The Ultimate Guide to Running TF2 Smoothly + Other Options (unfinished)

The Ultimate Guide for Running TF2 Smoothly

So you may be reading this in the hope of getting better FPS (frames per second) in TF2, fear not you've come to the right guide. After getting my 10 year old pc to play tf2 at a high of 100fps from 25fps, you should not worry that you're pc won't cut the chase.

For those with newer computers hopefully your FPS will have increased; but if not read through the Nitty-Gritty Section as well for some drastic quality measures which really lighten up resources.

Old Computer: Pentium 4, Socket 775, ATI Radeon 9200, 1.5GBs RAM
Current Computer: Intel Core-i5-2500k @4.5Ghz, 8Gbs 1600Mhz RAM, AMD Radeon HD6850 OC

'Da Guide

TF2 Options
In Game Video Options
The easiest way to improve performance. Open up options from the main menu and head over to video. The first thing you can do is lowering your resolution for a 10fps+ buff. Next head open the advanced dialog and set options to the lowest or lower than they already are. If you have a multi-core processor enable multi-core rendering

Full Screen Mode
Another easy way to improve FPS is my running tf2 in full screen to make sure you are open your steam library, right click Team Fortress 2 and select properties. Then select launch options and remove anything that says "-windowed, -noborder, -border" and replace it with "-full". Only run in windowed mode if you really need it for Alt-Tab 'ing for example.

TIP: If "-novid" isn't in your options then then add it to remove the Valve and Source intro videos when you open tf2.

Download a FPS Config
There are a lot of FPS Configs made to improve your FPS in TF2 at the cost of lower graphics settings. These configs normally do a better job than simply turning down the quality in TF2 options.

The most popular are Chris' fps configs and m0re's fps configs. To find them go here http://clugu.com/tf2mate/ . High FPS config obviously gives better quality than a Max FPS at the cost of more frames per second. I recommend Chris' High and Max FPS if you only have some difficultly playing tf2 reasonably and m0re's fps configs if tf2 runs nearly unbearably; especially if you have an older computer.

The website posted also holds other options such as customizable crosshairs and network settings, I recommend you read through these before you download the config. When you download the config it'll come with a read-me file with instructions on how to install it, don't hesitate to ask if you don't understand it.

(If you only want to use one of Chris' configs: http://fakkelbrigade.eu/chris/configs/)

TIP: If you like to play 32 player servers it might be an idea to go for an max rather than a high fps config at the cost of visual quality.

TIP2: I highly recommend using a hitsound with the config, search here for non-intrusive hitsounds (Search: Quake 3 and Quake 4)

mat_viewportscale
This cvar added to the game in the 3rd annual Halloween update reduces the distance of rendering

You can enter values between 0.1 to 1. Try starting with mat_viewportscale 0.5 first.


Disable Windows Visual Effects when Running TF2
You should want to disable transparency in Windows 7 / Vista when you're running tf2. To do this in Windows 7 go to your steam installation folder i.e;

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\"Your steam username"\team fortress 2

right click on hl2.exe and select properties, then enable "disable desktop composition" and click OK to apply settings and close.

For Windows Vista settings should be similar albeit named slightly different. For Windows XP select "Disable Visual Themes" which should put XP in Windows Classic visuals when running tf2.

TIP: for overall better performance of your pc disable transparency completely unless you like it.

Defragment Your Computer & Game Files
Most of you will know how to do this but if you don't:
Search "defragment" without quotes in the start menu search bar open the Defragmenter tool up and analyse if your PC needs defragging. (Accessories/system tools/Defragmenter

It's also wise to clear your pc of unnecessary junk, search "cleanup" 7 / Vista and accessories/system tools/disk cleanup for XP

After defragging your computer open up tf2 properties, select the local files tab and defragment your game cache files. When this is complete also select 'verify integrity of game files'.
Even if your fragmented files are 1% you'll see improvement on areas where you're computer slowed down before.

