Counter Strike Source FPS issue

[Xenon2]

OK, my friend has an issue with the game. Let me quote:
My processor: AMD ATHLON 64 X2 6400+ 2MB SKT-AM2 (Black Edition)
graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
Memory:2GB DDR2 PC-6400 800 MHZ (2 x 1 GB 800)

Far good enough to max out CSS, he has 150FPS usually, and then "every few seconds i freeze (lagg spikes) i dunno whats wrong". Games like CS 1.6, have never had any issues anywhere, but he had the same in Team Fortress 2, both Source Engline games. He is also using Vista. Issue occurs when there are no bots or a lot of bots, more frequentely occuring when there are a lot of bots/ players. Also occurs at every detail level/ resolution, he is desperate to play the game properly, but he can't due to his framerate issues. I can't help him further, I need your guys' help here, and advice. Thank you very much in advance! Edit: i was wireless, and everything was freezing to do with the net, steam etc, changed to wired now i can play cs and cz but freeze on newer games dunno if thats net

 

[Inu]

Im biased so im tempted to just say its a vista issue, if he's willing to take the time i'd reinstall all steam based content, ie uninstall steam and delete everything related, ( You will lose some saved info, single playerish stuff, favorites ). Then download and reinstall.

 

[Gautama]

I used to use wireless on Vista and had stutters. The way Vista handles wireless networking is that every 60 seconds it stops what its doing and searches for a better connection. Sure enough, every minute exactly I was getting a lag spike in CSS. Switched to wired and I was good to go.

 

[RangerSVT]

Im biased so im tempted to just say its a vista issue

Yes, vista is not compatible with counter-strike source...

Oh by the way, I have Source installed on my Vista 64bit machine and have no problems at all, I suggest a driver issue, possible heat issue, AA/AF in control panel for his video card might be set too high.

If it skips, something in the background could be causing this, I know CS:S is sensitive to anti-virus programs, AVG gave me problems with Source, it might also be the windows firewall blocking Source from connecting to the internet, check event viewer...

 

[Met-AL]

Tell your friend to turn on the Netmeter and watch it.

Either put this in his config or type it into the console.

net_graph "3"
net_scale "5"
net_graphpos "2"
net_graphsolid "0"

It will give him some info to go on.

 

[Xenon2]

Alright cheers for the info. I'll tell him those things, I also asked him to download and run 3dMark06, since he is getting stuttering in all games he has. Unfortuantely though, he only plays Steam based games, so he doesn't have normal games to test.