BOOST FPS WITH THIS ONE SIMPLE TRICK

#1

flame

0 Frags – +

So you're probably all gonna lose your shit, and this thread is going to be derailed into why someone should use dx8 and how valves crazy for removing it and how you can't afford a new pc for dx9 and how you like the cinematic nintendo 64 graphics config you've been using BUT I have a CRAZY idea that works for me and will probably be worth trying for people with higher end cards and processors (im on a 970 and an oc'ed i7 4770k @4ghz)

So the story goes pre-tough break my fps was pretty solid, I had turned off a lot of excess shit like antialiasing and filtering and lowered my shadows and gib physics and whatever else. I was getting good fps in mge ~500 but I was dipping in pubs during fights and shit. Then tough break came out and my fps was disgusting, like it'd drop to 40-50 in pub fights(12v12). I know everyone always says 'you'll never break 100 in a pub fight' and I thought so too.

First things first. Remove steam beta. That steam beta is definitely doing some weird shit with cpu and gpu cycles, even I noticed an increase with that change. If you don't know how to opt out, you probably never opted in, but there are multiple posts on how to get out of it. It's a setting in steam.

Second, backup your fps config and then DELETE it. TF2 has a new launch option as of this update called -default. It runs your game completely ignoring your graphics and game settings but doesn't save anything to your config. You can use this command to check what settings TF2 WANTS YOU to be using. It's pretty nice because if your game looks better and your shit is smoother, you're probably one of the people who should stop using an fps config.

If your fps goes up, great, if it doesn't oh well. I went from 60-70 in pubs to I kid you not 200+ without dips just by maxing everything.

ALSO NOTE - host_writeconfig was changed to ONLY show you values in your cfg that aren't the default values that valve intended them to be. This means if your host_writeconfig output is smaller than mine, you have more things defaulted and vice versa if its longer.

My in game settings screen ->

http://imgur.com/K4Jh0Gf.png

My cfg - http://pastebin.com/zRgcZBPL (As you can tell there is nothing fps related except at the bottom some commands are actually made to look better.)

Show Content

mat_colorcorrection "1"
mat_forceaniso "16"
mat_picmip "-1"
mat_antialias "8"
r_shadowrendertotexture "1"
r_waterforceexpensive "1"
mat_hdr_level "0"

MY GUESS would be that valve is starting to put some load on the graphics cards when you crank your shit up, and that a lot of the inner workings of the commands people are using in fps configs are contradicting other commands that were never intended to be changed off their default values.

Idk, my game runs like cinematic butter. I'm in no way telling you this is going to work, or that your fps config is bad, I'm simply suggesting you try it since it 100% worked for me.

EDIT with steps for improvement if -default increases your fps

You should back up your tf/cfg/config.cfg just to save any binds or settings that will get lost with an -autoconfig

when youre in game with -default type 'host_writeconfig derp full' into console
this saves the config that the game wants you to be using to a file called derp.cfg in your tf/cfg folder with all of the commands tf2 wants to be using
next time you launch, remove -default and replace with -autoconfig
when youre in the game, type exec derp into console
now exec your autoexec (WITH NO FPS COMMANDS IN IT)
play tf2 with a better experience assuming nothing went wrong
when you close tf2, remove -autoconfig from launch options or you'll have to repeat the last 3 steps over and over.

that derp.cfg file will have all of the default tf2 values for you next time you need to refer to them or check your cfg against it.

Edit: Default turns off multicore rendering, turn it back on and see if you get better frames, I did

Show Content

mat_queue_mode "-1"
cl_threaded_bone_setup 1
cl_threaded_client_leaf_system 1
r_queued_decals 1
r_queued_ropes 1
r_queued_post_processing 1
r_threaded_client_shadow_manager 1
r_threaded_particles 1
r_threaded_renderables 1

So you're probably all gonna lose your shit, and this thread is going to be derailed into why someone should use dx8 and how valves crazy for removing it and how you can't afford a new pc for dx9 and how you like the cinematic nintendo 64 graphics config you've been using BUT I have a CRAZY idea that works for me and will probably be worth trying for people with higher end cards and processors (im on a 970 and an oc'ed i7 4770k @4ghz)

So the story goes pre-tough break my fps was pretty solid, I had turned off a lot of excess shit like antialiasing and filtering and lowered my shadows and gib physics and whatever else. I was getting good fps in mge ~500 but I was dipping in pubs during fights and shit. Then tough break came out and my fps was disgusting, like it'd drop to 40-50 in pub fights(12v12). I know everyone always says 'you'll never break 100 in a pub fight' and I thought so too.

