CSGO, Counter Strike: Global Offensive, has been an extremely popular first-person shooter game on the market since its release 10 years ago. Similar to many other first-person shooter games, frames per second (FPS) are essential for the smooth perception needed to succeed at the game. But capping FPS is an individual option, so how can gamers cap or uncap their FPS in CSGO?
It is possible to cap and uncap FPS in CSGO. This is only able through the steam library, and not the CSGO game. Within the settings, you can customize your FPS cap to almost any rate you would like, or set it to “0” and have it be “uncapped” while you play.
Whenever you mess with a games settings there are always plenty of potentials for disaster as well as pros and cons to configuring frame rate. So let’s dive into more of the specifics that come along with capping and uncapping FPS in CSGO.
Table of Contents
What Is The FPS Cap In CSGO?
The FPS Cap in CSGO, and in any online video game, is the highest number of frames per second that you will achieve. FPS directly affects how smooth the video of your gram will run, and in first-person shooter games like CSGO, it can create a significant advantage.
Some games may have a set FPS cap, however CSGO does not. By using the proper steps, a player can cap or uncap their FPS at any number they like. However, there are certain precautions and considerations to take when attempting to mess with the settings of any game.
How To Cap Or Uncap FPS In CSGO
Do the following steps to cap or uncap FPS in CSGO:
1. Open your Steam Library and right-click the CSGO game (you must exit the game for this)
2. Select “Properties”
3. Click “Set Launch Options” in the general tab
4a. To cap your FPS type in the command +fps_max180 – the number 180 can be substituted for any number you would like to lock your frame rate at.
4b. To uncap your FPS type in the command +fps_max0
It’s that easy. If you would like to have your FPS rate on your screen while playing in-game, also add the command +cl_showfps1. This will also be able to help you figure out the correct value to cap your FPS at.
What Should Your FPS Cap Be?
The cap for FPS in CSGO really depends on your set up and computer system. You never want to cap it higher than your screen’s maximum natural FPS. However, for competative players you also don’t want to cap it too low because it becomes a disadvantage when in-game.
A good general rule of thumb for those new to FPS caps is to set the FPS cap at a rate that is higher than your screen’s refresh rate and lower than your maximum FPS. This is where the +cl_showfps1 command comes in handy. While running the game with FPS uncapped you can spot the maximum FPS rate your set up handles and use that to set the right cap.
This rule of thumb will make sure that your game play is smooth while still saving some of your module’s resources for background programs or in-game needs.
Should You Cap Your FPS In CSGO?
Whether or not you cap your FPS in CSGO is a personal decision for the gamer. Most of the time, capped or uncapped FPS will not have a dramatic effect on the game play, and thus is not extremely necessary. However, there are a few situations where capping your FPS could be beneficial to both your set-up and your game play.
FPS should definitely be capped in CSGO if while playing you tend to fall below 100 frames per second. This usually means that you have quite unstable FPS rates in your system and while it may seem awesome at times, drops low enough to effect your playing. Capping also creates more stability and less lag while in-game.
If your system is quick to overheat, capping FPS is a good option to help stabilize and prevent this. Without the constant hopping around of FPS rate, your system will better be able to apply it’s resources where they need to be and not feel overworked and thus overheat.
Final Thoughts
Capping or uncapping your FPS in CSGO is a personal choice. Most of the time, FPS will not significantly affect your game play or vision because it does not drop below your screen’s refresh rate. However, if you find yourself consistenly below 100 FPS, your system is frequently overheating, or you simply want more stability in-game, then capping your FPS may be a good way of alleviating these problems.
