Tf2 Mac Performance Issues: Stuttering and Pixelation

wrathalosslayer · 07-20-2012, 10:05 AM

UPDATE: Proud to say I found a solution! I downloaded it on Bootcamp and it works fantastic getting around 30-60 frames usually around 40-50 though which is awesome compared to my 10-20 frames on mac, I actually find it hilarious it works much better on bootcamp than it does on mac.

I have been playing TF2 on my mac for a while and its been steadily going downhill in performance these past couple months.

Firstly, There is constant stuttering/lag, much of the time making the game unplayable. I only connect to servers in my area (East america) and usually connect to one with less than 50 latency.

And also after about half an hour of playing the game becomes all pixelated. It's kind of weird to explain but pretty much all the textures have multiple huge white pixels. This includes charters, environment, ect... If i restart the game it boots up in the same pixelated form, the only way to solve it is to not play the game for upwards of 3 hours, at which point after about 30 minutes of playing it occures again.

I really cant figure out how to improve performance and solve this pixelation issue as it is becoming frequent (as in 20-40 minutes of play time is occurs.)

I really want to solve these two problems as i cannot play the game nearly as well, or even play the game period.

Additional info: I have already put the graphics on lowest setting(really dont like it like this anyways since everything is blurry), I have already deleted local game content, and my launch options are -dxlevel 80 +mat_antialias 0

Mac Specs:Processor: 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo, Memory: 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3 Startup Disk: Machintosh HD.

If i could add anymore useful info please tell me. I just really want to fix the stuttering and weird pixelation occurrences.

EDIT: My video card is NVIDIA GeForce 320M, maybe this is a basic graphics card? If it is maybe it is not powerful enough to support tf2?

EDIT 2: I ran through command console the frame rate and found when i first start that game its around 20 fps which is tolerable but not ideal, however, after a couple minutes of playing it dips to around 10-20 mostly in the red 10.

Hedy Lamarr · 07-20-2012, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrathalosslayer

And also after about half an hour of playing the game becomes all pixelated. It's kind of weird to explain...the only way to solve it is to not play the game for upwards of 3 hours, at which point after about 30 minutes of playing it occures again.

Heat. Your GPU is frying it's self.

As far as the network lag, I have no idea. Usually, I would start by ruling out various pieces of hardware. I.e., connect directly to the modem and see if there's lag still. Try a different machine on that modem, etc. Basically you want to start testing whether the router, modem, wifi card or even a broken ethernet cable is to blame.

wrathalosslayer · 07-21-2012, 09:48 AM

alright, i'll try that, ad for the heat that creates the checkerboard effect: is this a common occurrence? and if there a way to prevent overheating other than downloading custom fan apps that'll potentially make more use of my the fan?

Hedy Lamarr · 07-21-2012, 03:13 PM

A lot of Mac users use SmcFanControl to manually set their fans to Harrier vertical take-off mode, with varying results.

From what I've read though, a cooling pad gives best results.

wrathalosslayer · 07-21-2012, 03:59 PM

I'll check on getting a cooling pad- if the checkerboard problem is the result of overheating maybe I should try a more cool surface like a table? Seeing as I play the game on my lap lol

In regards to the fan control I heard that it is pointless since the MacBook pro is made to have fans on full when needed.

wrathalosslayer · 07-25-2012, 08:02 AM

Still having issues, any have a solution or some advice? I mean the game is practically unplayable now

Crab · 07-25-2012, 11:27 AM

I'm not sure it'll help, but here's some suggestions.

Quit all other open applications (except Steam :/). This includes menubar applications.

Reset the SMC. Especially if you've used fan control apps. You're right, the default settings already put the fans at maximum, and the only use for fan control is to make it cooler when the fans aren't at maximum. I mean, it is possible that the fans don't get up to speed before overheating starts, but in my experience that hasn't happened. I have a MBP with an NVidia 330M and the default fan settings work great (I've only had one instance of overheating just recently in Windows playing Tribes Ascend, which was odd for me even for that game. It is summer here though.)

Lower the resolution, if you haven't already done that, and make sure to turn off antialiasing. There's also the possibility that setting Shaders to High still works better than Low on Mac (yeah, it's weird. There was a thread about it a long ways back).

If all else fails, it's possible that your Mac has an issue with termal paste. I'm not sure, just that quite a few people have had that. You might find some advice about that.

Unfortunately, TF2 is still kinda stuttery in Mac anyway.

Edit: I do use a stand made out of Lego bricks to elevate my MBP (about 2 bricks high), which does seem to make a difference.

wrathalosslayer · 07-27-2012, 03:52 PM

I have tried elevating my mac with a deck of cards on either side of the mac and it does seem to cool. However, the game is still very stuttery and I also get the checkerboard pixelation effect even though it is elevated and not hot at all. I'm begging to give up, I cannot find a solution and with my favorite class (scout) i cannot play at all.

