CS2 Optimizer The best CS2 settings
The best CS2 settings
for your exact PC.
Pick your hardware, choose a profile, copy the values. Windows, Steam, Nvidia, in-game video & audio and BIOS — where the advice differs, we show it instead of hiding it. Want a pro's config? See CS2 Pro Configs. FACEIT won't launch? Fix Anti-Cheat errors.
- 1Pick your rig
- 2Choose a profile
- 3Open a category, then copy each value into the path shown
Your rig
Graphics card
- GTX 1050
- GTX 1050 Ti
- GTX 1060 3GB
- GTX 1060 6GB
- GTX 1070
- GTX 1070 Ti
- GTX 1080
- GTX 1080 Ti
- GTX 1630
- GTX 1650
- GTX 1650 Super
- GTX 1660
- GTX 1660 Super
- GTX 1660 Ti
- RTX 2060
- RTX 2060 Super
- RTX 2070
- RTX 2070 Super
- RTX 2080
- RTX 2080 Super
- RTX 2080 Ti
- RTX 3050
- RTX 3060 8GB
- RTX 3060 12GB
- RTX 3060 Ti
- RTX 3070
- RTX 3070 Ti
- RTX 3080
- RTX 3080 Ti
- RTX 3090
- RTX 3090 Ti
- RTX 4060
- RTX 4060 Ti 8GB
- RTX 4060 Ti 16GB
- RTX 4070
- RTX 4070 Super
- RTX 4070 Ti
- RTX 4070 Ti Super
- RTX 4080
- RTX 4080 Super
- RTX 4090
- RTX 5050
- RTX 5060
- RTX 5060 Ti 8GB
- RTX 5060 Ti 16GB
- RTX 5070
- RTX 5070 Ti
- RTX 5080
- RTX 5090
- No match
Processor
- Core i3-8100
- Core i5-8400
- Core i5-8600K
- Core i7-8700K
- Core i3-9100F
- Core i5-9400F
- Core i5-9600K
- Core i7-9700K
- Core i9-9900K
- Core i3-10100F
- Core i5-10400F
- Core i5-10600K
- Core i7-10700K
- Core i9-10900K
- Core i5-11400F
- Core i5-11600K
- Core i7-11700K
- Core i9-11900K
- Core i3-12100F
- Core i5-12400F
- Core i5-12600K
- Core i7-12700K
- Core i9-12900K
- Core i5-13400F
- Core i5-13600K
- Core i7-13700K
- Core i9-13900K
- Core i5-14400F
- Core i5-14600K
- Core i7-14700K
- Core i9-14900K
- Core Ultra 5 245K
- Core Ultra 7 265K
- Core Ultra 9 285K
- No match
Monitor refresh rate
- 60 Hz
- 75 Hz
- 100 Hz
- 120 Hz
- 144 Hz
- 165 Hz
- 180 Hz
- 200 Hz
- 240 Hz
- 280 Hz
- 360 Hz
- 480 Hz
- 540 Hz
- No match
RAM
- 4 GB
- 8 GB
- 12 GB
- 16 GB
- 24 GB
- 32 GB
- 48 GB
- 64 GB
- 96 GB
- 128 GB
- No match
Aspect & scaling
- 4:3 — Stretched
- 4:3 — Black bars
- 5:4 — Stretched
- 16:9 — Native
- 16:10 — Native
- No match
Resolution
- 1024×768 · 4:3
- 1152×864 · 4:3
- 1280×960 · 4:3
- 1440×1080 · 4:3
- 1600×1200 · 4:3
- 1920×1440 · 4:3
- 1280×1024 · 5:4
- 1280×800 · 16:10
- 1680×1050 · 16:10
- 1920×1200 · 16:10
- 2560×1600 · 16:10
- 1280×720 · 16:9
- 1366×768 · 16:9
- 1600×900 · 16:9
- 1920×1080 · 16:9
- 2560×1440 · 16:9
- 3840×2160 · 16:9
- No match
✓ Saved on this device
Windows
Power plan ✓
Where Control Panel Power Options
Stops the CPU down-clocking under load.
High performance / Ultimate performance
+5–10 Game Mode ✓
Where Settings Gaming Game Mode
Lowers background activity while CS2 runs.
