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Team Fortress 2 - Notebook and Desktop Benchmarks

A 10-year old strategy shooter Despite its advanced age, TF2 remains to be one of the most popular games on Steam. This is probably due to the fair free-to-play model and the moderate system requirements. The fast-paced 3D shooter is nevertheless quite a challenge, especially for cheap entry-level laptops and Windows tablets. More often than not, it is the processor and not the graphics card that leads to a jerky reproduction and unplayable frame rates. We tested the performance on various laptops, tablets, and desktops in the following benchmark check.

Technology

For the original German review, see here.

Team Fortress 2 uses the relatively old Source engine. Although the game was launched on the market in 2007, Valve still provides patches and updates for the shooter. It still finds a place among the Top 10 in Steam's most played games in 2017.

Benchmark

We used the time demo benchmark on openbenchmarking.org that is also used in the Phoronix Test Suite. The demo file called pts4.dem in version 1.2 displays an appealing game scene and is rendered in time demo mode. 3 short multiplayer rounds also prove that the performance in time demo is relevant for practice. The average frame rates recorded with Fraps were always comparable with the benchmark outcomes in all three rounds (tested on the 940MX in 1920x1080 Ultra, i.e. approx. 45 FPS.

As to settings, we tested the absolute minimum of 1280x720 pixels up to 4K, maximum details and 8x SMAA. This is not a great challenge for modern gaming graphics cards due to the advanced age of TF2. The selected "high" shadows are no longer available on all test systems. We had to use "medium" on the integrated Intel GPUs (e.g. HD 530) and Radeon Pro 555.

Results

Players crave for high frame rates in fast-paced multiplayer 3D shooters. Thus, we recommend at least 50 FPS for Team Fortress 2. An entry-level graphics card in a laptop, such as the GeForce GTX 1050, is already enough for UHD/4K and maximum details.

Team Fortress 2
    3820x2160 maximum AA:8x MS AF:16x
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti (Desktop), 4790K
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Founders Edition
166 (137min) fps ∼100%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti (Desktop), R7 1800X
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti FE Asus Prime B350-PLUS
134 (122min) fps ∼81%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 (Desktop), 4790K
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Founders Edition
161 (138min) fps ∼97%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Max-Q, i7-7700HQ
Asus Zephyrus GX501
125 (107min) fps ∼75%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 (Desktop), 4790K
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 Founders Edition
152 (128min) fps ∼92%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti, 4790K
Asus Strix GTX 980 Ti Desktop PC
151 (128min) fps ∼91%
AMD Radeon RX 480 (Desktop), 4790K
AMD Radeon RX 480 8 GB Reference
114 (98min) fps ∼69%
AMD Radeon R9 290X, 4790K
Sapphire Radeon R9 290X Tri-X OC
124 (106min) fps ∼75%
AMD Radeon R9 280X, 4790K
Asus Z97 Deluxe Desktop i7-4790K, R9 280X
92 (81min) fps ∼55%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, i7-7700HQ
MSI GE72 7RE-046
74.4 (63min) fps ∼45%
AMD Radeon R7 370, 4790K
MSI Gaming R7 370 2GB
66 (58min) fps ∼40%
AMD Radeon Pro 555, i7-7700HQ
Apple MacBook Pro 15 2017 (2.8 GHz, 555)
75.6 (65min) fps ∼46%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile, i7-7700HQ
Asus Strix GL753VD-GC045T
61.5 (54min) fps ∼37%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M, 6700HQ
MSI GE72 965M Ti
47.7 (41min) fps ∼29%
NVIDIA GeForce MX150, i7-7700HQ
MSI PL62 MX150 7700HQ
35.2 (32min) fps ∼21%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M, 6700HQ
MSI PE60 2QD
34.1 (30min) fps ∼21%
NVIDIA GeForce 940MX, 6700HQ
MSI CX72 6QD
13.3 (12min) fps ∼8%

Slower models can be selected for Full HD. The Radeon M280X or 940MX with a DDR3 video memory is the bottom limit here. It is pleasing that Team Fortress 2 can also be played smoothly on slower graphics cards. However, the processor should not be too weak in order to prevent stutters. The integrated Intel HD Graphics or the Radeon R7 integrated in Kaveri APUs was even enough for high details without antialiasing in the test. However, it was very close to the limits with Intel's passively cooled processors.

