Graphics Optimization Guide

Priority Settings for Competitive Gaming

Essential Settings:

• Resolution: Native resolution for clarity, 1024x768 for maximum FPS
• Display Mode: Fullscreen (never windowed for competitive play)
• Refresh Rate: Maximum supported by your monitor
• VSync: Disabled (adds input lag)
• Anti-Aliasing: Disabled or minimal (FXAA only)
• Anisotropic Filtering: Disabled

Visual Quality vs Performance Balance

Low Settings (Maximum FPS):

// Ultra-low settings for 300+ FPS
mat_queue_mode 2
r_shadows 0
r_dynamic 0
cl_detailfade 0
cl_detaildist 0
mat_disable_bloom 1
r_eyegloss 0
r_eyemove 0
r_eyeshift_x 0
r_eyeshift_y 0
r_eyeshift_z 0

Balanced Settings (Good FPS + Visibility):

• Shadows: Low (helps spot enemies)
• Texture Quality: Medium-High (minimal FPS impact)
• Effect Detail: Low
• Model Detail: Medium
• Particle Quality: Low

Display Settings

Brightness & Contrast:

• Brightness: 50-70% (adjust for visibility in dark areas)
• Contrast: 75-85% (enhance enemy visibility)
• Gamma: 2.2-2.4 (lighter for competitive advantage)
• Digital Vibrance: 60-80% (NVIDIA) / Saturation 120-140% (AMD)

Response Time & Input Lag

1. Response Time: Set to fastest (1ms if available)
2. Input Lag Reduction: Enable all gaming modes
3. Motion Blur Reduction: Enable (may reduce brightness)
4. Overdrive: Medium setting (avoid artifacts)
5. Game Mode: Always enabled

Color Temperature

• Cool (6500K-7500K): Better for competitive gaming
• Neutral (6500K): Balanced for all content
• Custom RGB: R:99, G:99, B:99 for pure whites

Digital Vibrance & Color

1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel
2. Go to "Adjust desktop color settings"
3. Set Digital Vibrance: 60-80%
4. Brightness: 50-55%
5. Contrast: 50-55%
6. Gamma: 0.80-1.00

NVIDIA Freestyle Filters

Add real-time filters for enhanced visibility:

Competitive Filter Stack:

1. Brightness/Contrast: Brightness +20%, Contrast +15%
2. Color: Vibrance +40%, Temperature +5%
3. Details: Sharpen +25%, Clarity +15%

Note: Some competitive leagues may restrict filters. Check regulations.

Color Enhancement

1. Open AMD Radeon Software
2. Go to Display settings
3. Adjust Saturation: 120-140%
4. Brightness: 5-10%
5. Contrast: 105-110%
6. Hue: 0 (neutral)

Radeon Image Sharpening

• Sharpness: 80-100% for competitive clarity
• Ignore Film Grain: 0% (disable grain reduction)
• Apply per-game for best results

HDR and Color Management

For SDR Gaming (Recommended):

1. Windows Settings → System → Display
2. Turn OFF HDR (better for competitive gaming)
3. Set Color profile to sRGB
4. Disable "Show accent color on title bars"

For HDR Gaming (if supported):

1. Enable HDR in Windows
2. Calibrate HDR brightness in-game
3. Adjust SDR brightness to 100%

Advanced Color Settings

// Windows Color Calibration
Display Settings → Advanced display settings → 
Color management → Advanced → Calibrate display

Recommended settings:
- Gamma: 2.2
- Brightness: Adjust to see difference between squares
- Contrast: Maximum without losing detail
- Color balance: Neutral grays

Crosshair Settings

// Optimal crosshair visibility
cl_crosshairsize 3
cl_crosshairthickness 1
cl_crosshairgap -1
cl_crosshair_drawoutline 1
cl_crosshair_outlinethickness 1
cl_crosshaircolor 5
cl_crosshaircolor_r 255
cl_crosshaircolor_g 0
cl_crosshaircolor_b 255

Color Recommendations:

• Magenta (255,0,255): Most visible on all backgrounds
• Cyan (0,255,255): Good for warm-toned maps
• Yellow (255,255,0): Visible but may blend with some surfaces

HUD Optimization

// Minimal HUD for maximum visibility
cl_hud_background_alpha 0.3
cl_hud_color 1
cl_hud_healthammo_style 1
hud_scaling 0.85
hud_showtargetid 1

Lighting Optimization

Console Commands for Better Visibility:

// Enhanced lighting and contrast
mat_monitorgamma 1.6
mat_monitorgamma_tv_enabled 0
r_lightstyle 0
r_lightmap 0
mat_fullbright 0  // Don't use in competitive
r_shadows 0
r_flashlightdepthres 0

Custom Color Profiles

Creating Custom ICC Profiles:

1. Download DisplayCAL (free calibration software)
2. Create custom profile with enhanced gamma
3. Boost mid-tone contrast for enemy visibility
4. Apply profile through Windows Color Management

Quick Profile Settings:

• Gamma: 0.8-0.9 (lighter image)
• White Point: 6500K
• Contrast: +10-15%

Visibility Tests

1. Dark Corner Test: Check visibility in shadowed areas
2. Long Range Test: Ensure distant enemies are visible
3. Flash Test: Verify settings don't cause eye strain
4. Color Distinction: Test on various map themes

Performance Impact Check

• Monitor FPS with and without filters
• Test input lag with different settings
• Verify no stuttering or frame drops
• Check consistency across different maps