What Are Launch Options?
Launch options are special commands that you set in Steam before CS2 starts. They tell the game engine how to behave — from allocating more CPU threads to skipping intro videos. The right launch options can significantly improve your FPS, reduce input lag, and give you a competitive edge.
How to Set Launch Options in Steam
The Best CS2 Launch Options (2025)
Here are the recommended launch options for CS2 in 2025:
Essential Launch Options
-novid — Skips the Valve intro video when you start the game. This doesn't affect performance but saves you a few seconds every time you launch CS2. There's no reason not to use this.-high — Sets CS2 to high priority in Windows Task Manager. This tells your operating system to give CS2 more CPU resources than other programs. Useful if you have other applications running in the background.-freq 144 (or 240, 360) — Forces your monitor's refresh rate. Replace the number with your monitor's actual refresh rate. If you have a 144Hz monitor, use `-freq 144`. For 240Hz, use `-freq 240`. This ensures CS2 is using your monitor's full capabilities.-tickrate 128 — Sets the tickrate for offline/local servers to 128. This is important for practicing smokes, flashes, and other utility in private matches, as official matchmaking already uses sub-tick in CS2.Performance Launch Options
-threads 4 (or 6, 8) — Specifies the number of CPU threads CS2 should use. Set this to the number of physical cores your CPU has. For a 4-core CPU, use `-threads 4`. For a 6-core, use `-threads 6`. Don't set this higher than your actual core count.+fps_max 0 — Removes the FPS cap entirely, allowing your system to render as many frames as possible. Some players prefer capping FPS slightly below their monitor's refresh rate for stability (e.g., `+fps_max 300` for a 360Hz monitor).-nojoy — Disables joystick/controller support. If you don't use a controller, this frees up a small amount of RAM and CPU resources.Network Launch Options
+rate 786432 — Sets the maximum network bandwidth. This is the recommended value for players with a stable internet connection of 6 Mbps or higher. It ensures you receive the maximum amount of data from the server.+cl_interp_ratio 1 — Sets the interpolation ratio to 1. Combined with a good connection, this gives you the most accurate representation of what's happening on the server.Our Recommended Launch Option String
Copy and paste this into your Steam launch options:
-novid -high -freq 144 -tickrate 128 -nojoy +fps_max 0 +rate 786432
Remember to change `-freq 144` to match your monitor's refresh rate!
Launch Options to AVOID
Some launch options that were popular in CS:GO are now outdated or harmful in CS2:
-d3d9ex — This was useful in CS:GO but CS2 uses DirectX 11/Vulkan, making this option irrelevant.-lv — Low violence mode. No longer supported in CS2.+mat_queue_mode 2 — Was used in CS:GO for multi-threaded rendering. CS2 handles this automatically and forcing it can cause instability.-processheap — An old CS:GO optimization that does nothing in CS2.-disable_d3d9ex — Irrelevant in CS2 as it doesn't use DirectX 9.How to Test Your FPS Improvement
After setting your launch options, you should test the impact:
You can also use the Steam FPS counter: Steam → Settings → In-Game → In-game FPS counter.
Additional Performance Tips
Launch options alone won't fix poor performance. Here are complementary optimizations:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do launch options really improve FPS?
A: Some do, some don't. `-novid` and `-nojoy` are universally safe. Performance options like `-threads` depend on your specific hardware.
Q: Should I use `-vulkan`?
A: Vulkan rendering can improve performance on AMD GPUs. Test it with `-vulkan` in your launch options and compare FPS. If you experience crashes, remove it.
Q: How often should I update my launch options?
A: After major CS2 updates, check if any options have been deprecated. We update this guide with every major patch.
Q: Can launch options cause crashes?
A: Incorrect values (like setting `-threads` too high) can cause instability. If CS2 crashes after changing launch options, reset them and add one at a time to identify the problem.