Team Fortress 2
    1920x1080 high AF:16x
NVIDIA GeForce 940MX, 6700HQ
MSI CX72 6QD
87 (74min) fps ∼53%
NVIDIA GeForce 920M, 2970M
MSI CX61 2QC 2970M MS-16GD
55 (47min) fps ∼33%
AMD Radeon R7 M440, A12-9700P
Acer Aspire E15 E5-553G-15FM
45.2 (39min) fps ∼27%
AMD Radeon R7 (Bristol Ridge), A12-9700P
Acer Aspire E15 E5-553G-15FM
34 (30min) fps ∼21%
Intel HD Graphics 515, 6Y30
Cube i9
24 (20min) fps ∼15%

The Core Y series was still enough for a smooth gameplay in minimum settings. The GPUs integrated into the Apollo Lake and Cherry Trail/Braswell CPUs did not achieve playable frame rates. However, this could be due to the processors' slower cores. The actually weaker Intel HD Graphics 4000 in a still fast quad-core accomplished a smooth 48 FPS in minimum settings. The HD Graphics 4000 also defeated the actually much faster GeForce GT 640M/720M due to the slower dual-core processor.

Team Fortress 2
    1280x720 lowest AF:Bilinear
Intel HD Graphics 4000, 3720QM
Asus N56VM
68 (63min) fps ∼40%
NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M, 2637M
Acer Aspire M3-581TG
59.3 (52min) fps ∼35%
Intel HD Graphics 3000, 2637M
Acer Aspire M3-581TG
48.4 (40min) fps ∼28%
Intel HD Graphics 515, 6Y30
Cube i9
48 (42min) fps ∼28%
Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail), Z8300
Chuwi Vi8 Plus (CWI519)
21.4 (18min) fps ∼13%
Intel HD Graphics 500, Celeron N3350
Jumper EZbook 3
21.2 (19min) fps ∼12%
Intel HD Graphics 405 (Braswell), Z8750
Teclast Tbook 16 Power
19.6 (18min) fps ∼11%

