If you have to choose between performance or visuals, the hardware isn't powerful enough.
That's true, but then again most people don't have hardware that can offer max settings and high refresh rate gaming, do they?
I mean, unless you are running a new GPU you'll invariably have to lower some settings or sacrifice frame rate to compensate for a lack of power.
That's something most pc gamers understand.
Yes, if you have a 3090 or a 40 series and you are only playing at 1080 or 1440 then I suppose you could have everything on ultra settings and maintain a 120+ FPS... depending on the game, of course.
You've only got to look at the Forspoken debacle to see how demanding it is because of its un-optimised state.
In that game they recommend a 4080 for 4k60, which is obviously ridiculous.
My point being, 95% of gamers will have to make compromises because the hardware, be it consoles or a GPU that isn't brand new, can't do everything.
For me, frame rate is king.
I'll turn everything to low before I'll sacrifice a minimum 60fps on pc.
I feel like a high frame rate makes a game look better than turning up settings anyway.