How can I improve my FPS in CS Source

[NYNY2244]

This is the setup I currently have

Athlon 3600 X2 AM2
Biostar Geforce 6100 AM2
2 GB PC5300 RAM
EVGA Geforce 8600 GT
400 Watt FSP PSU
Seagate 400 GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive

In Counterstrike Source, I can get over 60 FPS a good deal of the time, but there are a lot of instances where the frame rate will drop to around 30-40. To me, it's distracting and makes it harder to play. This especially happens on custom maps and when playing with 16+ people.

I've tried just about everything I can to improve framerate.

I changed video options
used custom configs
changed drivers
tried the microsoft and amd dual core fixes

none of these changed much at all. I can get roughly the same framerate at 1680x1050 with everything turned up that I can get at 640x480 with everything on low.

So where's the fault here. Is my CPU too slow. I know the Source engine is more CPU dependent but I figured a 3600 could handle the game without frame drops especially since people with slower CPUs can do that apparently.

My Power supply seems to be fine. All rails values are stable and this config doesn't use more than 250 Watts using the Power Supply calculators I've tried.

I can't really say if CPU Temperature is a problem because I can't get an accurate reading. I've tried 3 different BIOS versions for this board, one reported to be running at 40-50 degrees, another reported 55-65, and another reported 70-80. The system itself is stable so I'd think if it were overheating, it'd be freezing a lot.

I'm getting pretty frustrated with this honestly. I'm tempted to upgrade my CPU to a 4600 or 4800 to see if it'll make a difference, but I really don't want to be putting more money into something that might or might not work.

 

[napes22]

I have had the same problem. I get around 100 when playing; but as soon as multiple people come on screen, or im getting shot at, it drops down to around 30 fps. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[videogames101]

Where is your CPU usage at while playing?

 

[NYNY2244]

hl2.exe uses 50 percent CPU. Can't get it to go any higher even changing priority or affinity settings

I'm guessing that's because it's dual core and it's only using one core though.

 

[videogames101]

Well the simplest solution to try before this gets anywhere, reinstall CSS. That probably works like 50% of the time...

 

[LOUISSSSS]

try these steps one at a time:
1. reinstall newest drivers, cleaning it with driver cleaner in safe mode thentry CS again with highest performance settings
2. what resolution are you gaming at? if its too high theres not much a weak GPU can do to increase FPS except game at a lower resolution
3. look up some lower settings in the Steam CS:S console, like lower the lighting, effects, props... etc

 

[NYNY2244]

Reinstalling did nothing. I tried a clean install of Windows a few times and nothing really changed. I tried all of LOU's steps, but again, not much difference. If I run at lower resolution, I get some more frames, but there's still drops at certain points (lots of gun fire, nades, etc.)

It does seem to be my CPU though. I managed to get the CPU running at 2.37 GHZ and noticed a bit of difference. In a server with 34 people, I can stay over 60 FPS just about 99 percent of the time with a framedrop here and there. So, at this point I'm not sure if I want to go ahead and get a faster CPU or see if my system will handle the overclock stable.

 

[Cutthroat]

Keep the overclock and start saving for a new PC.

 

[ch33zw1z]

man, anyone remember the dialup days? 30+ FPS was awesome...if you could get it.

 

[0roo0roo]

add -dxlevel 81 or 70 or something to shortcut to force mode change. prepare for the ugly. zillion fps is possible in dx 7 mode lol
its from memory so google it
its your cpu dude. temperature has nothing to do with it. psu doesn't improve fps, u just crash if thats borked.

 

[btcomm1]

What kind of sound card do you have? What if you try to remove your sound card or disable it in the bios if it's built in and see if your fps drop. If not then maybe get a new sound card.

 

[n7]

Overclock your CPU.

If you can, that is.

And your video card ain't so good either, but based on your testing, it does seem like you need some more CPU power.

 

[NYNY2244]

I do notice about a 10-15 FPS difference when I have my onboard sound enabled. So I'm thinking getting a sound card would probably help. I knew onboard took up some CPU cycles, but I didn't think that much.

 

[0roo0roo]

it doesn't. money is better spent on a cpu.

