CS:GO optimization guide for MOST stable FPS [2019]

Do you get random fps drops while playing? Do you feel you're supposed to get more out of your system?
Then this guide is for you. [Last update: 21 Jan 7:25pm]

This guide is mainly for computers with newer generation multicore CPUs (i.e Intel i5/i7 4/5/6/7th generation, AMD Ryzen etc). I have not tried it with older setups, so I can't say if it will be effective.

CS:GO ON STEROIDS! 💉💪

Disclaimer:
Neither the author, or anyone else connected to this guide, in any way whatsoever, can be responsible for your use of the information/downloadable applications contained/linked in this guide.
The guide Material is protected by the Berne Convention.

Intro

First of all, I'm not paid or sponsored by the developers of any of the applications that will be mentioned in the guide, it's my own personal preferences (or from feedback from other users) because they're either easy to use or gave me the best results. I also put my full trust in them that they do not contain any sort of malicious software. All the download links goes directly to their official websites.

But why do I need more FPS?
Source Engine (CS:GOs game engine) input lag is based on the amount of frames per second you have.
The higher frames you are able to get, the lower input lag on your screen. Other games work in a different way because with other, modern, advanced-tech game engines the input lag is not connected to frames per second.
When you are a well experienced player, you can really start to feel a difference between lower and higher FPS. High FPS will not make you a better player, BUT it can make a crucial difference in certain scenarios where you need a correct representation of whats happening on your screen (tracking heads, fast flicks - clutch moments).
Good aim and gamesense comes from very good muscle memory, ingame experience (good & bad), learning to work as a team (trust is very important) and lots of repetitive training, nothing else. If you are a natural talent, you might become better faster than some others, but you still have to put in the work.

You should always close down your browser/any other demanding background apps/processes when playing CS if you want maximum FPS. Also make sure to disable any unneccassary start-up programs in Task Manager > Start-up (right click app > Disable)

Basic stuff

Here's some basic things I'd recommend doing.

• Install CS:GO on a SSD
  This is HIGHLY recommended. It's worth to get Samsung 850 EVO or better. Much faster loading speeds and better stability compared to mechanical harddrives.
  
  Installing the game on the same drive (C://) as Windows has helped me get rid of occasional micro-stuttering.
  
  
  
• Disable full-screen optimizations (Windows 10)
  Full-screen optimization in Windows 10 forces the game to run in an optimized borderless full-screen mode and can cause variable or even locked framerates. It is recommended you disable it.
  UPDATE: Since the new command -d3d9ex is being enabled by default having full-screen optimization enabled crashes my game.
  
  Right click csgo.exe > Properties > Compatibility tab > tick the "Disable full-screen optimisations" box. (Enabled by default)
  
  You can find csgo.exe in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive
  
  
  
• Strandner Autofixer (Windows 10)
  It's a great one-click tool for deactivating unneccessary windows background tasks like Superfetch, XBOX DVR and more through windows registry. It is 100% safe and the source code is public if you want to take a deeper look.
  Developed by one of the main admins of Swerigs Techsupport (biggest techsupport hub in Sweden). Link here[utilitybox.org]
  
  Run Auto Mode, requires a computer restart. Auto Mode will uninstall OneDrive, so use manual mode if you are currently using OneDrive.
  
  
  
• Get rid of all old "performance" launch options
  -threads -high. They're outdated and it has been confirmed by CS:GO devs on a recent reddit thread that the game is optimized to run better without them on modern setups.
  
  These are the launch options I'm currently using
  

  -novid -no-browser -nojoy +fps_max 300 -tickrate 128

  -novid: disables Valve startup screen (saves you a couple of seconds)
  -no-browser: disables "motd" browser, used by servers for video ads (does not work with CEVO)
  -freq: sets the frequency depending on your monitor refresh rate (-refresh works also)
  -nojoy: disables joypad support (frees up some RAM usage)
  +fps_max XXX (1-999): max FPS cap (main menu will be capped at 120fps, maps load faster this way)
  -tickrate 128: forces 128 tick on private servers (playing against bots, with friends, training maps etc)
  -console: brings up console when you start the game
  
