CSS, alt+tabbing=fps drop.

I'll get right to the point here.

It's a miracle my Inspiron can even play CSS but anyways...

Everything is fine when I first run it but the moment I come back to CSS from an alt+tab, I get a drop of fps and it starts getting really choppy. Any ideas why?

 

Does this happen every time you do it?

 

I assume you're using XP? Generally speaking, after an alt-tab the system is not allocating as many resources to the game as when you first opened it. Usually for me, if I let the game run for a while, it gets better. If it's not getting better for you, the only thing I can really suggest is not to alt-tab anymore

 

Yes it does happen everytime.

And I am using Vista.

 

Ouch, on the Inspiron? I didn't know those specs could handle Vista. I suppose that could be your problem. Also, make sure that you close any programs that you had open when you alt-tabbed out of CS:S.

 

I thought you had to give your laptop to your neighbor?

 

He's talking about playing on his inspiron.

 

Well knowing the specs would be nice...

 

Let's see...

1.6 or 2.0 ghz CPU
256MB of RAM
Intergrated Graphics

 

I woudl say DONT ALT TAB!!! LoL. Um... its more of you RAM... its restricting that speed that many programs can switch and run at their optimal speed.

 

I alt+tab source and hl2 without a problem on my laptop.. Though on my really old vaio desktop with 512mb ram, and intel 950.. it would lag like hell when I alt+tab CS 1.6.

Having 256mb of ram is ridiculous.. vista already takes up 500 mbs. the 256mb makes sense for the video card though but that's an integrated card, so it's bad and bad.

 

I had the same problem with my Sager NP5790.