In the world of competitive Counter-Strike 2, every millisecond matters — especially when it comes to micro-stutters, unstable frames, and input lag. While most players struggle with NVIDIA Reflex, in-game FPS caps, and turning off V-SYNC, technical analyst ThourCS2 has proposed a solution that delivers a real +30% increase in 1% low FPS and minimal frametime spikes.
The Problem: CS2 Feels Choppy Despite High FPS
Counter-Strike 2 runs on the updated Source 2 engine, and although players often report high average FPS, the game can still feel inconsistent or “jittery.” Why?
The root cause lies in unstable 1% low FPS and frametime, which lead to micro-lags and unsmooth gameplay. Ironically, Reflex, designed to reduce input latency, often makes performance worse in its current state.
Thour’s Experiment: How to Make CS2 Truly Smooth
Thour conducted a thorough benchmark using multiple FPS cap and Reflex configurations. The key discovery was the launch option -norefIex, which:
- Completely disables Reflex (not just hides the UI option)
- Fixes bugs related to the in-game FPS cap
- Delivers the most stable frametime performance
The best-performing setup included:
- FPS cap set via NVIDIA Control Panel
- Reflex disabled in CS2 settings
- Launch option: **-norefIex**
FPS Benchmark: When the Numbers Speak for Themselves
The 1% low FPS is the key metric here — and the configuration with -norefIex showed a +30% boost, significantly improving perceived smoothness.
Frametime Analysis: Eliminating Frame Spikes
Thour also published detailed frametime (ms) graphs. These confirm that the setup with -norefIex delivered the most consistent performance:
- FPS CAP NV + Reflex OFF + -norefIex: tightest frametime line (~2 ms)
- Other configs showed spikes up to 4–5 ms with inconsistent rendering
Clearly the best possible setting in CS2 as of now without using G-SYNC or VSYNC, — Thour
Why -norefIex Is the Key to Consistency
At first glance, -norefIex might seem like a simple toggle. Many believed it just hides the Reflex options in-game. But according to Thour and FREQUENCYCS, it goes far deeper — it completely disables Reflex’s integration in Source 2, eliminating hidden overhead and conflicts that persist even after turning Reflex off in the menu.
Why does that matter?
- Reflex in CS2 is still underdeveloped — and can behave inconsistently on systems without G-SYNC, sometimes introducing more stutter than it removes.
- The in-game FPS limiter conflicts with active Reflex, leading to erratic frametime behavior and regular micro-stutters.
- Frametime spikes with Reflex enabled can reach 5–7 ms even at high FPS — enough to cause visible tearing or jarring transitions.
With -norefIex applied, the game runs with no Reflex interference at all — even in the background. This results in:
- Smoother and more consistent frame delivery
- Improved input responsiveness — fewer frame mismatches
- More predictable performance across maps and scenes
This is crucial for competitive players and users with 240–360 Hz monitors, where millisecond-level inconsistencies can make or break performance.
Social Media Reactions: Community Testing and Confirmation
- @FREQUENCYCS: “this thing is great” — the originator of the tweak endorses Thour’s findings
- Thour: “-norefIex doesn’t just hide Reflex, it completely removes it from CS2”
- @MaximsTweets raised concerns about possible input lag without Reflex
Thour: “Testing that right now using Frameview” - @ImAvgErix: “What are all the launch options you recommend?”
Thour: “Nothing better than -norefIex for now. Testing -threads soon.” - @nicolaehayes: “What did you cap yours too?”
Thour: “600 FPS for this benchmark” - When one user said Reflex felt better on his GTX 1650, Thour responded: “Do a benchmark. Takes 5 minutes. Your placebo will be blown away.”
What’s Next? Further Testing and Optimization
Thour isn’t stopping there. In his replies, he revealed upcoming plans: He will soon test the -threads launch option — which might help optimize CPU core distribution on multicore systems. He’s currently analyzing the real effect of Reflex on input lag using NVIDIA Frameview, aiming to determine whether disabling Reflex actually increases or decreases input latency in practice
But even before these new tests, the current combo of:
- -norefIex
- FPS cap via NVIDIA Control Panel
- Reflex turned OFF in settings
has already proven to deliver:
- The highest average and 1% low FPS (up to 600 FPS)
- The most stable frametime values (near-flat performance line)
- Truly smooth gameplay — no need for G-SYNC, V-SYNC, or Reflex
If you’re a CS2 player looking for maximum performance and zero stutter, this is the go-to setup you should be testing right now.
