I’ve spent many nights trying to get CS:2 to run somewhat smooth in Linux, so I thought I’d share the combination of settings I’ve found to make it run flawlessly.

At 3840 x 1600 @ 160 Hz, my monitor seems to be pushing the limits of what my 6700 XT + i9-9900K desktop is able to handle. Running at monitor native resolution was not a great experience for competitive CS, both due to being too big at 38", and computer struggling to keep up with the resolution.

Downscaling to any of the lower native resolutions in CS2 would make the game a blurry mess. With the following settings, my FPS is close to what I’ve been seeing in Windows previously. I no longer dual boot, so I haven’t been able to confirm with actual stats.

Launch parameters

env LD_PRELOAD="" gamescope -W 2560 -H 1440 -w 2560 -h 1440 -r 160 -f --adaptive-sync --force-grab-cursor --framerate-limit 156 --mangoapp -- %command% -noreflex

On my 3840 x 1600 monitor, this gives me 1440p with black bars.

If you want to stretch the image you could add -S stretch or even downscale to 1080p:

-W 2560 -H 1440 -w 1920 -h 1080 -f -S stretch

Details

env LD_PRELOAD="" I had some random stutter after 40 min of gameplay, and I think this was the fix. I believe this stops the steam overlay renderer from being loaded.

--mangohud is optional, so you can run without it if you want, but will give you a nice, highly configurable monitoring overlay.

-noreflex gave me +20% FPS boost, and as far as I understand my GPU doesn’t even support reflex.

--force-grab-cursors is necessary, or the mouse will be inverted and locked to a tiny box in the middle of the screen for some reason.

Variable refresh rate

--adaptive-sync should be enabled if your monitor supports VRR (Freesync / GSync).

If you use Gnome, you have to enable VRR as an experimental feature for now

https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Variable_refresh_rate

Refresh rate is not specified ingame without -r [your refresh rate here], but it seems like the game is running at whatever the refresh rate is set to in your DE, even though display settings are saying “60”.

--framerate-limit 156 To avoid VRR range exceedance, it is recommended to set a frame cap to ~3% below your refresh rate.

https://forums.blurbusters.com/viewtopic.php?t=12305

Graphics settings

When it comes to the graphic settings in CS2 I use freesync with vsync off. As far as I understand, vsync will only happen if the VRR range is exceeded. Therefore input lag will not be increased, as long as FPS is below your refresh rate. This seems accurate, as I could not notice any difference with it on/off after capping the FPS to 156. I was always very sensitive to the judder vsync introduced on traditional TN/VA panels, and it is in my opinion no longer noticeable with VRR.

If you don’t have VRR you should probably disable vsync to avoid judder. Tearing is generally preferred over judder for competitive game-play in my experience. Also:

More on VSync and VRR for CS:GO here. I assume the same goes for CS:2: https://forums.blurbusters.com/viewtopic.php?t=5714

Vibrating walls bug

This strange bug was the last missing piece. The polling rate button on my Logitech G603 was not pushed all the way over, and was stuck in “lo”. This caused stuttering when using the mouse. https://www.reddit.com/r/GlobalOffensive/comments/16fvki6/cs2_shaking_vibrating_walls_anyone/

Advanced graphics settings for balance between quality/visibility

  • Boost player contrast: Enabled
  • MSAA: 4x
  • Global Shadow: High
  • Dynamic Shadow: All
  • Texture filtering mode: Bilinear (this makes player models more visible)
  • Shader detail: Low
  • Particle Detail: Low
  • Ambient occlusion: Disabled
  • HDR: Quality
  • FidelityFX: Disabled

My machine for reference

  • OS: Fedora Linux 41 (Workstation Edition) x86_64
  • Kernel: 6.13.10-200.fc41.x86_64
  • Resolution: 3840x1600
  • DE: GNOME 47.5
  • CPU: Intel i9-9900K (16) @ 5.000GHz
  • GPU: AMD ATI Radeon RX 6700 XT

Disclaimer: I am not an expert on display panels (or Linux)

    • Arose8334@lemm.eeOPEnglish
      2·
      2 days ago

      Gamescope is developed by Valve and none of these parameters gives you unfair competitive advantage. I’ve used gamescope for many years and never had an issue.

      Gamescope does support Reshade effects, and I would not encourage enabling those.

  • Matt@lemmy.mlEnglish
    1·
    2 days ago

    CS2 runs perfect without downscaling. If this is for CS : 2, then state it explicitly.

  • ag10n@lemmy.worldEnglish
    21·
    3 days ago

    Adaptive sync is vsync, that’s why you’re getting a smooth experience

    Is there any reason youre forcing gamescope? Just works for me without any tinkering and the same gpu.

    • Stomy@noc.social
      51·
      3 days ago

      @ag10n @Arose8334 vsync locks the game to the monitors refresh rate. I’m pretty sure adaptive sync and free sync adjust the displays refresh rate to match the game.

      • ag10n@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        3 days ago

        It syncs the output of the graphics card with the display Similar to vsync in that you’re telling the software/source to sync with the display; adaptive means it’s not a fixed frequency/framerate

        Developed by VESA, Adaptive Sync adjusts the display’s refresh rate to match the GPU’s outputting frames on the fly. Every single frame is displayed as soon as possible to prevent input lag and not repeated, thus avoiding game stuttering and screen tearing.

        https://www.viewsonic.com/library/tech/explained/what-is-adaptive-sync/

        • Stomy@noc.social
          2·
          3 days ago

          @ag10n that’s what I said, you just used more words.

          They may give similar results but they aren’t the same thing.

          • ag10n@lemmy.worldEnglish
            3·
            3 days ago

            the result is the same, i should’ve said “adaptive sync is similar to vsync”

            it is still the primary reason for a smooth experience.

            • Arose8334@lemm.eeOPEnglish
              1·
              3 days ago

              Adaptive sync + downscaled resolution with black bars + -noreflex + sane graphics settings in CS

                • Arose8334@lemm.eeOPEnglish
                  1·
                  3 days ago

                  Without adaptive sync is still better than native resolution without gamescope, so I’m not sure why you’re so dismissive. I’m just trying to share a list of tweaks that made the experience better.

    • Arose8334@lemm.eeOPEnglish
      1·
      3 days ago

      I think this is incorrect. I suspect it is because I am using a variable refresh rate display (LG 38GN950P). According to arch docs

      If your monitor supports it, enable variable refresh rate by passing the --adaptive-sync flag

      Also: https://gamedev.stackexchange.com/questions/207322/what-does-vsync-mean-on-a-variable-refresh-rate-monitor

      However, I am forcing gamescope to downscale to play at a lower resolution (without the game looking like a blurry mess)

  • slazer2au@lemmy.worldEnglish
    6·
    3 days ago

    Do you mean Cities Skylines 2 or Counter Strike 2?

    I hate how they moth have the same acronym.