First things first. Remove steam beta. That steam beta is definitely doing some weird shit with cpu and gpu cycles, even I noticed an increase with that change. If you don't know how to opt out, you probably never opted in, but there are multiple posts on how to get out of it. It's a setting in steam.

Second, backup your fps config and then DELETE it. TF2 has a new launch option as of this update called -default. It runs your game completely ignoring your graphics and game settings but doesn't save anything to your config. You can use this command to check what settings TF2 WANTS YOU to be using. It's pretty nice because if your game looks better and your shit is smoother, you're probably one of the people who should stop using an fps config.

If your fps goes up, great, if it doesn't oh well. I went from 60-70 in pubs to I kid you not 200+ without dips just by maxing everything.

ALSO NOTE - host_writeconfig was changed to ONLY show you values in your cfg that aren't the default values that valve intended them to be. This means if your host_writeconfig output is smaller than mine, you have more things defaulted and vice versa if its longer.

My in game settings screen -> [img]http://imgur.com/K4Jh0Gf.png[/img]
My cfg - http://pastebin.com/zRgcZBPL (As you can tell there is nothing fps related except at the bottom some commands are actually made to look better.)

[spoiler]mat_colorcorrection "1"
mat_forceaniso "16"
mat_picmip "-1"
mat_antialias "8"
r_shadowrendertotexture "1"
r_waterforceexpensive "1"
mat_hdr_level "0"[/spoiler]

MY GUESS would be that valve is starting to put some load on the graphics cards when you crank your shit up, and that a lot of the inner workings of the commands people are using in fps configs are contradicting other commands that were never intended to be changed off their default values.

Idk, my game runs like cinematic butter. I'm in no way telling you this is going to work, or that your fps config is bad, I'm simply suggesting you try it since it 100% worked for me.

[b]EDIT with steps for improvement if -default increases your fps[/b]
[b]
You should back up your tf/cfg/config.cfg just to save any binds or settings that will get lost with an -autoconfig[/b]
[olist]
[*] when youre in game with -default type 'host_writeconfig derp full' into console
this saves the config that the game wants you to be using to a file called derp.cfg in your tf/cfg folder with all of the commands tf2 wants to be using
[*] next time you launch, remove -default and replace with -autoconfig
[*] when youre in the game, type exec derp into console
[*] now exec your autoexec (WITH NO FPS COMMANDS IN IT)
[*] play tf2 with a better experience assuming nothing went wrong
[*] when you close tf2, remove -autoconfig from launch options or you'll have to repeat the last 3 steps over and over.
[/olist]

that derp.cfg file will have all of the default tf2 values for you next time you need to refer to them or check your cfg against it.

[b]Edit: Default turns off multicore rendering, turn it back on and see if you get better frames, I did[/b]

[spoiler]mat_queue_mode "-1"
cl_threaded_bone_setup 1
cl_threaded_client_leaf_system 1
r_queued_decals 1
r_queued_ropes 1
r_queued_post_processing 1
r_threaded_client_shadow_manager 1
r_threaded_particles 1
r_threaded_renderables 1[/spoiler]

#2

BLoodSire

7 Frags – +

You are so smart and talented. I'll give this a try.

#3

Quert

6 Frags – +

actually, isn't this a pretty old "solution"? wasn't there a guy years ago that suggested upping the graphics quality to the max if you got a decent gpu so the game stresses mores your gpu and less on the cpu, which is tf2's bottleneck, thus giving more fps? isn't this what you're suggesting or did i get it all wrong?