 

[Rumple]

It is not your PC. I have gotten good FPS for my friends on MUCH lesser rigs than yours. I have gotten 60fps for a buddy on a AMD 2800+ with 512 ram and a FX 5200. So it is possible. Dont waste money on an upgrade. Try this:

Ok i have created this autoexec file and 100s of fellow css gamers have used it and incresed their FPS by as many as 20. It will also help you to not dip too low while playing Aztec and Chateau as it really helps with water. It will however remove alot of the smaller nice effects and graphics. However i prefer to have it run good with a little less eye candy. I will almost guarantee you wont miss some of the small rubbish and such that this config will remove for you.

This config is for Mid to low end PCs

Found most of this config from a cal admins post in the cal forums. I messed with configs all day and came up with this combination of about 3-4 configs i found.

cl_cmdrate 100
cl_interp 0.01
cl_interpolate 1
cl_lagcomp_errorcheck 1
cl_lagcompensation 1
cl_updaterate 101
cl_smooth 1
rate 25000

cl_smooth 1
cl_ejectbrass 0
cl_phys_props_enable 0
cl_phys_props_max 0
cl_ragdoll_physics_enable 1
cl_show_splashes 0
cl_c4dynamiclight 1
cl_crosshairscale 3000

fog_enable 0
fog_enable_water_fog 0

mat_bumpmap 0
mat_clipz 0
mat_fastnobump 1
mat_fastspecular 1
mat_mipmaptextures 1
mat_specular 0
mat_trilinear 0
mat_forcemanagedtextureintohardware 0

r_avglight 0
r_decal_cullsize 1
r_decals 5
r_drawdetailprops 0
r_drawropes 0
r_drawlights 0
r_drawrain 0
r_dynamic 0
r_eyeglintlodpixels 0
r_lod -5
r_lightaverage 0
r_lightinterp 0
r_modellodscale 0.1
r_propsmaxdist 0
r_rainalpha 0
r_rainalphapow 0
r_raindensity 0
r_rainlength 0
r_RainProfile 0
r_rainradius 0
r_RainRadius 0
r_RainSideVel 0
r_RainSimulate 0
r_rainspeed 0
r_rainwidth 0
r_RainSplashPercentage 0
r_renderoverlayfragment 0
r_3dnow 1
r_mmx 1
r_sse 1
r_sse2 1
r_teeth 0
r_worldlightmin 1
r_worldlights 1
rope_smooth 0
rope_wind_dist 0
hud_centerid 1

violence_agibs 1
violence_hgibs 1
violence_hblood 1
violence_ablood 1

soundscape_fadetime 9999
soundscape_flush


If it messes up your sound just remove the bottom 2 lines. And for any of you who dont know how to use this just open notepad and cut and paste all the commands in it. Go to save and make sure you name it

Autoexec.cfg

And when you save it make sure you dont save it as a .txt file choose the all types option. Then put it in you cfg folder. Once you are in game bring up your console and type exec autoexec. This will activate the config. Some of these will come up as you cant use multiplayer cheat in console just disregard that as they are not cheats just commands that no longer work and i havent taken the time to dig thru them all and find out which ones they are. Also this will make your xhairs VERY SMALL. I prefer them this way as it is MUCH easier to get headshots. If you dont like them this small just type cl_crosshairscale 800 in console to return them to normal size.

C:/program files/vavle/steam/steamapps/youremail@email.com/counter-strike/cstrike/cfg

This config is for Higher end PCs

cl_cmdrate 100
cl_interp 0.05
cl_interpolate 1
cl_lagcomp_errorcheck 1
cl_lagcompensation 1
cl_updaterate 101
rate 25000

cl_smooth 1
cl_ejectbrass 0
cl_phys_props_enable 0
cl_phys_props_max 0
cl_ragdoll_physics_enable 1
cl_c4dynamiclight 1
cl_crosshairscale 3000

hud_centerid 1

violence_agibs 1
violence_hgibs 1
violence_hblood 1
violence_ablood 1

soundscape_fadetime 9999
soundscape_flush



alias "walktoggle" "walk"
alias run "-speed; bind mouse1 +attack; alias walktoggle walk"
alias walk "+speed; bind mouse1 +wakeup; alias walktoggle run"
alias +wakeup "+attack; -speed"
alias -wakeup "-attack; bind mouse1 +attack; alias walktoggle walk"

alias tg_clr "incrementvar cl_crosshaircolor 0 4 1"


