I have read about a lot of people with extreme performance issues...
It is true that i have a good pc but still i want to show some stats here 
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Game: Darwinia (latest version via steam 5.5.2006)
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 Prescott 3.0GHz Socket 478 800MHz bus
------------- http://www.pricerunner.com/computing/compo.../195085/details
Memory: 4x512 Mb (2 GB) Kingston chips @ 400 MHz each
------------- http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurat...VR400X64C3A/512
Motherboard: MS-6728
------------- http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec....ition)&class;=mb
Grapic card: ATI Radeon X800 Pro 256 MB
------------- http://www.thetechlounge.com/article+speci...800+Pro+256+MB/
(U want more info... just ask...)
Darwinia settings...
Screen Options > Resolution > 1600 x 1200
Screen Options > Windowed > No
Screen Options > Refresh Rate > 70 Hz
Screen Options > Colour Depth > 32 bit
Screen Options > Z Buffer Depth > 24 bit
Graphics Options > Landscape Detail > High
Graphics Options > Water Detail > High
Graphics Options > Sky Detail > High
Graphics Options > Building Detail > High
Graphics Options > Pixel Effect > Enabled
Graphics Options > (~60 FPS @ WorldMap)
Sound Options > Sound Library > DirectSound
Sound Options > Mix Frequency > 44 Khz High Quality
Sound Options > Num Channels > 64 Channels
Sound Options > Memory Usage > High
Sound Options > Swap Stereo > Disabled
Sound Options > Hardware3d Sound > Enabled
Sound Options > Realtime Effects > Enabled
Sound Options > (Memory usage ~46 MB)
Sound Options > (CPU Usage ~10%)
Map framerates:
Garden ~120 FPS
Containment ~70 FPS
Mine ~75 FPS
Pattern Buffer ~65 FPS
Reciver ~30 FPS
I know this is kind of a "bragging" topic... but still i've seen a lot of performance issue threads by looking for Darwenia info on google