  
• Autoexec/config commands
  

  snd_menumusic_volume "0"   // (disables menu music)
  snd_mix_async "1"   // (allows for shorter lookahead buffer (snd_mixahead), improves performance)
  snd_mixahead "0.025"   // (low audio latency, makes CS audio feel more insync with screen)
  
  cl_lagcompensation "1"   // (activates client-side lag compensation)
  cl_predict "1"   // (activates client-side prediction, predicts physics, movement, firing etc)
  cl_predictweapons "1"   // (activates client-side weapon effects prediction)
  cl_interp "0"   // (interpolation, should always be set to "0")
  cl_interp_ratio "1"   // (interpolation ratio, "1" = low ping, "2" = higher ping)
  cl_cmdrate "128"   // (for -tickrate 128 launch option)
  cl_updaterate "128"   // (for -tickrate 128 launch option)
  rate "786432"   // (max bandwidth rate)
  
  cl_autohelp "0"   // (disables ingame tips, can improve FPS)
  cl_disablehtmlmotd "0"   // (for use with -no-browser in launch options)
  cl_downloadfilter "nosounds"   // (stops servers from downloading annoying custom sounds)
  cl_showhelp "0"   // (disables ingame tips, similar to cl_autohelp)
  
  cl_forcepreload "0"   // (I'd use to advice to use value of "1" but it has been stated by Valve to use "0" instead for reducing stutters)   
  
  r_dynamic "0"   // (disables dynamic lightning effects which can be a disadvantage, improves FPS slightly on lower spec PCs but I recommend using "1" instead)
  
  m_rawinput "1"   // (enables raw hardware input for mouse, disables all software filtering, acceleration, post-processing etc)
  m_mousespeed "0" // (disables Windows mouse acceleration)
  joystick "0"   // (disables joystick support, mandatory for playing on faceit servers)

  
  Bandwidth rates (for "rate" command)
  0.5 Mbps - rate 62500
  1.0 Mbps - rate 125000
  1.5 Mbps - rate 187500
  1.57 Mbps - rate 196608 (default rate)
  2.0 Mbps - rate 250000
  2.5 Mbps - rate 312500
  3.0 Mbps - rate 375000
  3.5 Mbps - rate 437500
  4.0 Mbps - rate 500000
  4.5 Mbps - rate 562500
  5.0 Mbps - rate 625000
  5.5 Mbps - rate 687500
  6.0 Mbps - rate 750000
  6.2 Mbps and above - rate 786432 (max rate)
  
  
  
• WTF I only have 60FPS with GTX1080Ti
  Make sure the monitor is connected to the GPU... and not the motherboard (this happens way too often)
  
  
  
• Download the latest GPU drivers for your graphics card
  Nvidia[www.nvidia.com] AMD[support.amd.com]
  If you are having trouble with your current drivers, you should do a clean uninstall using DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller)
  DDU v17.0.8.3[www.wagnardsoft.com]
  
  
  
• Optimal Nvidia 3D settings inside Nvidia Control Panel
  A Detailed Guide on Nvidia 3D Settings for Best CS:GO Performance (credits to /u/ImThour)
  
  
  
  
• AMD Optimization Settings
  
  (thx crwbr)
  
  
  
• Disable HPET (High Precision Event Timer) in BIOS
  HPET is a hardware timer featured in modern Windows versions. Since the timer continously counts upwards it can cause interruptions, giving you a "sluggish" feel when playing games. It is recommended you disable it in BIOS for better latency and FPS!
  
  
  
• Disable Hardware Acceleration in Discord
  If you use Discord overlay, turn off hardware acceleration by clicking the cogwheel ⚙ (App Settings) > Appearance > Hardware Acceleration
  
  
  
  
• In-game Graphics Settings
  
  Color Mode: "Television mode" has a limited dynamic range and looks brighter with lesser darks compared to "Computer mode", its a matter of preference.
  Resolution/Aspect Ratio: Preference, if you are new to the game you should probably use your native resolution
  Display Mode: "Fullscreen"
  Laptop Power Savings: "Disabled"
  Global Shadows: "High", gives you better detailed shadows as you can see enemies around corners and such, using low shadows is a lot less detailed and gives you a disadvantage
  Model/Texture Detail: "Low"
  Shader: "Low" if you want to gain some FPS, "Very High" if you want dem shiny guns
  Multicore Rendering: "Enabled"
  Multisampling Anti-Aliasing Mode: Preference, some like playing with clear pixels and MSAA off, I use x8 MSAA because of the smooth edges and to push my graphics card some more for better performance
  Texture Filtering Mode: "Bilinear" if you need that 1 extra frame, "Trilinear" for better visuals
  FXAA Anti-Aliasing: "Disabled" (artificial smoothening of edges, MSAA does it much much better)
  Wait for Vertical Sync: "Disabled"
  Motion Blur: "Disabled"