On
+2–5 Per-app GPU preference for cs2.exe ✓
Where Settings Display Graphics cs2.exe High performance
Forces the dedicated GPU for CS2.
High performance
stability Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling (HAGS) Test it
Where Settings Display Graphics Default settings
Offloads frame scheduling from CPU to GPU.
On
+3–5 "Disable fullscreen optimizations" checkbox (cs2.exe) Test it
Where …\game\bin\win64\cs2.exe Properties Compatibility
The old "disable it" tip no longer helps in CS2 — leave default.
Leave UNCHECKED (default)
neutral Mouse acceleration ("Enhance pointer precision") ✓
Where Control Panel Mouse Pointer Options
Removes OS-level mouse acceleration so aim is 1:1.
Off
aim Visual effects ✓
Where System Advanced Performance Adjust for best performance
Drops Windows animations; keep "smooth screen fonts" on.
Best performance (keep font smoothing)
+5–10 Background apps & startup ✓
Where Task Manager Startup; Settings Apps Game Bar / Store background off
Frees CPU/RAM and speeds up boot.
Disable unused
+5 Core isolation / Memory integrity Test it
Where Windows Security Device security Core isolation
Off noticeably reduces input lag.
⚠ Lowers Windows security — only if you understand the trade-off.
Off
latency Pagefile (virtual memory)
Where System Advanced Performance Advanced Virtual memory
A fixed size prevents RAM-shortage stutters (e.g. 16GB → 24000 MB).
Fixed, ~1.5× your RAM
stability Steam
Steam in-game overlay ✓
Where Steam Settings In Game
Turn off; re-enable only to download Workshop maps.
Off
+2–5 Notifications ✓
Where Steam Settings Notifications
No popup hitches mid-round.
All off
stability Low performance mode + simplified library
Where Steam Settings Library / Interface
Lighter Steam client.
On
+1–3 Clear shader / download cache
Where Steam Settings Downloads / Shader Pre-Caching
One-time cleanup after updates.
Clear once
maintenance Steam Input system ✓
Where CS2 Properties Controller Disable Steam Input
Removes a controller-input layer for mouse/kbd players.
Disabled
latency Launch options Test it
Where CS2 Properties General Launch Options
-freq = your Hz · fps_max 0 = uncapped (lowest latency) · -nojoy off controller · -high CPU priority.
Paste into Steam → CS2 → Properties → Launch Options.
-novid -freq <HZ> +fps_max 0 -high -nojoy -language english +exec autoexec.cfg
latency Nvidia
Low Latency Mode
Where Manage 3D settings Program settings CS2
Commands reach the GPU sooner. (In-game Reflex overrides it when on.)
Ultra
latency Power management mode ✓
Where Manage 3D settings Program settings CS2
Keeps GPU clocks pinned high.
Prefer maximum performance
stability Texture filtering — Quality
Where Manage 3D settings Program settings CS2
Prioritises FPS over texture sharpness.
High performance
+5 Max frame rate (driver)
Where Manage 3D settings Program settings CS2
Let the in-game fps_max own the cap.
Off (cap in-game instead)
neutral Display scaling mode
Where Adjust desktop size and position Scaling
No black bars on 4:3; scaling on the monitor for lowest latency.
↳ Only relevant for stretched aspects.
Full-screen · perform scaling on: Display
latency Output dynamic range
Where Change resolution Output dynamic range
Full RGB range — punchier, more readable colors.
Full
visual Digital vibrance
Where Adjust desktop color settings
Makes player models pop against the map.
Raise (preference, ~60–80%)
visual CS2 Video
Display mode Test it
Where Settings Video Video
Fullscreen gives max FPS and direct GPU control.
Fullscreen
+2–5 Resolution & aspect ratio Test it
Where Settings Video Aspect Ratio / Resolution
4:3 stretched feels faster + pads models; 16:9 native has true FOV + accurate hitboxes.
Follows your wizard pick
+10–20 Boost Player Contrast
Where Settings Video Advanced Video
Highlights enemy models, incl. through smoke/fire. Costs ~10–15 FPS.
↳ Turn off on weak GPUs where those frames matter.
On
-10–15 Vertical sync ✓
Where Settings Video Advanced Video
VSync caps FPS and adds input lag.
