Abnormally high Max frame time in CS2 (400–600 FPS) on a ROG NUC 2025

[xfanch]

Hello Everybody !

I'm hoping to reach the PC-optimization and tweaking crowd here, because I've been pulling my hair out over this for several months.

The problem

In CS2 I get an abnormally high Max frame time (ms) value. My average FPS is high — between 400 and 600 — but the Max ms figure is way out of proportion. This isn't just an in-engine readout: CapFrameX confirms the same value.

The captures below were taken with CapFrameX on CS2, map Aim Rush, local, with 4 bots:





My setup

• System: ASUS ROG NUC 2025
• CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
• RAM: 64 GB DDR5-5600
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU
• Keyboard: ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX
• Mouse: SteelSeries Sensei Ten (wired)

Software / firmware versions

• OS: Windows 11 Pro, build 26200 (25H2)
• NVIDIA driver: 32.0.16.1062
• Intel Graphics driver: 32.0.101.8826
• BIOS: ASUS 0034

BIOS settings (0034) that differ from defaults

Code: Select all

Setting                                  Default        Mine
--------------------------------------   -----------    ---------------------
Power Mode                               Balance        Max Performance
Package Power Limit 1 (Sustained)        55 W           135 W
Package Power Limit 2 (Burst)            160 W          160 W (default)
Dynamic PL4 Support                      Enabled        Disabled
PCIe ASPM Support                        Enabled        Disabled
Integrated Vision Processing Unit (iVPU) Enabled        Disabled
Fan Control Mode                         Performance    Turbo (custom curves)

(Memory is at SPD defaults — no custom profile applied.)

What I've observed

• I see little to no difference in the frame time across 1280×960, 1440×1080 and 1920×1080 — the Max ms stays the same.
• The same values show up online, against real players. The Max ms seems lower (the value I'd want) when I watch a demo.
• I've done several Windows optimizations, uninstalled Armory Crate, I have no particular software running in the background, and my startup services are clean.
• I don't think the problem is tied to CS2 specifically, because I also see values I consider abnormal in Arc Raiders — so I'm looking for leads on the Windows / BIOS side to try to fix what is, for me, a real problem.

What I'm hoping for

Even though I think the NUC's own hybrid/laptop architecture can explain somewhat higher-than-normal values, I'm still convinced there's room to do better. I see streamers with Max ms values almost 2× lower (2–4 ms) at lower FPS — while they're streaming. I know their machines are desktop rigs, not hybrid/laptop, and that this helps — but the gap still makes me think there are Windows/BIOS levers I haven't found yet.

Any pointers appreciated. Thanks for reading.

[Sz3ypy]

Cs2 only on p-cores??

[Panychkaaa]

Is this an idea for replacing a video card?
I am for.

First: MSI Nvidia RTX 2060
Next: Gigabyte Nvidia RTX 3070
Now: Gigabyte Nvidia RTX 4060 OC
Result: may be, i want ASUS

[kyube]

Any pointers appreciated. Thanks for reading.

Detailed post, thanks for posting! Ignore these 2 users above, they're clueless.
I suggest that you troubleshoot this using ETW-based tools, such as:
- WPA
- XTW
or other tools which can read .etl files.

Use the -noreflex launch option. Valve's implementation is not functional.
Using Special-K's frame rate limiter & Reflex implementation also might help you, assuming you play standard matchmaking.

As for potential hardware-specific issues – have you verified that your system's components are stable using common stress-testing software?

[unconnected]

Any pointers appreciated.

Intel presentmon would be the easiest troubleshooting tool, try to run a couple of captures and post results

[soul4kills]

I think the answer is in your observation of streamers frametimes being better even though they have lower FPS.

So you're pushing for higher FPS to gain lower frametimes, which makes sense. But frametime stability is also important. So lower/limit your FPS where you have better frametime stability.

edit: And it looks like that is the case. You're getting bottlenecked by your CPU (CPU Bound) with your uncapped frames. Your "CPU max thread load%" is 80min 85avg 88max. Your GPU load % is 50min 64avg 88max. Your GPU load should always be greater than your "Single Thread" CPU load. The threads the game loop is running on is barely keeping up with your graphics card. The game loop runs on the CPU, it's what calculates the next scene and delivers that to your GPU to render.