#4

flame

2 Frags – +

pre-tough break I think results were varying, I know for a fact before this update I had definitely tried playing at 16x Aniso and 8x MSAA and I was not able to get a respectable FPS.

My thread title was supposed to be a joke, but the idea was more you should try it now even if you've tried it before as I know for a fact I've never had my game look/run this well.

pre-tough break I think results were varying, I know for a fact before this update I had definitely tried playing at 16x Aniso and 8x MSAA and I was not able to get a respectable FPS.

My thread title was supposed to be a joke, but the idea was more you should try it now even if you've tried it before as I know for a fact I've never had my game look/run this well.

#5

flame

9 Frags – +

Also this was geared more toward the competitive players on good pcs who think they need to squeeze out the most fps and are running fps configs to make their game look like it is running on a potato in an effort to boost fps.

#6

trippa

4 Frags – +

i can't check the fps when i run -default because it disables use of cl_showfps and net_graph

#7

namassin

0 Frags – +

flameAlso this was geared more toward the competitive players on good pcs who think they need to squeeze out the most fps and are running fps configs to make their game look like it is running on a potato in an effort to boost fps.

So would using lower graphics config settings in tf2 boost fps (without using a config such as comanglia's)?

[quote=flame]Also this was geared more toward the competitive players on good pcs who think they need to squeeze out the most fps and are running fps configs to make their game look like it is running on a potato in an effort to boost fps.[/quote]

So would using lower graphics config settings in tf2 boost fps (without using a config such as comanglia's)?

#8

Jerm

1 Frags – +

trippai can't check the fps when i run -default because it disables use of cl_showfps and net_graph

If you can enable console but can't turn them on, you can try benchmarking a demo with timedemo - the benchmark automatically gets saved in tf/sourcebenching.csv, a comma-separated value file, and you'll be able to compare against previous benchmarks

[quote=trippa]i can't check the fps when i run -default because it disables use of cl_showfps and net_graph[/quote]

If you can enable console but can't turn them on, you can try benchmarking a demo with timedemo - the benchmark automatically gets saved in tf/sourcebenching.csv, a comma-separated value file, and you'll be able to compare against previous benchmarks

#9

square-

5 Frags – +

i was getting like 30 fps in pubs after the update. depending on the map im getting 100+ now
i took -default out after first launch so i could have my settings back, i assume that doesnt matter though?\

EDIT-viewmodel settings ect., i'm pretty sure it kept all of the video settings and what not

i was getting like 30 fps in pubs after the update. depending on the map im getting 100+ now
i took -default out after first launch so i could have my settings back, i assume that doesnt matter though?\

EDIT-viewmodel settings ect., i'm pretty sure it kept all of the video settings and what not

#10

moof

2 Frags – +

I tweaked a bit of my graphics settings (personal preference) but kept everything default for the most part and I'm pushing 100+ in pubs now which I didn't before. Also kept my net settings and other miscellaneous stuff. I would give it a try if you have a good graphics card :)

#11

cancel

66 Frags – +

i can't wait until gaming is so popular that the click bait on websites is fps increase tricks instead of weight loss or something

#12

flame

4 Frags – +

trippai can't check the fps when i run -default because it disables use of cl_showfps and net_graph

use the steam overlay one to check

[quote=trippa]i can't check the fps when i run -default because it disables use of cl_showfps and net_graph[/quote]

use the steam overlay one to check

#13

flame

1 Frags – +

square-i was getting like 30 fps in pubs after the update. depending on the map im getting 100+ now
i took -default out after first launch so i could have my settings back, i assume that doesnt matter though?\

EDIT-viewmodel settings ect., i'm pretty sure it kept all of the video settings and what not

-default doesn't save anything. if you want to use a game with default settings replace -default with -autoconfig and remove your fps config. you have to remove -autoconfig after you launch once otherwise it'll reset it to default to every time, depending on whether or not you like that you can leave it in i guess.

