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Best Graphics Settings for Iracing

Struggling with the best graphics settings for iRacing? This practical guide for iRacing drivers shows how to boost FPS, cut stutters, and see key details fast.

If you’re chasing the best graphics settings for iracing, the goal is simple: lock a stable frame rate and keep key visuals clear. You’re in the right place to fix stutters, blur, and distracting effects in minutes.

Here’s the short version: match your display’s refresh rate, cap FPS slightly below it, then turn down shadows, reflections, and mirror load before touching textures.

Quick Answer: best graphics settings for iracing

Aim for a steady 120 FPS on a 120 Hz monitor (60/75/144 as needed) with a cap 2–5 FPS below refresh. Use High textures, Medium anti-aliasing, Low–Medium shadows and reflections, 20–30 visible opponent cars, and limited mirror detail. Prioritize stability and clarity over eye candy.

What’s Really Going On

iRacing performance is all about consistent frame time (smooth delivery of frames), not just big FPS numbers. Two bottlenecks cause issues:

  • GPU-bound: fancy visuals (shadows, reflections, anti-aliasing) overwhelm the graphics card.
  • CPU-bound: too many cars, mirrors, crowds, and objects overwhelm the processor.

If you drop frames in traffic, at night, or at big tracks, you’re likely CPU-bound. If the game looks great alone but tanks with weather, shadows, or replays, you’re likely GPU-bound.

Tip: Press Ctrl+F in-sim to show FPS and performance bars. If the GPU bar is pegged, lower GPU-heavy settings; if the CPU bar is pegged, lower cars/mirrors/objects.

Step-by-Step Fix

  1. Set the foundation
    Options > Graphics: use your native resolution and correct refresh rate. Turn off V-Sync in iRacing. If you have G-Sync/FreeSync, enable it in your GPU driver.

  2. Cap FPS for stability
    Set the frame rate cap 2–5 FPS below your refresh (e.g., 118 for 120 Hz, 141 for 144 Hz). For VR, target a stable 90 or 72, depending on your headset.

  3. Clarity first
    Textures: High. Anisotropic filtering: 8x–16x. Anti-aliasing: Medium (TAA/FXAA if available). Sharpening: light to moderate to keep brake markers and apexes crisp.

  4. Reduce CPU load
    Max cars visible: 20–30. Opponent car detail: Medium. Mirror settings: show cars, but keep mirror detail low and limit the number of cars drawn in mirrors.

  5. Cut GPU-heavy fluff
    Shadows: Low–Medium (track + car only). Reflections: Low or static; turn down cubemaps. Particles/crowds/trackside objects: Low or Off. Turn off unnecessary post-processing.

  6. Test where it hurts
    Join a crowded practice or replay a full grid at a demanding track at night. If it stutters:

  • GPU-bound: lower shadows/AA/reflections more.
  • CPU-bound: lower max cars/mirror cars/objects.

Extra Tips / Checklist

  • Triples: run native resolution on each screen; keep shadows/reflections Low; consider reducing field of view per screen for clarity.
  • VR: lower shadows to Low, reflections to Low/Off, and reduce supersampling until frame time is stable.
  • Upscaling (FSR/DLSS): if your build supports it, try Quality mode to gain FPS with minimal blur.
  • Replays cost more: tune for worst-case (traffic, night) so races stay smooth.
  • Keep drivers updated and close overlays/browsers before launching.

FAQs

  • What FPS should I target in iRacing?
    Match your display. 120/144 Hz monitors: target a locked 118/141 FPS. 60 Hz: a steady 60. VR: 72–90 depending on headset.

  • Is DLSS/FSR worth it in iRacing?
    If available, yes—use Quality mode first. It can boost FPS with small clarity trade-offs. If image looks soft, add light sharpening.

  • Why does my FPS tank in traffic?
    That’s usually CPU load from opponent cars and mirrors. Lower Max Cars, opponent detail, and mirror cars first.

  • How do I stop micro-stutter?
    Cap FPS slightly below refresh, disable in-sim V-Sync, keep background apps closed, and avoid fluctuating shadows/reflections.

Wrap-Up

Set a stable FPS cap, trim shadows/reflections, and limit cars/mirrors. That’s the fastest path to the best graphics settings for iracing. Next session, test in a busy practice and adjust one setting at a time until the frame rate never wavers.