F125 graphics settings

Learn about F125 graphics settings


Updated October 8, 2025

If F125 graphics settings are stressing you out—stutter on race starts, blurry visuals, random FPS drops—you’re not alone. F1 25 is demanding and packed with options, and small choices can swing performance and input lag. This guide will quickly get you to a smooth, clear image that feels responsive, without guesswork.

Quick Answer

Target a stable frame rate first, then visuals. On PC: Fullscreen, match your monitor refresh, VRR on, V‑Sync off, FPS capped slightly below refresh, DLSS/FSR Quality, motion blur/film grain off, shadows/reflections medium, ray tracing off (or one feature at a time on high-end GPUs). Test in wet Time Trial, then save as a preset.

Why F125 graphics settings Feels So Hard at First

  • The game’s lighting, weather, and reflections change load a lot between tracks and sessions, so “Ultra” isn’t consistent.
  • F1 25 can be CPU-limited in races and GPU-limited in wet/night conditions; the same setting can help or hurt depending on the bottleneck.
  • Upscaling, ray tracing, and post-processing all interact—easy to create blur or latency by accident.

By the end of this guide you’ll know exactly which settings to change, in what order, and how to test them so F1 25 looks sharp and runs smoothly on your system.

What F125 graphics settings Actually Means in F1 25

Plain-English overview:

  • Display and sync: Control screen mode, refresh rate, and tearing/latency (Fullscreen, V‑Sync, VRR, FPS cap).
  • Resolution and upscaling: Balance clarity and frame rate (native resolution, render scale, DLSS/FSR/XeSS).
  • Quality sliders: Texture, shadows, reflections, ambient occlusion, mirrors, crowd, particles—these shift GPU/CPU load.
  • Post-processing: Motion blur, depth of field, film grain, chromatic aberration, bloom—mostly “look,” sometimes extra latency.
  • Ray tracing: Big visual win in replays/static shots, heavy in rain/night and can add latency in racing.
  • Console modes: Quality/Performance/120 Hz modes set broad trade-offs for you.
  • VR (PC): Render scale, reprojection, and CPU-heavy options are critical for comfort.

Before You Start (Prerequisites)

  • Hardware:
    • PC: Update GPU drivers (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel). Use a 120/144/165 Hz monitor if possible; enable G‑Sync/FreeSync on the monitor.
    • Console (PS5/XSX|S): Use a 4K/120 Hz HDMI 2.1 TV/monitor if you want 120 fps; enable VRR and Game Mode on the TV.
    • VR (if you use it on PC): Update your VR runtime (OpenXR/SteamVR/WMR) and firmware.
  • Game:
    • Latest F1 25 patch.
    • Know the menus: open Settings > Graphics (PC), or Settings > Video/Graphics Mode (console). HDR lives under Settings > Calibration (if supported).
  • Testing plan:
    • Dry Time Trial at Barcelona/Monza for baseline.
    • Wet Time Trial at Singapore/Monaco for worst case.
    • Do a 10–20 car race start to check CPU load.
  • Clean slate:
    • Close overlays (web browsers, RGB apps, recording software) for testing.
    • Reset unusual driver overrides (let the game control AA/V‑Sync).

Step-by-Step: How to Fix / Improve F125 graphics settings

Follow the path for your platform.

PC (Monitor/TV)

