In Counter Strike 2, both newcomers and professionals are again resorting to the stretched display (Stretched). Shooter expert Kevin Willing tells you how you can play CS2 in 4:3, 5:4 stretched or even 16:9 stretched.
Contents of the Guide: In this guide, we will reveal how you can stretch CS2 in various image formats and what advantages and disadvantages this brings. In the end, I (Kevin) will also report on a trick for certain players that you should not miss!
Adjust the Game Settings: The Guided editorial team has tested various methods for stretching the image format themselves. The noticeable thing was that not every method worked for all guinea pigs. Some could simply adjust the image format and resolution in the settings of Counter Strike 2, which led to an immediate stretch to 4:3 or 16:10. Others, like author Kevin Willing, had to stretch their image using the GPU driver.
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To reliably stretch your image format in Counter Strike 2, you need to work with your graphics card driver, and here our guide splits into two paths, one instruction for Nvidia users and one for AMD:
In this example, we want to change the resolution from a 16:9 format to a 4:3 format. For this, you have to select a 4:3 resolution. The most common resolution in the 4:3 area is 1024x768. Below, we'll reveal all the resolutions for all formats!
Now save your change finally and start Counter Strike 2. Already in the menu, you should be able to see directly whether the process was successful. Here's a comparison picture:
Now you just have to start Counter Strike 2 and then select the desired resolution from the options menu in the graphic settings.
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Since Counter Strike: Global Offensive, professionals have also been playing in 4:3 Stretched. This term broadly refers to the spreading of a nearly square image (4:3 format) onto a modern wider format (16:9 format), which you know from televisions and monitors.
The image is thus stretched. A stretched image naturally provides various advantages in the competitive nature of Counter Strike 2— but also has some disadvantages!
The short answer is yes, and not a few! Among others, NiKo from G2 Esports plays on 4:3 Stretched at a resolution of 1024x768. Other pros who go for Stretched include:
Most players of Counter Strike 2 or generally on the PC should be playing in native 16:9. So, playing in resolutions 1080p, 1440p, and 2180p (4k). However, more and more, cinema formats in 21:9 are spreading in the gamer rooms, so widescreen. Like author Kevin Willing (that's me!) who, as an early adopter, switched to a 32-inch 21:9 monitor from Alienware.
When changing the screen ratios, I noticed one thing: If I switch from native 21:9 format to 4:3 format in Counter Strike, my stretch is much larger— so far so clear. Even better, when I switch to 16:9, I combine the best features of Stretched and normal.
Before the change, I had another advantage on my side, a larger field of view than other players. After the change, I therefore have the field of view with which everyone plays, but a wider enemy model.
The wider your monitor, the more gameplay advantage you get from the 4:3 or 16:9 Stretch in CS2. After several rounds of Counter Strike 2, I can clearly say: playing on Stretched, with a widescreen or a regular monitor is a clear advantage. The only really noticeable disadvantage at 4:3 or 5:4 is indeed only in the field of view. At 16:9, the disadvantage is less apparent.
But what about you? Have you already played on Stretched in Counter Strike Global Offensive or are you stretching your image with CS2 for the first time to 4:3, 5:4, or even 16:9. Share with us in the comments. We also warmly invite you to join our social media channels and connect here with new players. You can find all the links to these via our Linktr.ee.