CS2 Launch Options
All CS2 launch options explained. Select the ones you need and copy your personalized launch options string.
How to Set Launch Options
- Open Steam and go to your Library
- Right-click Counter-Strike 2 → Properties
- In the General tab, find Launch Options
- Paste your launch options string
- Close — settings save automatically
Your Launch Options
-novid -high -nojoy +fps_max 04 options selected
-novidPerformanceBothLow ImpactRecommendedSkips the Valve intro video on startup. Saves a few seconds every launch.
-highPerformanceBothMedium ImpactRecommendedSets CS2 to high CPU priority in Windows. Gives CS2 more system resources.
-freq 144PerformanceBothHigh ImpactRecommendedForces your monitor's refresh rate. Change 144 to your monitor's actual Hz (60, 120, 144, 240, 360).
-tickrate 128GameplayBothMedium ImpactRecommendedSets offline/local server tickrate to 128. Essential for practicing smoke lineups.
-nojoyPerformanceBothLow ImpactRecommendedDisables joystick/controller support. Frees up small amount of CPU and RAM.
+fps_max 0PerformanceBothHigh ImpactRecommendedRemoves the FPS cap entirely. Allows your system to render maximum frames.
+rate 786432NetworkBothMedium ImpactRecommendedSets maximum network bandwidth. Recommended for connections above 6 Mbps.
-threads 4PerformanceBothMedium ImpactSets the number of CPU threads CS2 uses. Set to your physical core count (4, 6, 8, etc.).
⚠ Don't set higher than your actual CPU core count.
-processheapPerformanceCS:GOLow ImpactLegacy CS:GO option for memory optimization. No effect in CS2.
⚠ Does nothing in CS2. Only use for CS:GO.
-disable_d3d9exPerformanceCS:GOLow ImpactDisables DirectX 9 optimizations. CS2 uses DX11, making this irrelevant.
⚠ Irrelevant for CS2.
-softparticlesdefaultoffPerformanceCS:GOLow ImpactDisables soft particle effects for a minor FPS gain.
+mat_queue_mode 2PerformanceCS:GOMedium ImpactForces multi-threaded rendering. CS2 handles this automatically.
⚠ Can cause instability in CS2.
-fullscreenDisplayBothMedium ImpactForces fullscreen mode. Best performance.
-windowedDisplayBothMedium ImpactForces windowed mode. Higher input lag than fullscreen.
-noborderDisplayBothLow ImpactRemoves window border in windowed mode (borderless window).
-w 1920 -h 1080DisplayBothHigh ImpactForces a specific resolution. Change to your preferred resolution.
-vulkanDisplayCS2High ImpactUses Vulkan rendering API instead of DirectX 11. Can improve FPS on AMD GPUs.
⚠ May cause crashes on some systems. Test before using.
+cl_interp_ratio 1NetworkCS:GOMedium ImpactSets interpolation ratio to 1 for more accurate server representation.
+cl_cmdrate 128NetworkCS:GOLow ImpactSets command rate to 128. Matches 128-tick servers.
+cl_updaterate 128NetworkCS:GOLow ImpactSets update rate to 128. Matches 128-tick servers.
-consoleGameplayBothLow ImpactOpens the developer console on startup.
-language englishGameplayBothLow ImpactForces the game to use English language.
+exec autoexecGameplayBothLow ImpactExecutes your autoexec.cfg on startup. Required for custom configs.
-allow_third_party_softwareGameplayCS:GOLow ImpactAllows third-party software while playing. Disables Trusted Mode.
⚠ Reduces anti-cheat protection.
-nosoundAudioBothLow ImpactDisables all sound. Only useful for testing.
⚠ You won't hear anything in game.