[L4D2] Server Rates Question

Blakeocity · **Author**

Hey guys, I have a couple questions to do with rates and choosing the right values for my 8 player versus.

Also with sv_max/minupdaterate, the command doesn't show up in rcon, but if I use sm_cvar sv_maxupdaterate then I can change the value. So does it actually do anything if it doesn't show up in rcon?

And how do you go about choosing the right values for these?

rate
fps_max
sv_maxrate
sv_minrate
sv_maxcmdrate
sv_mincmdrate
sv_maxupdaterate
sv_minupdaterate

For fps_max I read on a Steam server help page about needing to have a media player open that would force a high resolution timer on the PC and then having a value of say..1000 would lower general ping. Does it really help?

I understand how important they are and I do want to fix the sudden ping jump when a horde comes.

I tried out this http://www.reece-eu.net/drekrates.php
But using those values made it much, much worse than the defaults.

My general upload speed is 0.85 megabits by the way, I'm not expecting miracles obviously.
A more stable server is all I'm after. Help would be great.

Thanks.

Lob (UK · 12-23-2009 , 06:34 Re: [L4D2] Server Rates Question

L4D2 is locked at 30 Tick Rate and it cannot be changed.

The engine is locked at a lower tickrate for L4D2 because there is a significantly higher CPU requirement for the Server compared to other Source games.

The only Server Rate settings that can be set are these below. You can verify this by putting cvarlist in your server console. These Server rates work quite well for the Tick Rate.

// bandwidth rates/settings
sv_minrate 5000
sv_maxrate 25000
sv_mincmdrate 10
sv_maxcmdrate 33 //You can get this higher but this is the ideal for the Tick Rate.

Clients default as shipped L4D2 config settings are these

cl_updaterate "20"
cl_cmdrate "30"

fps_max will come up as an unknown command, however i have heard that some people hook it via sourcemod using sm_cvar fps_max ### and say that it does make incoming/outgoing rates mores stable in net_graph but i have never bothered or tried this because my Server runs very smooth with these Rates.

- Lob (UK)

savagekid · 12-23-2009 , 10:19 Re: [L4D2] Server Rates Question

I'm going to have to disagree with you Lob. The tick rate can be changed and sm_cvar fps_max does change the fps of the server. My GSP actually set the tick rate for my L4D2 server to 100. And i set my fps_max to 10000 which turned server fps on net_graph to 1000. Without the tick rate being set to 100, I was only able to achieve around 500 fps.

Lob (UK · *Last edited by Lob (UK; 12-23-2009 at 10:47.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by savagekid

I'm going to have to disagree with you Lob. The tick rate can be changed and sm_cvar fps_max does change the fps of the server. My GSP actually set the tick rate for my L4D2 server to 100. And i set my fps_max to 10000 which turned server fps on net_graph to 1000. Without the tick rate being set to 100, I was only able to achieve around 500 fps.

L4D and L4D2 Tick Rate's are locked at 30. Changing the Tick Rate is pointless.

http://forums.srcds.com/viewtopic/13066

http://forums.srcds.com/viewpost/81254#pid81254

I already said that some people have had success with sm_cvar fps_max but i have never used it myself. Changing it to 500 or a 1000 is also pointless.

- Lob (UK)

savagekid · 12-23-2009 , 10:44 Re: [L4D2] Server Rates Question

I think you misunderstood me. The fps_max is set to 10000 unchanged. The only variable that is changed is the tick rate. If it's set to 100, the fps that is shown on net_graph is 1000. But if the tick rate is left out, the fps shown is around 500. During this process, fps_max is always set to 10000. Which shows that changing the tick rate does do something.

Lob (UK · *Last edited by Lob (UK; 12-23-2009 at 11:01.*

Fair enough. If you have actually done it then obviously that does make a difference.

Officially though the Tick Rate cannot be changed.

Not sure why anyone would want that sort of FPS though LoL

- Lob (UK)

Blakeocity · *Last edited by Blakeocity; 12-23-2009 at 11:43.*

So I shouldn't bother changing the fps_max then?

Thanks, I'm gonna try the rates you posted now for my versus.

egor1908 · 12-25-2009 , 11:21 Re: [L4D2] Server Rates Question

I am having sm_cvar fps_max 600 in my config. The server is running more smoothly with fps around 460.

Blakeocity · 12-29-2009 , 07:27 Re: [L4D2] Server Rates Question

Mmm, still getting 1000-1500ping jumps during heavy zombie infested moments.

Guess there's nothing I can do except get a more capable connection.

ZOOZ · *Last edited by ZOOZ; 01-18-2010 at 17:25.*

Can you give me some recomendations for my versus 8 vs 8 ?
sv_minrate ?
sv_maxrate ?
sv_mincmdrate ?
sv_maxcmdrate ?
fps_max ?
And what about -tickrate 100 ? Should I put it or not ?