Guide: How to stretch 4:3 resolution (remove borders) [EXPLAINED]

[Helioto]

Updated for CS:2 on 19/07/2024
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Fast explanation bellow. Step by step guide just after it, if you need more explanation.

Fast Explanation:

-Change your system resolution to the same resolution you want to stretch (do not skip this step);
-Open GPU control panel and change the scaling option to full screen (or enabled), apply;
-Make sure cs2 is running at the same resolution you just stretched;
-Apply the changes in the control panel. After that, revert the system resolution to the the same you used before, and your changes will be saved;


Step-by-step guide:


Part one: Outside of the game

In order to stretch a certain resolution on your game, you first need to change some settings outside of it. All steps on this part are meant to be made without opening cs2. If you have cs2 opened, close it now.

1 - Set your computer resolution to the same resolution you want to stretch.
For example, If you want to play cs2 using 1024 x 720 stretched, you must change the computer(desktop) resolution to 1024 x 720 first. It will work with any 4:3 ratio resolution.

You can generally change your pc resolution by right-click on your desktop and them choosing 'resolution'.

2 - After changing the resolution, you should now have black bars. That's because the resolution can't fit your entire screen, we need to change some settings to stretch this resolution so you won't have black bars anymore. If these black bars are gone from your desktop, it will also go away in your game (any game that use this same resolution)

3- Open your GPU control panel (graphics card control interface). If you don't now how to open it read the steps bellow. Jump to step 4 if you know how to open it.

- For AMD gpus, you can open the "Radeon Settings" by right clicking on the desktop and choosing the option called "AMD Radeon Settings". It can also be labeled as "CCC"
- For NVIDIA gpus, right-click on the desktop, and choose "Nvidia Control Panel"
- For (some) intel integrated gpus, right click on your desktop and select Graphics Properties.
- If your card is not listed here, try to search on google how to open the graphics settings for your GPU.


4 - Once you have opened your GPU's control panel, look for "GPU scaling" and enable it. The settings that actually does the stretching have different names depending on your GPU:

- For AMD gpus, you should set the "Scaling Mode" option to "Full panel"
- For Nvidia gpus, you will find it under the monitor display settings, "adjust desktop size and position").
- For any card not listed here, try to look for a setting which changes desktop resolution parameters, sometimes this options appears as 'full screen scaling mode', "Screen Scaling" or just "Scaling". If so, change it to "Full screen". If there's no Full Screen option, try each one of the available settings and hit apply and see if the black bars are gone.

*If using more than one monitor setup:
-Nvidia lets you change scaling for each monitor connected, make sure to select the right one. AMD also should have this options (can't say for certain because I don't have an AMD video card anymore). But keep in mind that multiple monitor setup can sometimes prevent the screen from stretching altogether.

*If you were unable to get rid of the black bars because you didn't find the option, try to look on google 'how to change the GPU scaling' on your specific graphic's card model. It's easier to find by using these keywords.


5 - Close everything, keep all changes for now.
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Part Two: Inside of Counter Strike 2.

All steps on this part are meant to be done inside of cs2. Open the game.

6 - If you didn't do this already, go to options, and change the cs2 resolution to the same you just stretched, and your black bars should now be gone.

You can now change your desktop resolution to the resolution you used before, and every time you launch your game the resolution will be stretched.

7- Done, enjoy your game.
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*Note 1: if couldn't stretch your resolution after following this guide step by step, just leave a comment. I'm always online. Also, look on the comments section, there's a lot of methods described by other users.

*Note 2: Multiple-monitor setups reportedly prevents screen stretching on some GPUs, so try to select the right monitor when changing settings, if that doesn't work, try to follow the guide using only one monitor plugged in.

*Note 3: For some gpu's, the option to scale the screen won't be available unless the resolution you want to stretch is currently applied as the current resolution of your monitor. That's why I started this guide by asking you to change your desktop resolution.

[Varbilen ♥♥♥♥♥♥]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Helioto:

Updated 08/03/2020
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Fast explanation bellow. Step by step guide just after it, if the option to stretch the resolution on your computer is greyed out or if you need more explanation.

