• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 11:32
CEST 17:32
KST 00:32
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL19] Finals Recap: Standing Tall9HomeStory Cup 27 - Info & Preview18Classic wins Code S Season 2 (2025)16Code S RO4 & Finals Preview: herO, Rogue, Classic, GuMiho0TL Team Map Contest #5: Presented by Monster Energy6
Community News
Flash Announces Hiatus From ASL62Weekly Cups (June 23-29): Reynor in world title form?13FEL Cracov 2025 (July 27) - $8000 live event21Esports World Cup 2025 - Final Player Roster16Weekly Cups (June 16-22): Clem strikes back1
StarCraft 2
General
Program: SC2 / XSplit / OBS Scene Switcher The SCII GOAT: A statistical Evaluation Statistics for vetoed/disliked maps Weekly Cups (June 23-29): Reynor in world title form? PiG Sty Festival #5: Playoffs Preview + Groups Recap
Tourneys
RSL: Revival, a new crowdfunded tournament series Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament WardiTV Mondays FEL Cracov 2025 (July 27) - $8000 live event Korean Starcraft League Week 77
Strategy
How did i lose this ZvP, whats the proper response Simple Questions Simple Answers
Custom Maps
[UMS] Zillion Zerglings
External Content
Mutation # 480 Moths to the Flame Mutation # 479 Worn Out Welcome Mutation # 478 Instant Karma Mutation # 477 Slow and Steady
Brood War
General
Player “Jedi” cheat on CSL SC uni coach streams logging into betting site Flash Announces Hiatus From ASL Practice Partners (Official) ASL20 Preliminary Maps
Tourneys
CSL Xiamen International Invitational [BSL20] Grand Finals - Sunday 20:00 CET [Megathread] Daily Proleagues Small VOD Thread 2.0
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers I am doing this better than progamers do.
Other Games
General Games
Path of Exile Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread What do you want from future RTS games? Beyond All Reason
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Summer Games Done Quick 2025! Trading/Investing Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine
Fan Clubs
SKT1 Classic Fan Club! Maru Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece [\m/] Heavy Metal Thread
Sports
Formula 1 Discussion 2024 - 2025 Football Thread NBA General Discussion TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 NHL Playoffs 2024
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
Blogs
Culture Clash in Video Games…
TrAiDoS
from making sc maps to makin…
Husyelt
Blog #2
tankgirl
StarCraft improvement
iopq
Trip to the Zoo
micronesia
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 634 users

Delay when alt tabbing between SC2 and Windows

Forum Index > Tech Support
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
ThePinkNinja
Profile Joined October 2010
United Kingdom14 Posts
February 18 2011 16:07 GMT
#1
Hi Guys,

So, I get a delay where the screen goes black when I alt+tab between SC2 and any other windows app which I thought was normal and wasn't bothered about however last night I watched LiquidTylers stream for 10-15 mins and noticed him alt-tabbing between sc2 and switching music/checking forums then going back to SC2 with absolutely no lag time whatsoever.

Anyone know what could be causing the 15 second delay on mine? PC is:

Intel Quad 6700 @2.66ghz
8gb DDR2 Ram
ATI Radeon XFX 4890 (1gb DDR5)

possibly display drivers?

Any feedback appreciated.

Ta
orcslayermac
Profile Joined July 2010
United States138 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-18 16:09:29
February 18 2011 16:08 GMT
#2
Switch to windowed fullscreen mode. You're probably running in fullscreen, which is BAD for alt+tabbing.

Edit: Display drivers? If they're not up-to-date, go update them now please!
Terran A+move... Right into my banelings? Yes please!
CjX
Profile Joined September 2010
Sweden15 Posts
February 18 2011 16:09 GMT
#3
Do you play in Fullscreen mode? If you do, then change it to Windowed (fullscreen)
d
EliteReplay
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Dominican Republic913 Posts
February 18 2011 16:15 GMT
#4
But in windowed full screen the game will take the color of your desktop and u will expirience FPS drop
if play random i can't call any race imba?
orcslayermac
Profile Joined July 2010
United States138 Posts
February 18 2011 16:33 GMT
#5
2GRe-Play-, you're thinking of windowed mode. In windowed fullscreen, there will be no "taking the color of your desktop" because windowed fullscreen eliminates the windowed border.

Yes, there will be an FPS drop and that's to be expected. I am an alt+tab-oholic and run all my games in windowed fullscreen (also due to the fact that I have multiple monitors) and I never have framerate issues. If there are framerate issues, try closing other programs, etc...