Try downloading these "better" programs to enhance the job of default windows ultilities
http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner - Disk Cleanup
http://www.piriform.com/defraggler - Defragmentation


TIP: Wiki Page on Defragmenting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defragmentation

Disable Unnecessary Background Services + Advanced
This may sound like another obvious one to you but disable stuff you don't need when you use your computer. If you have things running in your windows tray which you don't need to have running then close it. Namely the only thing you'll want running in in TF2 is Windows, Steam and your Antivirus software. Type msconfig in start, search and under the start-up tab see what you don't need. You'll probably reconise some names so unless you print a lot disable printing software from start-up. If you are unsure Google is your friend and search the full name of the item.

You can also disable unnecessary windows services that run in the background which use resources on your pc. Go here for a list of services that can be safely turned off, or set to manual.

TIP: In msconfig, under the boot tab select nogui boot to decrease about 5 seconds from your start-up. Also change the timeout to 3 seconds if you only have windows installed.

GameBooster
A program that does some of the things i've mentioned here already when you boot a game, the downside is it's using resources running in the background, older machines are defiantly going to notice it.
For those interested: http://www.iobit.com/gamebooster.html


Advanced Options to speed up windows: http://www.askvg.com/master-tutorial-to-make-your-windows-7-super-fast/
Disable Unnecessary Services: http://www.askvg.com/windows-7-services-that-can-be-safely-set-to-manual/

Intel Integrated Graphics Options
If your computer has integrated graphics there are a couple of settings which will aid your FPS config which will give you more fps. Even i don't have a computer with integrated graphics as of right now, if you right-click your desktop look through the options you'll should find a option which opens your graphics software. If you have a intel pentium, or core i'X' you'll find some settings and sliders which give more performance over quality - you will unlikely see much difference if you select performance options when using windows normally or playing videos.

Here are some links give more detail on how to improve your graphics here:
- http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/cs-012644.htm (Most of this is explained in the nitty-gritty section)
- http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/vcsource-tools-intel-gpa/ - Performance Analyzer

TIP: Whatever graphics card you have make you have the latest drivers, visit the manufacturer's website to find out i.e. AMD, Intel, Nvidia

(Will re-write this part soon and put some more information out)

THE NITTY_GRITTY - For the Oldest, Worst Computers

quick links


http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=733 -ati tray tools
http://www.guru3d.com/category/rivatuner/ - rivatuner
These two links can show you how to have a low LOD (level of detail) that your graphic card displays and results in simplistic textures. On newer machines this won't help much if at all but on older machines it can help a lot.

More info http://tf2scout.blogspot.co.uk/2009/07/high-lod-picmip-hack-for-tf2.html



(more to come here, fear not)

YAY

Thank you for the info
Been wondering why TF2 has been laggy for me lately and this may just solve it

How about just having a modern PC with a real graphics card? TF2 is a 5 year old game and recommends a single core processor running at 3.0 ghz. But for the people who are reluctant to do this, its useful info *Dr.Ruelel COUGH*

Gonna add it to nitty gritty section

Not everyone has at least $600 bucks at a time, just thought it'll be helpful.

I just wanted to point out that in the video options, you have the option to increase your field of view up to 90 degrees, even in 4:3 format.

tl;dr

Gamebooster also helps by stopping unnecessary processes and programs while gaming and turns them back on when you're finished playing.

Avast! Antivirus has a "gaming" mode that keeps it, if not off, at least quiet.

Haven't finished it yet ;D - wrote most of it at 3am due to insomnia and boredom

You don't need to drop $600 dollars at a time, my Nvidia 450 GTS only cost me $123 it's small things over a period of time.

Thanks for the tips! havent really tried using these cuz my comp is pretty beefy but for those out of town tf2 cravings, i might just use this on my laptop

update: rewrote a lot of it to reduce tl;dr and moved sections around in degree with what people should try first to help fps.

i get 14 fps in ctf_2fort spawn when i leave and walk around about 6 any other map maybe 3 fps if its liek 2 ppl lol any thing else idc about graphics at this point ^_^

Good thing i have an i7 ^_^

I thought running. Tf2 windowed would. Increase. Fps: (