Would like to improve performance in TF2 and other Source games... help?

So here are my specs

(laptop, obviously)

geforce 8600M GS graphics card (1 gig of video mem)
3 gigs of ram
intel core 2 duo t7500 2.2 ghz processor
1680x1050 resolution

when I play i get in the neighborhood of 20-40 fps, with the occasional spike of 3 fps especially when there are a lot of things happening on screen.

my goal right now is to keep it above 30, preferably getting the fps into the range of a solid 40-50, and to eliminate the spikes of poor fps.

from my limited knowledge it seems like my processor is the inhibitor in this situation. is that what i need to fix? or are their ways to optimize performance without replacing parts?

thanks for the help

 

try oc your processor

 

I'm not too sure if a 8600M GS can handle that resolution either.

 

A 2.2Ghz Core 2 duo will never bottleneck an 8600M GS. You need to turn down your resolution to 1280x800, then try adjusting to lower graphical settings.

 

TF2 16v16 servers though are CPU heavy, but that CPU and GPU are evenly matched.

 

so lowering my settings is my only real option outside of replacing the hardware/overclocking...

 

... yes?

did you expect something else?

you can reinstall windows and try to make your machine cleaner.

 

You could try different drivers on laptopvideo2go.com (read the stickies for a guide on how to do a driver change).

 

I talked to some people and I found out that others who have my same setup run it fine without a hitch, there is no way my computer should be performing like this.

I'm gonna give that laptopvideo2go.com thing a try, thanks.

 

your computer isn't bad, but its not AMAZING, and you are trying to run TF2 in 1680x1050, which is a pretty high resolution. so you get around 30 frames per second.

i get around 40+ frames per second in TF2 running in 1440x900 [lower res], with a 8600m gt gddr3, and 2.4ghz proc [faster cpu and gpu]. i just don't see how its going to work out without you lowering some settings.

 

30+ fps running 1366x768 with 9500M GS DDR2 and a T8300 2.4 GHz.
All options High, Full HDR, 0x AA/AF.
Depends on the level and the action intensity.

 

I get around 25-30 fps, but I have a T5500 on my 6860FX (either that or I'm doing something wrong). I would imagine that your PC should at least be able to produce 50fps.

 

No, it shouldn't, I had the same CPU as him but with a DDR2 8600M GT. 20-40 FPS at that resolution on all high is exactly what I'd expect considering I got 25-50 FPS on mine. His GPU is being stressed a lot more since it's weaker, and thus it's not able to offload as much from the CPU, which accounts for downward spikes because of high polygon counts in crowded servers. It makes perfect sense.

 

I'm also having a problem and my spec is in sig.
I tried laptop2video files but still get frames btw 20-30fps in 1440 x 900 res
it's just unplayable, the only way i could play without the fps droping
below 30fps is to change the resolution to 800x600
something must be wrong