This is my little tutorial for CS 1.6, I know that alot of people are confused as to why 1.6 drops in fps and at times is such a CPU demanding game, when it's pretty old. Links and tweaks will be provided after my descriptions, and full credit goes to all the authors of the links and quotes in this tutorial. Now my FPS is always 100 constant, even in smoke, these tips increased my fps up to 500/600. Please note that this is for low end users that cannot afford to upgrade, and/or users who want to squeeze as much fps as possible out of their system.
1. Anti-Virus
One of the things that plague the HL engine the most is viruses. My "amazing rig" dropped down to 10m fps on source the other day after being infected with that trojan. I already had AV, but it was time to get a better one. I recommend AVG free version, the no-limitation version.
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/us/frt/0?prd=aff - AVG 7.5 FREE VERSION
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/us/frt/0?prd=asf - Anti Spyware Free version.
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/us/frt/0?prd=arw - Free Anti Rootkit protection, rootkits can have a VERY negative system performance impact.
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/us/frt/0?prd=afl - AVG 7.5 FREE FOR LINUX USERS.
http://www.avg.com/ww.products-avg-internet-security-freecnv?fprd=ais.12m - And finally, a trial version of AVG internet security 8.0
After scanning your system and all your drives thoroughly, make sure that there is NO viruses or any spyware OR Ad-Ware (It's still the topic that flamers like to use, whether 1.6 or CSS is more effected by viruses. Let's just be safe, and remove them all). Now I will not be going through all anti-virus programs, as this is an FPS optimization guide, however I found that for my old PC and my current one, the links listed were the most effective.
2. Tweaks
Windows OS is special in it's own way, it's tweakable. The registry is tweakable, the themes are tweakable, and other optimization settings are. These will provide a major FPS boost for cs.
http://tweakxp.com/article37010.aspx
http://tweakxp.com/article37043.aspx
http://tweakxp.com/article37016.aspx
http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php - Here you will find the best connection related tweaks, guaranteed to lower your ping. For mostly all versions of windows.
HLTOOLZ- http://www.fpsbanana.com/tools/27 - The god of rates and registry optimization. Go to www.speedtest.net , take the speed test, and then enter the correct values in the upload/download fields. It will then be auto-optimized for you, and installed if you like. Graphical optimization also is included.
3. Drivers
Drivers are the "bread and butter" for HL1 games. These determine what textures you can render on your screen, what quality of picture you will get, and more.
Remember to use DriverCleaner and uninstall all ATI related drivers and files. Boot into safemode, uninstall everything, boot back into safe mode, and then install these drivers. These drivers are only recommended for 24/7 CS 1.6 players, I found that it is the best for all HL1 engine games, however you will get lackluster performance in other games with these drivers.
Details (Thanks, driverheaven.net)
Main features:
*based on Catalyst 3.8 (the best build for CS OpenGL engine - private and professional opinion)
*based on the fastest ATI OpenGL Driver
*Optimized for Counter-Strike ONLY!
*includes "Gamma" Fix!
*includes "Random Frame drop noticed in CS" Fix!
*includes "high recoil noticed in CS" Fix!
*includes "Catalyst input delay" Fix
*Best performance and quality in Counter-Strike
*Highest and stable frame rates in Counter-Strike
4. Launch options
CS and the HL1 engine has alot of unnecessary features and cvars included into their games, that getting rid of them gives a huge performance increase.
Counter-Strike Tweaks 1.5/1.6 (ALL CREDIT GOES TO NITEL.CO.UK)
Adding these to your CS link or in Steam (my games > right click on CS > Properties)
-console (add console)
-nojoy (remove joystick support, gives more ram)
-noipx (removing LAN options, gives more ram)
-noforcemparms -noforcemaccel -noforcemspd (disable mouse acceleration)
-dev (removing 100fps limit *STEAM ONLY*)
-heapsize (gives CS memory, set it by kbytes, example; i have 384mb of ram so i used:
-dxlevel 7
-heapsize 300000 (it tells cs to use 300mb of ram as cache for CS) , set it to 60-80% of your total ram, help’s alot in 1.6)
5. System
Many errors are also caused by disk errors and the hard drive being fragmented, which in turn results in skippiness and lag in-game, especially when there is alot of people in the server and you see an enemy.
CHECK THE HARD DRIVE FOR ERRORS: In XP, go to My Computer, right click on your main hard drive (C:) and go to tools. You will see "error checking". Select "Check now". You may have to restart your computer for the process to take effect. This will scan and fix any bad sectors of the disc.
HARD DRIVE DEFRAGMENTATION: Go to start, all programs, accessories, system tools, and then disc defragmenter. Let it analyze your disc first, and then before you start defragmenting, close all processess running under your name. Go to the task manager (CTRL ALT DEL) and then close all processes running under your logged in username. Also, disconnect yourself temporarily from the internet. You may now start defrag your HD. Please restart once it is finished.
DIRTY PC: I noticed that in source I got a 60 fps increase after I took apart my PC and cleaned out the fan all the dust inside. Do that, because dirt and debris can also be a major perfomance impact.
Overheating: Don't let your system overheat. If it does begin to, exit cs and restart your computer. You may need a new graphics card, or turn down the settings a bit. Go to start, right click my computer and go to properties. Go to Advanced, and select performace. Now, select "Adjust for best performance" and click ok. Also, turning the graphics down to 16 bit is also one of the most quick, ideal fixes for video problems.
This will update drivers for directx, as well as update all previous versions. Definitely download this.
FPS CONFIG
This will make Counter-Strike 1.6 look very, very, very bad, only recommended for users who are having LOTS of trouble with their card. All credit again goes to nitel.co.uk for this config script.
Please, if you are going to repost this somewhere, all I request is that you give credit to "Thunderhaze" at the bottom of your post, please don't be selfish and rip off my hard work.
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