Why lower resolutions are more smoother in gaming?

[andrelip]

In CS:GO the mouse exactly the same if you have the same aspect ratio (i.e. 4:3 or 16:9) and thus a lower resolution wouldn't affect the mouse directly.

Correct, which is why I was sure to add "it probably depends on how the given game calculates mouse input."

The bulk of the difference is likely due to the aforementioned increase in higher possible performance (even at the same average framerates; tighter frame-times, less CPU/GPU wait/faster processing, etc), but I was noting the contribution of DPI/sensitivity differences when downscaling for thoroughness sake, regardless.

That's incorrect. It didn't depend on the game.

The shorter the GPU time, the less input lag. The only reason why you don't notice that in CSGO is because the GPU render is ridiculous low even in high resolution and ultra settings. So you reach the diminished effects. Underclock your GPU until you reach a reasonable GPU utilization, and you immediately notice an input delay.

[jorimt]

That's incorrect. It didn't depend on the game.

I was specifically referring to downscaling/upscaling resolution and its direct effect on mouse DPI, not GPU/CPU performance, which others were pointing out here.

senny22 then replied to that and said that CS:GO won't be affected by DPI changes due to native/scaled resolution mismatch, as it handles mouse sensitivity calculations differently than some other games, which I agreed with.

The shorter the GPU time, the less input lag. The only reason why you don't notice that in CSGO is because the GPU render is ridiculous low even in high resolution and ultra settings. So you reach the diminished effects. Underclock your GPU until you reach a reasonable GPU utilization, and you immediately notice an input delay.

I wasn't speaking from experience with CS:GO particularly; I've only ever played that game at native res.

I was simply offering an alternate possible contribution (out of many possible contributions) as to why lower resolutions might feel smoother and more responsive in certain situations with certain games.