Frankly if you are playing AoMEx with an Integrated Intel GPU, you should stop using that and invest into a proper GPU anyway.

1) Open Nvidia Control Panel (either use the search function or show hidden icons, right click the Nvidia icon and open control panel)
2) Select "Manage 3D Settings"
3) Select Program Settings tab.
4)
a: Change Max Frame Rate to 30 FPS.
b. Change Power Management mode to Optimal Power.
c. Enable Vertical Sync to ON.
d. If you have multiple core CPU, enable Threaded Optimisation to either AUTO or ON.
5) Apply and restart AoMEX if necessary.

On average AoMEX average CPU temp range (at least on my computer) will be about 59-64 Degrees Celsius at 60 FPS. In contrast the average temp will be 52-56 Degrees Celsius at 30FPS.

Whilst this guide will help the majority of users, there will be some that outright will gain no change or benefit due to using outdated or weak hardware, though said people wouldn't really be able to run the game in the first place (which is why the CTD or Black Screen "bugs" exist)

There's also another issue; whilst the bulk of the game is unaffected by the 60>30FPS change, unfortunately the smooth movement of scrolling will become choppier (though you will get used to it after a bit) However the rest of the game will be unaffected, as ES animated all the PRTs and animations in 30 FPS

I should also mention, this by no means is exclusive to the EX version, this also happens on the original CD version; it's just worse on EX.

Hope this guide helps, Bye!