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What -pingboost does on a CS 1.6 server

-pingboost is a Linux start option that changes how the server waits between frames. Values 1 to 3 work in HLDS and ReHLDS, and xHLDS adds 5. How to compare them.

Audience
For experienced admins
Last checked
Steps
5
Reading time
3 min
On Hostsrc
Includes the steps for a Hostsrc server

-pingboost is a start option for Linux HLDS servers. It changes how the server waits between two frames, which decides how close it gets to its sys_ticrate and how much CPU the waiting costs. Despite the name, it can't shorten the network path between a player and the server.

HLDS and ReHLDS take -pingboost 1, 2 or 3. Without the option, the server uses a plain sleep. xHLDS keeps 1 to 3 as they are and adds -pingboost 5.

Shell
./hlds_run -game cstrike +maxplayers 32 +map de_dust2 +sys_ticrate 1000 -pingboost 2

On Hostsrc

Essential and Performance run with PingBoost 2. Premium is the only plan with PingBoost 3.

Before you start

  • Access to the server's start command, and a way to restart the server.
  • Players on the server while you compare: an empty server tells you little.

Steps

  1. Step 1: Find the start command

    -pingboost goes on the line that starts the server, after ./hlds_run. The server reads it once, at start-up, so a change needs a restart.

    In the control panel, Startup shows your server's Startup Command.

  2. Step 2: Pick a value

    Each value is a different way to wait for the next frame. The table The -pingboost values, below the steps, says how each one waits. The Windows server ignores the option.

  3. Step 3: Set sys_ticrate with it

    -pingboost decides how the server waits. sys_ticrate decides how many frames a second it aims for. Set both, and change one at a time when you compare. The sys_ticrate guide explains the setting.

  4. Step 4: Restart and measure

    Restart the server, wait until players are on, then type stats in the server console several times. The FPS column is the server's frame rate at that moment, so look at it across a few minutes, not once.

    On xHLDS, xhlds_stats shows the frame rate, frame times and late frames for a whole window, which makes the comparison easier.

    Console
    stats

  5. Step 5: Keep the value that works for your server

    Run each value for the same time, at the same time of day, with players on. Keep the one with the steadier frame rate at a CPU use you are happy with. The result depends on your CPU, your plugins and your players, so a value that works on one server may not on another.

The -pingboost values

How each value makes the server wait between frames, from the ReHLDS launcher (sys_linux.cpp), which rebuilds HLDS's. Checked 24 October 2026.
ValueHow the server waitsEngines
NoneA plain sleep. How long it really lasts depends on the system's timerHLDS, ReHLDS, xHLDS
1A timer signal wakes the serverHLDS, ReHLDS, xHLDS
2A timed wait (select) wakes the serverHLDS, ReHLDS, xHLDS
3The server waits on its network sockets: a player's packet wakes it, or a timeout worked out from sys_ticrateHLDS, ReHLDS, xHLDS
5The server runs the tickrate you set, as far as its CPU allows, on an even schedulexHLDS only

What -pingboost 5 adds in xHLDS

-pingboost 5 is only in xHLDS, on Linux. The server runs the tickrate you set, as far as its CPU allows, on an even schedule. In our lab, at 1250 it ran 35 to 45% more frames than -pingboost 2 for 7 to 11% more CPU. That test set sys_ticrate to 1250 and had no real players.

It needs both the xHLDS hlds_linux and the xHLDS engine_i486.so. With another engine, the server prints a warning and runs as with -pingboost 2. The xHLDS launch options page has the details.

Troubleshooting

Which -pingboost is best?

There is no single answer. It depends on the CPU, the kernel, the plugins and the players. Run each value for the same time with players on, and compare stats or xhlds_stats.

Does -pingboost lower my players' ping?

Not the part across the internet. It only changes how long a player's packet waits for the server to handle it, which is a small part of the ping a player sees.

Does -pingboost work on Windows?

No. Only the Linux server reads it.

Can I use -pingboost 5 on ReHLDS?

No. It needs the xHLDS engine and launcher. With another engine, the server prints Warning: -pingboost 5 is not supported by this engine, using -pingboost 2 and runs as with -pingboost 2.

Can I change -pingboost on my Hostsrc server?

PingBoost comes with the plan: PingBoost 2 on Essential and Performance, and PingBoost 3 on Premium. To get PingBoost 3, move the server to Premium.

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