Launch Options
Launch options are command-line parameters that optimize game initialization and can provide significant performance improvements.
Essential Launch Options
-novid -nojoy -noaafonts -nod3d9ex -high -threads 8
Parameter Explanations:
-novid
- Skips intro videos for faster startup-nojoy
- Disables joystick support to reduce CPU usage-noaafonts
- Disables font anti-aliasing for better performance-nod3d9ex
- Uses standard DirectX 9 for compatibility-high
- Sets game process to high priority-threads X
- Sets number of threads (replace X with your CPU cores)
Advanced Options
-refresh 144 -tickrate 128 -noforcemaccel -noforcemparms
-refresh X
- Forces specific refresh rate-tickrate 128
- Sets server tickrate (for supported games)-noforcemaccel
- Disables mouse acceleration-noforcemparms
- Disables mouse parameter forcing
System Optimization
Windows Performance Mode
- Open Control Panel → Power Options
- Select "High Performance" or "Ultimate Performance"
- Click "Change plan settings" → "Change advanced power settings"
- Set "Processor power management" → "Maximum processor state" to 100%
- Set "Minimum processor state" to 100% for consistent performance
Game Mode & Focus Assist
- Open Windows Settings → Gaming
- Enable "Game Mode" for automatic optimization
- Go to Focus Assist → "Automatic rules"
- Enable "When I'm playing a game" for distraction-free gaming
Memory Optimization
Disable Memory Compression:
Disable-MMAgent -MemoryCompression
Clear Standby Memory (Run as Administrator):
echo off & echo. & color 0A
taskkill /f /im "explorer.exe"
del /q /f /s %TEMP%\*
for /f "tokens=*" %%i in ('wmic process where name^="svchost.exe" get processid ^| findstr [0-9]') do (
wmic process where processid^=%%i call terminate
)
start explorer.exe
Configuration Files
Autoexec Configuration
Create an autoexec.cfg file in your game's cfg folder with these optimizations:
// FPS Commands
fps_max 999
fps_max_menu 144
cl_showfps 1
// Performance Settings
mat_queue_mode 2
r_dynamic 0
r_drawtracers_firstperson 0
func_break_max_pieces 0
// Network Optimization
rate 786432
cl_cmdrate 128
cl_updaterate 128
cl_interp 0
cl_interp_ratio 1
// Audio Optimization
snd_mix_async 1
snd_stream 0
dsp_enhance_stereo 0
// Mouse Settings
m_rawinput 1
m_mouseaccel1 0
m_mouseaccel2 0
echo "Autoexec loaded successfully"
Video Settings Optimization
// Low-impact visual settings for maximum FPS
mat_monitorgamma 1.6
mat_brightness 0.2
r_shadows 0
cl_disablehtmlmotd 1
cl_downloadfilter nosounds
cl_forcepreload 1
Graphics Driver Settings
NVIDIA Control Panel
- Image Sharpening: Off (reduces GPU load)
- Anisotropic Filtering: Off
- Antialiasing: Off or Application-controlled
- Power Management: Prefer Maximum Performance
- Texture Filtering: High Performance
- Threaded Optimization: On
- Vertical Sync: Off (use Fast Sync if available)
- Low Latency Mode: Ultra (for competitive gaming)
AMD Radeon Settings
- Anti-Lag: Enabled
- Radeon Boost: Enabled
- Image Sharpening: Disabled
- Anisotropic Filtering: Off
- Anti-Aliasing: Use Application Settings
- Wait for Vertical Refresh: Off
- Surface Format Optimization: On
Background Process Optimization
Disable Unnecessary Services
Open Task Manager → Services tab and disable these services (if not needed):
- Windows Search (WSearch)
- Superfetch/SysMain
- Print Spooler (if no printer)
- Fax service
- Windows Media Player Network Sharing
- Remote Desktop Services (if not used)
Warning: Only disable services you understand. Create a system restore point first.
Startup Program Management
- Open Task Manager → Startup tab
- Disable high-impact programs you don't need immediately
- Keep only essential programs like audio drivers and security software
- Disable communication apps unless needed (Discord, Skype, etc.)
Advanced CPU Optimization
Core Parking and Scheduling
Advanced CPU management for consistent performance:
Disable Core Parking (Run as Administrator):
powercfg -setacvalueindex scheme_current sub_processor CPMINCORES 100
powercfg -setactive scheme_current
Process Priority Management:
- Set game process to "High Priority" in Task Manager
- Use process affinity to dedicate cores to game
- Disable SMT/Hyperthreading for some competitive games
- Configure interrupt handling for gaming cores
Thermal Management
- Monitor CPU temperatures during gaming
- Maintain temperatures below 80°C for sustained performance
- Configure custom fan curves for optimal cooling
- Consider undervolting for better efficiency
Memory Performance Tuning
RAM Optimization
Enable XMP/DOCP Profile:
- Enter BIOS/UEFI settings
- Navigate to Memory/RAM settings
- Enable XMP (Intel) or DOCP (AMD) profile
- Select highest stable profile available
Advanced Memory Timings:
// Recommended timings for gaming (DDR4-3200)
CAS Latency (CL): 14-16
tRCD: 14-16
tRP: 14-16
tRAS: 28-32
Command Rate: 1T preferred, 2T stable
Memory Allocation
- Disable memory compression for gaming
- Set virtual memory/page file to fixed size
- Use Game Mode memory prioritization
- Clear standby memory regularly during sessions
Performance Monitoring
Essential Monitoring Tools
Real-time Overlays:
- MSI Afterburner + RivaTuner: GPU/CPU/RAM usage
- HWiNFO64: Detailed hardware monitoring
- NVIDIA GeForce Experience: Built-in FPS counter
- AMD Radeon Metrics: GPU performance overlay
Performance Analysis:
- CapFrameX: Advanced frame time analysis
- OCAT: Frame time capture and analysis
- Intel PresentMon: Frame timing metrics
- GPU-Z: Graphics card monitoring
Key Performance Metrics
What to Monitor:
- FPS (Average): Overall performance indicator
- 1% Low FPS: Worst 1% of frames for smoothness
- 0.1% Low FPS: Extreme performance drops
- Frame Time: Consistency measurement (lower is better)
- GPU Usage: Should be 95-99% for optimal performance
- CPU Usage: Check for bottlenecks per core
Optimization Targets:
- Frame time variance < 5ms for smooth gameplay
- GPU utilization > 95% (no GPU bottleneck)
- CPU utilization < 80% per core (headroom for spikes)
- Consistent temperatures under sustained load
Benchmarking Best Practices
Proper testing methodology for optimization validation:
- Baseline Testing: Record performance before any changes
- Controlled Environment: Same map, time of day, weather
- Multiple Runs: Average results from 3-5 test runs
- Stress Testing: Test under various demanding scenarios
- Long-term Stability: Monitor performance over extended sessions