Counter-Strike 2 - PC performance graphics benchmarks of Graphics Cards and Processors
| BASIC GAME INFORMATION |
We tested Counter-Strike 2 at maximum graphics settings with GeForce RTX and Radeon RX series graphics cards. We also evaluated the performance and quality of the game's graphics during our tests.
| NEW PRODUCTS PROVIDED FOR TESTS BY ASUS |
In our review we present you with the motherboard ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming Wi-Fi. ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi includes 4 DDR5 DIMM modules with a maximum capacity of up to 64 gigabytes and a frequency of up to 6400 MHz. For the file subsystem, the motherboard supports 3 M.2 PCIe 5.0/4.0 x4 slots and 4 SATA 6 Gb/s ports. You can directly view the testing of this motherboard on our website.
In our review we present you with motherboards ASUS Z790-A GAMING DDR4. We use this motherboard as a test bench for testing new generations of processors. Intel.
This time the company's top video card is participating in our test. ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4070 Ti OC. The GeForce RTX 4070 Ti is based on the AD104 GPU and features 7680 CUDA cores and 12GB of GDDR6X memory. Test this video cards on our website.
This time the company's top video card is participating in our test. ASUS TUF Gaming Radeon RX 7900 XT OC Edition 20 GB.. This video card is based on the RDNA 3 architecture, operates at a frequency of 2500 MHz and has 20 gigabytes of video memory.
| NEW PRODUCTS PROVIDED FOR TESTS BY GIGABYTE |
In our review we present you with the motherboard Gigabyte X670E AORUS PRO X. We use this motherboard as a test bench for testing new generations of processors. AMD.
Its testing on our website.
| NEW, SUPPLIED FOR TEST BY KINGSTON |
In our review we used RAM: 32 GB DDR4 3600 CL16 Kingston FURY Renegade, 32 GB DDR4 4000 CL18 Kingston FURY Renegade,32 GB DDR5 6000 Kingston FURY Renegade, 16 GB DDR4 4600 CL19 Kingston FURY Renegade и 32 GB DDR5 7200 Kingston FURY Renegade. And for game tests we use an external Kingston XS2000 Portable SSD 1TB.
In our review we used RAM Kingston Fury Renegade DDR5 48GB 7200MHz. Her review is available at this link.
In our review, for the full variety of our test benches, we use SSD drives Kingston KC600 256GB 2.5" SATAIII 3D NAND TLC и SSD drive Kingston NV3 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 , which are an ideal choice for use when there are a large number of components.
| THE GRAFICAL PART |
This subsection of our review highlights the main graphical aspects of this game. Particular attention is paid to the version of the graphics engine used, the version of the API used, graphic settings and the quality of development of the main visual aspects.
| Supported OS and Graphics API |
Counter-Strike 2 Supports the following operating systems and graphics APIs:
- OS: Windows 10 (for Windows) and Ubuntu 20.04 (for Linux/SteamOS)
- Graphics APIs: DirectX 11 (Windows), Vulkan (Linux/SteamOS)
Counter-Strike 2 system requirements
Minimum system requirements for Windows
- Operating system: Windows 10
- Processor: 4 hardware threads CPU - Intel Core i5-750 or higher
- RAM: 8 GB RAM
- Video card: Video card with 1 GB or more of memory, compatible with DirectX 11 and supporting Shader Model 5.0
- DirectX: Version 11
- Disk space: 85 GB available space
Minimum System Requirements for SteamOS and Linux
- Operating system:Ubuntu 20.04
- Processor: 4 hardware threads CPU - Intel Core i5-750 or higher
- RAM: 8 GB RAM
- Video card: AMD GCN+ or NVIDIA Kepler+ with current drivers Vulkan. It is desirable to have support VK_EXT_graphics_pipeline_library
- Disk space: 85 GB available space
- Sound card: Highly recommended
| DEVELOPMENT HISTORY |
Counter-Strike 2 has become one of the most anticipated releases in first-person shooter history, continuing the legacy of a franchise that began in 1999. Valve, the developers of the original Counter-Strike, officially announced the sequel in March 2023 after much speculation and rumors. The big news was that Counter-Strike 2 not just a new addition to the series, but a full-fledged update of the entire game, built on the basis Source 2 — the latest version of Valve's game engine, which has been significantly improved since it was first integrated into Dota 2 и Half-Life: Alyx.