Fast Explanation:
-Change your monitor resolution to the resolution you want to stretch,
-Open GPU control panel and change the scaling option to full screen (or enabled), apply.
-Make sure csgo is running at the same resolution you just stretched, and done.
-Revert the monitor resolution to the original, your changes will be saved.



Step-by-step guide:


Part one: Outside of the game

In order to stretch a certain resolution on your game, you first need to change some settings outside of it. All steps on this part are meant to be made without opening cs:go. If you have cs:go opened, close it now.


1 - Set your computer resolution to the same resolution you want to stretch.
Example: If you want to play cs:go using 1024 x 720 stretched, you must change the computer(desktop) resolution to 1024 x 720 first.

You can use any 4:3 ratio resolution.(You can generally do this by right-click on your desktop and them choosing 'resolution').

2 - You will notice that you now got black bars after changing the resolution. That's because the resolution can't fit your entire screen. We will fix that.

3- In order to remove these black bars (also know as 'stretch' the screen) you'll need to change some settings on your 'graphics card control interface' (GPU control panel)

- For AMD gpus, you can open the "Radeon Settings" by right clicking on the desktop and choosing the option called "AMD Radeon Settings". It can also be labeled as "CCC"
- For NVIDIA gpus, right-click on the desktop, and choose "Nvidia Control Panel"
- For (some) intel integrated gpus, right click on your desktop and select Graphics Properties.
- For any card not listed here, try to search on google how to open the graphics settings for your GPU.


4 - Once you have opened your GPU's control panel, look for "GPU scaling" and enable it.

- For AMD gpus, you should set the "Scaling Mode" option to "Full panel"
- For Nvidia gpus, you will find it under the monitor display settings, "adjust desktop size and position").
- For any card not listed here, try to look for a setting which changes desktop resolution parameters, sometimes this options appears as 'full screen scaling mode', "Screen Scaling" or just "Scaling". If so, change it to "Full screen". If there's no Full Screen option, try each one of the available settings and hit apply and see if the black bars are gone.


*Note: If you were unable to get rid of the black bars because you didn't find the option, try to look on google 'how to change the GPU scaling' on your specific graphic's card model. It's easier to find that way.


5 - Close everything, keep all changes for now.
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Part Two: Inside of Counter Strike: Global Offensive.

All steps on this part are meant to be done inside of cs:go. Open the game.

6 - If you didn't do this already, go to options, and change the cs:go resolution to the same you just stretched, and your black bars should now be gone.

You can now change your desktop resolution to the resolution you used before, and every time you launch your game the resolution will be stretched.

7- Done, enjoy your game.
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*Note 1: if couldn't stretch your resolution after following this guide step by step, just leave a comment. I'm always online. Also, look on the comments section, there's a lot of methods described by other users.

*Note 2: Multiple-monitor setups reportedly prevents screen stretching on some GPUs, so try to follow the guide using only one monitor plugged in.

*Note 3: For some gpu's, the option to scale the screen won't be available unless the resolution you want to stretch is currently applied as the current resolution of your monitor. That's why I started this guide by asking you to change your desktop resolution.

So I use native 1680x1050 and in csgo im using 1024x768 and it dosent look like its stretched?Idk why

[Helioto]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von varbil3n:

So I use native 1680x1050 and in csgo im using 1024x768 and it dosent look like its stretched?Idk why

Do all the steps mentioned with your computer set at 1024x768, and only revert back to 1680x1050 when the screen is stretched.

[sajmxnisk]

So my problem is whenever i play any game my scaling in Intel control panel automatically sets to center image and i can't do nothing about it.. PLEASE HELP !! :(

[Bomboklat]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von p0larr:

So my problem is whenever i play any game my scaling in Intel control panel automatically sets to center image and i can't do nothing about it.. PLEASE HELP !! :(

So, I did a research and this is what i found.
First of all you neeed to go to Intel control panel
2. then select option ''submit aspect ratio''
3. press alt + f4
4. throw your device out of the window
5. make a steak out of a pigeon
6. flush the steak in the toilet
7. enjoy!
Let me know if it worked bud. :)

[sajmxnisk]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Kompot:

