Further CS2 Input Latency Testing

Summary

This video delves into the complexities of input latency testing, exploring various factors such as hardware, vsync, G-Sync, FSR, and wireless mice performance. The presenter clears up misconceptions, like the impact of muzzle flash in games, while comparing the input latency of CS2, CS:GO, and Counter-Strike Source. Testing configurations with vsync, G-Sync, and frame-capping techniques are examined for optimizing latency. Additionally, the video highlights the effects of power consumption and efficiency on latency, and the benefits of technologies like ultra-low motion blur and wireless mice. Ultimately, the video sheds light on how to achieve the best gaming performance and responsiveness.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Reflex flashing box is a reliable tool for measuring game input latency, as it accurately tracks the latency from mouse click to the frame displayed on screen.
• 😀 CS2 now has the best input latency compared to older games like CS:GO and Counter-Strike Source, thanks to improvements in the Source 2 engine.
• 😀 Enabling vsync through in-game options, rather than Nvidia's control panel, is better for achieving the lowest latency in CS2.
• 😀 The 'fast' vsync option in Nvidia’s control panel reduces latency while preventing tearing, offering a good compromise between performance and visual quality.
• 😀 G-Sync works best when the frame rate is below the monitor's refresh rate, and using it alongside vsync can worsen latency.
• 😀 Frame rate limiting is an effective way to avoid vsync’s latency penalty while ensuring smooth gameplay, especially when combined with G-Sync.
• 😀 Enabling FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) or DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) can improve frame rates without negatively affecting input latency.
• 😀 Power efficiency and low latency often conflict, but certain setups—like capping frame rates to double the monitor's refresh rate—can balance both.
• 😀 The Nyquist theorem suggests that video capture devices must capture at least double the frame rate of the monitor to accurately measure input latency.
• 😀 Wireless mice perform just as well as wired mice in most situations, with external factors like microwaves not significantly affecting their performance.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is input latency, particularly in the context of gaming. It covers testing methods for measuring latency, the differences between various games like CS2 and CS:GO, and how hardware settings such as V-Sync and G-Sync impact latency.

Why was there confusion about testing CS2's input latency?

There was confusion because some viewers believed the muzzle flash delay in CS2 would affect the latency test. However, the latency was being measured by a flashing box in the game, not the muzzle flash. The flashing box is a feature supported by Nvidia's Reflex technology.

How does the Reflex flashing box help in measuring latency?

The Reflex flashing box is a reliable tool for measuring input latency because it represents the game's actual latency. When a player clicks the mouse, the game processes that action and then signals Nvidia's driver to draw the box, allowing for precise latency tracking.

How does CS2's latency compare to older games like CS:GO and Counter Strike Source?

CS2 has the best input latency compared to CS:GO and Counter Strike Source, despite running on the more demanding Source 2 engine. The issue with delayed muzzle flares in CS2 has been fixed, and now the muzzle flash is instantaneous, improving overall input latency.

What is the effect of V-Sync on input latency in CS2?

Enabling V-Sync in CS2 increases the average input latency to around 14 milliseconds, compared to 8 milliseconds without V-Sync. Therefore, for the lowest latency, it's recommended to disable V-Sync.

What does the 'Fast' V-Sync option in Nvidia's control panel do?

The 'Fast' V-Sync option in Nvidia's control panel reduces tearing without capping the frame rate. It improves latency to around 9 milliseconds, offering a good compromise for players who want to avoid screen tearing but don’t want the latency increase from standard V-Sync.

How does G-Sync interact with V-Sync to affect latency?

Using G-Sync without V-Sync turned on results in the lowest latency, as G-Sync only activates when the frame rate drops below the monitor’s refresh rate. Enabling both G-Sync and V-Sync can increase latency due to V-Sync's limitations, so it's better to use one or the other.

What did the testing reveal about the use of FSR and DLSS for latency?

Despite concerns that technologies like FSR and DLSS could add latency, the tests showed that enabling FSR did not worsen latency. In fact, it improved frame rate, which in turn helped reduce input latency, especially for lower-spec PCs.

Can you have both energy efficiency and low latency in gaming?

It’s challenging to achieve both energy efficiency and low latency simultaneously. High-performance components like the Intel 3900K and GeForce 490 consume a lot of power but can offer great performance with low latency. However, power-efficient configurations often involve trade-offs, where reducing power consumption may increase latency.

What is the Nyquist theorem's relevance to measuring input latency?

The Nyquist theorem suggests that to measure accurate input latency, the camera capturing the footage should operate at least twice the frame rate of the monitor. The more frames captured per second, the more accurate the input latency readings will be, as pixels don't refresh instantly.