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First things first, create a file called "autoexec.cfg". How does one create such a file?

Open notepad, save the file and name it appropriately so. Place this newly created file in the following directory:

?:\Steam\steamapps\[username]\team fortress 2\tf\cfg

To ensure that the file you created is in fact a .cfg as opposed to a .txt.cfg, do the following:

Within a folder window, click "Tools" > Folder Options > View

Below, under Advanced settings\Files and Folders\Hidden files and folders, UNCHECK "Hide extensions for known file types"

Make sure that the file you created solely ends in ".cfg". If it does not, delete other extensions (probably .txt)

Now to see results, paste the following in your autoexec.cfg:

heapsize 524288
mem_max_heapsize 512

r_lod 0
mat_picmip -10
mat_parallaxmap 1
r_threaded_particles 1
r_threaded_client_shadow_manager 1
cl_threaded_bone_setup 1
cl_threaded_client_leaf_system 1
r_threaded_particles 1
r_threaded_renderables 1
mp_usehwmmodels 1
mp_usehwmvcds 1

cl_new_impact_effects 1
cl_burninggibs 1

As far as I know, those are the hidden settings that control the highest available graphics options. These CVar settings will make your graphics look almost identical to the quality used in the "Meet the ..." videos