I’m currently running an NVIDIA Geforce GTX 670, and I’m unable even see the selection for “High” in “Shadow Details” advanced settings. My GPU isn’t bleeding edge I realize, but over all my system is solid (12 gb ram, DDR3, i7), so I don’t see why the option wouldn’t show up as default. What steps would I need to take to enable it (I’m guessing it requires an .cfg setting)? I would also call this a bug since the games system requirements are well below my specs. Thanks in advance!
What is displayed for hardware and software DX Levels for you in the advanced video options?
It’s locked on dx 9.0 for the software and 9.0+ for the hardware. That might be the issue actually, though it’s not locking it with other games off the source engine. Hmm.
I cannot select High detail either. I don’t think the option exists.
I am running an AMD HD 7970m.
I can select it, I have a 560 Ti
Could you upload a screenshot of your advanced video settings? I wonder why this is happening to only some people.
I too can select high detail option. I have HD 5850 on older PC & HD 7950 newer PC, both works with maximum settings.
That is definitely odd then! We are running the same software/hardware version, but high doesn’t show up for me, and my gpu is generations above the 560 Ti. I don’t know what the issue could be in this case!
What NV driver version are you running? I’m on 296.10 (newer versions are useless for me and what I play).
306.23 atm
Now I haven’t ran anything on a source base since I upgraded my system, so it could perhaps be a newer hardware issue if new gen hardware has started treating dx 9 as redundant legacy but idk, I don’t see why it wouldn’t still have the support for older games.
It doesn’t seem to be an issue on the Radeon HD 6900 in the older PC in my bedroom, so it might be a newer Nvidia issue? Luckily I can rule out a performance issue, so it seems more and more like compatibility with older engines.
OH, I got it working! That was a little odd, just reinstalled my current drivers and there we go.
I reinstalled my video driver but still cannot see the “high” setting for shadows. Is there a config file that we can edit?
https://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2353150
UGH > 
“If you wanna test the issue by yourself, type “mat_info” in the console. I’m not saying the Intel card is used, but if you read something like “Driver: nvumdshid.dll” and “Driver Description: Intel HD Graphics” it means your GT 555m is used incorrectly.”
When I typed “mat_info” I saw HD 4000 graphics, but the game itself is being rendered with my 7970m.
The only change I made was the driver reinstall, didn’t see anything in the config.cfg that would help.
I didn’t either.
This is an issue with switchable graphics configurations or computers with Sandy Bridge/Ivy Bridge processors with a dedicated graphics card. Apparently the game is rendering with the correct video card but only shows video settings usable with the Intel HD graphics. Why the game doesn’t recognize the main video card, I don’t know, but this happens with other Valve games as well.
i can too
AMD Radeon 6780
Out of curiosity, what is the definition of a “bleeding edge GPU” for you? Because you call a 300 USD card which is based on a latest-generation GK104 “Kepler” chip a “non bleeding edge” which is pretty strange IMO. Most of PC mainstream gamers tend to use cards from 150-250 USD price range, which were 460/560/560 Ti and now is 650 Ti and 660 an nVIDIA’s side of the market.