Garry's Mod keeps crashing when shadow detail is on high - Help

So what keeps happening is I type in "mat_dxlevel 90" (for dynamic shadows) and set shadow detail to high. I then start playing on a map (I've only tried this on gm_construct so far). As soon as I either turn on my flashlight, or spawn a lamp, BAM! The game crashes. Can someone please help me? I'd really appreciate it

What are your system specs? Doesn't sound like a hardware problem if it's instant but I'd like to hear.

I've heard a lot about nvidia conflicts with the source engine, if you are using that type of card. Otherwise, I don't mean to state the obvious but shadows are very intensive, when you change values when shadows are present this might be the issue.

No, even when I change it at the main menu, start up a map, and activate the flashlight or a lamp, it crashes. Oh, and ATI Radeon HD 34000 Series is my video card, System type is a 64-bit operating system, and I have 8 gb of RAM

OKAY! So! I changed the launch options in "properties" to "dxlevel 90" and now I can turn on the flashlight or spawn a lamp without worry. Problem is, it gets unbelievably laggy when either of the two are activated. Any way to fix this?

You think we could get a bit more insight on your system specs?

Yeah, sure. Anything in specific? I've never actually had to bring them up before.

Anyone got any solutuions? Because this is getting on my last nerve.

Download speccy and give us a screenshot, old driver or new one?

A screenshot wouldn't really tell much, given the fact it's mainly lag. I'd say new, it's Windows Vista Home Premium.

Vista is the OS (operating system) A driver is what tells your hardware how to work In this case, he was talking about the driver for your graphics card I'll link you to the newest driver for whatever your card is. I just need a screenshot of your system specifications. This program is simple to use and displays everything on one page. [url]http://www.piriform.com/speccy/[/url] I'm not 100% sure that the driver is causing this, but it's a good place to start.

Alright, so I've got Speccy open here, and heres the home page: [url]http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/3690/pcspecs.speccy[/url] (I can't really seem to upload the actual screenshot though)

Is the speccy screenshot working for everyone else?

[QUOTE=Matt90126;36356391]Is the speccy screenshot working for everyone else?[/QUOTE] [url]http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Pages/aiwhd_vista64.aspx?type=2.4.1&product=2.4.1.3.5;2.4.1.3.14;2.4.1.3.15&lang=us&rev=10.9&ostype=Windows%20Vista%20-%2064-Bit%20Edition[/url] That should be the correct driver It will probably ask you to restart your pc when it's installed. Test gmod after it starts up again.

Alright well.... It didn't improve the lag problem, and I think it's severely screwed with my models. After a certain amount of time, all of the models get filled with holes!

How many years have you had that pc?

Well alright then. Oh, and I'd say it's around 2-3 years old

I'd recommend an upgrade as well then.

No seriously though, I think this driver's really screwing with all of the models.

It shouldn't be It's the correct OS and everything

[QUOTE=~Kiwi~v2;36375185]The 12.4 drivers have been an issue for most AMD/ATi Radeon GPUs so I would revert back to 12.1 or 11.6 for now, but save some money and upgrade. Post specs anyway.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Matt90126;36302829]Alright, so I've got Speccy open here, and heres the home page: [url]http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/3690/pcspecs.speccy[/url] (I can't really seem to upload the actual screenshot though)[/QUOTE]

Okay I'll look into that. Thanks for the help everyone!