CSGO Settings for Optimal Performance
CSGO is a highly competitive video game. As more competitive players enter CSGO, the skill cap grows rapidly. Reaching the top is not easy. However, it can be made a bit easy with optimal performance.
To get optimal performance in CSGO, you might need to change some settings. We are here to help you with precisely that. Here is our take on the best CSGO settings for optimal performance.
What Does Optimal Performance in CSGO Mean
Before we tell you how to improve performance for CSGO, it is necessary to explain what that actually means. We focus on several things while trying to improve CSGO performance as we play around with the settings. The first and probably the most important of those things is the framerate.
In simple terms, framerate is the number of new images your computer generates every second. For example, 60 frames per second (FPS) means your computer is creating 60 new images every second. When changing the settings for optimal performance, one of the main goals we are trying to achieve is a higher framerate.
Another thing that constitutes optimal performance in CSGO is low input lag and latency. Input lag or latency is the time it takes for you to create an input and for the computer to show the appropriate output.
For example, if you move your mouse, the time it takes between the movement of your mouse till the time you see your crosshair actually moving is latency. If the latency is so low that it is barely noticeable, then there is zero input lag, which is one of the primary goals when trying to achieve optimal performance.
Optimal settings for CSGO also include clarity. When you play CSGO, you want to deal with the least amount of distractions possible. You want to be able to see the enemy clearly so you can shoot them. For this reason, a lot of settings included here will have something to do with improving the clarity of the game.
Aspect Ratio
One of the first settings to look at is the Aspect Ratio. The aspect ratio is simply the ratio of the length to the width of the image on your screen. If that ratio is the same as the length-to-width ratio of your monitor, then the image will fill the screen. On the other hand, if it is not the same, you will see black bars on your screen, usually on the sides.
The most popular aspect ratio for CSGO is 4:3 stretched. It means that you actually have a monitor much wider than 4:3, but you set the aspect ratio to 4:3 and then set it to fill the whole screen, stretching the image and everything in it.
There are two reasons why most pro players choose 4:3. Firstly, it is what they used to play on. Most CSGO pros come from games like CS 1.6. At the time of CS 1.6, the only accessible monitor option was a 4:3 monitor. Players set 4:3 because it is what they grew up playing on.
The second reason is that stretching a 4:3 image actually makes everything on the screen wider, including the enemies. Wider enemies are easier to aim at, which proves beneficial in a game where aim matters a lot.
With all that said, it all boils down to personal preference. If you are comfortable with the normal aspect ratio of your monitor, then there is no need to change it. It is one of the main reasons you see most pros from Valorant esports actually preferring the 16:9 aspect ratio.
Resolution
The resolution you play CSGO on will have the most effect on the performance of CSGO. A lower resolution would result in a higher framerate. The resolution of a game requires a ton of resources from your computer's hardware. When you lower the resolution, more resources get freed up and allocated toward increasing the framerate.
Most of the professional CSGO pros play on a resolution of 1280x960. Ideally, you should be able to play on whatever resolution your monitor supports, which in most cases is 1920x1080. However, if you are getting a low framerate, you should try lowering the resolution.
V-Sync (Vertical Sync)
One of the most annoying issues in video games is screen tearing, which causes the image to appear as if it is split in half from the center. Vertical Sync or V-Sync is a technology that fixes this. However, it adds a ton of input lag to the game.
Input lag is not at all acceptable in competitive video games like CSGO, which is why you should always turn off V-Sync. Besides that, if you manage to get over 100 FPS, screen tearing might not even be that noticeable.
Other Important CSGO Settings
Global Shadow Quality: Shadows can sometimes help you spot enemies, which is why you should set this on high.
Model/Texture Detail: This will only make the game look more detailed, which you don't need at the expense of framerate. Keep this low unless you are already getting over 200 FPS.
Boost Player Contrast: This is a new setting that helps you see enemies clearly. Keep this enabled.
Motion Blur: Motion blur will only make the game look much more distorted and "blurry" when you move your aim fast. Keep it disabled as well.
Remaining Video Settings: The remaining video settings only make the game look prettier. Keep them low and increase them only if you manage to get a framerate above your monitor's refresh rate.
Final Thoughts
The main goal while trying to get optimal performance in CSGO is to maximize framerate, minimize input lag, and improve clarity. If you want to improve your gameplay in CSGO, you need to focus on these three things and change settings accordingly to get optimal performance. Check out all the settings mentioned above, and see how much improvement you get.