Off
latency NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency Test it
Where Settings Video Advanced Video
Cuts input lag; "+Boost" only for strong GPUs.
Enabled
latency Multisampling Anti-Aliasing (MSAA)
Where Settings Video Advanced Video
Smooths jagged edges — matters most on stretched res.
↳ 8x is too heavy for the gain — cap at 4x.
2x MSAA
-10–15% at 4x Global Shadow Quality Test it
Where Settings Video Advanced Video
Post-patch, shadow throw distance is the same on Low and High — Low saves frames.
Low
+15 Dynamic Shadows ✓
Where Settings Video Advanced Video
MUST be "All" — this is how you see enemy shadows before they peek.
All
-5–10 Model / Texture Detail Test it
Where Settings Video Advanced Video
Low for FPS. Some say Medium makes dinks/headshots feel better.
Low
+10 Texture Filtering Mode Test it
Where Settings Video Advanced Video
Sharper ground/walls (helps lineups) at higher levels.
Anisotropic 4x
+5 Shader Detail ✓
Where Settings Video Advanced Video
Shaders got heavier post-patch; Low keeps frames stable.
Low
+10 Particle Detail ✓
Where Settings Video Advanced Video
Keeps FPS stable during smokes/molotovs/fights.
Low
+5–10 Ambient Occlusion Test it
Where Settings Video Advanced Video
Adds soft wall shadows; some use it to spot enemies hugging walls.
Disabled
+5 High Dynamic Range Test it
Where Settings Video Advanced Video
Quality removes ugly grain in dark spots; cheap on frames.
Quality
-0–20 FidelityFX Super Resolution ✓
Where Settings Video Advanced Video
Off — upscaling renders at lower res and kills visibility.
↳ Exception: 2K/4K monitor on a weak GPU → Performance.
Disabled
visual In-game gamma (console)
Where Console: r_fullscreen_gamma 2.2
Slightly darker, models get a distinct color — easier to read enemies.
↳ Preference; 1.8–2.2 range.
2.2 (preference)
visual CS2 Audio
EQ Profile Test it
Where Settings Audio EQ Profile
Crisp makes footsteps sharp and directional.
Crisp
audio L/R Isolation Test it
Where Settings Audio
Tells you left/right instantly; too high or too low both hurt.
50%
audio Perspective Correction Test it
Where Settings Audio
Balances far vs near sounds.
On
audio Streamlined push-to-talk
Where Settings Audio Voice
Removes the lag spike when you key up voice.
Yes
latency Win Sound
Set headset as Default + Default Communication device ✓
Where Sound Control Panel Playback / Recording
Routes game + voice through the right device; audibly better.
Your headset
audio Disable unused audio devices
Where Sound Control Panel right-click Disable
Stops Windows defaulting to the wrong output mid-game.
Disable extras
audio Pick your exact headphones in CS2 audio device list
Where Settings Audio Audio Output Device
Selecting the actual headset model improves directional audio.
Your headphones
audio Discord
In-game overlay
Where Discord Settings Game Overlay
Removes a layer drawing over CS2.
Off
+1–3 Hardware acceleration Test it
Where Discord Settings Advanced
Off frees GPU headroom for CS2.
Off
+1–3 Reduce motion / disable animated emoji
Where Discord Settings Accessibility
Lighter Discord client.
On
+1 BIOS
XMP / EXPO memory profile
Where BIOS Memory / Overclocking XMP
Runs RAM at its rated speed instead of slow JEDEC default.
↳ Big, free win most players miss — check your current RAM speed first.
Enable
+5–10 (1% lows) Secure Boot
Where BIOS Boot / Security Secure Boot Enabled
Required for FACEIT Anti-Cheat. See the FACEIT fix guide for the full steps.
Enable
faceit TPM 2.0
Where BIOS PTT (Intel) / Security TPM Enabled
Required for FACEIT Anti-Cheat (Intel = PTT).
Enable
faceit Resizable BAR
Where BIOS PCIe / Advanced Resizable BAR Enabled
Lets the CPU access full GPU memory — small, free gain on RTX 30/40/50.
Enable (if supported)
+1–3 CS2 updates change things — re-check after big patches. Not affiliated with FACEIT or Valve. Always test on your own rig.