Let's get down to business. There is a list of commands for the game's graphics. It works for me at times. There are other times where Frame Rate drops due to view distance, to much crap in a server, rendering a little to much (such as the world or a lot of player models), CPU and/or GPU issues, or unknown problems.

To create a CFG file (so you don't have to enter these in one at a time) navigate to here:
"Program Files (x86)> Steam> Steam Apps> common> Garry's Mod> garry's mod> cfg". Open up a Notepad program and copy paste this into the text window.

MUST COPY PASTE ALL ACCORDINGLY:

//tanuki's FPS Config
//cl commands
cl_forcepreload 1
cl_smooth 0
cl_detaildist 1
cl_detailfade 800
cl_ejectbrass 0
cl_show_splashes 0
cl_detailfade 1000


//mat commands
mat_compressedtextures 1
mat_bumpmap 1
mat_clipz 0
mat_filterlightmaps 0
mat_filtertextures 1
mat_mipmaptextures 0
mat_softwarelighting 1
mat_specular 1
mat_picmip 1
mat_parallaxmap 0
mat_colorcorrection 0
mat_dxlevel 95
mat_monitorgamma 1.3
mat_texture_limit -1

//r commands
r_fastzreject -1
r_threaded_particles 1
r_threaded_renderables 1
r_decal_cullsize 1
r_drawflecks 0
r_drawmodeldecals 0
r_dynamic 0
r_lod -1
r_WaterDrawReflection 0
r_WaterDrawRefraction 0
r_waterforceexpensive 0
r_shadowmaxrendered 0
r_spray_lifetime 1
r_3dsky 0
r_rootlod 2
r_decal_cullsize 4
r_renderoverlayfragment 0
r_waterforceexpensive 0
r_maxmodeldecal 20

//lod commands
lod_TransitionDist 1.5

//dsp & snd commands
dsp_enhance_stereo 1
snd_mixahead 0.9

//mp commands
mp_decals 30

//other commands
fps_max 60
muzzleflash_light 0
ai_expression_optimization 0
sv_forcepreload 1
ragdoll_sleepaftertime 2.0
echo "MaxFPS Config Loaded"


Now save the file with a name like MyTweaks.cfg and boom. Once your in Garry's Mod, open up the command console and enter this: "exec MyTweaks.cfg". It should say "MaxFPS Config Loaded".



You do have another option which will save you time. Download the CFG File here:

https://www.mediafire.com/?9t27n0otjc3dbdx
Place the file in "Program Files (x86)> Steam> Steam Apps> common> Garry's Mod> garry's mod> cfg".
All you have to do after that is boot up Gmod then open console. Enter "exec MyTweaks.cfg" (without quotes) and there you go 2 minutes of your time saved.

For those of you who only need a little FPS boost, skip the .cfg section and edit the menu settings with the list below.

Go to Options and go to Video.

Choose Models as LOW OR MEDIUM (If you are going to be playing with ragdolls in sandbox, choose MEDIUM or HIGH options.)
Choose Textures as MEDIUM or LOW. Which ever you want for some detail.
Choose Multi-Core processing is ENABLED (Causes funky LUA errors every now and then, keep it on for better performance.)

Choose High Dynamic Range as NONE
Choose Motion Blur as DISABLED
Choose Water Detail as BASIC
Choose Filtering Mode (Ansiotropic Filtering) as BILINEAR, TRILINEAR, or ANSIOTROPIC X2
Choose Shadow Detail as LOW
Choose Shaders as LOW
Choose Vertical Sync as DISABLED

It may look abysmal, but it MAY/WILL help a lot.

This is what really helps, aside from tweaking graphics in general. DirectX, in short, makes the game have all the pretty shiny guns and the clear realistic water and what not. Changing the DirectX level to 8.1 or 8.0 is obviously going to make the game look like POOP.

HOW TO CHANGE THE DIRECTX LEVELS ON START UP:

1. Go your Steam Library
2. Right click on Garry's Mod
3. Look for "Set Launch Options"
4. Click on that button and a little window should pop up.
5. In the little bar type this: -dxlevel 8.0 or -dxlevel 8.1

Try both of those settings and see which directx level works best for your PC, considering DirectX 8.0 is for Integrated GPUs that are bottom-of-the-barrel terrible. DirectX 8.1 allows water and SOME lighting/shaders in the game, but it will still look like poo.

If it doesn't work to well, then I'm sorry.

Lurk more for more help. This is the basic Stuff.

Also, another tip. CTRL+ALT+DEL (for Win7 users) to open up task manager. There, End Processes that are useless or aren't being used. That way, there are more resources for Gmod to use. This will help it run a bit faster. Hopefully. Make sure you know what processes are being used by the computer itself and what processes you put on there.