Overview

Show Restrictions
PosModel< PrevNext >Team Fortress 2
 Team Fortress 2 (2017)
low
1280x720
lowest
BilinearAF
med.
1366x768
medium
4xAF
high
1920x1080
high
16xAF
ultra
1920x1080
maximum
16xAF 8x MSAA
4K
3820x2160
maximum
16xAF 8x MSAA
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti (Desktop)
149
140
136
153.5n2
150n2
NVIDIA Titan X Pascal
116
108.4
105.2
105.8
104.2
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 (Desktop)
161
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Mobile
104
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti (Desktop)
152
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q
134.3
127.9
121.5
120.1
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 (Desktop)
152
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Max-Q
135n2
133.5n2
130n2
125n3
125n3
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti
151
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q
128.4
126.3
122
120.8
AMD Radeon RX 580 (Desktop)
129
125.5
123.1
123.1
107.9
AMD Radeon RX 480 (Desktop)
114
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile
127.2
120.2
109.6
108.1
AMD Radeon RX 580 (Laptop)
108
105
102
101
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Mobile
92
85
77
75
AMD Radeon R9 290X
124
AMD Radeon R9 280X
92
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile
105
74.4
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Max-Q
129.8
123.6
115.7
112.6
65.2
PosModel< PrevNext >Team Fortress 2
low med. high ultra 4K
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile
117
111
61.5
AMD Radeon R7 370
160
66
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q
136
128
120
118
55
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M
89
47.7
AMD Radeon RX 560X (Laptop)
95.3
93.8
84.1
80.5
AMD Radeon Pro 560X
171
175
165
139
46.95n2
AMD Radeon Pro 555
110
95n2
75.6
NVIDIA GeForce MX150
101
94
80.3
90.05n2
35.2
AMD Radeon RX 540
65.5
63
60
54
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M
94.4
34.1
AMD Radeon 540X
59.5
56.3
48.2
42.9
AMD Radeon RX Vega 11
75.4
26.5
AMD Radeon R9 M280X
46.8
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 470
138
Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)
97.2
92
63.2
30.1
AMD Radeon RX Vega 10
49.3
43.5
27.8
NVIDIA GeForce MX230
96
91.4
68.8
62.9
AMD Radeon RX Vega 7
49.3
NVIDIA GeForce MX130
105.7
99.5
85.5
60.5
NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
84.65n2
80n2
71n3
45.1n3
13.3
PosModel< PrevNext >Team Fortress 2
low med. high ultra 4K
AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 (Ryzen 2000/3000)
66.65n2
62.35n2
49.9n2
38.65n2
NVIDIA GeForce 940M
44.6
Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4 (Ice Lake 48 EU)
92.5
84.3
57.9
30.1
NVIDIA GeForce 930MX
105
100
75
41
AMD Radeon R9 M375
62
58.4
54.8
34.4
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
128
125
113
57.8
34.4
NVIDIA GeForce 930M
76.2
70
61
AMD Radeon 530
90
85
39
NVIDIA GeForce MX110
105.1
97.4
72.5
51
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640
99
48
31.8
NVIDIA GeForce 920MX
86
81
69
54
AMD Radeon R7 (Bristol Ridge)
46.2
34
NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M
59.3
AMD Radeon R7 (Kaveri)
32.2
NVIDIA GeForce 920M
57.8
55
AMD Radeon R7 M440
48.4
42.9
45.2
33.8
11.5
AMD Radeon 520
95
87.3
38.3
19.6
AMD Radeon RX Vega 6 (Ryzen 2000/3000)
49.1
43.8
41.4
37.4
AMD Radeon RX Vega 5
74.7
71.1
55.6
43.9
Intel UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU)
75.6
67.1
44.8
24.2
PosModel< PrevNext >Team Fortress 2
low med. high ultra 4K
Intel UHD Graphics 630
113
92.5n2
51.6
26
Intel HD Graphics 630
99
96
29.5
8.2
Intel HD Graphics 530
90
82
38.4
19.8
AMD Radeon R5 (Bristol Ridge)
38.5
38.3
31.1
21.9
Intel UHD Graphics 620
89
46.3
21.7
Intel HD Graphics 620
76.7
71
40
18
Intel HD Graphics 5600
103
94
42
15.4
NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M
78
AMD Radeon R5 M255
77
60.5
40.5
AMD Radeon RX Vega 3
75
60.3
43
29
Intel HD Graphics 520
51
48
Intel Iris Graphics 6100
86
78
40
15.9
NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M
79.6
76.3
50
24
AMD Radeon R5 (Stoney Ridge)
35.2
32.8
Intel HD Graphics 6000
64.2
37.4
Intel HD Graphics 4600
70
65.3
30
Intel HD Graphics 5500
68
63
36.4
14
Intel UHD Graphics 615
51.8
45.6
29
AMD Radeon HD 7660G
47.4
49.3
40
32
Intel HD Graphics 515
45n2
33n2
19n2
PosModel< PrevNext >Team Fortress 2
low med. high ultra 4K
Intel HD Graphics 610
57.7
55.8
Intel HD Graphics 4400
45
40
Intel UHD Graphics 605
39.7n2
35.5n2
17.7n2
Intel HD Graphics 505
28
25.2
Intel HD Graphics 4000
68
13.3
AMD Radeon R4 (Stoney Ridge)
23
22.6
AMD Radeon R5 (Beema/Carrizo-L)
23
22
AMD Radeon R2 (Stoney Ridge)
19.7
18.5
AMD Radeon HD 8400
36.7
AMD Radeon HD 8330
29
Intel UHD Graphics 600
35.3
28.7
Intel HD Graphics 500
19.7n2
17.2
Intel HD Graphics 405 (Braswell)
19.6
Intel HD Graphics 400 (Braswell)
18.5
16
Intel HD Graphics (Haswell)
62
28.6
Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail)
21.4
Intel HD Graphics 3000
48.4
AMD Radeon HD 8210
13
Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail)
26.7
23.4
(-) * Smaller values are better. / n123 Number of benchmarks for this median value / * Approximate position

