High Ping in TF2

[Zero Hero]

Hey all,

I spoke to manofphat for bit about this, but he doesn't seem to have the answers. So I was wondering if anyone else seems to have this problem?

I have searched google, which displays hundreds of links to people with the same problem. My problem started in early december, but has escalated over the past month. The problem is with TF2 only. I can play other games on toronto based servers with a low ping (under 20ms). However, from time to time, I'll see all servers in my TF2 server list jump up by about 180ms. TNR is one of the lowest pings usually, with a current ping of 25ms. However, when I first started playing TNR, I was getting a ping of 5-7ms. Most of the time I'll ping from 25 to 40ms, and then about 5% of my gaming time, the ping will jump to 200+, usually reaching 400-500 and the server boots me.

My general feeling is that value fucked up a patch somewhere and failed to tell everyone that they changed something in their TF2 netcode. However, the problem with this theory is that only a select few are experiencing this problem (I'd say 1 in 1000 players).

So I decided to look over the oh so useful steam support page (can you sense the sarcasm?). I found a page on setting client rates. Does anyone have experience with this? How would I go about doing this? (It says to click on internet connection speed in the steam settings, which doesn't exist.)

Furthermore, some info on my connection. It is dsl, speed tests show an average of 1500/385, it is in a router config, and when I remove the router, the problem still presists. The modem is a d-link DSL-2320B, and is only 4 months old. I've checked my firewall and router logs, and nothing is suspicious or blocked regarding steam, hl2.exe, or ports affiliated with the applications.

Thoughts?

[Frustian]

Read this for a general idea about the TF2 net commands

http://www.northernresistance.com/fo...hread.php?t=17

EDIT: I sometimes have a similar issue on TNR's servers especially that when I go into a crowded area, my screen freezes for 2 seconds, and then catches up. It's especially noticeable on Dustbowl, and is horrible for a spy, since I usually turn on cloak before then, and by the time it loads and I can move, half my cloak is gone.

[Boodah]

With TNR try these settings to lower ping and lower the choke experienced.

rate 25000
cl_cmdrate 66
cl_updaterate 66
cl_interp 0.015
net_compresspackets 0

You can NOT use cmdrate 100/updaterate 100 on TNR servers, the choke is too bad it hits 50 in big fights.

( Also for soldiers and demo-men you'll notice this makes your rockets seem less delayed and come out quicker )

Let me know how you like it.

[WiseGuy]

those are the rates i setup when i moved to Van to compensate with the distance. I find they fixed a lot of ping/choke issues for me.

ill try the interp and compress when i get home.

[rk-]

I have almost the exact same issue as you, Zero, so I hope you find an answer - I MISS MY 5 PING!!

Will try the rate-tweaks, I was at 100 for update/cmd.

[Boodah]

I'll ramble a bit maybe this can help you find the problem if you continue to get the ping spikes.

Your ping spiking to 400 really can't be caused by download traffic. You can max out your downstream and your ping will raise a bit, but not that much. It's your upstream that you need to be concerend with. Either there is :

1) A problem in the connection between you and a hop to TNR
2) Something on your PC that is doing some kind of upload test or automatic update that requires data to be sent ( Norton? Limewire left open, ETC )
3) You've removed the router so that's alot out of the mix.
4) Something at your ISP ( flapping modem, HIGH TX/RX level, bad SNR, packet loss, Node saturation etc )

Here's what i'd maybe try if I was in your situation... if those commands I gave you don't help.

1) tracert to TNR's servers. Find the IP of the 2nd or third hop in the list. Open a command prompt and ping -t <ip> ip being that IP. Leave this running and go play TF2. When your ping spikes, close the game, and check that window. See if your ping is spiking on your 2nd and third hop. If it's not, it something down the line that's having problems. Start pinging ip's further down the tracert and see if you can determine it.

My guess is though, you'll probably be spiking to 400+ on your 3rd and fourth hop because my money is on something using your upstream bandwidth temporarily on your computer thus causing the temporary ping spikes.

Turn off Windows Automatic Updates, Norton, any programs that are running in your system tray, and see if it goes away.

[archivist101]

I suffer a similar problem Zero Hour. Although my ping usualy rests somewhere around 15 - 25, I will ocationaly experience a massive ping spike up into the tripple digits. After hitting the "TAB" key, I usualy find that I am usualy the only victim at that moment. I'm not sure however if it is just localized to the TNR severs in my case since I don't play TF2 on any other server.

That reminds me, I've asked people about their single digit ping in game on several ocations and most of the responses i get revolve around living in the Greater Toronto Area.

I live one block from Queen St. (west) & Roncesvalls. That's south of the Dundas West subway station... I don't understand why my ping is higher

[Frustian]

It's not as simple as just being near the server, I would really have to explain the fundamentals of the Internet to properly explain it, but a simplified version is 1)Your location 2)(The quality of) your ISP.
Modifying my rates dropped my ping from 15-30 to 8-15 also.

[archivist101]

I am very very computer illiterate

(well, i can put a machine together with spare/abandoned components, but as soon as command prompt or anything beyond that is mentioned, you'll completely lose me)

[Boodah]

Ok, well do this then. Look at the bottom right of your screen you'll see the time. See all those little icons beside it, those are running programs. Close them all. So that all you have his like the volume, and the time.

Then play the game with these settings

cl_cmdrate 66
cl_updaterate 66
rate 25000
net_compresspackets 0

Let me know.