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

  1. Open Control Panel → Power Options
  2. Select "High Performance" or "Ultimate Performance"
  3. Click "Change plan settings" → "Change advanced power settings"
  4. Set "Processor power management" → "Maximum processor state" to 100%
  5. Set "Minimum processor state" to 100% for consistent performance

Game Mode & Focus Assist

  1. Open Windows Settings → Gaming
  2. Enable "Game Mode" for automatic optimization
  3. Go to Focus Assist → "Automatic rules"
  4. 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

  1. Image Sharpening: Off (reduces GPU load)
  2. Anisotropic Filtering: Off
  3. Antialiasing: Off or Application-controlled
  4. Power Management: Prefer Maximum Performance
  5. Texture Filtering: High Performance
  6. Threaded Optimization: On
  7. Vertical Sync: Off (use Fast Sync if available)
  8. Low Latency Mode: Ultra (for competitive gaming)

AMD Radeon Settings

  1. Anti-Lag: Enabled
  2. Radeon Boost: Enabled
  3. Image Sharpening: Disabled
  4. Anisotropic Filtering: Off
  5. Anti-Aliasing: Use Application Settings
  6. Wait for Vertical Refresh: Off
  7. 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

  1. Open Task Manager → Startup tab
  2. Disable high-impact programs you don't need immediately
  3. Keep only essential programs like audio drivers and security software
  4. 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

  1. Monitor CPU temperatures during gaming
  2. Maintain temperatures below 80°C for sustained performance
  3. Configure custom fan curves for optimal cooling
  4. Consider undervolting for better efficiency

Memory Performance Tuning

RAM Optimization

Enable XMP/DOCP Profile:

  1. Enter BIOS/UEFI settings
  2. Navigate to Memory/RAM settings
  3. Enable XMP (Intel) or DOCP (AMD) profile
  4. 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:

  1. Baseline Testing: Record performance before any changes
  2. Controlled Environment: Same map, time of day, weather
  3. Multiple Runs: Average results from 3-5 test runs
  4. Stress Testing: Test under various demanding scenarios
  5. Long-term Stability: Monitor performance over extended sessions
Next: Graphics Optimization →