[quote=square-]i was getting like 30 fps in pubs after the update. depending on the map im getting 100+ now
i took -default out after first launch so i could have my settings back, i assume that doesnt matter though?\

EDIT-viewmodel settings ect., i'm pretty sure it kept all of the video settings and what not[/quote]

-default doesn't save anything. if you want to use a game with default settings replace -default with -autoconfig and remove your fps config. you have to remove -autoconfig after you launch once otherwise it'll reset it to default to every time, depending on whether or not you like that you can leave it in i guess.

#14

Mubby

5 Frags – +

I'm shocked. I really am shocked. I run low end specs but I still gave this a try and usually on default settings my TF2 dies. It usually cannot get 25+fps but when I tried this I got 30-40 (sometimes 50) average.

#15

m

-1 Frags – +

im getting the same fps in pubs (100-150) as before but now ive got 16x faa and all that shit on

i guess it feels smoother?

im getting the same fps in pubs (100-150) as before but now ive got 16x faa and all that shit on

i guess it feels smoother?

#16

Max_

3 Frags – +

When I use -default is it supposed to change settings? Because when I look at my advanced video options nothing with the *recommended for your system* is being used

#17

BarytaQ

1 Frags – +

EDIT: I'm an idiot, ignore me.

#18

flame

1 Frags – +

Max_When I use -default is it supposed to change settings? Because when I look at my advanced video options nothing with the *recommended for your system* is being used

I'm not sure. I don't remember looking at the video options, I was more interested in the contents of host_writeconfig.

type host_writeconfig TEST into console and compare that file to your config/cfg file when you close the game to see what is different than normal.

Theres a chance that the video settings pane is reading from your cfg file but the game is loading settings based on the default config but I have no idea if that's true or not.

[quote=Max_]When I use -default is it supposed to change settings? Because when I look at my advanced video options nothing with the *recommended for your system* is being used[/quote]
I'm not sure. I don't remember looking at the video options, I was more interested in the contents of host_writeconfig.

type host_writeconfig TEST into console and compare that file to your config/cfg file when you close the game to see what is different than normal.

Theres a chance that the video settings pane is reading from your cfg file but the game is loading settings based on the default config but I have no idea if that's true or not.

#19

flame

1 Frags – +

BarytaQSo I tried the -default command, saw decent results. But now that I've removed it none of the aliases I've got set up in my autoexec work anymore. They register in the console as attempted commands but they don't know what the commands do.

you can use use -default with your fps config still in, but if you get good results you should try taking the fps config out

i think -default is strictly setting options, not binds

[quote=BarytaQ]So I tried the -default command, saw decent results. But now that I've removed it none of the aliases I've got set up in my autoexec work anymore. They register in the console as attempted commands but they don't know what the commands do.[/quote]

you can use use -default with your fps config still in, but if you get good results you should try taking the fps config out

i think -default is strictly setting options, not binds

#20

AuraMix

1 Frags – +

When I change it to default, my game runs better but my sounds, and binds are gone (viewmodels on/off) as well the damage number being gone as well.

#21

flame

7 Frags – +

AuraMixWhen I change it to default, my game runs better but my sounds, and binds are gone (viewmodels on/off) as well the damage number being gone as well.

when youre in game with -default type 'host_writeconfig derp full' into console
this saves the config that the game wants you to be using to a file called derp.cfg in your tf/cfg folder with all of the commands possible to have in tf2 set to what the game wants it to be.
next time you launch, remove -default and replace with -autoconfig
when youre in the game, type exec derp into console
now exec your autoexec (WITH NO FPS COMMANDS IN IT)

and play tf2.
when you close tf2, remove -autoconfig from launch options or you'll have to repeat the last 2 steps over and over.

that derp.cfg file will have all of the default tf2 values for you next time you need to refer to them or check your cfg against it.

[quote=AuraMix]When I change it to default, my game runs better but my sounds, and binds are gone (viewmodels on/off) as well the damage number being gone as well.[/quote]

when youre in game with -default type 'host_writeconfig derp full' into console
this saves the config that the game wants you to be using to a file called derp.cfg in your tf/cfg folder with all of the commands possible to have in tf2 set to what the game wants it to be.
next time you launch, remove -default and replace with -autoconfig
when youre in the game, type exec derp into console
now exec your autoexec (WITH NO FPS COMMANDS IN IT)

and play tf2.
when you close tf2, remove -autoconfig from launch options or you'll have to repeat the last 2 steps over and over.

that derp.cfg file will have all of the default tf2 values for you next time you need to refer to them or check your cfg against it.

