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CS2 is a game that allows players to optimize its performance, fps, loading times, overall settings, and much, much more. However, to do so, you will need to know how to change CS2 launch options as well as the specific commands required for each of the CS2 settings.
Bear in mind this can be somewhat of a tricky process, especially if you are new to CS2. That’s why we’ve prepared a guide for you about how to use the best CS2 launch options to optimize your game!
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How To Set The Best CS2 Launch Options
Accessing the CS2 launch options is not as simple as turning a few checkboxes on and off. And while it is not extremely difficult either, there are a few steps that players are required to take in order to have full access to CS2 launch options.
The first thing that you need to do is open up your Steam client and access your game library. Once there, locate Counter-Strike 2 – right-click on the game, and select Properties. In the General tab that opens, find the Launch Options field.
Steam notes that this field is meant for advanced users. Type the launch options you want to use into it. You can enter several at once, just separate each of them with a space. Many options from old CS:GO guides no longer do anything in CS2, so we’ve marked those below.
Now that you know how to use CS2 launch options, let’s go over some of the different commands that you can use to improve your game client.
Best Base CS2 Launch Options
As we already mentioned above, there are numerous CS2 launch options at your disposal. You can alter virtually any part of the game you wish. That’s why we recommend starting things off with some of the most basic CS2 launch options that the majority of players use.
-high
This command gives CS2 high CPU priority over the other programs running on your PC. It may help a little on a lower-end PC, but on most modern systems the difference is negligible, and on some it can cause instability. Don’t count on it as a guaranteed FPS boost.
-tickrate 128 (no longer works)
In CS:GO, this option made your offline practice server run at 128 tick. It does nothing in CS2: the game uses a sub-tick system, and the server’s CS2 tick rate can’t be changed with a client launch option. You can leave it out.
-console
This launch option opens the developer console as soon as you launch the game, so you can see what is happening in the background. That way you can check if your autoexec file is running correctly.
-refresh <rate>
This is one of the best CS2 launch options to use if you have a monitor with a high refresh rate. It tells the game which refresh rate to run at. In CS2 you can usually pick the refresh rate in the video settings, so you only need this if the game doesn’t use your monitor’s rate. Like any CS2 console command, it can cause problems if used incorrectly, so enter the refresh rate that matches your monitor.
+exec autoexec
This launch option makes sure that your custom settings are loaded correctly, which is crucial for managing your config file settings. All you need to do is put your personal config file in “Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\game\csgo\cfg” and add the file name after the command (for example, +exec autoexec.cfg).
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Best CS2 Launch Options For A Better Game Experience
Now that we have our basic launch options covered, let’s take a look at some of the launch options that provide you with a better CS2 game experience. These options are not strictly meant to improve your FPS, but are quality-of-life improvements that provide you an overall smoother CS2 experience.
-fullscreen
This launch option locks your game to full-screen mode as soon as you boot CS2, preventing the game window from appearing in windowed mode.
-nod3d9ex (no longer works)
In CS:GO, this launch option disabled Direct3D 9Ex, which could sometimes give a slight performance improvement. CS2 runs on the Source 2 engine with DirectX 11 (or Vulkan), so this DirectX 9 option has no effect anymore.
+cl_forcepreload 1 (no longer works)
In CS:GO, this launch option loaded all map files at startup, so the first boot took longer but matches loaded faster. The command doesn’t exist in CS2, which handles asset loading on its own, so there’s no reason to add it.
+mat_disable_fancy_blending 1 (no longer works)
In CS:GO, this option lowered texture blending quality in exchange for a bit more FPS. Source 2 rebuilt the material system, and the command no longer exists in CS2. If you want to trade visuals for FPS in CS2, lower the settings in the in-game video menu instead.
Best CS2 Launch Options To Increase FPS
CS2 launch options can be used to alter graphics settings, video settings, and technical settings which can drastically improve performance and boost fps. This is extremely important when playing competitively so let’s take a look at some of the commands that improve your fps.
+fps_max 0
This is one of the most important CS2 launch options if your aim is to increase the performance of your game. Setting this option to 0 will uncap your FPS. This command eliminates FPS limitations, allowing high-end PCs to utilize their maximum frame rates for improved responsiveness and fluidity during gameplay. If you wish to lock your FPS at a specific value, you can simply enter it instead of the 0.
+r_emulate_gl (no longer works)
This CS:GO-era option was tied to OpenGL emulation. CS2 runs on DirectX 11 or Vulkan, so it has no effect and you can skip it.
-nojoy
Most CS2 players use a keyboard and mouse, and this option disables joystick and controller support. In CS:GO it saved a little memory; in CS2 any effect is small at best, so treat it as optional.
-softparticlesdefaultoff
This option turns off soft particle blending, which is used in effects such as explosions, to save a little GPU power. It comes from CS:GO, and in CS2 it may have little or no noticeable effect.
Best CS2 Launch Options That Restore Config File Settings
So far, we have mostly focused on options that boost FPS and performance, but that is not the only reason to use CS2 launch options. The next two were popular in CS:GO for changing how the game looks and starts, but as you’ll see, neither does much in CS2 anymore.
-lv (no longer works)
In CS:GO, this launch option enabled low-violence mode. Among other things, it replaced the death animations: when a character’s health reached zero, they would lie down on the ground and put their hands behind their head. The option doesn’t work in CS2.
-novid (not needed in CS2)
In CS:GO, this launch option skipped the Valve intro video at startup. CS2 doesn’t play an intro video, so the option has no effect. If you ever need to restore your settings to their defaults, the -autoconfig option is meant for that, but remove it after one launch, otherwise it will reset your settings every time you start the game.
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The Ultimate CS2 Launch Options
Lastly, here is a simple CS2 launch options line built only from the options above that still do something in CS2. Copy it and adjust it as you see fit. Good luck and have fun.
-console -fullscreen +exec autoexec.cfg +fps_max 0
Optional: add -refresh <your rate> if the game doesn’t run at your monitor’s refresh rate, or -high if you want to test whether it helps on your PC. Replace autoexec.cfg with the name of your own config file, and use a number instead of 0 in +fps_max if you want to cap your FPS.
Summary
As you can see, launch options provide you with a large variety of options to modify your game. Try some of the commands we’ve mentioned above and see if they upgrade your game!
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