Dota 2: Best video.txt Config for Low-End PC Optimization

Dota 2 is a highly dynamic game where a split-second lag during a Black Hole or Chronosphere can cost you the match. While the in-game “Fastest” preset is a good start, it leaves several background rendering tasks active that tax your CPU and GPU. By modifying the video.txt file, we can forcefully disable advanced lighting, high-quality water reflections, and cloth simulations that are not critical for gameplay. This guide focuses on maximizing your “1% lows” to ensure your frame rate remains stable even when ten heroes are casting ultimates simultaneously.

Hardware Compatibility & Expectations

• Integrated Graphics Users: Essential for Intel HD/UHD and AMD Vega iGPU users to reach 60+ FPS.
• Old Gaming Laptops: Helps in reducing thermal throttling by lowering the overall GPU workload.
• Competitive Players: Reduces visual clutter, making it easier to see spell animations and projectile paths.

Backup and Preparation

Before editing Source 2 configuration files, it is important to have a clean state.

1. Close Dota 2 and the Steam Client.
2. Navigate to the directory listed below.
3. Right-click video.txt and select Copy, then save it to a “Backup” folder.
4. If your settings ever get corrupted, simply delete the file and Dota 2 will generate a default one.

File Location

Dota 2 stores its video configuration within the Steam user data folder, categorized by your Steam ID: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\[YOUR_STEAM_ID]\570\local\cfg\video.txt

Note: If you have multiple Steam accounts, you will see multiple folders. Check the “Date Modified” to find the one corresponding to your active account.

Best Config Settings

Open video.txt with Notepad. Look for the "VideoConfig" section and update the values as follows:

"VideoConfig"
{
    "setting.cpu_level" "0"
    "setting.gpu_level" "0"
    "setting.mat_antialias" "0"
    "setting.mat_aa_qual" "0"
    "setting.mat_shadow_quality" "0"
    "setting.mat_texture_quality" "0"
    "setting.nowindowborder" "1"
    "setting.fullscreen" "1"
    "setting.aspectratiomode" "1"
    "setting.mat_viewportscale" "0.85" // 85% Render Scale for massive FPS gain
    "setting.cl_particle_fallback_base" "4"
    "setting.cl_particle_fallback_multiplier" "0"
    "setting.r_shadows" "0"
    "setting.r_deferred_additive_pass" "0"
    "setting.r_deferred_simple_light" "0"
    "setting.r_ssao" "0"
}

Key Parameters Explained

Parameter	Recommended Value	Impact
setting.mat_viewportscale	0.85	Lowers the internal resolution while keeping the UI sharp. Great for weak GPUs.
setting.cpu_level	0	Tells the Source 2 engine to prioritize basic physics over complex simulations.
setting.r_ssao	0	Disables Ambient Occlusion, which removes heavy shadows in corners and around units.
cl_particle_fallback_base	4	Lowers the detail level of particles (spells), which is crucial for big teamfights.

In-Game Settings vs. Config

Once you apply the config, make sure to check these in the Dota 2 dashboard:

• Anti-Aliasing: Off.
• High Quality Dashboard: Off (Saves RAM).
• Compute Shaders: Enabled (If you have a modern GPU, this actually helps performance).
• Texture Quality: Low or Med (Based on your VRAM).

Troubleshooting & Common Fixes

• Settings Resetting on Launch: Dota 2 often tries to sync with Steam Cloud. After saving your changes, right-click video.txt, select Properties, and check Read-only.
• Blurry Visuals: If the game looks too blurry, increase setting.mat_viewportscale back to 1.0.
• Steam Launch Options: For the best results, add -novid -high -map dota -vulkan to your Steam launch options (use -dx11 if your PC is very old).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion and Expected Results

By manually tuning the video.txt file, you are stripping away the visual “weight” that slows down the Source 2 engine. Users can expect a smoother experience during high-action moments, with higher minimum frame rates and reduced input lag. This setup is the gold standard for competitive Dota 2 on low-end hardware.