#22

jnki

1 Frags – +

can anybody do a benchmark of this using integrated graphics? ill be 1 month off pc so i cant test this atm

#23

StaleWaffle

3 Frags – +

so far this has worked really well for me, thanks a bunch!

#24

marten

2 Frags – +

my net_graph says im on around 50 on a pub, but it felt so smooth. How is that possible?

#25

flatline

4 Frags – +

yea i ran -default and none of my settings changed so rip

maybe i fucked it up but my gpu isnt exactly godlike so i doubt it

yea i ran -default and none of my settings changed so rip

maybe i fucked it up but my gpu isnt exactly godlike so i doubt it

#26

fade-

5 Frags – +

jnki_aka_tungstencan anybody do a benchmark of this using integrated graphics? ill be 1 month off pc so i cant test this atm

intel hd4600 / i7 4790 @ 3.6/4.0 / 1440x900 / dx81 / the benchmark demo

my cfg - 85fps
-default - 66fps

didn't help, assuming this is more targetted towards people with good gpus

edit 2639 frames 28.015 seconds 94.20 fps (10.62 ms/f) 8.203 fps variability
with comanglia everything else the same

looks like comanglia is the way to go for integrated but i get crashes

[quote=jnki_aka_tungsten]can anybody do a benchmark of this using integrated graphics? ill be 1 month off pc so i cant test this atm[/quote]

intel hd4600 / i7 4790 @ 3.6/4.0 / 1440x900 / dx81 / the benchmark demo

my cfg - 85fps
-default - 66fps

didn't help, assuming this is more targetted towards people with good gpus

edit 2639 frames 28.015 seconds 94.20 fps (10.62 ms/f) 8.203 fps variability
with comanglia everything else the same

looks like comanglia is the way to go for integrated but i get crashes

#27

KrocketKarma

5 Frags – +

dx9 and -default gave me ~80 fps in a pub and dx8 + comanglia gave me 90-300 fps.
3570k (4.2)
gtx 660

#28

Zesty

4 Frags – +

Im off my pc atm but if I have graphics affected by this I'll check.
Rarely got dips below 200 in pub fights prior to the patch, if my framerate is bad after I'll check.
Graphics configs _should_ still give you better frames than the max settings though, I think we should try and test the cvars which are making people have worse frames with the configs
I'd suggest looking at
r_fastzreject
mat_clipz
mat_forcehardwaresync
mat_levelflush
mat_forcemanagedtextureintohardware

as well as the threading part of the cfg
can comanglia or someone with more knowledge get on this?

Im off my pc atm but if I have graphics affected by this I'll check.
Rarely got dips below 200 in pub fights prior to the patch, if my framerate is bad after I'll check.
Graphics configs _should_ still give you better frames than the max settings though, I think we should try and test the cvars which are making people have worse frames with the configs
I'd suggest looking at
r_fastzreject
mat_clipz
mat_forcehardwaresync
mat_levelflush
mat_forcemanagedtextureintohardware

as well as the threading part of the cfg
can comanglia or someone with more knowledge get on this?

#29

flame

3 Frags – +

I forgot to mention I still turned off gibs. my remaining 'fps' config is

mat_motion_blur_enabled "0"
cl_ragdoll_fade_time 0
cl_ragdoll_forcefade 1
cl_ragdoll_physics_enable 0
g_ragdoll_fadespeed 0
g_ragdoll_lvfadespeed 0
ragdoll_sleepaftertime 0
cl_phys_props_enable 0
cl_phys_props_max 0
props_break_max_pieces 0
r_propsmaxdist 1
violence_agibs 0
violence_hgibs 0
violence_ablood 1
violence_hblood 1

I'm pretty sure like 90% of those are already the default value so it might be irrelevant but I think the game wanted gibs and blood spatter everywhere.

