I know that usually, a block in Minecraft will only be loaded into memory if it has at least one of its sides bordering a non-solid block (such as air or torches). A block completely hidden beneath other blocks on all sides will remain unloaded, right?
However, chunk loading errors in FTB Ultimate reveal that XYCraft Quartz Crystals, those thorns of the devil, will always be loaded if the chunk is loaded. Seeing through terrains show the world is absolutely littered with Crystals of Misery (seriously, who the f### thought setting their generation rate THAT high was a good idea? They are used in ONE recipe and useful in exactly zero other ways!). More blocks loaded into memory means more lag.
However, will the blocks the Crappyshards border also be loaded? At first glance it might not seem like they do, after all you only see the crystals and not the block around them, but transparent terrain also shows caves from the inside, meaning that loaded blocks can still be see-through.
I'm asking because I suspect I have an even greater reason to hate those blue suckers than I currently do. When those glittering performance stabbers (hi-res texture AND non-disable-able particle effects? Why, thank you, modmaker!) are seen, you always see a face of a couple of the blocks behind it. Does this mean that the six blocks bordering the even-more-useless-than-Rotten-Flesh Crystals will also be loaded into memory at all times? Are they seven times as CPU-hogging as they first seem?
Tips on how to remove the Spikes of Infinite Frustration without damaging the world will also be met with much joy. If I ever reinstall FTB Ultimate, I'll be more eager to ax XYCraft than to start playing the game. Currently, I'll settle for Quarrying out all the land around my base in an effort to remove them from my sight. I have plans to fill an 1K storage cell with the stuff, and throw it into lava.