The main reason for the development Counter-Strike 2 there was a desire to update both the technological basis and the visual elements of the game. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS), released in 2012, continued to be one of the most popular games on the planet, but its graphical and technical potential needed modernization. Valve decided that rather than create an entirely new game, it would be better to completely rework CS, leaving the key elements of the gameplay intact, but significantly improving the visual and technological side of the game.
The key point of the development was the implementation subtik servers, which provide more accurate synchronization between players and servers. This is especially important for multiplayer shooters, where every millisecond can be critical for victory or defeat. The old version of CS used tick servers with a limited data refresh rate, which led to inaccuracies in the display of player actions. Now, thanks to the new server architecture, Counter-Strike 2 offers more precise shots, movement and interactions with objects, which is critical for professional players and the competitive scene.
Valve has also reimagined the game's maps. All known locations, such as Dust2, Inferno, Nuke and others, have been completely updated. Each map has received improved lighting, reworked textures and added details that make the game world more alive and realistic. The key aspect was the division of maps into three categories: "Touchstone" (with minimal changes to gameplay), "Upgrades" (significant visual improvements) and "Overhauls" (complete rework of maps). This allowed to preserve the classic elements that fans loved so much, while improving the graphics and level design.
| GRAPHICS |
One of the most significant changes in Counter-Strike 2 was a visual update to the game. Valve implemented advanced graphics technologies, thanks to the engine Source 2, which allows you to achieve impressive results. Graphics in Counter-Strike 2 has become more detailed, especially thanks to new lighting and material rendering technologies. The game uses physically based rendering systems, which allows for more realistic display of lighting effects, shadows and reflections.
One of the key innovations was the processing smoke grenades. Smoke is now a "reactive" object that interacts with bullets, grenades, and other game mechanics. This means players can shoot through the smoke, creating temporary windows of visibility, adding new tactical possibilities. Smoke effects are now rendered dynamically and are dependent on the surrounding conditions. For example, if a grenade hits the smoke, its explosion will temporarily "break" the cloud of smoke, opening up players' view.
In addition, visual effects for the destruction of objects and the environment have been improved. Grenades and explosions now leave visible traces on walls and surfaces, which adds visual feedback and helps players better navigate the map. The use of dynamic shadows and global illumination makes the gameplay more lively and rich. Indoor lighting looks realistic, emphasizing textures and creating correct shadows from moving objects.
Valve has also reworked the audio system to provide a more accurate soundscape. Players can now better discern the direction of sound sources and interact with objects based on sound cues, which improves immersion and helps in tactical situations. The sound effects of explosions, gunshots, and footsteps have become more varied and distinct.
| GAME ENGINE |
Counter-Strike 2 uses powerful Source 2, which Valve significantly improved over the original version of the Source engine on which it was built. CS. Source 2 offers a number of advantages that have allowed the game to be modernized at all levels. One of the key aspects of the engine is its ability to handle more complex objects and materials, which has become the basis for improved graphics and physics.
Source 2 allows for more complex physical interactions. For example, bullets can now affect objects on the map, creating dynamic interactions with surfaces. This makes battles more intense and destruction more realistic. In addition, the lighting and shadow systems in Source 2 have been adapted to create more cinematic scenes, making even the simplest maps more atmospheric.
Map customization and custom content creation have also seen a significant improvement thanks to the new engine. Valve has added tools for creating your own maps and skins via Steam Workshop, allowing the community to contribute to the game's development. These tools are significantly simplified compared to previous versions and offer more opportunities for modding. Players can now use Source 2's improved tools to create their own unique maps and modes that can be easily integrated into the game.
