Poor TF2 Performance on Linux Server

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OS: Ubuntu 10.04
Kernel: 2.6.32-26-server
CPU: Intel® Xeon® CPU X3450 @ 2.67GHz
Cores: 4 (8 w/ HT)
Ram: 2 gigs (~1.2 free ram on server)
Startup Command: ./srcds_run -game tf -tickrate 66 -pingboost 2 -nohltv -tvdisable -verify_all -pidfile srcds.pid +map pl_badwater +maxplayers 32
Admin Mods: Sourcemod

Hi,

I am trying to run a 32 slot TF2 server. The server runs quite well up until about 22 people join the server at which point performance begins to deteriorate. As the server approaches 30 active players, the frame rate drops a lot. I know that a high framerate is unneeded now, but as the server fills, the frame rate will drop into the 50s, with occasional drops to 45, and from what I've read here, it needs to be at least 66 for smooth gameplay. I have tried dropping fps_max from 600 to 300 to 100 so the fps is at least more stable. I'm guessing this means that the server is not able to process 66 ticks per second, so the framerate drops accordingly? Would there be a huge problem if the tickrate was dropped to say 50 so that it could at least stay nearly constant? Is there anything that can be done to improve performance?

I have tried assigning the process to a specific core, running an idler on the core, using renice to assign the process the best priority, I restart the server every night because that seems to have a small effect.

Is srcds just that bad on linux? Is it much faster on Windows?

I have seen the tutorial about adding the real time patches to the kernel. I'm willing to try this, but I doubt that it will be enough of a performance boost to make a noticeable difference in this case.

Many thanks in advance.

[BehaartesEtwas]

the problem is your cpu, which is too slow to handle that many slots at that tickrate. no change in software will probably help.

what you can try: reduce the fps (and therefore the tickrate) to 33 or so (start with 33, if that works, increase it slowly). it's probably better to run a server at constant tick 33 as letting the ticrate jump around...

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(12-16-2010, 07:16 PM)BehaartesEtwas Wrote:  the problem is your cpu, which is too slow to handle that many slots at that tickrate. no change in software will probably help.

what you can try: reduce the fps (and therefore the tickrate) to 33 or so (start with 33, if that works, increase it slowly). it's probably better to run a server at constant tick 33 as letting the ticrate jump around...

Lame, I figured at least a Nehalem based CPU had to be fast enough. What is a good CPU for a 32 slot 66 tick tf2 server these days?

Is srcds much better on Windows?

Thanks for the reply though.

[lol554]

I have the same processor running a CSSDM server that manages to handle 30 players with shitloads of plugins. I had problems with Ubuntu 10.04, it performed very poor soni upgraded it to 10.10. Upgrade to 10.10, that will make a big change.

Look at this: http://www.fpsmeter.org/p,view;76011.html

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Interesting. Your post made me google how to upgrade Ubuntu. I always thought that there was no inplace upgrade, but there actually is. I don't expect any miracles from it, but imma try it anyway, it (hopefully) can't make things worse.