Counter-Strike 2: The Ultimate Graphics & Optimization Guide

Unlock the Full Potential of Counter-Strike 2 with this Comprehensive Graphics and Optimization Guide!
Learn How Each Setting Affects Performance and Visuals, and Discover the Best Configurations for Smooth Gameplay without Sacrificing Quality.

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P.S.
This Guide Will Not Cover Any Methods to Boost FPS Outside of The Game.

Video

Display: Select the monitor for the game’s display output.

Display Mode: Defines the type of screen mode for displaying the game.
Options: Fullscreen / Fullscreen Windowed / Windowed - With new Windows Builds the fullscreen windowed became a viable option for those who like to alt+tab of the game without having stutters and maintaining low latency, but if you want to modify the resolution or refresh rate, feel free to keep it on fullscreen or if you are on older builds of windows that don't have the feature of optimizations for windowed games.

Aspect Ratio: Determines screen proportions.
Options: Normal 4:3 / Widescreen 16:9 / Widescreen 16:10 - User Preference.

Resolution: Set the game's display resolution for optimal image clarity based on the aspect ratio.
Refresh Rate: The number of frames per second the monitor can display.
Brightness: Adjusts screen brightness based on user preference.

Advanced Video

Boost Player Contrast: Enhances contrast for better visibility of players.
Options: Disabled / Enabled - This setting will be more of personal preference since in my testing there was no performance impact whatsoever.

Frame Pacing

V-Sync: Synchronizes the game’s frame rate with your monitor's refresh rate to reduce screen tearing.
Options: Disabled / Enabled - Since this option can introduce some latency, I will recommend to turn this setting off.

NVIDIA G-SYNC: Reduces stuttering and tearing on compatible monitors.
Options: Disabled / Enabled - Since this option can introduce some latency, I will recommend to turn this setting off.

NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency: Reduces latency by optimizing input responsiveness.
Options: Disabled / Enabled / Enabled + Boost - You should enable this option if your GPU is maxing out at 98%, 99%, if the GPU is sitting at 80% for example, turning this option on will have no benefit since there is no bottleneck, the on + boost option will be for CPU Bound scenarious.

Maximum FPS In Game: If NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency is activated, leave it at 0 or 1000, otherwise, lock it to your monitor's refresh rate.

Maximum FPS In Menus: Lock it to your monitor's refresh rate.

Presets

Current Video Values Preset: Adjusts the game's graphical settings based on predefined configurations.
Options: Low / Medium / High / Very High / Custom - Select Custom since we will be customizing the settings individually.

Global Shadow Quality: Adjusts the sharpness and detail of shadows.
Options: Low / Medium / High / Very High - Due to the performance loss from having shadows at high settings, I recommend setting them to low to preserve FPS.

Dynamic Shadows: Determines if only the sun (Sun Only) or all light sources cast shadows.
Options: All / Sun Only - Due to the competitive advantage loss, I recommend setting this option to "All".

Model / Texture Detail: Affects the sharpness and quality of in-game objects and textures.
Options: Low / Medium / High - I am going to recommend either low or high, keep in mind on the high setting, FPS can tank when looking at a molotov or being inside a smoke.

Texture Filtering Mode: Enhances texture clarity at angles.
Options: Bilinear / Trilinear / Anisotropic 2X / Anisotropic 4X / Anisotropic 8X / Anisotropic 16X
I am going to recommend to use Anisotropic 16X since it showcased minimal performance impact.

Shader Detail: Controls the complexity of lighting and material effects.
Options: Low / High - Due to the performance loss from having shader detail at the high setting, I recommend setting it to low to preserve FPS.

Particle Detail: Adjusts the complexity and amount of particle effects like smoke or sparks.
Options: Low / Medium / High / Very High - Due to the performance loss from having Particle Detail at higher settings, I recommend setting them to low to preserve FPS and visibility.

Ambient Occlusion: Improves shadow realism in corners and crevices.
Options: Disabled / Medium / High - Due to the performance loss from having Ambient Occlusion at higher settings, I recommend setting it to disabled to preserve FPS.

High Dynamic Range: Balances brightness and contrast for better visuals.
Options: Quality / Performance - Despite the performance loss from having this option on Quality, I am still going to recommend it because, on Performance, it caused graininess in the textures, and therefore, Quality eliminates it.

FidelityFX Super Resolution: Upscaling technology for better performance while maintaining image quality.
Options: Disabled (Highest Quality) / Ultra Quality / Quality / Balanced / Performance - Despite the performance gain from having this option enabled, I am still going to recommend disabling it because, when enabled, it causes graininess in the textures and compromises visual clarity.

Considerations

I am looking for more information on AMD Anti-Lag.

[-⁧⁧skiF]

Thanks, very straightforward, going to try out these settings.