Complete Guide to Running Counter-Strike 2 on Windows with RADV

This guide explains how to use the experimental version of RADV, the open-source Vulkan driver for AMD graphics hardware, on Windows systems. RADV has become the reference Vulkan driver for AMD GPUs on Linux, but this port allows it to be used on Windows as well, offering an alternative to AMD's proprietary driver.

This solution is useful for developers and advanced users who want to experiment with open-source drivers on Windows, improving the compatibility and performance of graphics applications, such as video games.

By the end of this guide, you will be able to configure and use RADV on Windows to run Vulkan applications, such as Counter-Strike 2.

• Goal: Configure RADV on Windows to run Vulkan applications.
• Target Audience: Developers and advanced users with basic knowledge of Vulkan and AMD GPUs.

Prerequisites

To use the experimental version of RADV on Windows, make sure you have the following hardware and software requirements:

• Hardware:
• Software:
  • Windows operating system.
  • AMD proprietary graphics drivers for Windows.

PROCEDURE: Experimental Setup of RADV on Windows to Run Counter-Strike 2

• Access the RADV development repository on GitLab. You can find the source code in the development branch dedicated to the WDDM2 interface here.
• Download the source code of the development branch. Make sure you have Git installed on your system. Open the terminal and run the command: git clone https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/lfrb/mesa.git cd mesa git checkout wddm2
• Compile the RADV source code. Make sure you have all the build prerequisites installed. Follow the build instructions specific to your version of Windows and your development environment.
• Install the compiled driver on your Windows system. Follow the specific instructions for installing the Vulkan RADV driver.
• Launch Counter-Strike 2 using the command line argument -vulkan. Open the terminal and navigate to the Counter-Strike 2 installation directory. Run the command: Counter-Strike 2.exe -vulkan
• Verify that the game starts correctly using the RADV driver. Make sure all graphics features are available and the game is playable.

Verification and Troubleshooting

At the end of this guide, you will be able to test the operation of the RADV driver on Windows and resolve any issues.

How to Test if It Works

• Launching Counter-Strike 2: To verify if the RADV driver works correctly, launch Counter-Strike 2 using the command line argument -vulkan. This should allow the game to start using the RADV driver.
• Vulkan Conformance Test: Although the driver does not yet pass the entire Vulkan conformance test suite, you can run some tests to verify its current status. This will give you an idea of the supported features and known issues.

What to Do if It Fails

• System Requirements Check: Make sure your system meets the minimum requirements for running the RADV driver on Windows. This includes a compatible AMD graphics card and a supported Windows operating system.
• Driver Update: Verify that you are using the latest version of the RADV driver available in the development branch. You can find the source code here.
• Game Configuration: Make sure you are using the correct command line argument (-vulkan) when launching Counter-Strike 2. This is essential to force the use of the RADV driver.
• Consulting the Documentation: If you encounter specific issues, consult the Collabora announcement for further details and release notes. This may contain useful information to resolve common issues.
• Community and Support: If the problem persists, consider joining forums or open-source development communities where you can get support from other developers and users.

By the end of this guide, you will have understood the importance of the RADV project on Windows and the progress made so far.

• The RADV project on Windows represents a significant step towards the adoption of an open-source Vulkan driver for AMD GPUs on the Windows platform.
• Although still experimental, the driver already allows running games like Counter-Strike 2 using Vulkan.
• For further technical details, consult the official Collabora announcement.
• If you wish to explore the source code, you can find the development branch on GitLab.
• We invite readers to follow the project's progress and contribute, if possible, to accelerate the development of a stable and performant solution.