Console commands to help slow computers?

[mussashimits]

Hi,
I have a rather slow laptop on which I am trying to play the game. It runs fine on indoor scenes, but some outdoor scenes can really slow things down. All my settings are turned down, and the only other thing I can think of is a console command to reduce detail (like, maybe, getting rid of shadows).

So, does anyone happen to know of any console commands I could use to help with the framerate?
Thanks very much.

 

[delusional]

My computer was missing RAM when EP2 came out, and it was really laggy so I just set the launch options to -dxlevel80, and it was perfect. You have to change the settings to low every time you load the game so it's advisable to use -console so it doesn't take forever to change the settings back to low as well.

 

[mussashimits]

Thanks very much for the help. Can I ask, though, how to do this? Just load up a savegame and type "-dxlevel80"? I'm just not sure what you mean by "set the launch options"
Thanks

 

[AciD]

Hm?
chars

 

[footsteps]

Thanks very much for the help. Can I ask, though, how to do this? Just load up a savegame and type "-dxlevel80"? I'm just not sure what you mean by "set the launch options"
Thanks

In your steam installed games list, right-click on hl2 ep2, then click on Set Launch Options. Then type -dxlevel 81. I also play on a laptop and the game went from being unplayable to working awesome at 1440x900 with textures on High.

 

[mussashimits]

I truly appreciate the help. I also was curious if there was a way to do this by merely editing the executable or a shortcut- by adding something to the end of the Target Line?

 

[PimpinPenguin]

I truly appreciate the help. I also was curious if there was a way to do this by merely editing the executable or a shortcut- by adding something to the end of the Target Line?

The only reason i think you want to do that is because you don't have Steam do you.

 

[SPARTACVS]

I truly appreciate the help. I also was curious if there was a way to do this by merely editing the executable or a shortcut- by adding something to the end of the Target Line?

**** you and your Unleashed torrent releases. Buy the ****ing Orange Box, with 5 really good games it's worth a month of your awaawance.

 

[mussashimits]

Yes I have Steam and I got it working.
I ask because I'm curious what happens. I was wondering if editing something in Steam actually effects the shortcut itself, or the executable itself.