I just got this game in the Insomnia sale. The problem is, the frame rate will not go above 24 FPS. The really weird thing, well one of the really weird things, is that settings and resolution make virtually no difference whatsoever. I am receiving almost exactly the same frame rate at 1080p with everything maxed, as I am at 720p with everything on low.

I loaded up RivaTuner Statistics Server, and found the following:

1080p, max settings:
* CPU usage ranges from 58% to 82%
* GPU usage ranges from 97% to 98%
* GPU temperature is 47 degrees celsius
* RAM usage is at 71%
* FPS is 15 frames per second

720p, lowest settings:
* CPU usage ranges from 58% to 76%
* GPU usage ranges from 39% to 48%
* GPU temperature is 40 degrees celsius
* RAM usage is at 70%
* FPS is 24 frames per second

I have V-Sync disabled in the game's options, and I have set PS_FRAMERATE_LIMITER_DISABLED using Nvidia Inspector. I am at my wit's end. Please, someone tell me this is a joke or I am missing something obvious. I can't believe I spent money on this.

I'd totally understand if my system just wasn't up to snuff, but Riva seems to suggest I still have quite a bit of elbow room in CPU, GPU, and RAM. It's bizarre.

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0ghz
Nvidia GT 730 2GB GDDR5
4 GB DDR3 RAM
Windows 7 64-bit

I disabled V-sync, dynamic lighting, HDR, ambient occlusion, set everything down as far as it could go. It just doesn't seem to help. I mean, technically I get an extra 9 FPS, but going from 1080p at max settings (including anti-aliasing) to 720p at the lowest settings the game offers, you would expect to see a bigger FPS boost.

I highly recommend Gentlemen of the Row for Saint's Row 2. You're probably going to have lots of problems without it. You'll still have some even with it.

Don't give up though. SR2 is pretty fun. I managed to finish it without too much trouble once I got everything working OK.

Driving is never going to be good though, unfortunately.

I apologize for the delayed response. I had uninstalled Saints Row 2, and had to reinstall before I could try the mod. Unfortunately, it makes essentially no difference. I rarely manage to peak at 26 FPS on 720p, everything low/disabled, but the vast majority of the time it's the same 24 FPS.

Thank you for trying to help just the same, I really do appreciate it.

I just compared the GOG version with Steam version. Without fps lock (removed nvinspector profile on GOG version) I manage to get 60fps (for a short while) in steam version on GOG it's not even reaching 30fps.

Edit: And I did another test. Only using gog's exe and everything else from the steam version (I even uninstalled the gog version) I got the same result. You can see this even during the intro credits:

GOG version 32fps
Steam version: 60fps

It seems as if GOG did change the executable after all and added some kinf of additional fps lock :(

Are the file sizes equal? If yes, can you check how many bytes have been changed?

No, they are not the same size.

GOG: 11852 KB
Steam: 12188 KB

Very interesting. Changes of that kind aren't that easy without the source code. I would call it irony considering that CD Project did the PC port and lost the souce code.

The size difference is because this one doesn't have the Steam DRM loader on it.