High Shadows and MSAA Reduce Your FpS in CS2
A series of benchmarks were conducted in Counter-Strike 2 to understand which video settings reduce performance and which can be enabled without loss. The testing took place on the Dust2 map at a resolution of 1280x960, and the results showed that the main causes of FpS loss are shadows and MSAA anti-aliasing. The study was conducted by content creator Thour.
Computer Configuration
For the accuracy of the experiment, the following system was used:
CPU: Ryzen 7 9800X3D
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 5070
RAM: 32GB DDR5 6000MT/s
OS: Windows 11 Pro (24H2)
Driver: NVIDIA 581.08
All tests were conducted on the Dust2 Benchmark Map at a resolution of 1280x960 with Game Mode, HAGS, and Resizable Bar activated.
Settings that were tested
Boost Player Contrast – With the option disabled, the results were 986.2 / 276.3, and with it enabled — 964.6 (-2.1%) and 292.4 (+5.8%). The average FpS slightly decreased, but the 1% lows improved by almost 6%. Conclusion: a safe setting, but the author chose not to use it.
NVIDIA Reflex – When disabled, the result was 986.2 / 276.3. When enabled — 960.4 (-2.6%) and 290.6 (+5%). In Boost mode — 961.4 (-2.5%) and 289.3 (+4.7%). FpS drops slightly, but input lag becomes noticeably lower. Conclusion: this setting is essential to use.
Multisampling Anti-aliasing (MSAA) – Without anti-aliasing — 986.2 / 276.3. With MSAA 2x — 887.5 (-10%) and 279.1; at 4x — 865.5 (-12.2%) and 276.8; at 8x — 808.8 (-17.9%) and 283.6. The average FpS sharply decreases with each step. Conclusion: using above 4x is not recommended.
Dynamic Shadows – With Sun Only, the results were 986.2 / 276.3, and with All — 965.7 (-2%) and 289.3 (+4.7%). The losses are minimal, and the image becomes more natural. Conclusion: it is recommended to enable "All."
Global Shadow Quality – On Low — 986.2 / 276.3. Medium reduces average FpS by 8% (906.5 / 272.7), High by 12.9% (858.5 / 275.9), Very High by 22% (764.6 / 266.6). Conclusion: raising above Medium is pointless.
Model/Texture Detail – On Low — 986.2 / 276.3. Medium gives 906 (-8.1%) and 276.8, High — 901.2 (-8.6%) and 278.2. The losses are noticeable, and the image hardly changes. Conclusion: it's better to leave it on Low.
Texture Filtering Mode – With Bilinear — 986.2 / 276.3, and with Anisotropic 16x — 969.3 (-1%) and 290.2 (+5%). The average FpS hardly drops, but the 1% lows improve. Conclusion: 16x is recommended.
Shader Detail – On Low, the results were 986.2 / 276.3, on High — 932.9 (-5.4%) and 275. The image smooths slightly, but performance noticeably drops. Conclusion: better on Low.
Particle Detail – On Low — 986.2 / 276.3, on High — 938 (-4.8%) and 269.3, on Very High — 886.1 (-10%) and 267.2 (-3.2%). Performance losses up to 10%, but no visual benefit. Conclusion: use Low.
Ambient Occlusion – On Low — 986.2 / 276.3, Medium — 941.3 (-4.5%) and 279, High — 938.1 (-4.8%) and 278.7. The difference is hardly noticeable in dynamics, but FpS is lost. Conclusion: non-essential setting.
HDR – In Performance mode — 986.2 / 276.3, in Quality mode — 959.5 (-2.7%) and 285.6 (+3.3%). The losses are minimal, and the image is visually more pleasing. Conclusion: better to use Quality.
What reduces FpS
Overall Shadow Quality (Very High) — decreases FpS by 22.5%
MSAA 8x — decreases FpS by 18%
MSAA 4x — decreases FpS by 12.2%
Model/Texture Detail (High) — decreases FpS by 8.6%
Essential to use
NVIDIA Reflex (On / On+Boost)
Dynamic Shadows: "All"
Texture Filtering 16x
HDR: “Quality”
Thour notes that the optimal balance between image quality and high frame rate is achieved by using low or medium shadow and model settings, disabling heavy MSAA anti-aliasing, but enabling Reflex and texture filtering. This set of parameters ensures stable FpS and a comfortable visual experience in CS2 .
