I have been having framerate issues with this game for quite a while now. When I am on a server with any significant number of players my framerates drop below 30fps, and sometimes even below 20! whether I have my video settings low or medium the problem persists. Previously I assumed it was due to my aging Radeon 9500 softmod, but since then I have done numerous upgrades to my system, with little improvement. First let me start with my original system specs:
I was running:
Athon XP3000+ (333mhz fsb)
MSI KT4VL (via kt400 chipset)
1 gig samsung pc3200
Radeon 9500 softmodded to 9700
Sound Blaster Audigy
Western Digital 800JB Caviar
Win xp pro SP2
Motorola SB5100 cable modem
Dlink DI604 Router
I then upgraded to an X850xl video card, and another 1 gig of ram. When I saw no improvement in performance I began to dig into it. I began with hours of tweaking and optimizing every aspect of my system. I had absolutely no extra background services or apps. My drive was fairly full but well defragged. I tried various video drivers from both ATI and Omega. I benchmarked every aspect of my system using Sandra, and everything was within expected specs. I scored 5800 on 3dmark '05 and I get spectacular framerates on HL2 with all the eyecandy cranked.
Next I decided that I was overdue for a complete reformat of my system, so that is what I did. I got everything reinstalled with the latest drivers and patches, fired up the game...same thing!!! AAARGH!
I was discussing the problem with a friend of mine, and we thought perhaps the problem was with my reatively crappy motherboard, so he suggested I try out one of his old motherboards. So now I am running an Asus A7N8X Nforce2 mobo with an Athon XP3200+ and a Western Digital 200gig caviar, again freshly formatted and a new WinXPsp2 install.
I am still getting unplayable framerates with my settings at medium or low. Judging by the performance others are getting on lesser systems I should have no performance problems running medium settings. In fact, when I run around a lightly populated map I see framerates ranging from 50fps up to 90fps. As soon as the server fills up, however, I am spending most of my time in the 25fps range.
I wondered if it might be related to my internet connection, so I tested without my router. I have run some tests on my cable connection, and other than the relatively low download/upload numbers (4800/475) I haven't found anything wrong with it.
I have searched the net repeatedly looking for a solution to this problem! I have tried every performance boosting trick I could find. I am almost ready to toss this game in the garbage! I have never had so much trouble getting a game to run properly! If it wasn't such a fun game I would have given up ages ago.
Any ideas out there?
Once again, my current specs:
Asus A7N8X Mobo (Nforce2 Chipset)
XP3200+ (400mhz fsb)
1.5gig samsung pc3200
ATI X850XL 256mb
SB Audigy
Western Digital 200 gig Caviar
Motorola SB5100 Surfboard cable modem
D-Link DI604 router
PS. Keep in mind I am a very experienced gamer and tweaker. You can assume that all the usual tweaks and adjustments have been done! Please spare me the "turn off your Antivirus" posts!
I was running:
Athon XP3000+ (333mhz fsb)
MSI KT4VL (via kt400 chipset)
1 gig samsung pc3200
Radeon 9500 softmodded to 9700
Sound Blaster Audigy
Western Digital 800JB Caviar
Win xp pro SP2
Motorola SB5100 cable modem
Dlink DI604 Router
I then upgraded to an X850xl video card, and another 1 gig of ram. When I saw no improvement in performance I began to dig into it. I began with hours of tweaking and optimizing every aspect of my system. I had absolutely no extra background services or apps. My drive was fairly full but well defragged. I tried various video drivers from both ATI and Omega. I benchmarked every aspect of my system using Sandra, and everything was within expected specs. I scored 5800 on 3dmark '05 and I get spectacular framerates on HL2 with all the eyecandy cranked.
Next I decided that I was overdue for a complete reformat of my system, so that is what I did. I got everything reinstalled with the latest drivers and patches, fired up the game...same thing!!! AAARGH!
I was discussing the problem with a friend of mine, and we thought perhaps the problem was with my reatively crappy motherboard, so he suggested I try out one of his old motherboards. So now I am running an Asus A7N8X Nforce2 mobo with an Athon XP3200+ and a Western Digital 200gig caviar, again freshly formatted and a new WinXPsp2 install.
I am still getting unplayable framerates with my settings at medium or low. Judging by the performance others are getting on lesser systems I should have no performance problems running medium settings. In fact, when I run around a lightly populated map I see framerates ranging from 50fps up to 90fps. As soon as the server fills up, however, I am spending most of my time in the 25fps range.
I wondered if it might be related to my internet connection, so I tested without my router. I have run some tests on my cable connection, and other than the relatively low download/upload numbers (4800/475) I haven't found anything wrong with it.
I have searched the net repeatedly looking for a solution to this problem! I have tried every performance boosting trick I could find. I am almost ready to toss this game in the garbage! I have never had so much trouble getting a game to run properly! If it wasn't such a fun game I would have given up ages ago.
Any ideas out there?
Once again, my current specs:
Asus A7N8X Mobo (Nforce2 Chipset)
XP3200+ (400mhz fsb)
1.5gig samsung pc3200
ATI X850XL 256mb
SB Audigy
Western Digital 200 gig Caviar
Motorola SB5100 Surfboard cable modem
D-Link DI604 router
PS. Keep in mind I am a very experienced gamer and tweaker. You can assume that all the usual tweaks and adjustments have been done! Please spare me the "turn off your Antivirus" posts!
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