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OrangeCuse44
May 7, 2008, 10:36 AM
I set up Windows XP Professional using Boot Camp yesterday. Everything works great (thanks to Mac driver installs) and CS runs okay. My frame rate is kind of slow though. I know Macbooks are not designed for gaming because of the integrated video card, but I am running a 4gig RAM machine. Does anyone have any setting tips I could use to better my framerate during game play?


ayeying
May 7, 2008, 07:05 PM
lower resolution. lower graphics settings.
italiano40
May 7, 2008, 10:06 PM
I am using a macbook and it runs pretty fast
and frame rates are about 55 FPS
for counter-strike
flopticalcube
May 7, 2008, 10:12 PM
-dxlevel 81 on the command line.
OrangeCuse44
May 8, 2008, 12:08 PM
I am using a macbook and it runs pretty fast
and frame rates are about 55 FPS
for counter-strike

I'm hitting 9-10 FPS consistently which is unplayable in a FP shooter. I lowered graphics and everything. What did you do to help performance?

-dxlevel 81 on the command line.

Add to the command line in the CS shortcut or to launch options in Steam?
flopticalcube
May 8, 2008, 12:09 PM
I'm hitting 9-10 FPS consistently which is unplayable in a FP shooter. I lowered graphics and everything. What did you do to help performance?



Add to the command line in the CS shortcut or to launch options in Steam?
Launch options.
Consultant
May 8, 2008, 12:21 PM
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=276830

google: counterstrike optimize
italiano40
May 8, 2008, 03:27 PM
-dxlevel 81 on the command line.

this will help you a lot believe me
but my macbook also
counter-strike 1.6 isn't that graphic
intense so it does run it pretty good
The Flashing Fi
May 8, 2008, 03:40 PM
You said Counterstrike. Is this Counterstrike 1.6 or is it Counterstrike Source?

Counterstrike 1.6 should run without any problems on your Macbook. What OS are you you using? My dad has an IBM with a x3100 (same integrated graphics in the current Macbook) and has problems with the old Half-Life engine games (like CS 1.6).

Counterstrike Source. Well, you have integrated graphics.

And while -dxlevel 81 will help. You can even put in -dxlevel 70, which should help even more. But to put it simply, integrated graphics can't run games. It doesn't matter how much RAM you install on your laptop. You can't compensate for the x3100.

Turning down all the settings and running in DX7 (the command I gave you, which goes in the Launch options) will help. There should also be some custom config files you can find online that are optimized for performance. I don't use them, so I can't tell you where to look or where to find them, asides from doing a google search. But don't expect any miracles.
OrangeCuse44
May 9, 2008, 10:22 AM
I just can' get above 9-11 FPS, I don't understand why. I installed a custom config file to drop graphics amongst other things. In the launch options, Steam doesn't allow me to dedicate more than half memory to CS.
The Flashing Fi
May 9, 2008, 12:24 PM
I just can' get above 9-11 FPS, I don't understand why. I installed a custom config file to drop graphics amongst other things. In the launch options, Steam doesn't allow me to dedicate more than half memory to CS.

You never specified with Counter Strike it is. If it's Source, then that's all you're going to get.

If it's Counter Strike 1.6, you could try changing from DirectX to OpenGL or software mode.

But once again, if you're Playing Counterstrike Source, then a Macbook isn't going to cut it. The x3100 is NOT meant for gaming (yes, you can play things like the Sims and really old games from the 90s and very early 2000s). If you wanted to game, you should have bought a Macbook Pro.
OrangeCuse44
May 9, 2008, 12:53 PM
It's Source. I understand the video card isn't made for gaming and I did not purchase a computer with gaming in mind. This is more of a bonus thing for me than anything. If I could just get to 20 FPS consistently, that would be playable. People have said they reached more than 30 FPS with a Macbook so I know it can be done.
Consultant
May 9, 2008, 02:48 PM
You never specified with Counter Strike it is. If it's Source, then that's all you're going to get.

If it's Counter Strike 1.6, you could try changing from DirectX to OpenGL or software mode.

But once again, if you're Playing Counterstrike Source, then a Macbook isn't going to cut it. The x3100 is NOT meant for gaming (yes, you can play things like the Sims and really old games from the 90s and very early 2000s). If you wanted to game, you should have bought a Macbook Pro.

Actually people have good luck plying TF2 which is newer than CS Source. However people with MacBook seems to experience better frame rate with TF2 under CrossOver than in Windows.
flopticalcube
May 9, 2008, 04:22 PM
I had luck getting TF2 to "run" on my daughter's mini using this:

http://www.bloganything.net/980/optimize-counter-strike-source-css-performance
OrangeCuse44
May 9, 2008, 04:25 PM
I had luck getting TF2 to "run" on my daughter's mini using this:

http://www.bloganything.net/980/optimize-counter-strike-source-css-performance

That's the config I use also. I haven't tried without it so I don't know how bad performance would be originally.
The Flashing Fi
May 9, 2008, 05:42 PM
It's Source. I understand the video card isn't made for gaming and I did not purchase a computer with gaming in mind. This is more of a bonus thing for me than anything. If I could just get to 20 FPS consistently, that would be playable. People have said they reached more than 30 FPS with a Macbook so I know it can be done.

Did you lower the settings down to DirectX 7? I told you the command in my first post.

I'm assuming you're using casey's cfg?

Actually people have good luck plying TF2 which is newer than CS Source. However people with MacBook seems to experience better frame rate with TF2 under CrossOver than in Windows.

And they're probably getting a max of 20 FPS with everything turned down and running a custom cfg. TF2 may RUN on a Macbook, but it won't be fun.
OrangeCuse44
May 9, 2008, 06:04 PM
Yes, Casey's config. Directx7 made no difference.
Capt Underpants
May 9, 2008, 06:15 PM
Yes, Casey's config. Directx7 made no difference.

Something's wrong.

I play on Directx 8.1, all setting on low, 1280x800, and get a playable 30 FPS. It drops lower in crazy firefights, but it's still not terrible.

I remember upgrading to a beta gaphics driver when I was running windows. That took me from unplayable to playable very quickly. Of course, that was November, so I would think they had a better driver out by now. Try that?

Good luck.