The CS2 video menu has two parts: basic display options and an advanced section. This guide goes through each one and explains what it does. Our suggested CS2 video settings aim for a clear picture first and smooth frames second. If raw frame rate is your main goal, read our ranked list of CS2 FPS settings as well.
Display settings
Open Settings, then Video. The top section controls how the game fits your screen.
| Setting | Suggested | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Color Mode | Computer Monitor | Matches a normal PC display |
| Aspect Ratio | Native or 4:3 | Personal choice, see below |
| Resolution | Native, or lower for frames | Sharpest image at native |
| Display Mode | Fullscreen | Usually the lowest latency |
| Refresh Rate | Your monitor's maximum | Wrong value wastes your monitor |
Native or stretched?
Native 16:9 gives a wider view and a sharper image. Many players prefer 4:3, often at 1280x960. Models look wider and the frame rate rises, but you see less to the sides. To stretch 4:3 without black bars, set scaling in your graphics driver. In the NVIDIA Control Panel, that means full-screen scaling performed on the GPU. Pick one and stick with it, since switching upsets your aim.
Check the refresh rate
A 144 Hz or 240 Hz monitor only helps if the game uses it. Confirm the value in the menu after every driver update or monitor change.
What are the best CS2 video settings in the advanced menu?
Advanced Video holds the quality options. Here is what each one does, with values most guides agree on.
| Setting | Suggested |
|---|---|
| Boost Player Contrast | Enabled |
| Wait for Vertical Sync | Disabled |
| Multisampling Anti-Aliasing Mode | CMAA2 |
| Global Shadow Quality | Low to High (test) |
| Dynamic Shadows | All or Sun Only (test) |
| Model / Texture Detail | Low or Medium |
| Texture Filtering Mode | Bilinear to Anisotropic 4x |
| Shader Detail | Low |
| Particle Detail | Low |
| Ambient Occlusion | Disabled |
| High Dynamic Range | Performance or Quality |
| FidelityFX Super Resolution | Disabled |
| NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency | Enabled |
Boost Player Contrast
This makes player models stand out from backgrounds. Its cost is small. Turn it on.
Wait for Vertical Sync
V-Sync stops screen tearing but adds input delay. Keep it off for competitive play. Our guide to CS2 input lag explains the trade-off.
Anti-aliasing
CMAA2 smooths jagged edges at low cost. MSAA 4x or 8x looks cleaner but costs more frames.
Shadows
Shadows are the one quality setting that can show you information. An enemy's shadow can give away a position. Sources differ: ProSettings suggests Low quality with Dynamic Shadows on All, while csdb.gg suggests Medium or higher with Sun Only. Try both on a map you know and keep the one where player shadows are clear.
Textures, shaders and particles
Lower values mostly change how pretty the map looks. Low Particle Detail can also cut visual clutter from fire and grenades. If your graphics card runs out of video memory, lower Model / Texture Detail.
HDR, Ambient Occlusion and FSR
High Dynamic Range has a small cost. Ambient Occlusion adds soft shadows and costs a lot, so disable it. FidelityFX Super Resolution upscales a lower-resolution image and makes distant targets blurry. Keep it off unless you have no other way to get playable frames.
NVIDIA Reflex
Reflex reduces system latency on NVIDIA cards. Enabled is a safe choice. The Boost option may lower latency a little further, but ProSettings notes it can cost frames.
Why do pros use different settings?
Pros tune for their own hardware, monitor and eyes. A setting that suits a pro on a high-end PC may not suit you. Browse real setups in our CS2 pro settings guide, then test what works for you. Our post on CS2 graphics changes also explains how the Source 2 visuals differ from CS:GO.
Final checks
- Test big changes in a private match before a ranked game.
- Test on a bright and a dark map.
- Recheck after each major update.
The best CS2 video settings are the ones that let you spot enemies quickly while keeping frames steady. Start with the suggestions above and adjust one option at a time.
Sources and checks
Facts in this guide were checked on 2 November 2026 against ProSettings CS2 options guide and csdb.gg video settings guide. Option names can change after updates, so check your in-game menu.
Frequently asked questions
Should I play CS2 in Fullscreen or windowed?
Fullscreen is the usual choice for competitive play because it tends to give the lowest latency.
Is 4:3 stretched better than 16:9?
Neither is objectively better. 4:3 makes models wider and can raise FPS, while 16:9 shows more of the screen. Pick one and stay with it.
Should I use Enabled or Enabled + Boost for NVIDIA Reflex?
Enabled is a safe default. Boost may cut latency slightly more but can cost frames, so test it on your PC.
