Abnormally high Max frame time in CS2 (400–600 FPS) on a ROG NUC 2025
Posted: 24 Aug 2026, 08:31
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
Software / firmware versions
BIOS settings (0034) that differ from defaults
(Memory is at SPD defaults — no custom profile applied.)
What I've observed
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.
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.