Here is an image of what it looks like to have everything set to Super High :




And another image of what it looks like to have everything set to Low :




What differences can you see?

Noticeable differences :
1. Shadow Quality. Shadows are not seen on Low Shadow Quality settings.
2. Ambient Occlusion. Not present on Low Post-Process settings.
3. Texture Quality. Textures look very undefined as expected on Low Texture Quality.
4. Vignette. Not visible on Low Post-Process settings.
5. Anti-Aliasing. Jagged edges around objects when set to Low.

Here is what my configuration looks like :



Doesn't look bad, does it?

My settings :

We'll start off by looking at the graphics setting that impacts performance quite a bit.

Shadow Quality Low :



Shadow Quality Medium :



Shadow Quality High :



Shadow Quality Super High :



Analysis :
1. Shadows are off if set to Low.
2. The higher the shadow quality, the blurrier the shadows appear.

Recommendation :
Have shadows on Medium.

Here are some comparison shots.

Textures on Low :



Textures on Medium :



Textures on High :




Textures on Super High :



Analysis :
1. Frame-rate differs slightly. (Note : I have everything turned to Low and only adjusted the Textures)
2. Low and Medium, High and Super High display similar visuals.

Recommendation :
Have textures on Super High as it only affects performance and little, or not at all.

Here are some comparison shots :

View Distance detail on Low :



View Distance on Medium :



View Distance on High :



View Distance on Super High :



Analysis :
Does not affect performance.

Recommendation :
Set to Low.

This graphics option impacts performance but increasing it improves visuals.
The following images show splash effects in water.

Effects on Low :



Effects on Medium :



Effects on High :



Effects on Super High :



Analysis :
1. Water effects are absent on Low and Medium settings.
2. Impacts on performance.

Recommendation :
Set to Low or Medium for better performance (you are rarely stepping in water anyway!).

Here are some comparison shots :

Post-Processing on Low :



Post-Processing on Medium :



Post-Processing on High :



Post-Processing on Super High :



Analysis :
1. Post-Processing is absent on Low settings (turned off).
2. Visual differences rarely noticeable on Medium, High and Super High.
3. Affects performance quite a bit.
4. Note : There are some artifacts seen when set to Medium (best seen on Orbital Command).
5. Vignette (look near corners of the screen) are present on Medium, High and Super High.

Recommendation :
1. Set to Low for better performance.
2. Have on Medium for a balance between performance and quality.
3. Set to High to remove artifacts.

In this section only explanation would do.
If set to Low, the Anti-Aliasing is off.
If set to Medium, Anti-Aliasing is FXAA (I'm guessing)
If set to High, Anti-Aliasing is Filmic SMAA 1x (I'm also guessing)
If set to Super High, Anti-Aliasing is Filmic SMAA 2x (I'm still guessing)

But you get the idea, right?

Analysis :
Affects performance, if set higher the performance drops.

Recommendation :
1. Set to Low for best performance.
2. Set to Medium for a balance between performance and quality.

I hope this has helped you find graphics settings that are perfect for you. If this guide has not helped you then that is okay, you can play around with the settings to see what works. Take a look for yourself.

If you would like to come play with me then please, add me.

Good luck, Have fun.