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How to Reduce Graphics Quality in Iracing

iRacing drivers: quick steps showing how to reduce graphics quality in iRacing — lower resolution, shadows, reflections and effects to fix frame-rate problems fast.

If you want to fix stuttering or low FPS, the short answer is: open iRacing’s Options → Graphics and use a lower preset (or manually lower resolution, shadows, reflections and detail). You’re in the right place — below are exactly which settings to change and how to test them.

Quick Answer — how to reduce graphics quality in iracing

Change the Graphics preset to Low, reduce your resolution, turn off or lower shadows/reflections, and drop texture/object detail. That frees up GPU power and raises frame rates quickly.

What’s really going on

iRacing renders the world in real time. High settings (high resolution, shadows, reflections, particle effects) use a lot of GPU power. If your PC or GPU can’t keep up you’ll see low FPS, stutter, or input lag. Lowering graphics moves workload off the GPU so the sim runs smoother and your inputs feel sharper.

Step-by-step fix

  1. Launch iRacing, open the main menu and go to Options → Graphics.
  2. Select the Graphics Preset and choose “Low” or “Medium” to make immediate, broad reductions.
  3. If you want finer control, set a lower Screen Resolution (e.g., 1920×1080 → 1600×900) to reduce GPU load.
  4. Turn Shadows and Reflections to “Low” or “Off” — these often give the biggest FPS gains.
  5. Lower Texture/Object/Environment detail and reduce crowd/grass density; these cut VRAM and GPU work.
  6. Set Max Frame Rate to match your monitor (60–144) or cap it slightly below for consistent frames. Apply changes and restart iRacing if needed.

Extra tips / checklist

  • Use the preset first. If that’s enough, stop there. Presets are simple and fast.
  • If you race with triple screens, lowering resolution per screen or switching to single-screen will help a lot.
  • Disable anti-aliasing or lower it (MSAA/TAA) — removes smoothing but speeds rendering.
  • Update GPU drivers for best performance before changing settings.
  • If you use overlays (Discord, Steam), close them for troubleshooting — they can add stutter.
  • After changes, test on a crowded track (many cars) to see real-world gains.

FAQs

Q: Will lowering graphics affect my SR or iRating?
A: No. SR (Safety Rating) and iRating are driven by your behavior and speed, not visuals. Lowering graphics only changes performance and appearance.

Q: Which setting gives the biggest FPS improvement?
A: Shadows, reflections, and resolution usually move the needle the most. Start there.

Q: Should I change in-game or use GPU control panel settings?
A: Start in-game. If you still need more, use your GPU control panel to lower global or application-specific settings (like power mode, texture filtering), but be careful — those change outside iRacing.

Q: Can I keep good visuals and still boost FPS?
A: Yes — use a mix: medium textures, low shadows/reflections, and cap frame rate for consistency. That keeps clarity while improving smoothness.

Short wrap-up

Lowering graphics quality in iRacing is fast: try the Low preset, then tweak resolution, shadows, and textures. Test on a busy session to confirm smoother frame rates, and adjust until you get a balance between clarity and performance.