Another significant innovation of the engine was the improvement of the animation system. Counter-Strike 2 Characters move more fluidly and realistically. Weapon reloading, movement, and jumping animations have been reworked to add more cinematic quality to combat scenes. This also improves the overall visual experience for players, making the game feel more modern.
Valve also paid attention to optimization and performance. Source 2 is designed to take advantage of modern processors and graphics cards, allowing the game to maintain high frame rates even on the most detailed cards. In addition, the engine supports new rendering technologies such as ray tracing и global illumination, which improves the visual effects of lighting and reflections in real time.
| DIFFERENT QUALITY MODES |
Minimum settings
At minimum graphics settings Counter-Strike 2 Players can expect basic texture quality and simplified lighting and shadow effects. These settings are aimed at providing stable performance on systems with minimum specifications. Environmental elements such as smoke or explosions may be less detailed, but the gameplay remains smooth and playable.
Maximum settings
Although the maximum graphics settings for Counter-Strike 2 are not directly stated, the game will presumably support improved textures, realistic lighting, and more detailed particle effects. Such improvements will provide a more cinematic and immersive visual experience, especially when using more powerful hardware that supports DirectX 11 or Vulkan.
| TEST PART |
| Test configuration | |
| test stands |
ROG Strix X570-E Gaming Z490 AORUS PROAX GIGABYTE Z590 VISION GIGABYTE Z690 AERO G GIGABYTE Z790 GAMING XAX MSI MPG Z790 Edge WiFi ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming Wi-Fi ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Encore |
| Sponsorship video cards |
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4070 Ti OC ASUS TUF Gaming Radeon RX 7900XT 20G Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 Ti GAMING OC |
| Multimedia equipment |
Monitor Philips 326M6VJRMB/00 Power supply ASUS TUF Gaming 750W Gold PSU 16 GB DDR4 4600 CL19 Kingston FURY Renegade 32 GB DDR4 3600 CL16 Kingston FURY Renegade 32 GB DDR4 4000 CL18 Kingston FURY Renegade 32 GB DDR5 5600 CL40 Kingston Fury Beast 32 GB DDR5 6000@6400 CL30 Kingston FURY Renegade 32 GB DDR5 7200 CL36 Kingston FURY Renegade 48GB DDR5 7200 CL36 Kingston FURY Renegade Kingston FURY Renegade PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD Kingston NV3 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 MPG CORELIQUID K240 housing Case DeepCool CH510 WH SVO DeepCool LS720 WH |
| Software configuration |
|
| Operating system | Windows 11 24H2 |
| Graphics driver |
Nvidia GeForce/ION Driver Release 561.09 WHQL AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 24.20.11.01 |
| Monitoring programs |
MSI Afterburner |
Our video cards were tested at different screen sizes 1920x1080, 2560x1440 и 3840x2160 with maximum graphics quality settings without upscales.
| GPU TEST |
In the video card test, the default resolution is 1920x1080; other resolutions are added and removed manually. You can also remove and add any positions of video cards. You can also select any of our test processors from the list in the drop-down menu, comparing its performance with the given video card tests (by default, the most productive solution is selected). The test is carried out on the most powerful CPU in this game and is scaled to other processors, taking into account their testing on NVIDIA and AMD video cards.
- Very high
At 1920x1080 resolution:
- Average FPS (25 frames): Reached on video cards of the level of Radeon RX 6600 or GeForce RTX 2060.
- Minimum FPS (25 frames): Provide video cards at the level of Radeon RX 6600 or GeForce RTX 2060.
- Comfortable average FPS (60 frames): Possible with video cards of the Radeon RX 6600 or GeForce RTX 2060 level.
At 2560x1440 resolution:
- Average FPS (25 frames): Reached on video cards of the level of Radeon RX 6600 or GeForce RTX 2060.
