Vulkan is a modern, cross-platform video API designed to supersede OpenGL. It's far more performant than DirectX, which makes it preferred over DXVK on Linux. Anyone can use Vulkan for Counter-Strike 2.

You can skip this section of the guide, as that means it isn't relevant to your setup.

In order to use Vulkan, we need to set a launch option. If you've done this before, add '-vulkan' and move to the next section.

1. Open Steam.
   
2. Go to your library.
   
3. Right-click Counter-Strike 2.
   
4. Choose properties.
   
5. Scroll down.
   
6. Type in the following into the textbox:
   
   -vulkan
   
   

Counter-Strike 2 is now using Vulkan, but it'll stutter a bunch if you don't do the next step.

Shaders are tiny programs your GPU uses to change how certain materials look. Precompiling shaders is a useful process that prevents your CPU from having to convert a shader into code your GPU understands, and results in less stuttering.


Forcing shader precompilation requires opening a hidden console built into Steam. You will only need to do one of these methods. After you open the console tab, move on to 'Running the precompilation.

This method will work with every version of Steam.

1. Copy the following text:
   steam://open/console
   
   
2. Open your web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, etc.).
   
   
3. Paste the text into the address bar and press enter.
   
   
4. Confirm opening the link in Steam if your browser asks.
   
   
5. Steam should open the console tab.

This method isn't preferred and is likely harder to do! It's also operating-system dependent.

You will need to close Steam first.

Open Command Prompt if on Windows, or your distro's terminal if you're on Linux (Steam Deck users, it's called Konsole). Run the first command if you're on Windows, or run the second one if you're on Linux.

1. Copy the following text:
   
   shader_build 730
   
   
2. Click on the command box, which is a text box.
   
   
3. Hold Control and press V. This pastes the text.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Press enter. Your console should now look like this.
   
   
   
5. Open Counter-Strike 2 and run around in a practice game for a few minutes.
   
   
6. Go get a coffee or a snack and let Steam build your shaders.
   
   
7. Enjoy your better performance.

If you have the points to spare, give an award. Remember to thumbs up, rate this guide, and enjoy your frames!