Start from the official performance target
Steam states its minimum target as 1080p Low at 60 FPS with upscaling, while the recommended target is 1440p Medium at 70+ FPS native or 4K Medium at 60 FPS upscaled. Use the profile closest to your hardware as a starting point, not a competitive preset for every system.
Change one group at a time
First test resolution and upscaling, then graphics quality and shadows, then input and audio. Repeat the same busy in-game situation after each change and note frame rate, frame pacing, visibility, and input comfort. This avoids attributing a change to the wrong setting.
Community video boundary
The supplied local material links a beta-era settings video. It can offer a player perspective, but its recommendations may be obsolete after patches. Keep the video as optional reference and prefer the current in-game menu and official requirements.
Sources and version boundary
These sources are used as evidence, not copied text. Community and video recommendations are version-sensitive; the official Steam page and in-game UI take priority when values conflict.