How to Increase FPS In CS2?

You need stable FPS in an FPS (First-Person Shooter) game like CS2, especially when playing competitively. However, facing lag, stutters, and unstable frames make the game impossible to play and have fun. Fortunately, there are a lot of methods you can follow to improve FPS in CS2. Some target your hardware, while others can be done in the game and your OS. Here’s everything you need to know about increasing FPS in CS2.

What Causes Low FPS in CS2

Here are some common reasons that cause low FPS and lag in CS2:

• Your PC lacks the power and hardware to run CS2.
• Some Windows and GPU drivers may be outdated.
• Other programs on your system may use too many resources like Chrome, Spotify, Discord, etc.
• You have unoptimized in-game graphics and video settings.

What Can You Do to Improve FPS?

Being an avid CS2 player, I want a smooth and stable experience when playing CS2. When I wanted to increase my FPS in CS2, here’s how I went about it:

Utilize Performance-Based Launch Options Through Steam

Use the launch options of CS2 to pre-run the game with certain properties ensuring you get the best possible experience. Go to CS2 Properties after opening Steam and go to your Launch Options in the General tab:

• -high: Runs CS2 at high priority.
• +fps_max 0: Removes the FPS cap.
• -novid: Skips the intro video for faster startup.
• +cl_forcepreload 1: Preloads textures and models for smoother gameplay.
• -fullscreen: Forces fullscreen mode for better performance.

These commands reduce unnecessary processes and prioritize performance. Put a space after every command so everything works smoothly.

Optimizing your Video and Graphics Settings in CS2

Adjusting video settings is one of the easiest ways to increase FPS in CS2:

• Resolution: Lowering resolution can significantly improve FPS but may affect clarity. Some players prefer stretched resolution because of a wider FOV, so you can change your aspect ratio.
• Display Mode: Fullscreen works best as it ensures CS2 is prioritized over other programs but makes switching tabs slower.
• Shadows: Set to Low. Shadows don’t provide anything in competitive games and are mainly used as eye candy. It causes massive strain on old GPUs and hardware.
• Texture Quality: Use Medium or Low. CS2 isn’t known for its graphics so you don’t need high textures. Your graphics may seem pixelated but overall graphics quality doesn’t take a hit.
• Ambient Occlusion: Disable. This is another setting that slightly improves the visuals but has a big impact on your system.
• Anti-Aliasing (MSAA): Use 2x or disable entirely for a noticeable boost in performance. It makes edges smoother but doesn’t have any competitive edge. Additionally, impacts PC performance significantly so it’s best to keep it off.
• High Dynamic Range (HDR): Set to Performance. This balances visuals and FPS effectively.
• V-Sync: Keep it off unless you’re face screen tearing.

Always Keep Your Graphics Drivers Up-to-date

Having outdated GPU drivers can negatively affect your FPS as new drivers have better compatibility with CS2. To update your GPU drivers, here’s what you need to do:

First, check the manufacturer of your GPU: AMD or NVIDIA.

Regarding NVIDIA:

• Navigate to the Drivers area of the NVIDIA website.
• Install the most recent driver that is compatible with the model of your graphics card.
• Open Geforce Experience and look for updates if you have it already installed. All updates should be downloaded if they are available.

Regarding AMD:

• Visit AMD’s official website.
• You may manually look for drivers depending on your card model or use their auto-detect tool.
• For the updates to take effect, restart your computer after installation.
• Just like Nvidia, you can also look for updates in the AMD software.

Turn on the Gaming Mode on Windows

Windows has a mechanic to prioritize games over other programs, allowing all PC resources to focus on CS2. This technique can increase FPS in CS2:

1. Go to Settings: Look for the Settings Menu.
2. Go to the System: Navigate to the “Graphics” section under the “System” section.
3. Select CS2: You will now see a list of every program you have downloaded. Search for “cs2.”
4. Opening Options: Once you’ve found CS2, open the Options.
5. Activating High Performance: Last but not least, choose “Graphics Preference,” then “High Performance.”

Make sure you’re using the high-performance option on your laptop when you’re gaming. Navigate to the “high-performance” mode in the power settings. However, this uses more power so keep your laptop on charge.

Terminate all Background Applications

Another tip you can implement is terminating all your background processes while playing the game. For instance, all browser tabs and Spotify if your FPS is unstable. Overall, we strongly advise turning off all background programs when playing Counter-Strike, with the exception of necessary apps like Steam and your chat apps like Discord or TeamSpeak. You can close background processes by opening Task Manager and searching for all programs that use a lot of resources that are not being used. Just end the process by right-clicking on these programs.

Upgrade Your Hardware

Sometimes, it’s as simple as not having a powerful enough PC. Some components have a bigger impact on performance which are:

• GPU: This is a no-brainer. Your GPU is responsible for everything you see on the screen. If you have an old GPU, that might be the culprit for low FPS.
• CPU (Processor): Multi-core processors like the Intel 6th gen or above or any Ryzen 5 option will do the trick.
• RAM: Optimal gaming performance is available with at least 16GB of RAM.
• SSD: Installation of CS2 on the SSD reduces the loading times and improves the overall responsiveness.

Upgrading one thing at a time still makes a difference, even on a budget. Start with these steps today, and enjoy a faster, smoother CS2 experience!