Extras

• MSI Utility (for Nvidia/motherboards with MSI support PCI 2.2)
  
  MSI utility v2.0 by CHEF-KOCH on github[github.com]
  
  Allows for faster communications between the GPU and CPU. (Run program as administrator)
  Choose your GPU and check "MSI", click apply, done!
  It's also possible to do it manually through reg-edit, you can find a guide here[forums.guru3d.com]
  
  
  
• CS:GO Tabbing Out Randomly
  Disable steam overlay in CS:GO properties.
  
  
  Some anti-virus software can also cause the game to tab out, disable your AV/enable quiet mode.
  
  
  
• Dusty CPU Fans
  Dust can cause the CPU fans to run at low speeds and make your CPU to throttle (drastically degrades its performance when it reaches high temperatures). Make sure all the fans inside your computer are clean of dust. Use a can of gas duster to clean your computer.
  DO NOT use a vaccum cleaner, it can cause electrostatic discharge and destroy your computer components!! ⚡💀
  
  
  
• VibranceGUI
  VibranceGUI[vibrancegui.com] is based on Nvidias digital vibrance API/AMD Saturation and gives CS:GO more life with some lovely color 🌈
  Also gives an advantage with visibility, it's commonly used by CS:GO pros.
  
  
  
  
• Benchmarking
  You can use micronn's benchmarking method for trying out new commands and settings. Its a reliable and super-quick way of doing it! It will give you an average and a difference FPS, which is very useful.
  It's also very easy to do, just follow the steps on his HLTV blog![www.hltv.org]
  
  
  
• CPU Unparking
  CPU unparking allows your CPU cores to be active at all times. Windows deactivates unused cores as a energy saver function. Unparking your cores for CS:GO should potentially give you an FPS increase.
  
  
  In Windows, press the start button and search for regedit.
  Click "Edit > Find" in top-left corner and search for 0cc5b647-c1df-4637-891a-dec35c318583 (only Keys, untick Values/Data).
  Once it has been found right click "ValueMax & ValueMin > Modify" and make sure both has a valuedata of 0 (Hexadecimal). Restart your computer.
  

  parked: 289.38FPS avg 30.82FPS dif
  unparked: 295.76FPS avg 25.54FPS dif
  3D audio ON
  

  
  
  
• Timer Tool
  
  Windows System Timer Tool[vvvv.org]
  
  Changing the Windows system timer to a lower value can help getting rid of jitter & stuttering ingame. Set timer to equal or lower than the input lag of your monitor (mine is 1ms, I use 0.5ms in timer tool).
  
  You can set Timer Tool to autostart minimized with Windows by making a .bat file using text editor.
  In Windows, go Start > Run, type shell:startup, this will bring you to the autostart folder.
  
  Create a new text document with Notepad inside the folder and type in this (-t XX = time in ms);
  C:\xxx\TimerTool.exe -t XX -minimized
  for example my Timer Tool is installed to desktop and I use 0.5ms,
  C:\Users\sami\Desktop\TimerTool.exe -t 0.5 -minimized
  Save the text document as .bat file.
  
  Done!
  
  
  
• Afterburner GPU Overclocking
  Overclocking your graphics card with programs such as Afterburner is the easiest and safest way of overclocking. Although you might only see noticable results if you push your graphics card with higher settings inside CS:GO (high resolution, x8 MSAA, shaders HIGH etc).
  