I forgot to mention I still turned off gibs. my remaining 'fps' config is

mat_motion_blur_enabled "0"
cl_ragdoll_fade_time 0
cl_ragdoll_forcefade 1
cl_ragdoll_physics_enable 0
g_ragdoll_fadespeed 0
g_ragdoll_lvfadespeed 0
ragdoll_sleepaftertime 0
cl_phys_props_enable 0
cl_phys_props_max 0
props_break_max_pieces 0
r_propsmaxdist 1
violence_agibs 0
violence_hgibs 0
violence_ablood 1
violence_hblood 1

I'm pretty sure like 90% of those are already the default value so it might be irrelevant but I think the game wanted gibs and blood spatter everywhere.

#30

trash

2 Frags – +

personal benchmarks, using this dem file (which I still need to replace, but I'd like to have a potential worst-case scenario, and it's hard to find a pub of ppl using only wep skins), -dxlevel 91 put in and then removed after one launch before testing

//-default in launch, host_writeconfig in console, added commands to end
//of cfg to disable gibs/ragdolls/facialstuff/shadows
2639 frames 21.994 seconds 119.99 fps ( 8.33 ms/f) 10.030 fps variability
2639 frames 21.890 seconds 120.56 fps ( 8.29 ms/f) 10.015 fps variability
2639 frames 21.632 seconds 122.00 fps ( 8.20 ms/f) 9.447 fps variability

//chris' dx9frames config
2639 frames 24.860 seconds 106.16 fps ( 9.42 ms/f) 8.768 fps variability
2639 frames 23.128 seconds 114.10 fps ( 8.76 ms/f) 8.654 fps variability
2639 frames 23.304 seconds 113.24 fps ( 8.83 ms/f) 8.340 fps variability

//comanglia's high quality config. note that it broke on my computer with
//the tough break update (https://streamable.com/z7l1) but I can still
//technically get benchmarks with it, so w/e
2639 frames 18.391 seconds 143.49 fps ( 6.97 ms/f) 12.265 fps variability
2639 frames 17.894 seconds 147.48 fps ( 6.78 ms/f) 10.973 fps variability
2639 frames 17.967 seconds 146.88 fps ( 6.81 ms/f) 11.462 fps variability

so until it's figured out what breaks comanglia's config, default is actually the way to go, I guess

personal benchmarks, using [url=http://www.teamfortress.tv/7598/tf2-benchmarks]this dem file[/url] (which I still need to replace, but I'd like to have a potential worst-case scenario, and it's hard to find a pub of ppl using only wep skins), -dxlevel 91 put in and then removed after one launch before testing

[code]//-default in launch, host_writeconfig in console, added commands to end
//of cfg to disable gibs/ragdolls/facialstuff/shadows
2639 frames 21.994 seconds 119.99 fps ( 8.33 ms/f) 10.030 fps variability
2639 frames 21.890 seconds 120.56 fps ( 8.29 ms/f) 10.015 fps variability
2639 frames 21.632 seconds 122.00 fps ( 8.20 ms/f) 9.447 fps variability

//chris' dx9frames config
2639 frames 24.860 seconds 106.16 fps ( 9.42 ms/f) 8.768 fps variability
2639 frames 23.128 seconds 114.10 fps ( 8.76 ms/f) 8.654 fps variability
2639 frames 23.304 seconds 113.24 fps ( 8.83 ms/f) 8.340 fps variability

//comanglia's high quality config. note that it broke on my computer with
//the tough break update (https://streamable.com/z7l1) but I can still
//technically get benchmarks with it, so w/e
2639 frames 18.391 seconds 143.49 fps ( 6.97 ms/f) 12.265 fps variability
2639 frames 17.894 seconds 147.48 fps ( 6.78 ms/f) 10.973 fps variability
2639 frames 17.967 seconds 146.88 fps ( 6.81 ms/f) 11.462 fps variability[/code]

so until it's figured out what breaks comanglia's config, default is actually the way to go, I guess