  1. Set the foundation (no visuals yet)
  • Open Settings > Graphics > Video/Display.
  • Display Mode: Fullscreen (not Borderless) for lowest latency.
  • Select the correct monitor and refresh rate.
  • V‑Sync: Off.
  • Enable your display’s VRR (G‑Sync/FreeSync) in the driver and monitor OSD.
  • Frame Rate Limit: Cap 2–3 fps below your refresh (e.g., 141 on 144 Hz) to avoid VRR edge stutter/tearing.
  • Resolution: Native of your screen.
  • Render Scale/Dynamic Resolution: 100% and Off for now. You should now have a tear‑free, low‑lag baseline with a sensible FPS cap.
  1. Choose an upscaler (clarity-to-FPS win)
  • Go to Graphics > Quality/Anti‑Aliasing section.
  • Select DLSS/FSR/XeSS if your GPU supports it:
    • Quality (best starting point), Balanced if you need more FPS.
    • Sharpening: start around 0.2–0.4; avoid over‑sharpening (shimmer).
  • If you have an NVIDIA RTX 40‑series and see “Frame Generation”:
    • Turn on Reflex (On or On + Boost).
    • Enable Frame Generation only if you’re GPU‑limited and above ~55 fps native; keep V‑Sync Off; use VRR. You should see a big FPS bump with minimal blur; kerbs and braking boards should stay readable.
  1. Kill free blur and latency
  • Graphics > Post Process:
    • Motion Blur: Off.
    • Film Grain: Off.
    • Chromatic Aberration: Off.
    • Depth of Field: Off (leave On only for replays/photo; it softens apexes).
    • Bloom/Lens Flare: Taste; minimal impact. You should now have a crisp image when turning in.
  1. Set a sensible quality baseline
  • Graphics > Quality Preset: High (as a start).
  • Adjust heavy hitters:
    • Shadows: Medium (big GPU/CPU saver).
    • Reflections/SSR: Medium.
    • Ambient Occlusion: SSAO/Quality Low-Med (avoid the heaviest option).
    • Textures: High/Ultra if VRAM allows (4–8 GB: High; 10+ GB: Ultra).
    • Anisotropic Filtering: 16x (cheap, improves track surface clarity).
    • Mirrors: Medium (High costs CPU).
    • Particles/Weather: Medium (rain is expensive).
    • Crowd: Low/Medium (CPU heavy in races). You should keep >90% of the look of Ultra with far better stability.
  1. Ray tracing (optional, high-end)
  • Start with Ray Tracing Off.
  • If you have a top-tier GPU (e.g., RTX 4080+/RX 7900 XTX), enable one feature at a time:
    • RT Shadows OR RT Reflections, not all at once.
  • Re-test in wet night conditions. If FPS dips below your target, turn RT back off. You should keep your target FPS even at Marina Bay/Monaco in rain.
  1. Test and lock it in
  • Run the in-game Benchmark (if available) or:
    • Time Trial at Barcelona (dry) and Singapore (wet).
    • A 10–20 car race start at Bahrain/Monza.
  • Adjust one setting at a time if needed; then Save/Apply and create a Custom Preset (e.g., “Performance 144”). You should now hold your FPS cap with smooth frame times in both dry and wet.

Console (PS5, Xbox Series)

  1. Prepare your display
  • On your TV/monitor: enable Game Mode, 120 Hz, and VRR.
  • On console system settings: enable 120 Hz output and VRR.
  1. In-game video/graphics mode
  • Settings > Video/Graphics Mode:
    • Choose Performance (60 fps) or 120 Hz Mode (if your display supports it) for lowest latency.
    • Turn Motion Blur Off; Film Grain and Chromatic Aberration Off.
  • If you prefer maximum visuals at 30 fps, choose Quality mode—but input lag will rise. You should feel smoother steering and braking response in Performance/120 modes.
  1. HDR (optional)
  • Settings > Calibration > HDR:
    • Follow the in-game steps; avoid clipping the white point. You should retain bright sun reflections without blowing out kerb detail.

VR (PC, if you use it)

  1. Runtime and baseline
  • Set your OpenXR runtime (SteamVR/WMR) and update it.
  • In-game: TAA + FSR/XeSS Balanced; Render Scale 80–100% based on GPU.
  • Disable Motion Blur, Film Grain, Chromatic Aberration, and Depth of Field.
  1. Comfort targets
  • Aim for native refresh or a stable half-refresh reprojection:
    • 90 Hz HMD: 90 or a locked 45 with Motion Smoothing/ASW.
    • 120 Hz HMD: 120 or 60 with reprojection.
  • Lower CPU-heavy settings: Mirrors Low, Crowd Low, Particles Medium, Shadows Low, Reflections Low. You should see steady frame timing with minimal reprojection spikes.

