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Cannot get TF2 to run on Discrete GPU
posted in Hardware
1
#1
0 Frags +

Hey tf.tv, I've googled and searched everywhere I can to fix this problem and can't seem to figure it out.

I have this laptop: http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-V3-771G-9456-17-3-Notebook/dp/B00CRT6DJO

SPECS:
- Windows 8
- 2.2 GHz i7-3632QM CPU
- 6GB RAM, 750GB Hard Disk
- Discrete 2GB Nvidia 640M GPU
- Integrated Intel HD4000 GPU

The laptop uses NVidia Optimus technology, which runs the discrete GPU only when the program requires the extra performance. For whatever reason, TF2 does not enable the discrete GPU. This means I'm stuck at running TF2 at around 45-60 frames in firefights, even with Maxframes. How do I know the card isn't enabled? I can change graphics properties in NVidia Inspector, such as increasing LOD Bias, and it changes absolutely nothing about how the game looks.

I've tried:
- Enabling the card when the TF2 program runs: http://i.imgur.com/wvK4ALp.png
- Turning on the card to run all programs: http://i.imgur.com/ZYRxNvH.png
- Using Razer GameBooster
- Running ThrottleStop
- Running Steam with the NVidia Discrete Card

Nothing works. Help me out?

Hey tf.tv, I've googled and searched everywhere I can to fix this problem and can't seem to figure it out.

I have this laptop: http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-V3-771G-9456-17-3-Notebook/dp/B00CRT6DJO?tag=teamfortresst-20

SPECS:
- Windows 8
- 2.2 GHz i7-3632QM CPU
- 6GB RAM, 750GB Hard Disk
- Discrete 2GB Nvidia 640M GPU
- Integrated Intel HD4000 GPU

The laptop uses NVidia Optimus technology, which runs the discrete GPU only when the program requires the extra performance. For whatever reason, TF2 does not enable the discrete GPU. This means I'm stuck at running TF2 at around 45-60 frames in firefights, even with Maxframes. How do I know the card isn't enabled? I can change graphics properties in NVidia Inspector, such as increasing LOD Bias, and it changes absolutely nothing about how the game looks.

I've tried:
- Enabling the card when the TF2 program runs: http://i.imgur.com/wvK4ALp.png
- Turning on the card to run all programs: http://i.imgur.com/ZYRxNvH.png
- Using Razer GameBooster
- Running ThrottleStop
- Running Steam with the NVidia Discrete Card

Nothing works. Help me out?
2
#2
0 Frags +

Try "-gl" in launch options

Try "-gl" in launch options
3
#3
0 Frags +
HiveMindTry "-gl" in launch options

Got a slight boost in frames, not quite sure that did the trick.

[quote=HiveMind]Try "-gl" in launch options[/quote]

Got a slight boost in frames, not quite sure that did the trick.
4
#4
0 Frags +

There is a setting in nvidia control panel which enables a icon in the quick launch bar. Then you open tf2 and alt+tab and click on the icon and it will show how many and which programs are running of the discrete card.

There is a setting in nvidia control panel which enables a icon in the quick launch bar. Then you open tf2 and alt+tab and click on the icon and it will show how many and which programs are running of the discrete card.
5
#5
0 Frags +
BRZ I can change graphics properties in NVidia Inspector, such as increasing LOD Bias, and it changes absolutely nothing about how the game looks.

LOD Bias does not work if you're using the latest NVIDIA drivers anyway.

Does this only happen in TF2? If so, try navigating to your "Team Fortress 2" folder, right click hl2.exe, "run with graphics processor" (don't know if this is exactly what it says, my Windows is in Portuguese) and check if the NVIDIA option is ticked.

[quote=BRZ] I can change graphics properties in NVidia Inspector, such as increasing LOD Bias, and it changes absolutely nothing about how the game looks.[/quote]

LOD Bias does not work if you're using the latest NVIDIA drivers anyway.