There are drawbacks, but that's how LiquidTyler achieves lag free alt+tabbing.
Terran A+move... Right into my banelings? Yes please!
Mofisto
Profile Joined October 2010
United Kingdom585 Posts
February 18 2011 16:38 GMT
#6
It's a known problem with ATI cards. They handle fullscreen badly. As has been mentioned, playing in windowed fullscreen (no annoying bars) eliminates the problem. There is a small hit in performance, but you wont notice at all, unless of course you're running at the limit of whats possible with your system already
"Speed has never killed anyone. Suddenly becoming stationary, that's what gets you."
ThePinkNinja
Profile Joined October 2010
United Kingdom14 Posts
February 18 2011 16:49 GMT
#7
That did the trick thanks a lot guys
Xanbatou
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
United States805 Posts
February 18 2011 17:28 GMT
#8
On February 19 2011 01:38 mofisto wrote:
It's a known problem with ATI cards. They handle fullscreen badly. As has been mentioned, playing in windowed fullscreen (no annoying bars) eliminates the problem. There is a small hit in performance, but you wont notice at all, unless of course you're running at the limit of whats possible with your system already


I find this incredibly hard to believe.
Shiladie
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
Canada1631 Posts
February 18 2011 18:14 GMT
#9
Beaten to it, I can't stand games that don't do well in windowed fullscreen, I'm ADD enough to want to have something going on my second monitor while I play.

I think I've had 2 games and 2 livestreams going at once at one point (Destiny+bluetea's 2v2s, a slow moving SC2 custom game, and the Rift Beta)
R1CH
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
Netherlands10340 Posts
February 18 2011 18:20 GMT
#10
On February 19 2011 02:28 Xanbatou wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 19 2011 01:38 mofisto wrote:
It's a known problem with ATI cards. They handle fullscreen badly. As has been mentioned, playing in windowed fullscreen (no annoying bars) eliminates the problem. There is a small hit in performance, but you wont notice at all, unless of course you're running at the limit of whats possible with your system already


I find this incredibly hard to believe.

Don't, ATI drivers are terrible.
AdministratorTwitter: @R1CH_TL
ensign_lee
Profile Joined June 2010
United States1178 Posts
February 18 2011 20:28 GMT
#11
It's your processor.

It used to take me 45-60 seconds (YEAH, A MINUTE!) to tab between windows at Starcraft 2 with my old AMD 2400+ dual core. With my new i5-2500k, it takes like 2 seconds.
Doso
Profile Joined March 2008
Germany769 Posts
February 18 2011 20:49 GMT
#12
On February 19 2011 05:28 ensign_lee wrote:
It's your processor.

It used to take me 45-60 seconds (YEAH, A MINUTE!) to tab between windows at Starcraft 2 with my old AMD 2400+ dual core. With my new i5-2500k, it takes like 2 seconds.


Looking forward to change your Motherboard, are we? (Intel-Chipset bug)
ensign_lee
Profile Joined June 2010
United States1178 Posts
February 18 2011 22:04 GMT
#13
On February 19 2011 05:49 Doso wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 19 2011 05:28 ensign_lee wrote:
It's your processor.

It used to take me 45-60 seconds (YEAH, A MINUTE!) to tab between windows at Starcraft 2 with my old AMD 2400+ dual core. With my new i5-2500k, it takes like 2 seconds.


Looking forward to change your Motherboard, are we? (Intel-Chipset bug)


Meh, I can get a free upgrade to a Z68 chip or I can just chill with my SATA 3 ports and (my currently functioning) SATA 2 ports.

Plus, it gives me an opportunity to change my ungodly large heatsink should I choose to do so. :D I'm also super <3'ing quad core 4.5 Ghz processing speed.

So uh...yeah. :D
Molybdenum
Profile Blog Joined September 2009
United States358 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-19 02:20:19
February 19 2011 01:39 GMT
#14
I can alt tab (I usually use the windows button, though) really fast on my laptop, I just looked and I'm using Fullscreen (NOT windowed). I have a core 2 duo 2.4 ghz with an nvidia 8600M, 4GB DDR2 RAM, hardly a powerhouse, but alt tabbing takes maybe 2 seconds. I have a second monitor that I like to tab out to change pandora or whatever on. It could very well be your drivers.



On February 19 2011 05:49 Doso wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 19 2011 05:28 ensign_lee wrote:
It's your processor.

It used to take me 45-60 seconds (YEAH, A MINUTE!) to tab between windows at Starcraft 2 with my old AMD 2400+ dual core. With my new i5-2500k, it takes like 2 seconds.


Looking forward to change your Motherboard, are we? (Intel-Chipset bug)


Wow, bitter much? Changing the mobo is hardly a big deal.

Edit: I have DDR2 RAM, 4GB
hoby2000
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States918 Posts
February 19 2011 01:46 GMT
#15
I don't think it's your video card or processor. You're still using DDR2 ram, which is bottlenecking your computer's performance.

The specs on my laptop are worse than yours in every regard, except that I have DDR3 ram. It takes me about 2 seconds to alt tab out of SC2.
A lesson without pain is meaningless for nothing can be gained without giving something in return.
Cambam
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States360 Posts
February 19 2011 02:40 GMT
#16
I have the same problem. I have a ATI 4870 X2 and I just updated the drivers a few days ago. They didn't fix it. For me, it usually takes 3-5 seconds to maximize when I first start starcraft, but the longer I have it open, the longer it takes to maximize (sometimes upwards of 30-45 seconds). I have a Phenom II X4 3.00 Ghz quad core.

