Maximum PC

Hello. I am having trouble keep a consistent 80 fps in TF2 while playing on a 24 person server. I have a high FPS config and have tried turning off all other programs while playing TF2. I have read that TF2 is very CPU dependent and I was wondering if overclocking my CPU would help increase performance. I have never overclocked something before so I was wondering if I could get some help doing that. Would overclocking my CPU be okay? If so, what do I need to do to overclock my CPU? Thank you.
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System Information
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Time of this report: 1/3/2011, 16:22:26
Machine name: MATT-PC
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080917-1612)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP-Pavilion
System Model: GC674AA-ABA m8120n
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 3070MB RAM
Page File: 1498MB used, 4876MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 32bit Unicode

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DxDiag Notes
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Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

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DirectX Debug Levels
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Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

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Display Devices
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Card name: ATI Radeon HD 4870
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x9440)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9440&SUBSYS_24451682&REV_00
Display Memory: 2297 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1017 MB
Shared Memory: 1279 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: HP w2207 Wide LCD Monitor
Driver Name: aticfx32.dll,aticfx32.dll,aticfx32.dll,atiumdag.dll,atidxx32.dll,atiumdva.cap
Driver Version: 8.17.0010.0029 (English)
DDI Version: 10.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 5/27/2010 12:02:46, 511488 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-D700-11CF-2F75-4F04BEC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x9440
SubSys ID: 0x24451682
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
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DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

your PC should be playing TF2 very well, actually, because my P4 single core + a 4600 radeon barely meets requirements for it. have you ruled out maybe the internet connection or the server?

are your Steam files fragmented a whole lot? that might affect performance.

From my experience, most TF2 "fps" configs push the workload onto the CPU. This is good if you have a strong processor and weaker GPU. So instead of that, try the other way and max everything out. If you don't have multi-core rendering on, then you must turn it on. There is no point whatsoever not to have it enabled.

Thank you for the speedy replies. I do have multicore rendering enabled. I will try and reduce the settings without the config and see what happens. I had read somewhere that if you overclock your gpu and not your cpu you will bottleneck your cpu. I think my gpu came factory overclocked, so I was thinking that maybe overclocking would help performance.

Overclocking your GPU will make your GPU faster .. it won't 'bottleneck' your CPU. Your CPU will be bottlenecked if it is not fast enough to run the game.

If you aren't running the server for the game, your PC should be fine and you should look at your internet connection. If you are running the server, then you may improve your gaming performance by overclocking your CPU.

Before you even consider OCing, you need to do some research and learn what it is, how it is done and how it can affect your PC. We can answer specific questions (best cooler, ideal settings, how to fix errors) but we can't teach you how to OC.

Sorry you can't overclock that computer.

why?



OEM's are notorious for locking down the BIOS's, so you can't overclock. also, it likely does not have that good of a CPU cooling solution, so you could not overclock without likely overheating the computer.

I agree with the others, check your internet connection, and the AMD Radeon 4870 should be fine for TF2 at max settings.





Ted

I have to disagree. I have successfully over clocked several OEM machines before using idiot jumpers and pins on the mobo. OCing that proc will most definitely net you more performance. A real overclocker would never listen to some one who said they didnt need to over clock, especially if your only at stock speeds right now.

Go to google and do a search for your specific computer and how to over clock it. The idea that the CPU cooling isnt good enough is bs also. I got my 2.4GHz C2D all the way to 3.0GHz stable for about 2 years before i bought a new cooler and squeezed more out of it. If any thing you might need to add one or two more case fans.

He isn't a 'real' overclocker and this thread was dormant for long enough that it should have been left alone. Please don't bump old threads.