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

[Helioto]

Updated for CS:2 on 19/07/2024
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*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.

[Helioto]

look in the following options something like "aspect ratio", "desktop scaling", or something like that, and mess around with the options:

> Desktop Properties;
> Advance Display Settings;
> Common Display Tasks
> Properties

[uncle bob]

on my desktop when i go to advance display setting i choose 4:3 800x600 and its not stretched, i go onto the CCC and go to my built in displays; Properties and pick Scale image to full panel size and then my whole pc is 4:3 800x600 stretched, but when i go into csgo i choose 4:3 800x600 and its not stretched

[uncle bob]

Still the black bars, even tho my pc is 4:3 stretched

[Helioto]

Diposting pertama kali oleh I Like Old Wrinkly Wet Toes:

on my desktop when i go to advance display setting i choose 4:3 800x600 and its not stretched, i go onto the CCC and go to my built in displays; Properties and pick Scale image to full panel size and then my whole pc is 4:3 800x600 stretched, but when i go into csgo i choose 4:3 800x600 and its not stretched

Do you hit aplly? are you able to change the res to 800x600 at desktop, with CCC closed, and tget the screen stretched?

[uncle bob]

Yes, when I pick 800x600 it's stretched. But when I launch csgo straight after that and pick 4:3, it's the 4:3 with the black bars

[Octain]

Isn´t there any command which you have to write into your console because it changes also the Mouse speed and the ratio between x and y axis

[Michael Wave]

So I changed it to 800:600, decide actually naw, ♥♥♥♥ it, and now my CSGO is stuck at a ridiculously small size (2" x 5") how to fix?

[Helioto]

Diposting pertama kali oleh I Like Old Wrinkly Wet Toes:

Yes, when I pick 800x600 it's stretched. But when I launch csgo straight after that and pick 4:3, it's the 4:3 with the black bars

Well, I never saw this before. Maybe messing around 3D settings on CCC?

Diposting pertama kali oleh OctaiN:

Isn´t there any command which you have to write into your console because it changes also the Mouse speed and the ratio between x and y axis

It does not change. The same amount of mouse movement you did to make a full 180º on non-stretched resolution will remain the same when you stretch it.
You see as it messed the mouse speed its because those pixels are stretched, thus giving the impression you have to make less movement to move your aim more. I'd really recommend you to stick with your current settings, and practice a little, you will get used to it

Diposting pertama kali oleh cynR - RIP PC:

So I changed it to 800:600, decide actually naw, ♥♥♥♥ it, and now my CSGO is stuck at a ridiculously small size (2" x 5") how to fix?

Just set it back to normal, both on your csgo (change resolution), and on your graphics cards settings

[salbo777]

AMD CRIMSON GUYS COME HERE!!! i've realized that after every windows 10 update the driver gets ♥♥♥♥♥♥ up.. now what you want to do is Uninstall Crimson and Display Driver.. Download it again and install it.. then Open AMD Radeon Settings (right click on your desktop and you will find it)
1) go to Display > Keep Virtual Super Resolution and GPU Scaling OFF BOTH. and change Sacling mode to FULL PANEL
2) go to Gaming tab > if you cant find cs go press ADD > Search.. if you already have it go in CS GO File > Profile Options > Display Scaling > Full Panel

Enjoy 4:3 without borders :D

[salbo777]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Dreaddy:

Diposting pertama kali oleh exec lol.cfg:

your desktop rez is always supposed to be your native rez. only change the game rez.

Still cant get rid of black borders =/

AMD CRIMSON GUYS COME HERE!!! i've realized that after every windows 10 update the driver gets ♥♥♥♥ed up.. now what you want to do is Uninstall Crimson and Display Driver.. Download it again and install it.. then Open AMD Radeon Settings (right click on your desktop and you will find it)
1) go to Display > Keep Virtual Super Resolution and GPU Scaling OFF BOTH. and change Sacling mode to FULL PANEL
2) go to Gaming tab > if you cant find cs go press ADD > Search.. if you already have it go in CS GO File > Profile Options > Display Scaling > Full Panel

Enjoy 4:3 without borders :D

[ヤスクニ Heroes]

SHORT VERSION:

1. set your native desktop resolution and csgo resolution the same -
2. turn on gpu scaling -

DONE.

[Helioto]

Diposting pertama kali oleh S H I M O N:

SHORT VERSION:

1. set your native desktop resolution and csgo resolution the same -
2. turn on gpu scaling -

DONE.

Exactly.

[Wast3_]

I don't have blackbars when i stretch my desktop res but no matter what i get back bars on csgo... help me plz

[76561198312446589]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Semt3X Gaming:

I don't have blackbars when i stretch my desktop res but no matter what i get back bars on csgo... help me plz

that necro

[Helioto]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Semt3X Gaming:

I don't have blackbars when i stretch my desktop res but no matter what i get back bars on csgo... help me plz

Follow the guide to see wich setting changes stretching