07-20-2012, 10:05 AM	#1
wrathalosslayer Join Date: Jul 2012 Reputation: 8 Posts: 17	Tf2 Mac Performance Issues: Stuttering and Pixelation UPDATE: Proud to say I found a solution! I downloaded it on Bootcamp and it works fantastic getting around 30-60 frames usually around 40-50 though which is awesome compared to my 10-20 frames on mac, I actually find it hilarious it works much better on bootcamp than it does on mac. I have been playing TF2 on my mac for a while and its been steadily going downhill in performance these past couple months. Firstly, There is constant stuttering/lag, much of the time making the game unplayable. I only connect to servers in my area (East america) and usually connect to one with less than 50 latency. And also after about half an hour of playing the game becomes all pixelated. It's kind of weird to explain but pretty much all the textures have multiple huge white pixels. This includes charters, environment, ect... If i restart the game it boots up in the same pixelated form, the only way to solve it is to not play the game for upwards of 3 hours, at which point after about 30 minutes of playing it occures again. I really cant figure out how to improve performance and solve this pixelation issue as it is becoming frequent (as in 20-40 minutes of play time is occurs.) I really want to solve these two problems as i cannot play the game nearly as well, or even play the game period. Additional info: I have already put the graphics on lowest setting(really dont like it like this anyways since everything is blurry), I have already deleted local game content, and my launch options are -dxlevel 80 +mat_antialias 0 Mac Specs:Processor: 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo, Memory: 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3 Startup Disk: Machintosh HD. If i could add anymore useful info please tell me. I just really want to fix the stuttering and weird pixelation occurrences. EDIT: My video card is NVIDIA GeForce 320M, maybe this is a basic graphics card? If it is maybe it is not powerful enough to support tf2? EDIT 2: I ran through command console the frame rate and found when i first start that game its around 20 fps which is tolerable but not ideal, however, after a couple minutes of playing it dips to around 10-20 mostly in the red 10. Last edited by wrathalosslayer: 07-27-2012 at 07:22 PM.

07-25-2012, 08:02 AM	#6
wrathalosslayer Join Date: Jul 2012 Reputation: 8 Posts: 17	Still having issues, any have a solution or some advice? I mean the game is practically unplayable now Last edited by wrathalosslayer: 07-25-2012 at 08:51 AM.

07-25-2012, 11:27 AM	#7
Crab Join Date: Sep 2010 Reputation: 177 Posts: 873	I'm not sure it'll help, but here's some suggestions. Quit all other open applications (except Steam :/). This includes menubar applications. Reset the SMC. Especially if you've used fan control apps. You're right, the default settings already put the fans at maximum, and the only use for fan control is to make it cooler when the fans aren't at maximum. I mean, it is possible that the fans don't get up to speed before overheating starts, but in my experience that hasn't happened. I have a MBP with an NVidia 330M and the default fan settings work great (I've only had one instance of overheating just recently in Windows playing Tribes Ascend, which was odd for me even for that game. It is summer here though.) Lower the resolution, if you haven't already done that, and make sure to turn off antialiasing. There's also the possibility that setting Shaders to High still works better than Low on Mac (yeah, it's weird. There was a thread about it a long ways back). If all else fails, it's possible that your Mac has an issue with termal paste. I'm not sure, just that quite a few people have had that. You might find some advice about that. Unfortunately, TF2 is still kinda stuttery in Mac anyway. Edit: I do use a stand made out of Lego bricks to elevate my MBP (about 2 bricks high), which does seem to make a difference. Last edited by Crab: 07-25-2012 at 12:34 PM.

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07-21-2012, 09:48 AM	#3
wrathalosslayer Join Date: Jul 2012 Reputation: 8 Posts: 17	alright, i'll try that, ad for the heat that creates the checkerboard effect: is this a common occurrence? and if there a way to prevent overheating other than downloading custom fan apps that'll potentially make more use of my the fan?

07-21-2012, 03:13 PM	#4
Hedy Lamarr Join Date: Aug 2010 Reputation: 861 Posts: 802	A lot of Mac users use SmcFanControl to manually set their fans to Harrier vertical take-off mode, with varying results. From what I've read though, a cooling pad gives best results.

07-21-2012, 03:59 PM	#5
wrathalosslayer Join Date: Jul 2012 Reputation: 8 Posts: 17	I'll check on getting a cooling pad- if the checkerboard problem is the result of overheating maybe I should try a more cool surface like a table? Seeing as I play the game on my lap lol In regards to the fan control I heard that it is pointless since the MacBook pro is made to have fans on full when needed.

07-27-2012, 03:52 PM	#8
wrathalosslayer Join Date: Jul 2012 Reputation: 8 Posts: 17	I have tried elevating my mac with a deck of cards on either side of the mac and it does seem to cool. However, the game is still very stuttery and I also get the checkerboard pixelation effect even though it is elevated and not hot at all. I'm begging to give up, I cannot find a solution and with my favorite class (scout) i cannot play at all.