My friend has a newer ATI card (5800 or 6800 or something) and apparently doesn't have alt-tab issues, so maybe it's only the older ATI cards. It's so frustrating though, it's embarrassing that this problem hasn't been fixed for a year now...
jacosajh
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
2919 Posts
February 19 2011 02:48 GMT
#17
On one of my computers, an upgrade from a Core i5 to an i7 made it better.

On my brothers' computer, an upgrade from 4 GB to 8 GB of RAM made it better.

On another one of my computers, an update in drivers made it better.

So pretty much, it depends on a lot of factors. Since you have 8 GB of RAM, a good card, and decent video card, I'm thinking it's your HDD and/or drivers.
Mastermind
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
Canada7096 Posts
February 19 2011 02:50 GMT
#18
To fix this problem change your desktop resolution to the same resolution as sc2. This is what I did to fix it.
LeSioN
Profile Joined November 2010
United States325 Posts
February 19 2011 03:08 GMT
#19
i dont know why there a bunch of posts in this thread... quit simple, choose windowed full screen option in the options menu, bam! lagless alt-tabbing.
Someone needs to tell the truth, but it shouldn't be my job.
Mofisto
Profile Joined October 2010
United Kingdom585 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-19 03:47:36
February 19 2011 03:46 GMT
#20
The problem is simple. Like I said previously, it's a problem with ATI cards, not weak processors, hard drives, lack of ram, type of ram etc. I have the exact same problem, and I dont exactly have a weak PC
+ Show Spoiler +
i7 960 @ 4.2 ghz
12gb g skill ripjaw 1800 mhz
Asus P6X58D Premium
vertex 2 ssd (where starcraft is installed)
sapphire 4gb 5970 toxic @ 950mhz
(i used to run the same sytstem in trifire with a 2gb 5870 toxic, and still got the alt tab lag)

The solution is also simple. Run the game in windowed full screen. If you do you'll see there is no more delay, alt tabbing is instantaneous. Also if it were a hardware issue (as in weak components), the windowed fullscreen fix wouldnt work, because running in fullscreen is less stressful than windowed fullscreen.
"Speed has never killed anyone. Suddenly becoming stationary, that's what gets you."
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
FEL
12:00
Cracov 2025: Qualifier #2
CranKy Ducklings681
IndyStarCraft 342
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
mouzHeroMarine 344
IndyStarCraft 342
Hui .209
StarCraft: Brood War
Calm 4761
Rain 2555
Shuttle 1433
Horang2 1336
EffOrt 956
Bisu 925
Jaedong 739
Hyuk 377
Mini 376
Stork 328
[ Show more ]
TY 297
GuemChi 197
Soma 131
ToSsGirL 121
hero 121
Barracks 96
Hyun 83
Sacsri 78
PianO 55
GoRush 47
Sea.KH 39
Free 28
Terrorterran 17
HiyA 9
ivOry 4
Stormgate
TKL 310
Dota 2
qojqva3595
Fuzer 352
canceldota274
LuMiX1
League of Legends
singsing2833
Counter-Strike
byalli269
edward53
Super Smash Bros
Chillindude54
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor648
Liquid`Hasu424
Other Games
Gorgc3321
B2W.Neo1540
FrodaN1118
ArmadaUGS92
KnowMe67
Organizations
Other Games
EGCTV1265
StarCraft: Brood War
Kim Chul Min (afreeca) 10
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 15 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• StrangeGG 74
• Adnapsc2 11
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• C_a_k_e 3662
• WagamamaTV781
• Ler138
Upcoming Events
BSL: ProLeague
2h 28m
Dewalt vs Bonyth
Replay Cast
1d 8h
Sparkling Tuna Cup
1d 18h
WardiTV European League
2 days
The PondCast
2 days
Replay Cast
3 days
RSL Revival
3 days
ByuN vs SHIN
Clem vs Reynor
Replay Cast
4 days
RSL Revival
4 days
Classic vs Cure
FEL
5 days
[ Show More ]
RSL Revival
5 days
FEL
5 days
FEL
6 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
6 days
RSL Revival
6 days
FEL
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

BSL 2v2 Season 3
HSC XXVII
Heroes 10 EU

Ongoing

JPL Season 2
BSL Season 20
Acropolis #3
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 2
CSL 17: 2025 SUMMER
Copa Latinoamericana 4
Jiahua Invitational
Championship of Russia 2025
RSL Revival: Season 1
Murky Cup #2
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 7
IEM Dallas 2025
PGL Astana 2025
Asian Champions League '25
BLAST Rivals Spring 2025
MESA Nomadic Masters
CCT Season 2 Global Finals
IEM Melbourne 2025

Upcoming

2025 ACS Season 2: Qualifier
CSLPRO Last Chance 2025
CSL Xiamen Invitational
2025 ACS Season 2
CSLPRO Chat StarLAN 3
K-Championship
uThermal 2v2 Main Event
SEL Season 2 Championship
FEL Cracov 2025
Esports World Cup 2025
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
FISSURE Playground #1
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.