CS:GO is an extremely multifaceted game, where every detail is important. One of these important details is resolution. Correctly setting the resolution to fit you will not only improve the comfort of playing, but also raise the level of the game. However, not all players understand how resolution works. How does the screen resolution work and how to set it up correctly?
How does screen resolution work?
Screen resolution displays how many pixels are in your image on the monitor. For example, the most popular resolution of 1920x1080 means there are 1920 pixels horizontally and 1080 pixels vertically in the image.
CS:GO sets the game resolution to be the same as your monitor resolution – it’s default. If your monitor has a resolution of 1920x1080, the game will be set to 1920x1080 as well.
This is a great resolution and your game will look sharp, you won't see jagged edges on models and nothing will obstruct your view. However, this is not the only option for your setup.
4:3 and 16:9
Aside from resolution, there is also the aspect ratio term. In short words, it's the ratio of the number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical. For example, the resolution of 1920x1080 has an aspect ratio of 16:9 which is suitable for widescreen regions.
The aspect ratio 4:3 was used on old square monitors, before the arrival of widescreen displays. It may seem like a thing of the past, but CS:GO has given 4:3 a second life.
4:3 vs 16:9 in CS:GO
Among players, there are two opinions regarding resolution: some use a 4:3 ratio and others stay on 16:9. How do players use 4:3 when it's almost square?
Players stretch the 4:3 picture to full screen on their widescreen monitor. This trick gives them an advantage. But what advantage is this?
Let’s compare the 4:3 and the 16:9 pictures:
The screenshots show that the stretched 4:3 picture visually enlarges the opponent's model, giving an advantage when aiming. With a 16:9 aspect ratio, the model is smaller, it makes aiming more difficult. However, 4:3 has its own drawbacks, which are shown in the following screenshots.
The main problem with the 4:3 aspect ratio is the reduced field of view. The increased enemy model comes at the cost of less awareness, so 4:3 may not suit everyone. But how to make a choice between these two options? Let’s consider the choice of professional players.
Pro-players’ resolutions
It's worth starting with the world's best player according to most resources and portals - Aleksandr s1mple Kostyliev. S1mple uses a resolution of 1280x960 4:3, by the way, all players of Natus Vincere use this resolution.
Also, the aspect ratio 4:3 is used by most snipers on the Tier-1 CS:GO scene. For example, Mathieu ZywOo Herbaut uses the exact same resolution as s1mple. Dmitry sh1ro Sokolov also plays at a 4:3 ratio, but his resolution is 1024x768. If you check the list of players, you will notice that most use the 4:3 aspect ratio, however, there are professionals who use 16:9.
It is worth noticing that the majority of professional players use the 4:3 format. But those who use 16:9 and 16:10 play the role of the rifler. And this is very easily explained.
Most snipers don't need to look at the sides while aiming at their enemy. Players use a scope which already restricts their view and enlarging the opponent model is a huge advantage. Riflers, however, need to be aware of all sides, so 16:9 and 16:10 resolutions are more common among them.
How to choose a resolution and is it worth changing it right now?
The question arises - how to choose a resolution for yourself? And this is an extremely individual question, that each person must answer themselves. First and foremost, you need to understand the role you play, and how the resolution affects your game.
Snipers would typically benefit from a stretched 4:3 aspect ratio, while not all riflers will be comfortable with that and they might opt for awareness.
So, to summarize, it's best to stick to the resolution you're already comfortable with and only change it if you're willing to put in the effort to re-adapt to the new resolution and if it will significantly improve your gameplay. However, it's an individual decision that depends on the role you play and how the resolution affects your game.
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