Found a thread on Steam for tweaking graphics options, etc. separately: http://forums.steampowered.com/forum....php?t=1806484

Create an autoexec.cfg file in your game install directory and you can tune a bunch of stuff. Just put = between the command and number. Most of these commands don't work in the console, so autoexec.cfg is the only way.

Here's mine:
----------
g_skipintro=1

cl_fov=70
pl_movement.power_sprint_targetFov=70
r_DrawNearFoV=60

i_mouse_accel=0
r_motionblur=0
-----------------

Graphics options:
-sys_spec_gameeffects <1-3>
-sys_spec_objectdetail <1-3>
-sys_spec_particles <1-3>
-sys_spec_postprocessing <1-3>
-sys_spec_shading <1-3>
-sys_spec_shadows <1-3>
-sys_spec_sound <1-3>
-sys_spec_texture <1-3>
-sys_spec_volumetriceffects <1-3>
-sys_spec_water <1-3>