Source performance guide

[MiddleFinger]

I found some stuff that I think worked well that some people might not know. And hopefully, some of you can help me increase my performance.

these are some console commands that you can use to help increase performance.

cl_interp 0
cl_interpolate 0 (this one makes your screen kinda jumpy from what I've
read, haven't tried it myself though)
cl_lagcomp_errorcheck 1
cl_cmdrate 100
cl_updaterate 100
cl_rate 20000
cl_smooth 0
rate 25000

the first map I tired these on it seemed to help really well. When we changed maps, my performance seemed to drop. I don't know if that means you have to put these in every map or maybe I was just getting tired because it was late at night. If the former IS the case, you can always make an autoexec file.

That's about all I have. If anyone else can give me any performance tips, that would be super cool.

System Specs:
AMD Athlon 1600 (1.4 gHz)
1024 megs pc2100 ram
GeForce FX 5600 Ultra 128
40 gig 7200 rpm HD
Windows XP Pro Service pack 1
Direct X 9
I've turned off vsync on my gpu as well

I usually get about 60 fps in the Video Test protion of CSs, but it seems to drop in the heat of the battle to like 30 or something. I've set all the graphics settings to low, and run in 640X480.
I've read that Direct X 8 works better in some cases. Has anyone tried DX8 as opposed to DX9? Did it make a differance?

Also, any help making the autoexec file mentioned above would be awesome. I tried it using some other guide but it didn't work.

[L1veUndead]

From a post I put up a long time ago. I hope it helps some. The card I have doesnt use DX9 so its being run in DX8. DX8 gets way better frame rate than 9 if you cant run 9 so I would use 8.

http://thegng.org/forums/showthread.php?p=1163#post1163

[MiddleFinger]

I knew that post was around somewhere, I just couldn't find it. Thanks L1ve.

Uh...where can I get DX8 at anyway?

[Animal]

I knew that post was around somewhere, I just couldn't find it. Thanks L1ve.

Uh...where can I get DX8 at anyway?

You dont want to "get it" per se'. You just want the game to NOT utilize all the DX9 goodies. The console command (as per lives post, which he conveniently linked and you obviously didnt bother to read) is mat_dxlevel 70, 80 or 90. I think you can figure out which option you need.

If I may ask, what is it that you guys are trying to accomplish. I play the game with my Radeon 9700 Pro and it's really quite playable. Why go to such great lengths to find all these "super tweaks"? In most cases they just take away from the visual quality of the game and all for what, a few extra FPS?

[L1veUndead]

I myself dont short change any of my settings other than running in DX8. The card I use doesnt support DX9 so I have to take the next best thing. I can run in DX9 but it goes from 80-130 fps down to 30-50 fps. All of my other settings are set to high and I run in the third highest resolution.

[MiddleFinger]

It just doesn't seem to run as smooth as I'd like it to.

[MiddleFinger]

Well, I did some more research and found some useful CVars. It made Source look like crap, but if you're like me, and want to play Source because all your on-line friends play it, and you don't have a PC that's fast enough to play with all the eye candy, (Like me and YokahamaSlim) then this list is for you. I still don't get 1000 fps but my shit doesn't drop to 9 fps in a large battle like usual. Hits seem to register better as well. The first server I joined I got 5 kills the first round. (though it could have been luck) It just seemed to play better, which was what I was after. Not too concerned with eye candy atm. Just want to pwn some nubs with my buds. :biggrin:

cl_phys_props_enable 0 -- disables all the little cans and the rubbish

cl_phys_props_max 0 -- sets range at which props show up

cl_ragdoll_physics_enable 0 -- makes the models disappear once they are killed

cl_show_splashes 0 -- no splashes, i don't know which ones, but who cares lol

cl_smooth 0 -- a little less beauty, but 5-10 more fps

fog_enable 0 -- removes the fog, better fps and visability

mat_bloom 0 -- disables the bloom :)

mat_bumpmap 0 -- removes bumpmapping, but yields a substantial fps gain

mat_clipz 0 -- water wuality taken off, more fps (-dxlevel 90 -clipz 0 in command line)

mat_fastnobump 1 -- faster bump mapping

mat_fastspecular 1 -- faster specular mapping

mat_mipmaptextures 0 -- makes textures lose their quality with distance, more fps

mat_specular 0 -- removes specular lighting but may yield fps gain

mp_decals 300 and less -- how much stuff will be kept in memory like bullet holes in walls, lesser = better performance

r_avglight 0 -- average lighting on objects won't exist anymore (default 2)

r_decal_cullsize 1 -- makes textures look good only when you get close, better fps

r_decals 0 -- no decals, way more fps

r_lod -1 -- worse texture quality, big fps boost

r_propsmaxdist 1000 and less -- less objects fading distance = better performance

r_rainradius 0 -- as i understand it, you won't see the rain

r_rainsimulate 0 -- disables rain, thus more fps

r_rainsplashpercentage 0 -- no splashes on the water from the rain

r_rootlod # -- level of detail, from 1(min) to 7(max)

[MiddleFinger]

just copy/paste into notepad, save as autoexec (file type=all) in the C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\username\counter-strike source\cstrike\cfg dir, and you're all set. I know some of these cancel others out, but hey...it's easier to just use all instead of trying to figure out which ones work best...

cl_interp 0
cl_lagcomp_errorcheck 1
cl_cmdrate 100
cl_rate 20000
cl_smooth 0
rate 25000
cl_showfps 1
fog_enable 0
r_rainsimulate 0
cl_phys_props_enable 0
cl_phys_props_max 0
cl_ragdoll_physics_enable 0
cl_showsplashes 0
mat_bloom 0
mat_bumpmap 0
mat_clipz 0
mat_fastnobump 1
mat_fastspecular 1
mat_mipmaptextures 0
mat_specular 0
mp_decals 100
r_avglight 0
r_decalcullsize 1
r_decals 0
r_lod -1
r_propsmaxdist 1000
r_rainradius 0
r_rainsplashpercentage 0
r_rootlod 1

[Crayola]

My fps is normally 40 and I run direct 9. Im happy with it.

[MiddleFinger]

My fps is normally 40 and I run direct 9. Im happy with it.

Well, I didn't until now. it would fluctuate between 50 and 9. now it runs between 80 and 20. Maybe I should reformat. I haven't in almost a year.

[oreX]

Ever wounder if they implimented a "stopsound" for cs:s? Well they did..and its kinda crappy but here you go:

Bind a key to do this command.

"soundscape_fadetime 9999; soundscape_flush"

Ex.

Bind f7 "soundscape_fadetime 9999; soundscape_flush"

It will remove some of the crappy sounds..but not all of them.

[MiddleFinger]

AMAZING!!! Utterly amazing.
I was home sick from work today and decided to reformat/reinstall and to my great discovery, I'm getting almost DOUBLE the fps. I had no idea that a clean hard disk would have such a great impact on my gaming experiance. Now...you guys need to get on the server so I can pwn you all. :biggrin:

[L1veUndead]

Anyone remember in the old versions of CS the boxes at the top that showed you the weapons. Well I have been playing the whole time where I scroll through my mouse and my weapons just change. I have finally found out how to enable the HUD. Notice when I get caught in a fire fight and I run out of ammo and I start flipping through the bomb, nades, knife, then finally pistol. Well not that I have that fucking HUD working again I will be able to get everything I want at the precise time I want it selected. Fucking w00t! So here is the command to give you those precious little weapon boxes at the top middle of the screen if you see fit using them. I personally liked them.

hud_fastswitch 0

The hud I think is automatically set at 1. Setting it to 0 allows you that special little weapon menu.

[sylverarrow]

.oO, thanks a bunch. I was wondering about that. I do the same thing, I happen to cycle through everything first before my pistol. :neutral:

[Crayola]

Why does everybody use console commands!!!!!!
You can change it at advance settings!111111

[The_Machinist]

I've been playing source since is came out as i'm sure you all have. I'd just like to say that it's awesome. I can't get enough of it. GNG is the only server in my favorites. No one is an asshole there so it makes the playing experience sweet as hell. Just thought i'd throw my two cents in. Peace out.

[Sammie]

thnx machinist

welcome to the boards

[sylverarrow]

Why does everybody use console commands!!!!!!
You can change it at advance settings!111111

so easy to hit '~' and type. why go through all that clicking? :wink:

[Nebula]

Anyone know much about FPS on CS? I normally get somewhere around 50-65... and I can get spikes from anywhere as low as 40, and as high as 100 (in hallways and such)... I have been TOLD that anything over 30FPS is considered 'invisible' to the human eye.... but I dont know how true this really is.... let me know if you have any insight.

[L1veUndead]

The human eye cannot see more than 70 fps. The human eye can however see glitches from anything below 70.

[BOOM]

Is there any kind of console command that can help some of the lag when the server is full. I notice it no matter where i play. I didnt know if the GNG server implements any kind of strings or commands to account for it. I know its not my system....i recently formatted my drive, have a p4 3.6 with a gig of ddr2 and an ATI x800 XT.....so i am assuming its not my machine.....

[L1veUndead]

Source is still in an unperfected form. Lag is just a downfall.