Ursprünglich geschrieben von p0larr:

So my problem is whenever i play any game my scaling in Intel control panel automatically sets to center image and i can't do nothing about it.. PLEASE HELP !! :(

So, I did a research and this is what i found.
First of all you neeed to go to Intel control panel
2. then select option ''submit aspect ratio''
3. press alt + f4
4. throw your device out of the window
5. make a steak out of a pigeon
6. flush the steak in the toilet
7. enjoy!
Let me know if it worked bud. :)

♥♥♥♥ you :)

[Helioto]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von p0larr:

So my problem is whenever i play any game my scaling in Intel control panel automatically sets to center image and i can't do nothing about it.. PLEASE HELP !! :(

Are you able to minimize the game and change the setting inside the control panel?

[sajmxnisk]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Helioto:

Ursprünglich geschrieben von p0larr:

So my problem is whenever i play any game my scaling in Intel control panel automatically sets to center image and i can't do nothing about it.. PLEASE HELP !! :(

Are you able to minimize the game and change the setting inside the control panel?

Yea but when i change the setting in the CP and click back to the game it again automatically changes to center image.

[Helioto]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von p0larr:

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Helioto:

Are you able to minimize the game and change the setting inside the control panel?

Yea but when i change the setting in the CP and click back to the game it again automatically changes to center image.

Have you tried to set the computer at the resolution you are trying to stretch? When you do it, does the screen stays stretched in windows?
If not I'd advice trying to get your windows stretched first, in the same resolution as your game. If that doesn't work out, look for options where 3d apps can override screen scale settings, search all options trying when you suspect it would change something.
If all of that doesn't work, send your specs, your driver version and any information you think it would help me solving your problem

[Bruh]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Helioto:

Ursprünglich geschrieben von RUSHADONTSTOP:

Intel Xeon E5-2678 (2.5ghz) 12go of ram and a gtx 1080

Are you using multiple monitors? could you send us your monitor specs? Also, which version of the GPU driver are you using? What OS? Have you more than one GPU installed?

yo im sry didnt play cs in a while so i didnt see the post, only one screen, and as said i lost the monitor specs since its been years i use it, i have the last updates from grforce experience, w10, only one gpu

[Helioto]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von RUSHADONTSTOP:

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Helioto:

Are you using multiple monitors? could you send us your monitor specs? Also, which version of the GPU driver are you using? What OS? Have you more than one GPU installed?

yo im sry didnt play cs in a while so i didnt see the post, only one screen, and as said i lost the monitor specs since its been years i use it, i have the last updates from grforce experience, w10, only one gpu

Send all your computer specs if you don't have the monitor specs, including driver version

[✪ Rob3rthWoW]

-stretchaspect in set launch, ez pz

[sajmxnisk]

@Helioto dude i sorta fixed it... I just unplugged the HDMI cable from the monitor and tried to launch the game just on my laptop and it stretched !! Guess i have to play w/o monitor but at least i can now stretch all games :)

[Helioto]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von p0larr:

@Helioto dude i sorta fixed it... I just unplugged the HDMI cable from the monitor and tried to launch the game just on my laptop and it stretched !! Guess i have to play w/o monitor but at least i can now stretch all games :)

I'm glad you could fix it :)
Remember, when you plug the HDMI on a monitor from your laptop, it will actually work as a secondary monitor, that's why it wasn't working, as stated in the guide:

*Note 2: Multiple-monitor setups reportedly prevents screen stretching on some GPUs, so try to follow the guide using only one monitor plugged in.

As for now I still don't know a way to stretch using another monitor (because I don't have another one to run tests), but if anybody manages it, I will update the guide

[SanderThePanda]

I've never heard of "unplug your monitor" because the settings are separate from each of the monitors that are plugged in.

[Helioto]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von ✪ Sander .:

I've never heard of "unplug your monitor" because the settings are separate from each of the monitors that are plugged in.

I know that Nvidia does let you change settings for each monitor (also updated the guide) but I can't test any other because I have only one nvidia card. If you have a AMD or other brand GPU and want to help the guide, just show me how exactly to set these settings in each monitor for the respective brand.