  Download Afterburner[www.msi.com]
  
  Use Panjno's guide on YouTube for a detailed and easy to follow guide on how to use Afterburner
  
  
  
  
• CPU & RAM Overclocking (for experienced users)
  CS:GO loves high single-core CPU and RAM clock speeds. You can easily gain 25-50% more FPS or even higher by overclocking your CPU & RAM. This is for the more advanced users (if you don't know your way around or don't even know what BIOS is DO NOT overclock).
  There's plenty of good guides on Google and YouTube.
  RAM overclocking requires a lot more care, as if you use the wrong voltage you can easily fry your RAM. It's easy to do once you get the hang of it.
  DO NOT try to push your CPU clock speeds/voltage too high unless you have a decent CPU cooler. Always keep an eye on temperatures and do stresstests to check the stability.
  
  Some good, commonly used CPU air-coolers for moderate/higher overclocking are
  

  Cryorig H7 (~€35)
  Be Quiet! Pure Rock (~€35)
  Scythe Mugen 5 (~€45)
  Noctua NH-D15 (~€75) (one of the most popular coolers for overclocking)
  Be Quiet! Dark Rock 3 (~€75)

  It's important you make sure the cooler fits your case, as the NH-D15 and Dark Rock 3 are absolutely massive coolers (140mm fans).
  
  I am personally not a big fan of AIO (all-in-one watercooling) coolers.
  There's always a slight chance they might malfunction and completely ruin your components. (It has happened to me before - AIO never again).
  If you want an AIO cooler, go for a one with a good warranty that covers your damaged components if it would ever break. These are pricey though, as you would probably have to spend more than €110 for a decent one with GOOD warranty. It's not really worth buying one for €60. You are better off with a NH-D15 or Dark Rock 3.
  
  Follow CG Geek's guide on YouTube for CPU overclocking for beginners
  
  
  Once you get the concept of CPU overclocking you should be looking for more a detailed guide on your CPU as the safe guideline for max voltage will be different for every CPU. CG Geek also only goes through Ryzen overclocking, Intel processors has other "power-saving", "boosting" modes which may have to be disabled for a stable overclock.
  
  If you want to overclock your RAM there a good guide on overclockers.com. You should probably only do this if you're an experienced user and it is recommended you overclock your CPU first.
  DDR4 RAM Overclocking 101 Guide[www.overclockers.com]
  
  I'm giving you the warning you right now, if you do not know your ways around BIOS and computer parts, DO NOT overclock yourself. Ask someone who has done it before.
  
  Once you get into overclocking, you won't stop...
  
  
  
• Sensors Monitoring
  CPUID HWMonitor[www.cpuid.com] is great for monitoring your CPU/GPU temps, frequencies, mainboard info etc. It's what I'm personally using.
  
  
  For AMD processors HWiNFO[www.hwinfo.com] seem to be more accurate, so you should probably download that if you use AMD.
  It also doesn't require any install and the layout is customizable (you can even show temps in taskbar), which is great! It's a really cool program for the advanced user.
  When you click the .exe, choose "Sensors-only" to bring up the sensors screen. (big thx STAV3)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  sami ©2k18
  ❤️Feel free to make a donation if you found my guide useful 😍❤️
  https://steamcommunity.com/tradeoffer/new/?partner=21398429&token=5M8EeBoh

[tr1ck d@ddy]

This guide needs an update. The reddit post that links to the Nvidia 3D settings does not exist anymore.

[Racker]

good guide, thx

[Ali Vefa]

You may like: {ССЫЛКА УДАЛЕНА}https://hypasos.com/csgo-fps-increase-guide-2021-fps-boost/

[xXx_pR0_PyRo_PLAY3rR_xXX]

pog

[Nas]

thanks ig. we need updated version tho

[kk9⁧⁧koala]

this is a shit guide and ruins your fps. Do not follow this guide.

[yurafi 🐸]

made me get lag spikes and around 2 fps just terrible

[$$$MoneySh00t$$$]

It is mistake disabling hpet, since windows choose which timer to use automatically. It may be better for someone, but usually is not good thing to do, also you shouldn't force it on.

Game doesnt even let you turn of interpolation completely only reduce ratio to 1, it would look probably to jittery without it completely, 1 is for low ping or lan tho and reduce input lag about 16 ms.

[IzNoGooD<3^ANA^ 🙈]

dont go on registry and dont change minvalue or maxvalue to 0
change max value and min value to 64 to work

[miekuah]

What is your opinion about -d3d9ex launch option. should it going to be a necessary addition to increase performance?