a simple guide to Improve FPS in TF2.

TF2 may indeed be a decade old, but lacks proper optimisation resulting in lower FPS. I'll try to keep this guide simple and to help any players who wish to increase their FPS.

and i am well aware there are tons of guides and videos out there to boost fps in tf2.

a quick tribute to Rick May

If you didn't know already the voice actor for Soldier, Rick May, passed on 13 April 2020 at the Swedish Medical Center at the age of 80.

He passed away to many Medical Problems, one of which being the current Coronavirus (COVID-19)

He appeared not only in Team Fortress 2, but many other games, shows, and movies, such as Star Fox 64, Age of Empires, The Chocolate War and director appeared in over 300 different shows.

Rick May, shaped Team Fortress 2 and the Gaming industry with 8 other voice actors. To anyone who knew him. He will not be forgotten.

"You were good son real good... maybe even the best." -Soldier, Rick May.

Launch Options

The launch options may look intimidating to use, but it's quite easy to use. To get to the Launch Options right click TF2 and on the general section, you should find a button labeled "Set launch options..." Copy and Paste these commands into you launch options.

-dxlevel 81 -console -novid -high -noipx -nojoy -nod3d9ex -full +exec autoexec -nosteamcontroller -nohltv -particles 1 -NoQueuedPacketThread +cl_clean_textures_on_death 1 +mat_lodin_time 0

-dxlevel 81: older directx version
-console: opens console on launch
-novid: disables intro video
-high: sets tf2 to high propriety (this may overheat your laptop)
-noipx: disables the use of the IPX / SPX protocol
-nojoy: removes joystick support
-nod3d9ex: an optimised version of DirectX 9 (if you want to use dxlevel 9)
-full: sets tf2 in full screen
+exec autoexec: makes sure autoexec.cfg runs
-nosteamcontroller: disables steam controller system
-nohltv: disables SourceTV
-particles 1: "limits beam count to the minimum of 512"
-NoQueuedPacketThread: skips creating a thread for sending large packets
+cl_clean_textures_on_death 1: removes unused textures on death
+mat_lodin_time 0: time to fade in newly streamed-in texture quality.

Thanks to mastercomfig [docs.mastercomfig.com] for insight to some of the launch option commands shown above.

Config / Commands

This is probably the most important part for boost fps, first of all I want you to create a .txt file. and rename that .txt file to 'autoexec.cfg' remember that it is .cfg and not .txt

Location for autoexec.cfg
This PC > Local Disk (C:) > Program Files (x86) > Steam > steamapps > common Team Fortress 2 > tf > cfg
(this is the default location, if you haven't changed it.)

Ultimate Performance
I have made in those commands before '//Ultimate Performance' This will destroy the graphics of the game but would ensure more FPS.

Delfy
I would also like to thank Delfy on his fantastic video, to boost fps.

 
mat_phong 0
mat_viewportscale 0.25
mat_specular 0
mat_bumpmap 0
r_shadowmaxrendered 0
r_shadowrendertotexture 0
dsp_enhance_stereo 0
r_eyes 0
r_flex 0	
r_lod 2
r_teeth 0
cl_smooth 1
load_itempreset 7

// Ultimate Performance
r_WaterDrawReflection "0"
cl_detaildist 0 
cl_detailfade 0 
cl_drawmonitors 0 
cl_ejectbrass 0 
cl_forcepreload 1 
cl_lagcomp_errorcheck 1 
cl_lagcompensation 1 
cl_downloadfilter nosounds 
cl_ejectbrass 0 
mat_autoexposure_max 0 
mat_autoexposure_min 0 
mat_bloomscale 0 
mat_bufferprimitives 0 
mat_clipz 1 
mat_compressedtextures 1 
mat_diffuse 1 
mat_disable_bloom 1 
mat_disable_fancy_blending 1 
mat_disable_lightwarp 1 

