TF2 runs slow (10 fps) / Trouble installing ATI 10.12 - Envy 15, 5830

Hey, so I have an Envy 15 with the ATI Mobility Radeon HD5830. I have a 1080p screen and an i5-520m processor.

I got this computer in October and have always had the problem where TF2 runs at 10 fps on any graphical settings. It starts off at 40 fps, but once the shooting begins it drops way down. I tried to fix it at first, but when it didn't work, since I was busy and during my free time was playing other games, I never got around to trying again. Also, I originally had an HP dv6tse with a 5650 that ran TF2 and BFBC2 fine on medium settings, but due to the bad screen I returned it and got the Envy 15.

The interesting thing is TF2 and BFBC2 were the first two games I put on this computer, and both run slowly. HL2 runs at 50-70 fps at max settings. I'm not sure if it should run faster, but it was playable, so I didn't worry about it as I played it. Portal runs at 30 fps whenever anything is going on. L4D2 and Bioshock run at 40 fps at high settings. I'm not sure about Bioshock, but I think someone told me that 40 fps for L4D2 is about right. I never checked the FPS, but Torchlight runs on max no problems.

Back then, I did try to uninstall all graphic drivers and then install ATI 10.8, but whenever I tried to do the ATI thing would tell me something like no graphics adapter found, so I couldn't install it. I had to install HPs drivers first, then install 10.8.

Now, I tried to install 10.12. At first I just installed it on top of 10.8, but I still got 10 fps in TF2. So then I uninstalled 10.8 and tried to install 10.12 on top of HP's drivers. However, it would get to the end of the installation and then tell me no ATI graphics drivers are installed, or they are not functioning properly. I haven't yet tried to install 10.12 on top of 10.8 again, because I wanted to post this as quickly as possible.

Oh, I just remembered. Since TF2 runs at 10 fps on any settings at any resolution, the first time I tried fixing the problem, someone told me it might not be a graphics problem, but audio or something. I updated my audio drivers but it didn't help. Is there anything else it could be?

Please help, I really would like to play TF2 now, and every time I get a game I'm afraid it won't run.

Edit: Ok so I tried installing 10.12 on top of 10.8 again and it worked, but TF2 still runs at 9-10 fps. Also, I should clarify about BFBC2: The problem with BFBC2 doesn't seem to be exactly the same as with TF2. BFBC2 does change depending on what settings I choose. For example, it runs at 40 fps on low, but only 20 fps on medium. I believe it should be playable on medium-high, which is why I think there is a problem, since I can't even play on medium.

Edit2: I did a "clean install" of 10.12 as someone posted here in this thread. I also uninstalled and reinstalled TF2. TF2 still runs at 10 fps on all settings and resolutions. Yes, high or low, it's the same 10 fps. BFBC2 fps may have improved a bit, but it's still only playable on low. I also got The Witcher thanks to the Steam sale. It's only playable on low. On medium, it hovers around 27 fps but constantly dips down to 10-15, and cutscenes are at 10 fps.

 

Did you get mobillity drivers or Desktop ?

 

I'd like to think that desktop drivers would refuse to install?

 

Yep , It would install everything except drivers .. May be that's why he's getting that kind of performance.

 

Yes, of course I have the mobility drivers.

So 10.12 did install on top of 10.8 again, but still getting 9-10 fps in TF2.

Also, I realized I should clarify something. The problem with BFBC2 doesn't seem to be exactly the same as with TF2. BFBC2 does change depending on what settings I choose. For example, it runs at 40 fps on low, but only 20 fps on medium. I believe it should be playable on medium-high, which is why I think there is a problem, since I can't even play on medium.

I'll update the first post with this.

 

1. Make sure windows is in High Performance mode and not the "HP Recommended" BS. Click on the battery icon in the task bar and it should have that power option.

2. Try running windows update for the display drivers, sometimes that helps.

 

1. Yeah, I've had it in High Performance. Although now I'm curious now if HP Recommended makes a difference in TF2 or not.

2. How do I do this?

 

hmm, try doing a clean install of the AMD 10.12 instead doing an upgrade path.
If that didn't work, then AMD 10.12 isn't for you.
Also, HP provided AMD 10.10 drivers already for a couple of months ago.

Do Not rely on Windows Update. They provide the minimum 3D support. So-So performance.

 

What do you mean a clean install of the 10.12 drivers? I've been downloading them from AMD's website and just clicking through.

Also, the latest drivers for the HP Envy 15 on HP's site is version 8.712 from 4/30/2010. Is there somewhere else where they have more updated ones?

 

Have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling TF2?

Go to your C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\ folder and delete ClientRegistry.blob it will force Steam to auto update. TF2 runs smooth on my Vostro on 1280x800 with 8400M GS lol

You could also have a defective video card, run FurMark or Unigene for a few hours.

 

I tried uninstalling and reinstalling TF2 the first time, but I didn't do that where I delete ClientRegistry.blob. I can try that.

I haven't run FurMark for hours, but I ran 3dMark06 and got something around 7950, which is what I believe the 5830 is supposed to get.

Edit: What settings should I run FurMark with?

 

Is the card performing well in heavy-weight games? You know, Crysis (should be ~40 fps on all high for the 5830) and all that.

 

Do a clean install. Download and install Driver sweeper Then go to control panel , uninstall , double click on Ati control manager and express uninstall all ATI stuff.

Reboot into mode and driver sweeper to remove all ati related crap.

When done , install 10:12 again.

 

BFBC2 is the most demanding game I have. Is there some more demanding game that is pretty good and also cheap? If there is then I could buy it to try it out. Maybe I'll just buy Crysis.

Tried this, didn't work, at least for TF2. Still getting 10 fps. I'll check to see if it improved my fps on BFBC2 now.

Could this mean it isn't a problem with the drivers? There doesn't seem to be a problem with the card itself either as it scored as it should with 3dMark06 and didn't crash after running FurMark for a couple hours.

So what else could the problem be?

 

What resolution are you running at? If it's 1080p then no wonder the performance is so low. Try 1280x800 and report back.

Also, with TF2 you can use: "-dxlevel 81" in the launch properties and it will force directx 8, instead of directx10, which can be slow in TF2.

This should improve your frame-rate a lot. As well, a low quality fps config could work wonders.

google "TF2 fps config" and follow the directions.

 

TF2 runs at 10 fps at ALL resolutions and settings. I tried it again and with everything on the lowest possible, including resolution, still 10 fps.

It's using directx9, so I'll try forcing it to directx8.

 

Could it somehow not be actually using your graphics card? Set to software rendering or something?

 

Set it to directx8, didn't help.

Umm I guess that's possible but I don't think that's what's happening. The 5830 runs at 100/200 when it's not doing anything, and goes up to 500/800 when needed. I checked earlier and it is at 500/800 while running TF2.

 

Any other ideas?

BFBC2 now runs at about 25 fps on medium with 10.12, and dips down, so I still have to play on low.

I got The Witcher thanks to the Steam sale, and it's only playable on low.

 

Make sure that SSAA is disabled and 'flip queue size' is set 0

Try turning Aero off

In dxdiag display/audio check that all sliders are set to max acceleration

Check that hardware acceleration is set to max in display options->troubleshooting

Maybe your intel HD onboard is messing something up



What options do you have in your BIOS?

 

Sorry, how do I do that stuff?