Does this only happen in TF2? If so, try navigating to your "Team Fortress 2" folder, right click hl2.exe, "run with graphics processor" (don't know if this is exactly what it says, my Windows is in Portuguese) and check if the NVIDIA option is ticked.
6
#6
0 Frags +

Can yu explain the -gl thingie, cant found it what is it, in tf2 when i'm really close to walls i get like 340 frames but when i get to look at a pretty open area lika metal work mid, it drop to 145 and flicker from 145 to 185(capped my fps was even worse before because the flickering was going higher). i will try changing my nvidia options like LOD bias and stuff

Can yu explain the -gl thingie, cant found it what is it, in tf2 when i'm really close to walls i get like 340 frames but when i get to look at a pretty open area lika metal work mid, it drop to 145 and flicker from 145 to 185(capped my fps was even worse before because the flickering was going higher). i will try changing my nvidia options like LOD bias and stuff
7
#7
0 Frags +

changed to lower bias and lowered graphic card thingies, won 25 fps :D

changed to lower bias and lowered graphic card thingies, won 25 fps :D
8
#8
0 Frags +
Khaos_There is a setting in nvidia control panel which enables a icon in the quick launch bar. Then you open tf2 and alt+tab and click on the icon and it will show how many and which programs are running of the discrete card.

This icon says that there's "one program" using the discrete card when I click it, but it doesn't say what program it is. It still says "one program" when I close TF2.

MitsTry navigating to your "Team Fortress 2" folder, right click hl2.exe, "run with graphics processor" (don't know if this is exactly what it says, my Windows is in Portuguese) and check if the NVIDIA option is ticked.

If I right-click the TF2 icon on my desktop, there's no option in the context menu to run the game with the NVidia card.

When I go directly to my /Team Fortress 2/ folder and attempt to run the game using "Run with High Performance Graphics Processor", I get the error message "Setup file gameinfo.txt doesn't exist in subdirectory 'hl2'. Check your -game parameter or VCONFIG setting."

[quote=Khaos_]There is a setting in nvidia control panel which enables a icon in the quick launch bar. Then you open tf2 and alt+tab and click on the icon and it will show how many and which programs are running of the discrete card.[/quote]

This icon says that there's "one program" using the discrete card when I click it, but it doesn't say what program it is. It still says "one program" when I close TF2.

[quote=Mits]Try navigating to your "Team Fortress 2" folder, right click hl2.exe, "run with graphics processor" (don't know if this is exactly what it says, my Windows is in Portuguese) and check if the NVIDIA option is ticked.[/quote]

If I right-click the TF2 icon on my desktop, there's no option in the context menu to run the game with the NVidia card.

When I go directly to my /Team Fortress 2/ folder and attempt to run the game using "Run with High Performance Graphics Processor", I get the error message "Setup file gameinfo.txt doesn't exist in subdirectory 'hl2'. Check your -game parameter or VCONFIG setting."
9
#9
0 Frags +
Khaos_If I right-click the TF2 icon on my desktop, there's no option in the context menu to run the game with the NVidia card.

This is normal, since the icon on your desktop is not a shortcut to an executable file, but rather sort of a "link"

When I go directly to my /Team Fortress 2/ folder and attempt to run the game using "Run with High Performance Graphics Processor", I get the error message "Setup file gameinfo.txt doesn't exist in subdirectory 'hl2'. Check your -game parameter or VCONFIG setting."

What really matters is seeing which option was the default: if it was NVIDIA, then i can't really help you much more; if it is the integrated graphics, then you have to change the hl2.exe profile on the NVIDIA Control Panel instead of the Team Fortress 2, as seen in your screenshot.

[quote=Khaos_]If I right-click the TF2 icon on my desktop, there's no option in the context menu to run the game with the NVidia card.[/quote]

This is normal, since the icon on your desktop is not a shortcut to an executable file, but rather sort of a "link"

[quote]When I go directly to my /Team Fortress 2/ folder and attempt to run the game using "Run with High Performance Graphics Processor", I get the error message "Setup file gameinfo.txt doesn't exist in subdirectory 'hl2'. Check your -game parameter or VCONFIG setting."[/quote]

What really matters is seeing which option was the default: if it was NVIDIA, then i can't really help you much more; if it is the integrated graphics, then you have to change the hl2.exe profile on the NVIDIA Control Panel instead of the Team Fortress 2, as seen in your screenshot.
10
#10
0 Frags +

I tried updating my driver last night, and all of my settings reset themselves. Now I can't choose hl2.exe to run through the high-performance GPU like I had set earlier - if I click it, it won't register and defaults back to AC4.

