Tickrate: 64 vs 128 tick explained
The tickrate (or tick rate) is how many times per second a game server simulates the match. In CS:GO it is 64 or 128. Here is what that changes in practice, and how to set up your game.
What is a tick?
On every tick, the server reads player input (movement, shots, grenades), computes the new game state and sends it to the players. A 64 tick server does this 64 times per second, every 15.6 milliseconds. At 128 tick, it's every 7.8 milliseconds.
What 128 tick changes in game
- Shooting: your click is processed sooner and enemy positions are more precise, so close duels are fairer.
- Grenades: trajectories are computed more finely. Some smokes are thrown differently at 64 and 128 tick: a lineup learned at 64 tick can miss at 128.
- Movement: strafing, jumping and air strafes feel smoother.
What tickrate doesn't change
128 tick doesn't fix a bad ping: if your packets take 80 ms to arrive, the server gets them 80 ms late whatever its tickrate. It doesn't fix low FPS either: aim for well above 128 frames per second.
64 tick, 128 tick and CS2
In CS:GO, Valve's official matchmaking ran at 64 tick while third-party competitive platforms played at 128 tick, which is why "128 tick" became so sought after. CS2 changed approach: its servers stay at 64 tick, but the game records the exact moment of your actions between ticks ("sub-tick"). On CS:GO legacy, the tickrate still makes the difference.
Setting up CS:GO for 128 tick
Type these in the console (or put them in your autoexec.cfg):
rate 786432
cl_cmdrate 128
cl_updaterate 128
cl_interp 0
cl_interp_ratio 1rate: how much data your game accepts. 786432 is the CS:GO maximum.cl_cmdrateandcl_updaterate: how many updates you send and receive per second. The server caps them at its own tickrate.cl_interp 0withcl_interp_ratio 1: the shortest interpolation, derived from your updaterate.
Checking a server's tickrate
Type net_graph 1 in the console: the bottom line shows the server tick and the updates you receive. To practise offline at 128 tick (bots, training maps), add -tickrate 128 to CS:GO's launch options in Steam.
And the name TICKRATE?
That's where the site's name comes from: every TICKRATE match is played on a dedicated 128 tick CS GO server.
FAQ
Is 128 tick really better?
Yes for shot and grenade precision, as long as you have a good ping and enough FPS. The difference shows most in close duels.
How do I play CS:GO at 128 tick?
On a server running at 128 tick, like TICKRATE's. Offline, add -tickrate 128 to your launch options.
Should I change cl_updaterate on 64 tick servers?
No, leaving it at 128 is fine: the server never sends more than its own tickrate.
Ready to play at 128 tick?
Join TICKRATE