Common Mistakes and Myths About F125 graphics settings

  • “Ultra everywhere is best”—Not for racing. Shadows/reflections Ultra cost a lot for tiny gains.
  • V‑Sync + VRR + Frame Generation—Don’t stack them. Use VRR and leave V‑Sync Off when using FG.
  • Borderless is fine—Borderless often adds latency; use Fullscreen for racing.
  • Motion Blur makes it cinematic—It hides detail you need for turn-in and braking points.
  • Ray tracing is always worth it—In rain/night it can tank FPS. Use it sparingly or off while racing.
  • Uncapped FPS is best—Without VRR you’ll see tearing; with VRR, an uncapped GPU can cause spikes/heat. Cap slightly below refresh.

Troubleshooting and “What If It Still Feels Wrong?”

  • Microstutter on first laps

    • Likely cause: shader caching or background apps.
    • Fix: Do one out‑lap after changing settings; disable overlays/recorders; keep drivers up to date.

  • Smooth FPS but delayed steering feel

    • Likely cause: V‑Sync or too-high frame cap.
    • Fix: V‑Sync Off, VRR On, cap 2–3 fps below refresh; enable NVIDIA Reflex (On/+Boost) or AMD Anti-Lag (if available).

  • Big drops in rain/night only

    • Likely cause: reflections/SSR, ambient occlusion, ray tracing.
    • Fix: Lower Reflections/SSR to Medium or Low; set AO to SSAO/Low; turn RT Off.

  • GPU at 60% usage but low FPS

    • Likely cause: CPU limit (many cars/crowd/mirrors).
    • Fix: Lower Crowd, Mirrors, Shadows; reduce the number of visible cars in mirrors if that option exists; close CPU-heavy background apps.

  • Blurry image with upscaling

    • Likely cause: too aggressive mode or oversharpening.
    • Fix: Use Quality mode; adjust sharpening to 0.2–0.4; keep Render Scale at 100%.

  • Screen tearing with VRR

    • Likely cause: FPS hitting the top of VRR range.
    • Fix: Lower your frame cap a bit more (e.g., 138 on a 144 Hz display).

  • Changes don’t apply

    • Likely cause: missing Apply/Save or mid-session restrictions.
    • Fix: Press Apply/Save; some graphics options need returning to the main menu or a game restart to take effect (especially ray tracing).

  • HDR looks washed out or blown out

    • Fix: Re-run HDR calibration; disable any TV “dynamic contrast”; match console/PC output (RGB/YCbCr) to your display’s best mode.

What not to do:

  • Don’t enable every RT option at once to “see what happens”—test one at a time.
  • Don’t max Mirrors; it’s a hidden CPU hog.
  • Don’t benchmark only in dry daylight; always test wet and at night.

Pro Tips Once You’re Comfortable

  • Make two presets: “Race Perf” (stable FPS) and “Replay/Photo” (prettier; can enable RT).
  • Use a frame-time overlay (e.g., in-game FPS graph or a lightweight OSD) to spot spikes you can’t see in average FPS.
  • Track-specific tweaks: Rain-heavy tracks (Singapore, Montreal) benefit from lower reflections; sunny tracks let you raise AO/Reflections slightly.
  • Anisotropic Filtering at 16x is nearly free—keep it maxed for crisp track textures.

How to Know It’s Working (Definition of Done)

Run this quick checklist:

  • Dry Time Trial on a fast track stays locked to your FPS cap with no visible stutter.
  • Wet Time Trial at Singapore/Monaco holds within 5% of your cap and feels responsive.
  • Race start with 16–20 cars doesn’t hitch; mirrors remain usable.
  • No tearing; no “mushy” steering feel; kerbs and braking boards are sharp mid-corner.
  • VR (if used): reprojection stable (or off), no frequent spikes, no discomfort after 15 minutes.

If you can tick those boxes, your F125 graphics settings are dialed for real racing.

  • F125 controller and wheel force feedback settings: lock in feel now that visuals are smooth.
  • F125 VR optimization: deeper dive on reprojection, OpenXR settings, and per-headset tips.
  • F125 performance troubleshooting: advanced CPU/GPU bottleneck hunting and driver-level tweaks.

Now that your F125 graphics settings are sorted, the next big gain usually comes from input feel. Check out our guide on F125 wheel and controller setup next.

Your subscribe form goes here