10 FPS in TeamFortress2

[knightboat]

I used to run tf2 fine but since all these recent updates I got dropped from around 30 fps (lol) to 10 average. The game is known to run like shit on mostly anything unless you have an expensive setup. Nowhere to go but up so I think it would be time to start buying new parts.

[Deadgoat]

Then there is something seriously wrong with your computer.

Latest drivers for your chipset and video card. Scan your hard drive for errors (should cause this, but it's worth a shot anyway)

This might be a foolish question, but where exactly can I find the latest drivers?

I went to Intel's site and was shown "Intel® Processor Identification Utility - Windows* Version" and "Intel® Processor Diagnostic Tool (32-bit)"

I went to ATI's site and was shown Radeon HD 3850 and 3870 but no 3800

[Dirka]

You have one of those. 3800 series just means the first 2 numbers are 38. Go to device manager and see exactly which one you have if you aren't sure.

[thegrogster]

It would be classified as an HD 3XXX

SO. Under Find driver choose the following

Desktop Graphics
Radeon HD Series
Radeon HD 3xxx Series PCIe
Windows 7 32-bit

[Deadgoat]

Alright. So I put in that info at ATI's site and it took me to this page where I downloaded the "Catalyst Software Suite" or the "Catalyst Control Center" and after that finished installing on the main menu it had a link for Display Drivers. I clicked that and it took me back to ATI's site, to the same screen where I originally put in
"Desktop Graphics
Radeon HD Series
Radeon HD 3xxx Series PCIe
Windows 7 32-bit"

So, basically I'm going in circles

[Dirka]

installing those 2 things should be all you need to do

[thegrogster]

if you right click on your desktop and see Catalyst Control Center then your drivers should be installed.

In fact, just open Steam, click "Steam" from the menu and click "Check for Video Driver Update"

That'll tell you if you're up to date or not.

[Deadgoat]

My dad had two questions about TF2

1) he says in some games its more important to have a powerful CPU and in others its all about the graphics card. Does TF2 fall into one of these categories?

2) What would you guys say is an updated "recommended requirements" for pc specs now that TF2 has added so much content since release.

[thegrogster]

Source engine games have been balanced to kinda need both. TF2 is both processor and video card intensive.

My "minimum" recommended is
Core 2 Duo or better
4GB RAM (thanks to RAM being dirt cheap)
a mid-high range card from about 2 generations old
So, 4850, 5770, 6850. Something with at the very LEAST 1GB of video memory. (Some people seem to think that video memory is the best indication of power, they are very, very wrong)
If I knew what your video card was exactly it might help. The 38XX was the higher end, but it is an old card. If it's a 3830 or something it's a pretty crappy video card these days.

[Deadgoat]

are other games bad too or just TF2?

I tried to run Left4Dead2 and got a consistent 10FPS, even with every video setting turned to its lowest. Which is weird because I used to could run that game fine. It's almost as if over time my computer has accumulated baggage (or something) that’s weighing it down.

Anyways I got a message from my dad saying “I talked about building a new game machine today. I think we have most of what we need to make it happen over the next week or so.” So I guess my problems are about to be solved.

Thanks a lot for all the feedback you guys have given. :D