TF2 now supports multicore!

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

Atreus21

Lifer
Aug 21, 2007
12,001
571
126
Originally posted by: dguy6789
Added Multicore Rendering:

*This initial release is aimed at testing compatibility, so the option is OFF by default

*To turn it on, go to the Options->Video->Advanced dialog, and check the "Multicore Rendering" option


Other Changes:

*Several performance improvements to decals and client bone/flex setup

*A variety of alt-tab and mode switch fixes

*Improvements to the way the engine initializes surround sound, fixing some specific hardware cases

*Fixed a crash on exit in Vista 64




So the alt tab problem is gone, the DEP error when exiting the game on Vista 64 is gone, and multicore support! Woooooo!

Seriously, I don't think I'm going to notice a framerate difference if it's jumps from the current 293 to 400. TF2 runs so light, I wonder why valve even bothered.

Not complaining, just making an observation.
 

Kalmah

Diamond Member
Oct 2, 2003
3,692
1
76
Originally posted by: Atreus21
Originally posted by: dguy6789
Added Multicore Rendering:

*This initial release is aimed at testing compatibility, so the option is OFF by default

*To turn it on, go to the Options->Video->Advanced dialog, and check the "Multicore Rendering" option


Other Changes:

*Several performance improvements to decals and client bone/flex setup

*A variety of alt-tab and mode switch fixes

*Improvements to the way the engine initializes surround sound, fixing some specific hardware cases

*Fixed a crash on exit in Vista 64




So the alt tab problem is gone, the DEP error when exiting the game on Vista 64 is gone, and multicore support! Woooooo!

Seriously, I don't think I'm going to notice a framerate difference if it's jumps from the current 293 to 400. TF2 runs so light, I wonder why valve even bothered.

Not complaining, just making an observation.

I'm guessing they are using TF2 as a test for future games?
 

CrackRabbit

Lifer
Mar 30, 2001
16,642
62
91
I've noticed more crashes as well using vista 64.
I was playing possibly my best round ever as a spy last night, and had just backstabbed someone and it crashed. :(
 

AdamK47

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,675
3,529
136
My results...

Before: 60 FPS Max, 60 FPS Avg, 60 FPS Min
After: 60 FPS Max, 60 FPS Avg, 60 FPS Min
 

PepePeru

Diamond Member
Jul 21, 2005
3,846
0
0
no crashes. i couldn't really tell much of a difference w/ multi-core enabled.

8800gt & 5200+
 

bunnyfubbles

Lifer
Sep 3, 2001
12,248
3
0
Mutli core should only help those with on the cusp dual core processors such as those running on laptops with slower mobile chips or those with old Pentium Ds that aren't even overclocked. Or perhaps it will help if they're running a CRT with a higher refresh rate. Otherwise I don't think this is going to be a big deal for most.

Getting 100fps minimum isn't going to offer a lick of performance improvement over 70fps minimum on an LCD. You can run with vsync off and see a frame rate counter show you the higher frame rate, but your LCD is still only refreshing 60 times per second, and thus not keeping up with the images being fed to it and causing tearing.


Originally posted by: Kalmah
I'm guessing they are using TF2 as a test for future games?

L4D has had it. If anything this is just Valve getting even more experience with it.


Originally posted by: GundamSonicZeroX
Originally posted by: AdamK47
My results...

Before: 60 FPS Max, 60 FPS Avg, 60 FPS Min
After: 60 FPS Max, 60 FPS Avg, 60 FPS Min

Vsync on?

His point is that it wasn't necessary in his case. He already had perfect performance prior to the patch, a case that is probably going to be very common for most.
 

RallyMaster

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2004
5,581
0
0
Originally posted by: Homerboy
Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad
hot diggity...my x2 4200 is holding tf2 back so hopefully this will make things better.

REally? I've had not issues with my Opty 165

My Opteron 165 would always make frame rates get down to around 15 fps or so which made sniping impossible. I had a HD3850 on that too with no AA/AF. Just had the graphics settings up decently high. I moved to a E7200 and all my problems went away. Now the game doesn't dip below 35 which is great.
 

vj8usa

Senior member
Dec 19, 2005
975
0
0
To everyone saying the game runs well on old/slow CPUs, that's most likely because you aren't playing on crowded servers. Try going into a 32 player 2fort server and get into a battle with a dozen or more people on screen at once, and your framerates will tank without a decent CPU. I've gone below 20FPS many times with the rig in my sig.
 
Apr 17, 2005
13,465
3
81
Originally posted by: RallyMaster
Originally posted by: Homerboy
Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad
hot diggity...my x2 4200 is holding tf2 back so hopefully this will make things better.

REally? I've had not issues with my Opty 165

My Opteron 165 would always make frame rates get down to around 15 fps or so which made sniping impossible. I had a HD3850 on that too with no AA/AF. Just had the graphics settings up decently high. I moved to a E7200 and all my problems went away. Now the game doesn't dip below 35 which is great.

yeah no matter what i put my graphics settings as, my FPS goes down to 15 during intense fights or stays around 25-30 otherwise.
 

Modelworks

Lifer
Feb 22, 2007
16,240
7
76
Originally posted by: JTsyo
Wait is this muticore support for cpu or graphics?

