Game ran fine on xp on an older (2006) computer.

When I tried it on a Windows 7 computer a couple years ago and a new computer with Windows 8 last week, it's very choppy. Five second delay every time it goes to a ambassador audience or planet invasion. Choppy delays in combat and ending turns.

Is there any kind of setting workaround? I've updated with the unofficial patch.

The settings on the dosbox emulation is very low, they assume that you have a very powerful computer. CTRL F12 a few times to increase the cycles is what I do. I clears the game right up.

Any amount of cycles above 4000 should be good as long as it is not too high for your computer.

It worked! Thanks. I knew it was same basic DosBox setting I was clueless about.