Superportal Slows Me Down: Help please?

[Maronan]

I just finished playing episode 2 and didn't enjoy it as much as I'd expected to as a result of a particularly nasty bug.

Whenever I look in the direction of the portally ruins of the citadel, the frame rate slows to an unplayable crawl. This happens even if the portal is blocked by an object obstructing the view. Is the superportal just super graphics intensive that it eats up all the available resources? Or is this a particular bug that can be fixed? Most of the rest of the game functions at a normal framerate; it's just this one little bit? except that it's visible for the majority of the game. I keep getting pummeled by hunters while I'm trying to circle around so I can face them with my back to the citadel so I can attack them without the game seizing up. I think my enjoyment of the big finale was significantly increased by the fact that Valve neglected to depict the portal in those scenes!

PS: Am I the only one who's gonna miss Lamarr?

 

[Omnomnick]

The super portal is abit of a graphics whore, but not that much. We'll need specs.

EDIT: And no, we feel your loss. I doubt she is really gone though :'(

 

[Maronan]

If I'm reading the control panel right...

2.4 GHz processor, 3 GB RAM, running Windows XP home edition SP3 on a MacBook, with all the latest Windows and Boot Camp updates.

For what it's worth, the "advanced" panel in the video options suggests I should turn on full HDR and high-detail models as the best settings for my system, though I turned everything down as far as it would go and had this problem anyway. (Incidentally, full HDR reduced lost coast to a crawl, so I ended up playing the HDR demo without HDR. The full HDR option works in episode 1, but I decided to turn it off because the slight decrease in frame rate in high-performance areas is not worth it for a "feature" that blinds me whenever I try to aim at the gunship in the hospital attic.)

And to continue the sub-topic in the postscripts? perhaps I can at least say I'll be the only person who will miss Lamarr more than Eli?

 

[Iron Kat]

Got to ask the obvious question, but you do have a legit copy of the game don't you (i.e. on Steam)?

Also, I'll really miss Lamarr as well. I really hope she's not dead. I think she's a very cute headcrab!

 

[huntingbear]

wut's the vid card

 

[Maronan]

Oh, yes; I peaked through earlier threads about performance issues, so I now realize that anybody asking about such things will be asked whether or not the copy is legit.

Anyway, yes, it's a retail copy of Orange Box from Circuit City.

As for the video card? not very expert here. Downright n00b, in fact. The "unknown video card" warning when I open (any) game says "Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset Family," is this relevant?

Oh, and— is Lamarr visually distinct from the other normal headcrabs you'll find? If she uses the same graphic, debeaking notwithstanding, then it would be difficult to argue that there's only one Hedy.

 

[Iron Kat]

On the Lamarr note, I find all headcrabs cute (yes, I know I'm strange!Lol) but yeah, you're right about Hedy being the same.

Sorry. I can't help you with the video card thing either. I don't know about that.

 

[Freeman85]

As for the video card? not very expert here. Downright n00b, in fact. The "unknown video card" warning when I open (any) game says "Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset Family," is this relevant?

Yes thats a built in card, hence crap and useless.

 

[Omnomnick]

^New card is needed. /thread

 

[Maronan]

Any suggestions?

Or...

Any way to render the game playable without a new video card?

 

[AciD]

Take a look at this FAQ:
Troubleshooting Gameplay and Performance

 

[Freeman85]

Any way to render the game playable without a new video card?

If you want to play games your gonna have to fork out for a video card to run them.

 

[Maronan]

Ah, downloaded new driver for same old video card. Game works perfectly now.

 

[Oreolek]

I don't miss Lamarr.
I miss my old garden gnome.My friend. My companion. My preciousss...