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.

[Unlimited breadsticks]

should automatically do it. my native is 1366x768 slightly larger than yours, i am also using AMD. just select fullscreen and then 800x600. on my acer monitor there is a auto adjust button so i can get rid of any black borders with that.

[Helioto]

İlk olarak exec lol.cfg tarafından gönderildi:

should automatically do it. my native is 1366x768 slightly larger than yours, i am also using AMD. just select fullscreen and then 800x600. on my acer monitor there is a auto adjust button so i can get rid of any black borders with that.

When i select 800x600, even if i chance my desktop res to 800x600 as well, I still get black borders, no matter what.
Tried the "-windowed -noborder" as well, no sucess.

[Unlimited breadsticks]

İlk olarak Helio Ramos tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak exec lol.cfg tarafından gönderildi:

should automatically do it. my native is 1366x768 slightly larger than yours, i am also using AMD. just select fullscreen and then 800x600. on my acer monitor there is a auto adjust button so i can get rid of any black borders with that.

When i select 800x600, even if i chance my desktop res to 800x600 as well, I still get black borders, no matter what.
Tried the "-windowed -noborder" as well, no sucess.

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

[Helioto]

İlk olarak exec lol.cfg tarafından gönderildi:

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

Still cant get rid of black borders =/

[SL8a]

Ignore what has been said.

Go into your graphics card control centre. It should be located on the little tab next to your clock.

Next go to display properties and untick GPU scaling.

You're welcome

[Helioto]

İlk olarak muZzY tarafından gönderildi:

Ignore what has been said.

Go into your graphics card control centre. It should be located on the little tab next to your clock.

Next go to display properties and untick GPU scaling.

You're welcome

Its a AMD and I searched the entire Catalyst Control Center (CCC) and didnt find this option.

[Helioto]

Okay, i managed to stretch it, but it was a little tricky.

First, i opened CCC and changed the desktop resolution to 800x600 there.
Aplied the changes, and then closed ccc.
Opened it again, and this time i chose monitor properties. The option that before was grayed "Full Screen" now was available. Chosed it, then, the screen stretched. Applied modifications.
Then changed the resolution back to native (1300x720), and closed the CCC.
Now, everytime my screen goes to 800x600 (any game) the monitor will be configured to "Full Screen" instead of "Keep aspect ratio".

Thats it, thanks to all.

[big baba]

Ok. nvidia guys that comes here. Go in to nVidias controll panel and go to ''adjust desktop size and position'' and tick fullscreen. then it should work.

[Tom]

Nvidia Control panel doesnt open for some reason... help!

[average virginity enjoyer]

I do not see the advanced graphics settings where i can do that, i've been looking everywhere for an answer/fix for it i have nvidia, but i cannot stretch the screen for some reason pls help

[cvzvzxzsd]

+rep @wazpi, really helped a lot.

[Doge]

İlk olarak skippindoop tarafından gönderildi:

+rep @wazpi, really helped a lot. :B1:

But is always better try change settings on monitor, because streaching in the GPU wastes more resource and you lost some FPS

[average virginity enjoyer]

Guys! i have made a video with a fix for this problem if you cannot find the fix in the nvidia controlpanel or intel graphics driver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R3E9uHVA1c

[Sypeh]

Can u streach with a ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series?
if u can please help.

[average virginity enjoyer]

you could try it out, if you can find these settings, if it does not work, please let me know