- Minimum FPS (25 frames): Provide video cards at the level of Radeon RX 6600 or GeForce RTX 2060.
- Comfortable average FPS (60 frames): Possible with video cards of the Radeon RX 6600 or GeForce RTX 2060 level.
At 3840x2160 resolution:
- Average FPS (25 frames): Reached on video cards of the level of Radeon RX 6600 or GeForce RTX 2060.
- Minimum FPS (25 frames): Provide video cards at the level of Radeon RX 6700 or GeForce RTX 2060.
- Comfortable average FPS (60 frames): Possible with graphics cards of the Radeon RX 6750 XT or GeForce RTX 2080 level
| VIDEO MEMORY CONSUMPTION |
Testing of video memory consumed by the game was carried out by the program MSI Afterburner. The indicator was based on the results on video cards from AMD and NVIDIA with separate screen sizes 1920x1080, 2560x1440 and 3840x2160 with various anti-aliasing settings. By default, the graph displays the most current solutions. Other video cards are added and removed from the schedule at the request of the reader.
- Very high
GameGPU
Resolution 1920x1080:
- Video cards with 8 GB of video memory: consume 4 GB
- Video cards with 12 GB of video memory: consume 4 GB
- Video cards with 16 GB of video memory: consume 4 GB
- Video cards with 24 GB of video memory: consume 5 GB
Resolution 2560x1440:
- Video cards with 8 GB of video memory: consume 5 GB
- Video cards with 12 GB of video memory: consume 5 GB
- Video cards with 16 GB of video memory: consume 5 GB
- Video cards with 24 GB of video memory: consume 7 GB
Resolution 3840x2160:
- Video cards with 8 GB of video memory: consume 7 GB
- Video cards with 12 GB of video memory: consume 8 GB
- Video cards with 16 GB of video memory: consume 8 GB
- Video cards with 24 GB of video memory: consume 8 GB
| CPU TEST |
Testing was carried out at a resolution of 1920x1080. In the processor test, you can remove or add any processor positions. You can also select any tested video card from the list in the drop-down menu, comparing its performance with the given processor test results (by default, the most productive solution from NVIDIA is selected). Testing takes place on the most powerful NVIDIA and AMD video cards and scales to low-end models.
- Very high
When using NVIDIA video cards:
- Processors for acceptable FPS (not lower than 25 frames per second):
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100
- Intel Core i3-10100
- Processors for comfortable FPS (at least 60 frames per second):
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100
- Intel Core i3-10100
When using AMD video cards:
- Processors for acceptable FPS (not lower than 25 frames per second):
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100
- Intel Core i3-10100
- Processors for comfortable FPS (at least 60 frames per second):
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100
- Intel Core i3-10100
- Very high
Loading and using streams:
- Maximum load: The game can load up to 12 streams.
- Optimal loading: Uses up to 8 threads as efficiently as possible.
| RAM TEST |
The test was carried out on the basic configuration of Core i 9 13900K with 32 GB DDR5 6400 MHz pre-installed memory. All used RAM was taken as an indicator. The RAM test on the entire system was carried out on various video cards without launching third-party applications (browsers, etc.). In the graphics, you can add and remove any resolutions and video cards as desired.
- Very high
GameGPU
Resolution 1920x1080:
- Video cards with 8 GB of video memory: consume 10 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 12 GB of video memory: consume 10 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 16 GB of video memory: consume 10 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 24 GB of video memory: consume 10 GB of RAM
Resolution 2560x1440:
- Video cards with 8 GB of video memory: consume 10 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 12 GB of video memory: consume 11 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 16 GB of video memory: consume 11 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 24 GB of video memory: consume 11 GB of RAM
Resolution 3840x2160:
- Video cards with 8 GB of video memory: consume 12 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 12 GB of video memory: consume 11 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 16 GB of video memory: consume 11 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 24 GB of video memory: consume 11 GB of RAM
| SPONSORS TESTS |
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