Adjusting your CS:GO aspect ratio (+/- black bars)

How to set up your in-game resolution without affecting your desktop resolution.

Quick Guide

1. Open your nVidia Control Panel and go to "Display --> Adjust desktop size and position". Now change the radio button to "Full-Screen".
   
   Also tick "Override the scaling mode set by games and programs":
   
   
   Similar settings can be found in the AMD Catalyst Control Center:
   
   
   Apply and close.
   
   
   
2. Open this file: <partition>\Steam\userdata\<userid>\730\local\cfg\video.txt
   
   Search for the following line:
   

   "setting.aspectratiomode" "1" // 0 = 4:3, 1 = 16:9, 2 = 16:10

   Select "0" if you have a 16:9 screen and want the 4:3 aspect ratio to stretch without black bars.
   
   Side note: If you do want black bars, set it to the native aspect ratio of your monitor, most likely that's "1" (16:9).
   
   Now change the resolution (it has to be one that CS:GO is supporting):
   

   "setting.fullscreen" "1" // must be set to fullscreen
   "setting.defaultres" "1280" // this is the width
   "setting.defaultresheight" "960" // this is the height (d'uh)

   Many select a height of 1024 instead of the mathematically correct 960 pixels in 4:3, which respresents the highest possible resolution for 4:3 in-game. It stretches the image even further horizontally when in full-screen mode. Some pros, like FalleN, however prefer a correct 4:3 aspect ratio and therefore have selected a height of "960".

You are done.

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» Don't forget to check out my other guides as well

[DocCovington]

@ former ton2g*, now tonn1x: perhaps your friends have a different monitor (size/resolution) than you do. Or you are doing something wrong with the configuration (perhaps you still have wrong X and Y coordinates in the launch options, or whatever). I can't solve this for you without being on location and taking a look at the situation myself. Why don't you ask your friends?

[GhoosT]

im surprised because my friends play with this resolution and also device used to play like this!

[DocCovington]

@ton2g*: Again, the resolution you picked must not supported by the game, there is no other explanation if you followed my guide exactly. There is nothing I or anyone else can do about it.

[GhoosT]

@DocCovington im sorry it didnt show idk why, i used paint to mimic how it looks: https://imgur.com/a/Vqk3i7l

[DocCovington]

@ton2g*: There are no black bars in that screenshot. Also, I can't help you if you are trying to use a resolution that is not supported by the game.

[GhoosT]

@DocCovington maybe this screenshot can give you a hint with what im dealing with https://imgur.com/a/ExsGD99 (check the black bars)

[DocCovington]

@ton2g*: Highly unlikely.

[GhoosT]

@DocCovington can the monitor be the problem?

[DocCovington]

@ton2g*: You must have missed checking the box in your nVidia settings. Or you are using a resolution that isn't supported by the game.

[GhoosT]

@DocCovington its not working the black bars aren't showing