What is tickrate in CS2

The mechanics of CS2 are becoming increasingly advanced, and players are striving for maximum precision and consistency in matches. One of the most important technical parameters is tickrate — especially relevant for those who don't just open CS2 cases, but play to win.

Tickrate is the frequency of updates between the client and the server. At 64 tick, the server processes 64 packets per second, while at 128 tick, it handles twice as many. This difference is critical: for example, when training with custom CS2 crosshairs, shooting feels much more responsive and accurate on a higher tickrate. Pro players like donk always train on 128-tick servers.

How to enable 128 tickrate

For local games and custom maps, you can set the tickrate to 128. Here's how:

In Steam, open CS2 properties and add the following to launch options:
-tickrate 128

In-game, open the console and enter:
cl_updaterate 128
rate 128000

This will help you practice grenade throws, test CS2 configs, and feel the real speed of your actions.

Why it doesn’t work in matchmaking

Official Valve servers still run on 64 tickrate. So any changes on your client won’t affect matchmaking. For the most accurate gameplay, use platforms like FACEIT or ESEA — they run on 128 tick.

Training and customization benefits

Tickrate directly affects shooting accuracy, crosshair responsiveness, and the precision of grenades. That’s why it matters not only for esports players but also for those customizing CS2 binds or improving reaction time.

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