External, Internal or DMA: How Cheat Types Differ and Do You Need a DMA Card

External vs internal is one of the first questions people ask when they choose a cheat and see these words in product names. There's also a third option, DMA, which is often called the most secure but also the most expensive. Let's break down all three types in plain language: how they work, what they offer and when separate hardware is actually worth it.

External vs internal: what's the difference?

An internal cheat runs inside the game: it attaches to the game process and works from within. An external cheat runs as a separate program and reads game data from the outside. Internal usually offers more features, while external is simpler and interferes with the game less, but it generally has fewer capabilities.

DMA goes even further: memory reading moves to a separate card and a second computer, and there's no cheat code on the gaming PC at all.

Internal: working inside the game

An internal cheat has direct access to everything happening in the game. That's why it's the type with features that change visuals or game behavior: chams, model highlighting, skin changers, changes to the game world.

The catalog has a good example in the CS2 section. Two versions of one product are sold there: MASON and MASON Internal. The internal version additionally lists player glow, bullet tracers, smoke and fire ESP and a skin changer.

The downside is that internal directly interferes with the game process, which gives the anti-cheat something to catch. How risky that is depends on the specific game and its protection, so check the status on the product page.

External: working from the outside

An external cheat reads the data it needs from the side and draws information in its own window on top of the game. The aimbot in this setup usually works by simulating mouse movement. There are fewer features, but the game itself stays untouched.

Macros are the closest thing to this approach. For example, CS 2 MACRO in the catalog is described as working without injecting into the game: it helps with recoil control but doesn't touch the game process.

DMA: separate hardware

A DMA cheat reads the gaming PC's memory through a card in a PCIe slot and processes the data on a second computer. There's no cheat program on the gaming PC itself, so regular anti-cheat scans have nothing to find there.

It takes a whole kit:

• DMA card. Goes into a free PCIe slot in the gaming PC. Versions such as 35T, 75T and 100T exist, and they differ in speed.
• Second computer. A laptop or mini PC will do. The community usually names around 4 cores, 8 GB of RAM and a USB 3.0 port as the minimum.
• Fuser. Lets you see the cheat's overlay on your main monitor instead of the second computer's screen.
• Input device such as a KMBox. Simulates the mouse for the aimbot.
• Firmware. Largely decides whether the anti-cheat can spot the card.

How much a DMA setup costs

A card alone costs from roughly $150–200 on marketplaces, and a full kit with a second computer, fuser and KMBox runs to several hundred dollars. On top of that comes the subscription to the DMA cheat itself. For example, the CS2 section has DIRECT CS2 DMA, sold as a regular time-based subscription (prices are approximate, check availability via direct messages).

DMA doesn't mean "undetectable"

Anti-cheats are actively looking for ways to fight DMA. FACEIT is rolling out IOMMU and VBS requirements and openly names DMA devices as one of their targets. The Ricochet team in Call of Duty has also reported detecting third-party devices. So DMA lowers some risks, but it doesn't remove them.

Comparing the three types

Where it runs. Internal runs inside the game process. External runs as a separate program next to the game. DMA runs on a card and a second PC.

Features. Internal has the widest set. External usually has fewer. For DMA the set depends on the cheat itself, but it doesn't change the game.

What you need. Internal and external need just the gaming PC. DMA needs a card, a second PC, a fuser and a KMBox.

Entry cost. Internal and external cost only a subscription. DMA takes hundreds of dollars on hardware plus a subscription.

Best for. Internal suits those who want maximum features. External suits those who want a simple, low-footprint option. DMA is for those ready to invest in hardware for the long term.

Do you need a DMA card?

Most players don't. DMA makes sense if you play a game with a strict anti-cheat, are ready to spend a few hundred dollars on hardware, know your way around setup and plan to play for a long time. If you want to try things out or play now and then, a regular internal or external cheat on a subscription is more than enough.

Before deciding, answer three questions:

• Does your gaming PC have a free PCIe slot?
• Do you have a second computer or laptop for the job?
• Will you play this game for at least a few months?

If the answer to any of them is "no", start with a regular cheat.

FAQ

Which cheat type is safer?

There's no universal answer: the risk depends on the game, the anti-cheat and the product. Go by the status on the product page and news in the Goldencheats Telegram channel, and play like a regular player.

Can I use a laptop as the gaming PC for DMA?

Generally no: the DMA card needs a free PCIe slot, which laptops usually don't have. A laptop does work well as the second computer, though.

How is an external cheat different from a macro?

A macro usually does one job, like helping with recoil, and doesn't read game data. An external cheat reads data and can show enemies, loot and other information.

How can I tell which type a cheat is?

The product name or description often says Internal or DMA. If the type isn't listed, ask support before buying.

Bottom line

In short, external vs internal comes down to this: internal works inside the game and offers more features, external reads data from the outside and interferes less. DMA moves memory reading to separate hardware and a second computer, but it costs hundreds of dollars and still doesn't guarantee you won't be detected. For most players, a regular cheat on a subscription is the sensible start, and DMA is worth considering once you know you're sticking with a game.