The bottom few things are my crosshair toggle and my walk toggle. In case anyone wants them. The walktoggle basically makes it so that walk will turn off when you hit Mouse1. You have to bind a key to walktoggle for it to work. Just type bind "keyyouwanthere" "walktoggle" in console using the ". The first crosshair one is to cycle through the colors of xhairs. I use this since some maps its hard to see your xhair on.

You can visit our Counter-Strike:Source community at www.blackopselite.com
We currently are running a 30man non-FF server an 18man FF server and a 30man Gungame server. We have a great community and our servers are 90% of the time full and well admin'd!

 

[NYNY2244]

I didn't see much difference with those configs. I'm gonna try remounting my heatsink just in case it is a overheating problem later. (I can't actually tell because I always get bogus temperature readings from this board)

 

[Rumple]

You did type exec autoexec in console after you put them in the proper folder? And you made the file right? Just wondering how you got no improvement when everyone else who uses them gets a pretty good FPS increase.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

i'm pretty sure you're not overheating if u just get decent-but-low fps. overheating results in MAJOR fps drops like down to 1-2fps or shutdowns... i'm pretty sure its just due to a weak gpu (or maybe, but i doubt it, CPU, because I played cs:s on a p4 2.4 ghz pc

 

[NYNY2244]

Originally posted by: Rumple
You did type exec autoexec in console after you put them in the proper folder? And you made the file right? Just wondering how you got no improvement when everyone else who uses them gets a pretty good FPS increase.

Yep. Did everything you said. Executed the autoexec when I started the game and nothing seemed different to me.

Mind you, I used casey's config once too and it didn't give me much difference either which is why I still think this is a CPU issue and not video card.

I'm about ready to give up on this and just deal with it until I can get newer parts. This is probably my own fault for buying a cheap motherboard to begin with. Either that or I'm just really unlucky when it comes to setting up hardware/software.

 

[dds14u]

Just to confirm for you, running a Pentium D with the same vid card and NOT getting any problems in source. The card can't be blamed unless defective.

On a hunch, try updating your audio drivers.

 

[NYNY2244]

Out of curiosity, what kind of fps do you get on the stress test? I usually get around 120-130 running at 1650x1080 with everything on high and AAx0. Not sure how good/bad that is, but looking at some benchmarks, that seems about right for what I'm running.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

i'm using a x1900xt at stock speeds with a similar amd CPU (clock speeds of a CPU yield barely any fps difference) and i get 124fps in the steam stress test with 4x/4x, Mipmap detail on High Quality, HDR on

 

[napes22]

If you look at my config below, I have a decent system (at least by my standards) and am getting the same severe FPS drops. I'm going to try the configs on page 1 and see if it makes any difference.

My cores idle at around 30-35 and are in the 40's at load. My video card idles at 50 C and is at 60-65 at load (card is slightly overclocked).

I had recently installed a Arctic Freezer Pro 64, and was wondering if reseating it could help? My guess from this thread is that if it weren't seated properly, I would be overheating constantly.

Could it be my RAM timings? they are at 4-4-4-12

 

[dds14u]

Originally posted by: NYNY2244
Out of curiosity, what kind of fps do you get on the stress test? I usually get around 120-130 running at 1650x1080 with everything on high and AAx0. Not sure how good/bad that is, but looking at some benchmarks, that seems about right for what I'm running.

IRC I got around 100-110 FPS running at 1600x1200 same settings.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Originally posted by: dds14u

Originally posted by: NYNY2244
Out of curiosity, what kind of fps do you get on the stress test? I usually get around 120-130 running at 1650x1080 with everything on high and AAx0. Not sure how good/bad that is, but looking at some benchmarks, that seems about right for what I'm running.

IRC I got around 100-110 FPS running at 1600x1200 same settings.

@ what quality settings? 0AA/0AF?