Startup Options and performance
The Diablo II Startup Options dialog screen provides two options which can affect performance.
Video Test
This option allows you to select hardware acceleration modes, or to run in software mode. To use hardware acceleration your video card must have at least 8 MB of RAM installed on it. Enabling hardware acceleration will generally improve performance.
Some hardware acceleration modes allow you to choose a target color depth. Reducing the color depth to it's lowest setting will improve game performance.
Share Processor Time
This option will run Diablo II at a lower priority level so that the other applications such as internet connection software have processor time available for essential tasks. Only disable this option if you are sure your internet service provider does not require a stay alive ping from their connection software. Disabling this option will improve game performance.
Music and performance
Disabling music in Diablo II will reduce the amount of work your processor has to do. This can improve performance on older computers.
To disable music in Diablo II, press the ESC key.
Then click on the Sound Options item in the menu that appears.
Next click on the Music Volume slider and drag it all the way to the left.
Press ESC again to return to the game.
Graphics options and performance
When hardware acceleration is enabled various graphics options can be disabled to improve performance.
To view the graphics options, press the ESC key.
Then click on the Video Options item in the menu that appears.
Lighting Quality
This option adjusts the level of blending light sources have. There are three quality settings, High, Medium, and Low. Turning this option to its lowest setting will increase performance.
Blended Shadows
This option blends the edges of shadows on the screen. Turning this option off will increase performance.
Perspective Mode
This option dynamically scales sprites to simulate the visual effect of perspective. Disabling this option will make the game seem flatter but will increase performance.