Troubleshooting Gameplay and Performance

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Lag, slow loading times, and choppy video are common signs of decreased performance.

Free up System Resources

The amount of memory available for model loading and graphics rendering has a direct effect on the rate at which frames are displayed in games, and whether or not lag is apparent while playing.

Please observe the instructions below to increase the available processor time and memory for games on your system:

Disable Background Applications

Please see the Disabling Background Applications topic for instructions.

Video Card Software

Any video card software for forcing particular video modes should be disabled.

Check System Resources

Be sure to have plenty of available RAM free.

When insufficient RAM is free for game resources you will experience disk swapping, which will have a noticeable effect on FPS. (256 megabytes of RAM is the minimum amount of RAM required - model detail, water detail, HDR, and other video options enabled or increased will require a significantly greater amount of RAM to maintain a high FPS rate)

Use an Optimal Resolution

Increasing resolution, or any video option beyond your recommended settings will have a negative impact on your FPS.

If you have changed or 'tweaked' your settings and do not remember the original settings you can reset them with the links provided in the Reset Video Settings and Force a Video Mode article.

Update your Video Drivers

Outdated video drivers may fail to make full use of your video card's capabilities. Please see the Updating Drivers topic for instructions.

You may also wish to check your video card manufacturer's site for more information on fine-tuning your video card for better performance - in some cases the default settings will not provide the best performance on your machine.

Tweak your Video Settings

Tweaking your games video options can increase your FPS, however, it is not supported. We cannot assist with video tweaking, or driver tweaking for better performance.

Please see the Reset Video Settings and Force a Video Mode topic for instructions if you are experiencing inadequate performance and would like to lower your video resolution and DirectX level (this may help with older video cards and integrated video cards) to improve game performance.

Use Launch Options

To access Launch Options for a game:

1. Open Steam
2. Go to the My Games tab
3. Right-click the game which needs to be reconfigured and select Properties
4. Click the Set launch options... button
5. Add the launch options you would like to use at the end of the line - be sure to include a space between launch options

Launch Options to Adjust Detail Levels and Graphic Rendering

• +r_rootlod # - Adjusts Model Detail where # is 0 for high, 1 is medium, and 2 for low
• +mat_picmip # - Adjusts Texture Detail where # is 0 for high, 1 is medium, and 2 for low
• +mat_reducefillrate # - Adjusts Shader Detail where # is 0 for high and 1 for low
• +r_waterforceexpensive # - Adjusts Water Detail where # is 0 for low and 1 for high
• +r_waterforcereflectentities # - Adjusts Water Reflectiveness where # is 0 for low and 1 for high
• +r_shadowrendertotexture # - Adjusts Shadow Detail where # is 0 for high and 1 for low
• +mat_colorcorrection # - Adjusts Color Correction where # is 0 for low and 1 for high

Filtering Modes:

• +mat_trilinear 0 - Use Bilinear Mode (least system-intensive)
• +mat_trilinear 1 - Use Trilinear Mode (more system-intensive)
• +mat_forceaniso # - Use Trilinear Mode (where # is 2, 4, 8, or 16 - higher levels of filtering require more system resources)
• +mat_hdr_level # - Adjusts High Dynamic Range lighting effects where # is </tt>0 for "off" (requires least resources) and 2 for "full"