 

Legend
5Stutters – This game is very likely to stutter and have poor frame rates. Based on all known benchmarks using the specified graphical settings, average frame rates are expected to fall below 25fps
May Stutter – This graphics card has not been explicitly tested on this game. Based on interpolated information from surrounding graphics cards of similar performance levels, stutters and poor frame rates are expected.
30Fluent – Based on all known benchmarks using the specified graphical settings, this game should run at or above 25fps
40Fluent – Based on all known benchmarks using the specified graphical settings, this game should run at or above 35fps
60Fluent – Based on all known benchmarks using the specified graphical settings, this game should run at or above 58fps
May Run Fluently – This graphics card has not been explicitly tested on this game. Based on interpolated information from surrounding graphics cards of similar performance levels, fluent frame rates are expected.
?Uncertain – This graphics card experienced unexpected performance issues during testing for this game. A slower card may be able to achieve better and more consistent frame rates than this particular GPU running the same benchmark scene.
Uncertain – This graphics card has not been explicitly tested on this game and no reliable interpolation can be made based on the performances of surrounding cards of the same class or family.
The value in the fields displays the average frame rate of all values in the database. Move your cursor over the value to see individual results.

Test Systems

Device Graphics Card Processor Working Memory Operating System
Desktop-PC I MSI GeForce GTX 1080 (8 GB GDDR5X)
MSI GeForce GTX 1070 (8 GB GDDR5)
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (6 GB GDDR5)
Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 (4 GB GDDR5)
Intel Core i7-6700K 2 x 8 GB DDR4 Windows 10 64 Bit
Desktop-PC II Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti (11 GB GDDR5X)
Asus GeForce GTX 980 Ti (6 GB GDDR5)
XFX Radeon R9 Fury (4 GB HBM)
Sapphire Radeon R9 290X (4 GB GDDR5)
Sapphire Radeon R9 280X (3 GB GDDR5)
MSI Radeon R7 370 (2 GB GDDR5)
Intel Core i7-4790K 2 x 4 GB DDR3 Windows 10 64 Bit
Asus G752VS Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 (8 GB GDDR5) Intel Core i7-6820HK 4 x 16 GB DDR4 Windows 10 64 Bit
MSI GT62VR Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (6 GB GDDR5) Intel Core i7-6820HK 4 x 8 GB DDR4 Windows 10 64 Bit
MSI GE72 Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (4 GB GDDR5) Intel Core i7-7700HQ 2 x 4 GB DDR4 Windows 10 64 Bit
Asus GL753VD Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 (4 GB GDDR5) Intel Core i7-7700HQ 2 x 8 GB DDR4 Windows 10 64 Bit
MSI GL62 Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 (2 GB GDDR5) Intel Core i7-7700HQ 2 x 4 GB DDR4 Windows 10 64 Bit
MSI GE72 Nvidia GeForce GTX 965M (2 GB GDDR5) Intel Core i7-6700HQ 1 x 8 GB DDR4 Windows 10 64 Bit
MSI PE60 Nvidia GeForce GTX 950M (2 GB GDDR5) Intel Core i7-6700HQ 2 x 4 GB DDR4 Windows 10 64 Bit
MSI GP62 Nvidia GeForce 940M (2 GB DDR3) Intel Core i7-5700HQ 1 x 8 GB DDR3 Windows 10 64 Bit
MSI CX61 Nvidia GeForce 920M (2 GB DDR3) Intel Celeron 2970M 1 x 8 GB DDR3 Windows 10 64 Bit
Asus N551ZU AMD Radeon R9 M280X (4 GB GDDR5) AMD FX-7600P 2 x 4 GB DDR3 Windows 10 64 Bit
4K Monitor Nvidia Driver AMD Driver Intel Driver
2 x Asus PB287Q, Philips 328P6VJEB ForceWare Crimson
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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > Team Fortress 2 - Notebook and Desktop Benchmarks
Klaus Hinum, 2017-08-15 (Update: 2022-01-21)