This is getting pretty ridiculous, and doesn't seem to be an issue any more with TF2 not recognizing the card, but the card's incompatibility with TF2.

I tried updating my driver last night, and all of my settings reset themselves. Now I can't choose hl2.exe to run through the high-performance GPU like I had set earlier - if I click it, it won't register and defaults back to AC4.

This is getting pretty ridiculous, and doesn't seem to be an issue any more with TF2 not recognizing the card, but the card's incompatibility with TF2.
11
#11
0 Frags +

If you have a problem with selecting tf2 in your driver. Use the add button and select tf2. Then change the videocard from hd4000 to the nvidia one.

If you have a problem with selecting tf2 in your driver. Use the add button and select tf2. Then change the videocard from hd4000 to the nvidia one.
12
#12
0 Frags +
Khaos_If you have a problem with selecting tf2 in your driver. Use the add button and select tf2. Then change the videocard from hd4000 to the nvidia one.

Done. Still crappy performance. I'm starting to think there may be something wrong with the GPU, but other games (more graphics-intensive) seem to work fine.

[quote=Khaos_]If you have a problem with selecting tf2 in your driver. Use the add button and select tf2. Then change the videocard from hd4000 to the nvidia one.[/quote]

Done. Still crappy performance. I'm starting to think there may be something wrong with the GPU, but other games (more graphics-intensive) seem to work fine.
13
#13
-1 Frags +
HiveMindTry "-gl" in launch options

care to explain how -gl works mate?

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1216-JMTZ-0860

-gl use the OpenGL engine GoldSource Only

And afaik, client has no control to enable d3d -> OpenGL translation.

BRZ, could you use an application like GPUZ to monitor for gpu activity while it's in the background?
That way you'll know for certain which GPU is being used.

[quote=HiveMind]Try "-gl" in launch options[/quote]
care to explain how -gl works mate?

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1216-JMTZ-0860
[quote]-gl use the OpenGL engine GoldSource Only [/quote]

And afaik, client has no control to enable d3d -> OpenGL translation.


BRZ, could you use an application like GPUZ to monitor for gpu activity while it's in the background?
That way you'll know for certain which GPU is being used.
14
#14
0 Frags +
jp_BRZ, could you use an application like GPUZ to monitor for gpu activity while it's in the background?

According to this it has been running on the discrete card. But the performance is still so shitty that it's hard to believe. I have friends with similar rigs that get double my framerate.

Looks like the next step is to contact NVidia. Thanks to everyone for your help, I did get quite a few frames out of this thread and continuing to search elsewhere. Thanks, guys.

[quote=jp_]BRZ, could you use an application like GPUZ to monitor for gpu activity while it's in the background?[/quote]

According to this it has been running on the discrete card. But the performance is still so shitty that it's hard to believe. I have friends with similar rigs that get double my framerate.

Looks like the next step is to contact NVidia. Thanks to everyone for your help, I did get quite a few frames out of this thread and continuing to search elsewhere. Thanks, guys.
15
#15
-2 Frags +

Changing the GPU shouldn't affect too much because TF2 is pretty much entirely CPU based. Unlike something like CS:GO or even DotA, TF2 barely uses your GPU for anything.

e:

That said, if you are already running at DirectX then that's really weird, your CPU is more than good enough...

Changing the GPU shouldn't affect too much because TF2 is pretty much entirely CPU based. Unlike something like CS:GO or even DotA, TF2 barely uses your GPU for anything.

e:

That said, if you are already running at DirectX then that's really weird, your CPU is more than good enough...
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