How to increase FPS in CS2: Best settings to maximize your FPS

To increase FPS in CS2, optimize in-game settings, update drivers, use launch commands, and consider upgrading your PC.

I've been playing Counter-Strike for over a decade and have spent countless hours tweaking settings to maximize my FPS.

Through trial and error, I've discovered the best combination of in-game settings, launch commands, and hardware upgrades that have taken my gameplay to the next level.

In this article, I'll share my top tips for boosting your CS2 FPS and gaining a competitive edge.

Best in-game settings to increase FPS in CS2

Let's get straight to the best game settings for Counter-Strike 2:

Boost Player Contrast: Enabled - This improves visibility without affecting performance, making it one of the best CS2 settings for FPS.
Vertical Sync: Disabled - Disabling V-Sync in your video settings can significantly improve FPS in CS2.
Multisampling Anti-Aliasing Mode: Disabled - Anti-aliasing is demanding, so disabling it in your game settings is crucial for maximizing CS2 FPS.
Global Shadow Quality: High - Surprisingly, Source 2 optimizes high shadow quality, making it ideal for the best CS2 settings.
Model / Texture Detail: Very High - Like shadows, high model and texture detail are well-optimized and won't hurt your FPS in CS2.
Shader Detail: High - Shader detail has minimal impact on performance, so keep it high for the best visual quality without sacrificing FPS.
Particle Detail: High - Particle effects are less demanding in Source 2, allowing you to maintain high detail while still getting an FPS boost.
Ambient Occlusion: Disabled - Ambient occlusion is resource-intensive, so disable it in your video settings to improve FPS.
High Dynamic Range: Quality - HDR on quality balances visuals and performance for the best CS2 experience.
FidelityFX Super Resolution: Disabled - FSR can reduce performance in CS2, so keep it disabled for the highest FPS.
Nvidia Reflex Low Latency: Enabled - If you have an Nvidia GPU, enabling Reflex can reduce system latency and improve responsiveness without hurting FPS.
Max Acceptable Matchmaking Ping: 100 - Limiting your maximum ping can help ensure a smoother online experience.
Show Team Positions in HUD: Show location and equipment - This helpful setting keeps you informed without cluttering your HUD or affecting FPS.
Show Teammate Colors in Competitive: Colors and letters - Using colors and letters for teammates clearly identifies them without adding unnecessary visual details that could lower FPS.

I've tested these in-game settings, and they've helped me optimize my CS2 experience for the highest FPS possible.

While having the best PC hardware helps, tweaking your game settings is the most accessible way to improve FPS in CS2.

Experiment with these video settings to find the perfect balance for your system, and get ready to dominate the competition with your newly optimized setup!

9 useful tips to increase your FPS in CS2

Still have low FPS? Fear not—I've got your back with 9 awesome tips to boost your FPS and take your CS2 game performance to the next level!

As a passionate gamer, I know how frustrating it can be when your system struggles to keep up with the fast-paced action.

That's why I've compiled these practical tweaks and settings optimizations to help you achieve smoother, more responsive gameplay.

1. Optimize CS2 in-game settings

I recommend going into the Video Settings menu.

First, ensure your resolution matches your monitor's native res for crystal-clear visuals.

Next, switch Display Mode to Fullscreen.

Now it's time to tweak those Graphics Settings:

Set Texture Quality to Low or Medium
Turn Effect Quality down to Low
Reduce Shadow Quality to Low or Off
Set Shader Quality to Low
Turn Multisampling Anti-Aliasing Mode off

2. Optimize NVIDIA Control Panel settings

Next, we need to optimize the NVIDIA Control Panel. Here is how to do it:

Right-click on your desktop and open the NVIDIA Control Panel
Navigate to Manage 3D settings > Program Settings and select CS2
Adjust these settings for the best FPS:
- Power Management Mode: Prefer maximum performance
- Texture Filtering - Quality: Performance
- Threaded Optimization: On
- Low Latency Mode: Ultra
- Vertical sync: Off
- Texture filtering - Anisotropic sample optimization: On
Enable NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency mode in the CS2 settings for reduced input lag

I've personally tested various NVIDIA control panel settings in CS2, and I found these adjustments provided the smoothest gameplay and highest framerate on my system.

Dialing in the right settings is crucial - don't just leave everything on default.

3. Run CS2 in high priority

Running CS2 with higher priority tells Windows to allocate more resources to the game. This can help maintain smoother framerates, especially on systems with limited CPU power.

Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc)
Find CS2 in the Processes tab
Right-click CS2 > go to Details
Right-click CS2.exe > set priority > select High

4. Overclock your GPU

You can also try to overclock your GPU to get the best performance from your PC. Here is how to do it:

Download MSI Afterburner or another GPU overclocking utility (works for both NVIDIA and AMD cards).
Bump up your GPU's clock rate incrementally. I usually start with a 50 MHz increase.
Launch CS2 and play a few rounds to test stability. If it doesn't crash, increase the clock speed a bit more.
Repeat until you hit the sweet spot - the highest stable overclock your GPU can handle.

Fair warning: pushing your overclock too far can cause crashes or even damage your GPU, so go slow and be careful. But when done right, overclocking can seriously improve your FPS and give you an edge in CS2.

5. Update graphics card drivers

By keeping your graphics card drivers updated, you can take advantage of performance optimizations and bug fixes that can help maximize your FPS in CS2.

I recommend checking for driver updates regularly to ensure you're always running the latest version.

Visit the official website of your graphics card manufacturer (Nvidia or AMD)
Navigate to the drivers section and select your graphics card model
Download the latest drivers for your specific operating system
Install the drivers following the provided instructions, which usually involves running the downloaded executable file and following the on-screen prompts

6. Disable full screen optimization for cs2.exe

I used to have stuttering and low FPS issues in CS2, but disabling the fullscreen optimization setting for cs2.exe made a big difference.

Find cs2.exe in your CS2 installation folder
Right-click the file and select "Properties"
Switch to the "Compatibility" tab
Check the box next to "Disable fullscreen optimizations"
Click "Apply" then "OK"

The game runs much smoother for me now. Try it and see if it helps maximize your framerate, too.

This simple tweak only takes a few seconds but can greatly impact performance.

7. Disable high DPI scaling for cs2.exe

By disabling high DPI scaling, the game will run in its native resolution, resulting in sharper visuals.

Right-click on cs2.exe and select Properties
Navigate to the Compatibility tab
Check the box next to "Override high DPI scaling behavior"
Click Apply and then OK

8. Use Steam launch commands

Adding Steam launch commands is necessary when playing CS:GO and CS2.

Here is what you should do:

Right-click CS2 in your Steam library
Select Properties
Click Set Launch Options
Enter the following console commands: -high -novid -nojoy -nod3d9ex

The -high command gives CS2 higher priority over other programs. -novid skips the intro video. -nojoy disables joystick support. And -nod3d9ex disables Direct3D 9Ex.

Together, these launch commands help squeeze out some extra frames per second.

Give them a try and see how they improve CS2 performance on your system! With these settings, I usually gain around 10-15 FPS. Your mileage may vary, but it's quick and easy to test.

9. Upgrade your PC

If you still have low FPS, consider upgrading your PC components.

Upgrade your CPU: The central processing unit (CPU) is the brain of your computer. Upgrading your low-end PC to a faster CPU and specs can significantly boost your FPS in CS2, especially if you're currently using an older model.
Upgrade your GPU: The graphics processing unit (GPU) renders the visuals in CS2. Investing in a more powerful GPU can dramatically improve your FPS and gaming experience.
Upgrade your RAM: Random access memory (RAM) helps your PC run multiple tasks simultaneously. Upgrading to a higher capacity RAM can help improve your FPS in CS2, particularly if you're running other programs in the background.
Ensure proper cooling: Overheating can cause your PC components to throttle, leading to lower FPS. Ensure your PC has adequate airflow, and consider investing in a better cooling system, such as additional case fans or a liquid cooling solution.
Switch to an SSD: If you're still using a hard disk drive (HDD), consider upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD). SSDs offer faster read and write speeds, which can help reduce loading times and improve overall system responsiveness.

How does FPS affect your CS2 gameplay?

FPS directly impacts your CS2 gameplay. Higher FPS means a smoother gaming experience with less input lag and stuttering.

I've noticed that my aim and reaction time suffer when my FPS drops, making it harder to compete.

Consistent high FPS reduces latency, allowing for more precise aiming and quicker responses to in-game action. Optimizing your FPS is key to unlocking your full potential and dominating CS2.

How many FPS should you make in CS2?

You should aim for at least 144 FPS. Why? Higher frame rates mean smoother gameplay.

Simple as that. Tweak your settings, especially fps_max, to maximize FPS.

240+ FPS is ideal, but 144 is the sweet spot for most setups.

How do you uncap FPS in CS2?

To uncap FPS in CS2, type fps_max 0 in the console and press enter. This removes any limitations the game sets, allowing your FPS to run at the maximum rate your hardware can produce.

Monitor performance with cl_showfps 1, as uncapping FPS can lead to drastic drops. Adjust settings as needed for the best experience.