EN

CS2 Launch Options

Launch options are, as you might've guessed from the name, options (or "settings") that apply when you launch Counter-Strike 2. They can do all sorts of things including changing your client's tickrate, setting your FPS, defining an autoexec and adjusting technical settings. On this page, you will find a list of all launch options that are available in CS2 including the best ones to use for maximum performance, and launch options used specifically by professional players.

Full CS2 Launch Options List

+fps_max 0
This launch option will remove the FPS cap, allowing you to get unlimited FPS when playing CS2. However, some players prefer setting a limit to avoid FPS stutters, for example, +fps_max 120.
-console
This option is used to enable the in-game developer console so players can input console commands. You do not need this launch option if you’ve enabled the console through the game settings already.
-nojoy
By default, CS2 will provide joystick support for players looking to use a controller to play. If you have no plans on using a joystick controller, use this launch option to disable joystick support and receive a performance boost.
-novid
The novid launch option is used to disable the video trailer that plays every time you launch CS2, which can help you take less time to open the game.The novid launch option is used to disable the video trailer that plays every time you launch CS2, which can help you take less time to open the game.
-fullscreen
The fullscreen launch option will ensure CS2 runs in fullscreen mode at all times, which will give players more FPS than Windowed or Fullscreen Windowed. This is a necessary option to use when you are using a dual monitor setup so your cursor won’t slip to the other screen.
-high
This launch option will ensure that CS2 runs at high priority, resulting in better overall performance and FPS. While CS2 is open, other programs may run slower, but the game should be your main focus when it’s launched anyways.
-low
This is the opposite of the high command and will make your game run at a lower priority.
+exec [config name].cfg:
The exec launch option is used to execute autoexec configs, such as jump throw or practice configs. Replace [config name] with the name you have set the config file to.
-vulkan
We all love to Alt + Tab while dead, right? The vulkan option is used to help Alt + Tabbing smoother, and some players have also experienced performance increases when using this launch option. It switches CS2’s rendering focus from DirectX 11 to Vulkan. If it does not increase performance or Alt + Tab speed, feel free to remove this launch option.
-refresh 144/240
The refresh launch option is used to adjust your game’s refresh frequency, and should be set according to your monitor’s refresh rate. If you have a 144 Hz monitor, use -refresh 144. If you have a 240 Hz monitor, use -refresh 240.
-tickrate 128
This isn’t the most useful general launch option, but helps with private servers. This launch option ensures your private servers will run on 128 tick, which is the preferred tickrate for advanced to professional players.
+cl_forcepreload 1
This launch option will pre-load the entire map and game while you are loading into a match. The time you take to load in the match will take longer, but there will be less performance issues in the game, which is a really good tradeoff.
+violence_hblood 0
Small particles can affect your CS2 game’s performance. This launch option is recommended for low-end computers as it removes all particle effects, giving a much-needed performance boost.
+r_drawparticles 0:
Small particles can affect your CS2 game’s performance. This launch option is recommended for low-end computers as it removes all particle effects, giving a much-needed performance boost.
- softparticlesdeaultoff
This is a follow up launch option to the r_drawparticles option. It will remove all the soft particles in CS2, which can make your game look less-visually appealing, but will result in an increase in performance.
+r_dynamic 0
This launch option is used to disable dynamic lighting, which are visual details that offer no competitive advantage, but affect your FPS in CS2. Players experiencing FPS issues should look to utilize this launch option.
+mat_queue_mode 2
The mat_queue_mode launch option is used to determine the thread mode for material systems used in the game. This option will not improve FPS for everyone, so it’s highly recommended to do a quick test.
-d3d9ex:
The d3d9ex option might not work for everyone, but it’s worth a shot to test it out. This launch option is used to switch on d3d9ex technology, which can improve the performance of some computers. If not, you can always remove the launch option.
-nohltv
This launch option will remove HLTV features.
-forcenovsync
This will force the game not to use vSync settings. It is recommended that you do not use this command as this will not allow you to get the most out of performance in those competitive encounters, due to the input lag that you get when vSync is enabled
-autoconfig
This launch option will force your client to open with original default settings each time when opened.
-threads [amount]
This launch option when set will determine the amount of processer threads that the CS2 client will use for example inputting 2 after the threads launch option will make the game use 2 threads. Normally it is not recommended to set this launch option as the game manages to utilize your threads by default, allowing for maximum performance.
-dxlevel [60 / 70 / 80 / 81 / 90 / 91 / 95 / 98 / 100 / 110]
This launch option will sets your game's DirectX API version. The default for CS2 is 11. This should only be changed if you get issues with DX11 which is rare.

Launch Options Everybody Should Be Using For The Best FPS

If you’re a player with a low-end setup, feel free to copy and paste these CS2 launch options to boost your performance:

-console -fullscreen -tickrate 128 -high -novid -nojoy -softparticlesdefaultoff +fps_max 0 +cl_forcepreload 1 +r_drawparticles 0 +r_dynamic 0 +violence_hblood 0 -rate 786432

Launch Options That No Longer Work in CS2

-novid This originally removed the CS:GO video at the start of the game. However in CS2 Valve removed the start-up video.

-tickrate 128 This launch option used to work in the original CS:GO but does not work in CS2 as the tick rate architecture has changed.

-limitvsconst no longer working in CS2.

-d3d9exdisable_d3d9ex are both no longer working in CS2. Due to CS2 now using DirectX 11.

Autoexec & Launch Options

An autoexec is a file that can contain commands and launch options that are automatically launched when CS2 starts. Sometimes Steam can reset your launch options. You can add launch options to your autoexec file so you always have a backup of set launch options. You can set your autoexec to execute in each start in the launch options.

Your autoexec file (which is named autoexec.cfg) is located the “Steam\SteamApps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\cs2\cfg” folder.

Input this launch option into Steam to make it work, this will execute all the launch options that are set in the autoexec.cfg file.

+exec autoexec.cfg

If your autoexec file isn’t named autoexec.cfg, replace autoexec.cfg with the name the exact name of your file with .cfg at the end. More information on autoexec’s and how to create one can be found by clicking here.

CS2 Launch Options Used By Pro Players

Player Launch Options
Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz -console -novid -freq 360 -tickrate 128 +exec config.cfg 
Tyson “TenZ” Ngo -freq 240 -novid -tickrate 128
Valerii “b1t” Vakhovskyi +fps_max 500 -freq 360 -console -tickrate 128 -novid 
Can “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş -freq 360 -novid -console -tickrate 128 -d3d9ex
Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis -novid -console -tickrate 128 +fps_max 999

Setting CS2 Launch Options

The procedure to set CS2 launch options is relatively straightforward.

Here is a step-by-step guide to navigating your launch options in CS2:

Open your Steam Client and go to your Steam Library

Look for Counter-Strike 2, and right-click the game

Then, click on Properties

CS2 Properties

In the General menu, you should see the Launch Options section

Launch Options

Enter your desired launch commands in the text box provided

Launch options should be separated with a space. Do not use any commas to separate them!

Now that you know how to input the CS2 launch options, let’s get to figuring out what the best ones are.

Conclusion

In conclusion, CS2 launch options can be used for multiple purposes, but are mainly used for optimizing your game to get increased FPS or execute autoconfig files. Though most launch options are meant to help players, some launch options are not compatible with different types of computers, which is why players should double-check.