How to change the screen resolution in CS2 and remove black bars

Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) holds a special place in esports due to its competitive nature and technical depth. Customizing the game settings, including crosshairs, sensitivity, and resolution, can have a significant impact on gameplay and personal style. While we've previously covered crosshair preferences of professionals, it's equally important to discuss screen resolutions, as they influence both in-game visuals and performance. Screen resolution, like crosshair settings, can impact how you perceive opponents and how quickly you react.

A stretched resolution can provide a competitive edge by making enemies appear larger and easier to target.

When you stretch the screen, the character models (especially opponents) become wider and more noticeable, making it easier to aim at them. Your attention is drawn to the center of the screen where your crosshair is, and since enemies appear larger here, it enhances precision in high-stakes situations. However, it comes with a trade-off: stretching the resolution reduces the field of view (FOV), meaning you might miss enemies in your periphery.

To adjust your screen resolution in CS2, follow these steps:

1. Open the settings menu by clicking the gear icon on the left side of the screen.
   
2. Go to the Video section and scroll down to find the Aspect Ratio option.
   
3. Choose your preferred aspect ratio. For a stretched effect, select 4:3.
   
4. Under the Resolution option, choose one from the available resolution settings.
   
5. If the game is not in fullscreen mode, it’s recommended to switch to Fullscreen.
   
6. Click Apply Changes at the bottom right to confirm the settings.

1. 4:3 – The Classic Competitive Choice

Many professional players opt for this resolution because it stretches models, making opponents easier to hit. While it reduces your field of view, it often leads to improved focus in the center of the screen.

2. 16:9 – Standard Widescreen Resolution

This resolution offers a broader field of view and better graphical fidelity. While character models appear smaller, you gain more visibility on the map's edges, which can be critical in certain game modes or scenarios.

3. 16:10 – A Balance Between 4:3 and 16:9

The 16:10 aspect ratio provides a slightly larger field of view than 4:3 while still enlarging models more than 16:9. This balance can be a good middle ground for players looking for performance and clarity.

After switching to a 4:3 resolution, you might notice black bars on the sides of your screen. To remove these and stretch the image to fill the entire display, you’ll need to adjust the scaling settings in your graphics card control panel.

For NVIDIA Graphics Cards:

Right-click on your desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.

Go to Adjust desktop size and position under the Display section.

Select Full-screen under the Scaling option.

Click Apply to save changes.

For AMD Graphics Cards:

Right-click on your desktop and select AMD Radeon Software.

Navigate to the Display tab, then scroll to Custom Resolutions.

Set your in-game resolution under Resolution (PX) and Refresh Rate.

Choose Scaling Mode and select Full Screen to stretch the image.

Here's a quick overview of the resolutions used by some of the top CS2 players:

Player	Resolution	Aspect Ratio
S1mple	1280x960	4:3
ZywOo	1024x768	4:3
sh1ro	1280x960	4:3
m0NESY	1280x960	4:3
Aleksib	1440x1080	4:3

The majority of professional players opt for the 4:3 aspect ratio because it offers faster reaction times and better visibility of enemies, even though it narrows their FOV. The stretched models give a clear advantage in tracking and hitting targets, especially in high-pressure situations.

Resolutions are as crucial as crosshairs, sensitivity, and key binds for competitive players. Although lowering the resolution won’t make you a professional overnight, it can enhance your gameplay by increasing your frames per second (FPS) and reducing system latency. For example, lower resolutions like 1280x960 require less graphical power, allowing for higher FPS, which is vital in a fast-paced game like CS2. The smoother your game runs, the quicker your input response will be, giving you an edge over your competition.

Resolution refers to the number of pixels on your screen. Higher resolutions, like 1920x1080, offer better image quality but demand more from your hardware. On the other hand, lower resolutions like 1280x960 reduce the strain on your system, resulting in higher FPS and lower input lag.

Aspect Ratio represents the ratio of the width and height of the screen. For example, a 16:9 aspect ratio is commonly used in modern monitors, offering a wider field of view. However, a 4:3 aspect ratio, which most CS2 pros use, stretches the image, making enemies larger and easier to hit.

When comparing 16:9 to 4:3 stretched, there are noticeable trade-offs:

• 16:9: Offers a broader field of view and better graphical quality but makes enemies appear smaller.
  
  
• 4:3 (Stretched): Enlarges enemy models, making them easier to hit, but reduces your overall FOV. This can lead to situations where enemies at the edges of the screen go unnoticed.

About 70% of CS2 professionals prefer the 4:3 stretched resolution for its competitive advantage, particularly when tracking enemies.

Changing your resolution won’t instantly turn you into a pro, but it can help refine your gameplay by enhancing performance and visuals to match your playstyle. Whether you're aiming for higher FPS with lower resolutions or looking to maximize your field of view with widescreen settings, it's essential to find what works best for you. Try out different settings, and most importantly, enjoy the grind as you improve your skills in CS2.