Adjust CSS rate

The console allows you to make several adjustments to the game that are not available through the game options.

To activate the console, go to your Steam menu -> Games -> right-click on Counter Strike Source -> Properties -> Launch Options, and write:
"-console " You can add " -dev " for more details about your machine and -heapsize to allocate the RAM that the game can use.

Example: -console -dev -heapsize 1048576 with a space before each dash.

The -heapsize command thus allows you to define the amount of RAM that CSS can use. It is recommended to allocate half of your total RAM
-heapsize 1048576 allocates 1048576 bytes, which corresponds to 1024 MB. To find the value, simply multiply the desired amount by 1024 (1024*1024 => 1048576). To allocate 512 MB, 512*1024 = 524288. The command to allocate 512 MB will therefore be -heapsize 524288.

Setting the rates to optimize your ADSL connection on a tick 100 server:

Type the following codes in the console to configure CSS. /!\ The values listed are for a connection greater than 8 MB; for other connections, see the entire tutorial /!\

Rate 25000 This is the speed at which you download information from the server you are playing on.

cl_rate 25000 This is the upload speed of game data. That is, the speed at which you send information to play safely on the server. The value of this command must be equal to the value of the rate command.

cl_cmdrate 101 This command sets the number of packets (data that circulates so that your game works alongside other players on the server) that you send to the server where you are playing.

cl_updaterate 101 The cl_updaterate command concerns the refresh rate of data; the higher it is, the more you send or receive information from the server.

Low-Speed Connection 128k rate 6500 cl_rate 6500 cl_cmdrate 40 cl_updaterate 30 ADSL Connection 512k rate 9999 cl_rate 9999 cl_cmdrate 60 cl_updaterate 50
ADSL Connection 2MB rate 15000 cl_rate 15000 cl_cmdrate 80 cl_updaterate 60 ADSL Connection 4MB rate 20000 cl_rate 20000 cl_cmdrate 100 cl_updaterate 80

Useful command for the game but not mandatory:

cl_interpolate 1 Allows the computer to fill the gap of certain users who do not send enough ticks to the server, due to low FPS or a poorly set cmdrate. Set to 0, these players will stutter and be almost untouchable.

cl_interp_ratio 1 The value of this variable divided by the updaterate should give 0.01, or as close as possible, because it is the delay of the graphical display compared to the received data. e.g., at 10, divided by 100 [updaterate] gives 0.1, which means a 0.09-second delay compared to the rest of the world on the server. The goal would be to reach 0.01.

cl_predict 1 Allows the client to do certain things without receiving permission from the server, such as shooting and moving. Sometimes you may shoot and the bullet goes right through the person without hitting them; this is caused by this function, as the server did not receive the info for some reason, but the client preemptively displayed this info. If set to 0, this function causes chaos because some animations and movements are interrupted because the server lost the info, which would normally have been filled in by the client.

cl_smooth 1 Works alongside cl_predict, as this function smooths out the recoil due to the server not having received your last shot or your last movement. Set to 0, this function drastically corrects your position relative to the one you have on the server, causing stuttering at certain moments.

cl_smoothtime 0.01 This is the time allowed for cl_smooth to take effect; keep it as low as possible (0.01). If the smooth exceeds this time limit, the server will brutally reset your position. Rarely found on quality servers.
Cmdlist All available game commands in the console.

cl_crosshairscale 6000 Change the size of your crosshair; the larger the number, the smaller the crosshair size, with a maximum of 6000. Note that changing the size of the crosshair does not alter the trajectory of the bullets... lol.

cl_crosshairusealpha 1 Allows for a non-transparent crosshair => better visibility.

cl_dynamiccrosshair 0 Prevents the crosshair from expanding when you run/jump.

mat_bumpmap 0 Remove bumpmapping for a substantial FPS gain.

cl_phys_props_enable 0 Disables small objects that do not interfere with movement (small boxes, bricks, etc.). This provides a substantial FPS gain and reduces the information transfer between the server and your machine, thus improving ping.

cl_ragdoll_physics_enable 0 Removes the bodies of dead characters. No bodies on the ground. This provides a substantial FPS gain and reduces the information transfer between the server and your machine, thus improving ping.

nosounds To avoid disturbances in the game from all the little sounds introduced into the server, such as haha, runaway, etc.

cl_downloadfilter nosounds Prevents downloading sounds upon entering a server.
To display details of your FPS, ping, and others, go to a server and type in the console: "net_graph 3" it will display on the right.

The details that net_graph displays:
· Your FPS is the number of frames per second processed by your machine. The higher the number of frames, the smoother the animation appears.
· Your PING is the response time of your machine with the server; the smaller it is, the faster data transfers are between the server and your machine.
· Your REAL IN (the updaterate) is the number of updates sent by the server per second; the larger the value, the more accurate the simulation is.
· Your REAL OUT (the cmdrate) is exactly the same as before, but this is for updates received by the server; the larger the value, the better.
· Your LOSS is the number of lost packets in transit; basically, there's nothing we can do about it, as it's related to the quality of your connection!
· Your CHOKE, having choke means that the game does not have enough available bandwidth to exchange packets at the desired frequency; if you have choke, you won't hit anything! With a good rate setting, choke should not cause issues. However, if choke is significant, gradually decrease the cl_updaterate and cl_cmdrate, but never below 60, otherwise you'll lag.
/!\ (Setting values too low for rate, cl_updaterate, and cl_cmdrate can be considered cheating because you'll lag for other players, in other words, you'll become difficult to hit) /!\