Tips to Enhance CPU and GPU Performance in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2)

Many players have observed that their CPU and GPU performance in CS2 is lacking. As we approach the first anniversary of CS2 on September 27, 2024, it’s apparent that despite its straightforward gameplay, many users continue to experience performance issues. FPS (frames per second) drops have been a persistent problem since the launch of Valve’s first-person shooter, and after a year, the situation has shown little improvement.

This article aims to assist players in potentially boosting their CPU and GPU performance in CS2. To learn more about resolving your FPS issues in this game, read on.

Edit: The techniques mentioned are not guaranteed fixes, but rather potential solutions to enhance your CPU and GPU performance in CS2.

Guide to Enhance CPU and GPU Performance in CS2

Before we explore methods to improve CPU and GPU performance in CS2, it’s essential to identify whether your PC is CPU or GPU-bound in the game.

Here’s how to determine this:

Start any map in offline mode.
Open the console by pressing ‘`’ and input the command cl_showfps 2.
Navigate to the settings panel and select ‘Video Settings.’ Locate the FSR tab and set it to ‘Disable.’
Enter the game and play a round against bots. Note your FPS during gameplay.
Pause the game and return to the settings panel. Access FSR settings and switch it to ‘Performance.’
Play another round and record your in-game FPS during this session.

Entering console commands to monitor FPS performance in CS2 (Image via Valve)

There are two possible outcomes from this process. Let’s examine them more closely:

FPS Increase After Test

If your in-game FPS improves after setting FSR to performance, it indicates that your computer is GPU-limited. A straightforward remedy is to lower all in-game Graphics settings to their minimum values.

Boost Player Contrast: Enabled
V-Sync: Disabled
Global Shadow Quality: Low
Model / Texture Detail: Low
Texture Filtering: Disabled
Shader Detail: Low
Particle Detail: Low
Ambient Occlusion: Low
High Dynamic Range: Performance
FidelityFX Super Resolution: Performance
NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency: On + Boost

After applying these settings, you might notice an improvement in your framerate.

FPS Drop After Test

If your framerate decreases following this test, your computer is likely CPU-limited. In this case, adjusting your Graphics Settings may not resolve your performance concerns in CS2. You can modify these settings according to your preferences, but the only way to truly enhance your FPS in-game would be to upgrade your hardware.

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