//Delfys Commands

mat_mipmaptextures 0 // ( default 1)
cl_detailfade 0 // (default 400)
cl_detaildist 0 // (default 1200)
r_drawdetailprops 0 // (default 1)
mp_decals 0 // (default 200)
r_decals 0 // (default 2048)

cl_phys_props_enable 0 // (Default 1)
cl_phys_props_max 0 // (Default 128)
props_break_max_pieces 0// (default -1)
r_propsmaxdist 1 // (Default 1000)
g_ragdoll_fadespeed 10000 // (Default 600)
g_ragdoll_lvfadespeed 10000 // (default 100)
ragdoll_sleepaftertime 0 // (Default "5.0f")
cl_ragdoll_fade_time 0 // (default 15)
cl_ragdoll_forcefade 1 // ( default 0 )
cl_ragdoll_physics_enable 0 // (default 1)

mat_queue_mode 2 // (Default -1 and 0)
lod_TransitionDist -1 // (Default 800)
r_lod 2 // (default -1)
r_shadows 0 // (default 1)
mat_hdr_level 0 // (default 2)
mat_vsync 0 // (default 1 or 0)

tf_enable_glows_after_respawn 0 // (default 1)

//Commands that help in general

hud_combattext_batching 1
tf_dingalingaling 1
viewmodel_fov 100
fov_desired 90

In-Game Configuration

I added some images as a reference, make sure to copy these setting to see better FPS performance.

TF2's - Properties - General

Under the general tab again, where you found the launch options, there is still more things you can do

- Untick 'The Steam Overlay'
- Untick 'Steam VR game theatre'
- Forced Off 'Steam Input Per-Game Setting'
- Forced Off 'BPM Overlay when Steam Input is Active'

I wouldn't recommend Unticking the Steam Overlay as is would remove the option to use the steam in-game web browser, but if you want to see more performance unticking it would help you to see the performance boost.

Connection Fixes - Wifi

If you face high ping when you play tf2, I recommend using the commands listed before, to help improve connection.

cl_cmdrate 40
cl_interp 0
cl_interp_ratio 2
cl_updaterate 40
rate 51520
cl_smooth 1

Background Applications
I would also close any apps running in the background in general as it can improve performance and can reduce ping.

Ethernet
If you still experience connectional problems, I recommend using an ethernet cable, plugged into your router and into your device

tf/custom (mastercomfig)

You can also use mastercomfig to boost fps, customize the files and put them in tf/custom folder, make sure you read all the options for both preset and addons as choosing the max fps performance may hurt fps on higher, newer end machines

mastercomfig link [mastercomfig.com]

External stuff you can do

Some external stuff you can do to boost fps outside TF2.

There is quite a-lot to mention so, I'll allow this video by Panjno to guide your through this process.

Click this link to view the video

Summary

Well, you've made it to the end, and know I haven't talked about everything we could possibly do, but I hope this satisfies enough. If there is something I haven't added, which is important, tell me in the comments and I'll add it in.

Special Thanks To!
Delfy (TF2 Content Creator)
Panjno (Makes tons of guide videos to boost fps, highly recommend checking him out)
A really good TF2 Guide for boosting FPS
cfg.tf, create your own config scripts
mastercomfigs[mastercomfig.com] one of the best websites for boosting fps in tf2
and of course, Rick May.

Thanks To!
- micwoj92
- Rat smoking a cigarette

(i also poor af, so gimme your skins, otherwise, I will kidnap your pet microwave)

My Trade Link

[boxlot]

thanks for the info

[Smidge <3]

Launch options need fixing:
https://docs.mastercomfig.com/page/customization/launch_options/
https://docs.mastercomfig.com/page/tf2/misconceptions/

Also, wtf did micwoj92 do? lmao

[oatandmilk]

You improved my fps so thank you

[ShadyCloud]

you know it

[☢ Crux]

TF2 knowledge +999

[ShadyCloud]

[Trenbolone Enjoyer]

BEST GUIDE EVER LIKE LIKE LIKE

[ShadyCloud]

np, glad to be of service. I'll see you later on the battlefield.

[CPTDEADASS]

thank you now i can game harder on my laptop ;)

[Charmyzard]

UwU thank youwu