In Counter-Strike 2, resolution refers to the amount of pixels that are displayed on your screen. For example, a resolution of 1920x1080 has 1920 pixels going along the width, and 1080 for the height. Finding the best resolution is important as it can help to boost accuracy, improve visual clarity, and increase your overall competitive advantage.
A key factor when you're deciding which resolution to use is aspect ratio. This refers to the proportional relationship between the width and height of how Counter-Strike is displayed on your screen. The two most common aspect ratios are 16:9 and 4:3.
Below you'll find the advantages of disadvantages of the most common resolutions, so you'll be able to better decide on which resolution is best for you.
How to Change Resolution
To change your resolution, first go to your CS2 settings and click on VIDEO. You'll then need to click on VIDEO again, as shown below:
Next, for a regular aspect ratio, you'll need to select the Widescreen 16:9 on the Aspect Ratio line. For stretched, you'll need to select Normal 4:3.
For a regular resolution, you'll need to select 1920x1080 on the Resolution line. For stretched, you'll need to select 1280x1024.
For example, if I wanted the regular resolution and aspect ratio, I'd select the options as below:
1920x1080 Resolution
This resolution will need to be used with the Widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Improved and sharpened visuals. This can make it easier to spot enemies, especially at longer distances. | Smaller hitboxes. Enemies appear smaller at this resolution, making them sometimes more difficult to hit. |
| Better field of view (FOV). This allows you to spot enemies that might otherwise be hidden on stretched resolutions. | Higher system demands. It often demands more processing power, leading to decreased FPS. |
| Standard resolution. This is often the default for most monitors, allowing you to use the most of your screen. |
1280x1024 Resolution
This resolution will need to be used with the Normal 4:3 aspect ratio.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Larger enemies. Due to the stretched aspect ratio, this resolution makes enemies appear larger and easier to hit. | Smaller field of view (FOV). This can make enemies harder to spot if they're coming from the sides of your screen. |
| Performance boost. As there's a lower demand on hardware, you'll be able to achieve higher FPS. | Less detailed visuals. Visuals will be less sharp and detailed than those found in higher resolutions. |
| Ideal for older hardware. Ideal for those who aren't able to run higher resolutions at stable FPS. |
We hope you found this guide useful. If you're looking to improve your CS2 experience even further, check out our guide on the best settings for CS2 here.
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