They made that confusing by putting it in the video section. People are going to wonder does that mean SLI/Crossfire or cpu ?

It is supposed to be CPU though.


I'm about to start playing and I am going to log the cpu usage so I can see if it really is using multiple cores.
 

WelshBloke

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
32,638
10,814
136
Originally posted by: vj8usa
To everyone saying the game runs well on old/slow CPUs, that's most likely because you aren't playing on crowded servers. Try going into a 32 player 2fort server and get into a battle with a dozen or more people on screen at once, and your framerates will tank without a decent CPU. I've gone below 20FPS many times with the rig in my sig.

QFT.

My 3.2ghz quad used to dip under those conditions. Thats when the multicore optimizations are useful.
 

mb

Lifer
Jun 27, 2004
10,233
2
71
Wow, this update is great.

The game finally has stopped crashing on exit for me on Vista x64! Not that it ever really caused a problem but it was annoying.

Also, the multicore support is great! I get absolutely no slow downs on crowded 32 player servers anymore! I have every single detail maxed out at 1900x1200 res, and sometimes things could slow down a little when I was in a tight spot with a couple ubers going and lots of demo/sg spam.
 

Modelworks

Lifer
Feb 22, 2007
16,240
7
76
Ok , played for a couple hours with no other processes running , no AV, etc.
Windows 7, 8800 GTX, Q6600, 4GB ram, Multicore enabled.


Core 0 stayed max the whole time.
Core 1,2,3 varied but stayed in the 50% range.

I was playing on all 32 player maps with full servers, low ping 15ms or so.
Results surprised me, it is using the cores well., better than most games that claim multicore support.
http://i44.tinypic.com/ftk93b.jpg
 

TheBlackOut

Member
Apr 13, 2008
147
0
0
I used to get around 40-50FPS in a full 32 player server, now I get around 60-70FPS. Definitely a grand improvement!

E8400 with a 9600GT, 3GB of RAM on XP
 

AstroManLuca

Lifer
Jun 24, 2004
15,628
5
81
Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad
Originally posted by: RallyMaster
Originally posted by: Homerboy
Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad
hot diggity...my x2 4200 is holding tf2 back so hopefully this will make things better.

REally? I've had not issues with my Opty 165

My Opteron 165 would always make frame rates get down to around 15 fps or so which made sniping impossible. I had a HD3850 on that too with no AA/AF. Just had the graphics settings up decently high. I moved to a E7200 and all my problems went away. Now the game doesn't dip below 35 which is great.

yeah no matter what i put my graphics settings as, my FPS goes down to 15 during intense fights or stays around 25-30 otherwise.

Must be heavily CPU limited because my computer runs it absolutely rock-solid even in crowded areas with settings maxed out (including 16xAF and 8xAA). The HD3850 is not a super fast card but the X3 720 is a pretty fast CPU that should benefit from the new multicore option. Indeed, the more GPU-intensive games I play (like COD4 and UT3) I have to set my settings down a bit, but TF2 runs amazingly well.
 
Apr 17, 2005
13,465
3
81
Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad
Originally posted by: RallyMaster
Originally posted by: Homerboy
Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad
hot diggity...my x2 4200 is holding tf2 back so hopefully this will make things better.

REally? I've had not issues with my Opty 165

My Opteron 165 would always make frame rates get down to around 15 fps or so which made sniping impossible. I had a HD3850 on that too with no AA/AF. Just had the graphics settings up decently high. I moved to a E7200 and all my problems went away. Now the game doesn't dip below 35 which is great.

yeah no matter what i put my graphics settings as, my FPS goes down to 15 during intense fights or stays around 25-30 otherwise.

Must be heavily CPU limited because my computer runs it absolutely rock-solid even in crowded areas with settings maxed out (including 16xAF and 8xAA). The HD3850 is not a super fast card but the X3 720 is a pretty fast CPU that should benefit from the new multicore option. Indeed, the more GPU-intensive games I play (like COD4 and UT3) I have to set my settings down a bit, but TF2 runs amazingly well.

yeah, i think my x2 4200 is definitely holding it back...but thats about as far as a 939 board is gonna go.
 

n7

Elite Member
Jan 4, 2004
21,281
4
81
Heh, nice of them to add multicore for TF2 but not fix the horrible broken-ness that is multicore rendering in L4D :roll:
 

RallyMaster

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2004
5,581
0
0
Well, multicore rendering definitely works now. Much smoother gameplay for me in TF2. As for L4D, I don't think anybody with ATi cards have issues with that option.
 

jaykup

Junior Member
Mar 29, 2009
1
0
66
@OP

Can you run a bench? I've got almost the exact same hardware, but I'm running an e8400. I noticed an improvement, but at 1920x1200 with the 4870 I still drop down to 30-40 fps in heavy firefights / large outdoor parts. I am wondering if the Q9550 helps even more. It's basically a quadcore version of mine.

Record a demo in the game, then type timedemo "demoname" with multicore enabled, and again with it disabled. It will give you an average fps in the console.

Make sure the demo is only a few minutes, but gets some good action in it.

Thanks!!