Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

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Linux Gaming - Optimization Guide
By nedge
The focus of this guide is to help improve the gaming experience with Linux.
   
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Overview
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To sum up, these are the tools that we'll be using:
Feral's Gamemode[github.com]
vibrantLinux by zee[gitlab.com]
Ubuntu kernel update[github.com]
Ubuntu bleeding edge drivers by paulo dias[launchpad.net]
https://launchpad.net/~paulo-miguel-dias/+archive/ubuntu/pkppa/]Ubuntu stable drivers by paulo dias

Feel free to skip the guide and install by yourself using the docs provided by the maintainer.

Warning
Use third party repositories at your own risk. Being third-party they are not supported by the official maintainers of your OS, thus, not checked for malicious activity nor compatibility.
GPU Drivers
Insuring you have the latest gpu drivers is probably the most important part. These days any new update can bring new features and performance improvements.

In case you own an AMD GPU, good news. You probably won't have to install much.
Most distros include the latest drivers already. Especially if you're using a rolling release. If you're using Ubuntu, you might want to consider updating your Kernel and mesa drivers.
For that you can use UKUU - https://github.com/teejee2008/ukuu. Be sure to not remove your current working kernel so you'd have a fallback.
You can update Mesa (OpenGL, Vulkan drivers) by using padoka ppa:
https://launchpad.net/~paulo-miguel-dias/+archive/ubuntu/mesa/ - for the bleeding edge.
https://launchpad.net/~paulo-miguel-dias/+archive/ubuntu/pkppa/ - for the stable.
Bleeding edge version recommended by Valve.

Make sure you install mesa-vulkan-drivers, by entering:
sudo apt install mesa-vulkan-drivers.

To install the latest Nvidia Drivers (proprietary), follow these steps:

Ubuntu
Enter Software & Updates.
> Inside Additional Drivers tab, check the latest version of the Nvidia Binary Driver (should be 390 or higher).
To get the beta driver (most recent)
Add the graphics repository but entering the following commands into terminal:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:graphics-drivers
sudo apt update
You should now see the newest driver in the Software & Updates up, like seen in the picture above.

Solus
Enter Software Center.
> Search for nvidia
If you are running the LTS Kernel (to check type uname -r):
> Install nvidia-glx-driver
> Install nvidia-glx-driver-32bit
If you are running the CURRENT Kernel (to check type uname -r):
> Install nvidia-glx-driver-current
> Install nvidia-glx-driver-32bit

Arch Linux/Antergos/Manjaro
Enter the following commands into Terminal.
pacman -Syu
pacman -S nvidia nvidia-libgl lib32-nvidia-libgl nvidia-settings
UPDATE - Credit for b0nete
The best way for install nvidia privative drivers in Arch/Manjaro is this:
sudo mhwd -a pci nonfree 0300

Like explain in this page:
https://wiki.manjaro.org/index.php?title=Configure_Graphics_Cards



DO NOT FORGET TO REBOOT.
GPU Settings
After insuring we run the latest drivers, we'll optimize the settings.
There aren't much setting on the AMD side. This part will focus on NVIDIA.

Enter nvidia settings:
> Set the right resolution and refresh rate for your monitor.

> Inside OpenGL Settings set the bar to High Performance and Uncheck the first to options.

> Inside PowerMizer set the dropdown list to Max Performance.

SOME SETTINGS MIGHT REVERT AFTER REBOOT
In the last step we'll add them into the Startup Applications
CPU Governor
USING FERAL's GAME MODE
Install feral game mode, by entering the following command:
Ubuntu
sudo apt install gamemode
Solus
sudo eopkg it gamemode

To request gamemode, add the following line to the game's launch options:
gamemoderun %command%

USING GNOME EXTENSION
If you use GNOME, you can install the following shell extension, to manually tweak the CPU governor:
https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1082/cpufreq/

MANULLY
The default cpu governor is set to powersave mode.
To change that enter the following command into Teminal:
echo performance | sudo tee /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_governor

You can also create a script to run this command by following these steps:
> Change dir to the dir you want to save it in (In Terminal)
cd /.... (for example cd Documents. Default is HOME)
> Create the file
nano performanceMode.sh
> Paste this script
#!/bin/bash
echo performance | sudo tee /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_governor
> Save
Ctrl + X
Y
Enter
> Set as executable
chmod +x performanceMode.sh

If the last step doesnt work try running it with sudo.

To check it is set, etner:
cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_governor
into Terminal.
Mouse Acceleration
If you use GNOME, you can disable mouse acceleration by using the FLAT profile in GNOME's tweak tool.
Go to: Tweaks => Keyboard & Mouse => Acceleration Profile = flat.
Otherwise, follow "Disabling mouse acceleration" on the ArchWiki:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Mouse_acceleration#Disabling_mouse_acceleration
Digital Vibrance/Saturation
For NVIDIA you can find Digital Vibrance in the settings.
For AMD however, I couldn't find a setting that would increase the saturation. However, you can use Vibrant Linux: https://gitlab.com/zee220/vibrantlinux to change saturation automatically for certain applications, like Windows' VibranceGUI.
(I have NOT tested Vibrant Linux)
Save to Startup
Some settings such as nvidia refresh rate/PowerMizer settings might revert to default after reboot.
To prevent that, we'll add them into our Startup Applications.

> Open Startup Applications (might be inside gnome-tweak-tool or standalone)
PowerMizer
> Add new entry with the following command:
nvidia-settings -a [gpu:0]/GpuPowerMizerMode=1
Refresh rate and Resolution
> Add new entry with the following command:
xrandr --output DP-1 --mode 1920x1080 --rate 120.00
11 Comments
🐧 DR.SHEPPARD 16 Dec, 2021 @ 5:21am 
Vullkan support added
tsK 3 Sep, 2020 @ 8:24am 
I cant find the digital vibrance in the nvidia settings...
nedge  [author] 26 Apr, 2020 @ 11:10am 
Thx for the feedback.
I wish faceit didn't suck and I could play without the anticheat and get better.
Scak3 26 Apr, 2020 @ 6:29am 
Wow, Almond, I didn't realize you were in the guide - making business...
Although this guide is informative and well-made, I think that you should really consider about focusing on actually getting better in the game instead, ya bot
nedge  [author] 5 Apr, 2020 @ 8:58am 
Awesome!
I updated the guide
el b0nete bien turro 4 Apr, 2020 @ 2:00pm 
Nice guide!

The best way for install nvidia privative drivers in Arch/Manjaro is this:
sudo mhwd -a pci nonfree 0300

Like explain in this page:
https://wiki.manjaro.org/index.php?title=Configure_Graphics_Cards
nedge  [author] 20 Jul, 2019 @ 8:22am 
Added a section about digital vibrance that might be useful
ZiK 9 Jun, 2019 @ 4:18pm 
You forgot to add how to change the digital vibrance
Akitake 28 Mar, 2019 @ 3:19am 
Thank you so much for these tips! Much appreciated!
Forgiveness 14 Oct, 2018 @ 4:33pm 
nice guide!
Check out my freind's guide please, and leave a like :) thx!
https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1538448844
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let him know in the comments that you liked the guide and he will +REP you :steamhappy: