Can I Improve my FPS?

[poed_guy]

Hi all,

I bought HL2 several months ago however since about Jan 25th I haven't been able to play because of updates imposed on CS-S.

Before the updates were released I was sitting on a comfortable 30fps. Now I am lucky to reach 10fps either when joining a server or running my own server. My specifications are:

2gHz Pentium 4 Processor
512MB RAM
Intel Extreme Graphics Chipset 845 Series

The may not be the best in the world but they were running the game up until the update that screwed the game up was released. I believe that the best way to combat the problem would be to lower all my settings to low (currently some are on the default medium setting) however whenever I try to apply any settings changed in the video -> advanced section the game crashes giving me a memory error.

Is there any other way to increase my fps? If not how can I change these settings without the game crashing? (can I do it out of game?).

Thankyou in advance

 

[Ranga]

um.... if you are really wanting to play, you should really have a graphics card...

there are certain things you can do in css. if you type in the console "cl_" then look down the list for effects, decals, etc, and disable or lengthen the draw distance, you might get a 5-10 fps increase, but you should really invest in a graphics card. I only have a geforce 4 ($200 2 years ago, u should be able to get one for $20), but i can get around 50 fps.

as for the crashes, i have no idea

oh, and welcome to the forums! (16)

 

[The Brick]

It won't have any effect for you, but I managed to get a 30-40 fps boost by changing my dirextX setting from 9.0 to 8.1. You can't do this because your graphicschipset probably can't handle dx 9.0.

Rightclick on cs:s > properties > launch options > "-dxlevel 81"
Start cs:s and check andvanced video options if it really is running at dx 8.1.
Quit cs:s and go to launch options again. Remove "-dxlevel 81".
Check video options again.

enjoy

 

[SimonomiS]

It won't have any effect for you, but I managed to get a 30-40 fps boost by changing my dirextX setting from 9.0 to 8.1. You can't do this because your graphicschipset probably can't handle dx 9.0.

Rightclick on cs:s > properties > launch options > "-dxlevel 81"
Start cs:s and check andvanced video options if it really is running at dx 8.1.
Quit cs:s and go to launch options again. Remove "-dxlevel 81".
Check video options again.

enjoy

If it cant run at dx 9, wont it revert to 8 anyway?

 

[The Brick]

If it cant run at dx 9, wont it revert to 8 anyway?

Yes. But if you could, it would be a good idea to change it. If you set dx any lower, you won't get a boost as great as from 9 to 8 (30-40 fps). Actually, you don't get any noticable boost at all. (5-6 fps at most).

 

[SimonomiS]

Also theres a config out there that sets all the graphic options as low as possible, some good cvars and stuff in there, be warned, it makes it look like shit.

 

[Calanen]

2gHz Pentium 4 Processor
512MB RAM
Intel Extreme Graphics Chipset 845 Series

This is the same setup as my laptop, which im assuming is what this guy has. And there is no path to salvation.........

 

[Spectre01]

The easiest way to boost framrates is to get a decent video card. Yours is a piece of shit that no one should use for gaming.

 

[kmack]

ya, a $20 card makes all the difference in the world from where you are.

 

[Vorac1ous]

Exactly, that card he has is a joke. Geforce FX5200's are like $60 US these days, & you'll be able to get atleast 50FPS with that.

 

[DrDevin]

Sorry but you wont be having any luck with that setup right now. It is DX 6 compatible and half life 2 requires DX 7 at least. Since it does not support hardware TnL your CPU has to way to many calculations. Even intels GMA 900 does not have any hardware vertex units so I know you dont. There is nothing you can do unless you find something lucky. I have a fully modified optimized version of HL 2 I was trying to get working on a TNT2 M64 and it just wouldent work after the update so I think you are out of luck and you probably wont get any more performance out of DX 5 mode. Also I got the same memory error when changing settings so again your out of luck. Go for a 9200, 5200 or geforce 4 (not MX) and you should get way better performance in any game.

 

[poed_guy]

Uh, my copy of HL2/CS-S was averaging about 30-40fps before it was screwed up by the update. Now my problem is trying to change the video settings all to low, which I cannot do as the game crashes when I try to apply the settigs (both in game and at the menu). Is there anyway I can prevent the crash or change the settings outside of the game.

PS: My graphics chipset currently runs latest version of DX with no problems. The only trouble I have ever had is the dip in framerates that was caused by an update released 20th January - 30th January.

 

[Lep]

I know this guy named sean that can only get 3 with the same video card.