Best CS2 Settings for Competitive Play
A comprehensive guide to the recommended Counter-Strike 2 settings for competitive play. These settings prioritize performance, visibility, and competitive advantage based on what professional players use.
Video Settings
Video settings have the biggest impact on your FPS and visual clarity. The goal is to maximize frame rate while maintaining enough visual quality to spot enemies easily.
| Setting | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920x1080 or 1280x960 | Native for clarity, stretched for wider models |
| Display Mode | Fullscreen | Best input latency and GPU utilization |
| Global Shadow Quality | Medium | Shadows reveal enemy positions - don't disable |
| Model/Texture Detail | Low-Medium | Minimal impact on visibility, big FPS impact |
| Shader Detail | Low | Reduces GPU load significantly |
| Multisampling | None or 2x | Higher values cost FPS with little benefit |
| Boost Player Contrast | Enabled | Makes players easier to see |
| V-Sync | Disabled | Adds input lag - always disable for competitive |
Mouse & Sensitivity
Mouse settings are arguably the most important competitive settings. Raw input should always be enabled, and your sensitivity should allow precise aim while still being comfortable for large movements.
The professional average eDPI (DPI multiplied by in-game sensitivity) is around 800-900. A lower sensitivity generally allows more precise aim but requires a larger mousepad and more arm movement.
| Setting | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Raw Input | On (m_rawinput 1) |
| Mouse Acceleration | Off |
| DPI | 400 or 800 |
| In-Game Sensitivity | 1.0-2.0 at 800 DPI |
Use our eDPI guide to understand how DPI and sensitivity work together.
Audio Settings
Sound is critical in CS2 for hearing footsteps, reloads, and utility cues. Use quality headphones and configure audio for maximum spatial awareness.
| Setting | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Audio Output | Stereo Headphones |
| HRTF | Enabled |
| Master Volume | 0.3-0.5 |
| snd_mixahead | 0.025 (lower = less latency) |
Network Settings
Proper network settings reduce lag and improve hit registration. These should be set in your autoexec.cfg for consistent application.
Use our Autoexec Generator to build a complete config with these settings included.
Crosshair Settings
Your crosshair is personal preference, but competitive players generally prefer static crosshairs with green color, outline enabled, and small to medium size. Use our Crosshair Generator to create your perfect crosshair with real-time preview.
Launch Options
Keep launch options minimal in CS2. The recommended baseline is simply -novid to skip the intro video. Add -tickrate 128 if you practice offline. See our Launch Options Generator for hardware-specific recommendations.