Assetto Corsa Rally just launched into Early Access, and sim racers with powerful rigs are already pushing this Unreal Engine 5-powered title to its visual limits. The game proves quite demanding according to system requirements, but high-end GPUs can comfortably run it at higher settings. With the right tweaks, you can achieve stunning visuals while maintaining smooth 100+ FPS performance.
Whether you’re tearing through Alsace’s asphalt or sliding across Hafren’s gravel, these optimized settings will help you extract maximum performance from your premium hardware without sacrificing the breathtaking rally experience.
Table of Contents
Assetto Corsa Recommended High-End GPU Specifications
| Component | Minimum Spec | Optimal Performance |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 10-12 GB | 12 GB+ |
| GPU Examples | RTX 4070 Ti, RX 7800 XT | RTX 4080/4090, RX 7900 XTX |
| Resolution | 1440p | 1440p-4K |
| Target FPS | 100+ | 120-140+ |
| Storage | SSD Required | NVMe SSD Recommended |
Based on recommendations for cards with over 12GB of VRAM and official system requirements
Optimal Graphics Settings Breakdown
Display & Resolution Settings
Resolution: Set to your native monitor resolution. Stick to 1440p if your card has around 10-12GB VRAM, while 16GB+ cards can confidently push 4K.

Graphics Preset: Ultra or Custom (recommended for fine-tuning)
VSync: Off (reduces input lag critical for rally timing)
Frame Rate Limit: Unlimited or match your monitor’s refresh rate
Upscaling Technology: The Performance Multiplier
Use Nvidia DLSS or AMD FSR depending on the GPU you own, set to 100%, which is essentially DLAA mode that improves performance while prioritizing visual quality.
For Nvidia RTX Users:
- DLSS Mode: Quality or DLAA (100%)
- Frame Generation: 2X (provides massive FPS boost)
- Expected Result: 120-140 FPS on RTX 4080/4090
For AMD Users:
- FSR Mode: Quality
- Frame Generation: 2X
- Expected Result: 100-120 FPS on RX 7900 series
Paired with 2X Frame Generation, it provides a huge jump in performance, showing over 100 FPS on most high-end cards. This combination delivers the sweet spot between visual fidelity and competitive performance.
For more advanced GPU optimization techniques across racing titles, explore our complete sim racing graphics guide.
Core Graphics Quality Settings
Texture Quality: Ultra (high VRAM utilization) Shadow Quality: High-Ultra (significant visual impact) Effects Quality: Ultra (weather and dust effects) Post-Processing: Ultra (motion blur, depth of field) View Distance: Maximum (critical for rally navigation) Anti-Aliasing: TAA or TSR (temporal stability) Ambient Occlusion: Ultra (depth perception) Reflections: Ultra or High (GPU-intensive but stunning)
Advanced Settings Worth Tweaking
Motion Blur: Personal preference—some rally drivers disable for clearer vision during high-speed sections
Depth of Field: Reduce or disable if you prefer sharper background detail when navigating stages
Volumetric Fog/Clouds: High or Ultra (atmospheric but performance-heavy)
Ray Tracing: Currently not implemented in Early Access version

Performance Benchmarks from Real Testing
Real-world testing reveals impressive optimization despite the demanding Unreal Engine 5 foundation:
- RTX 4090 (1440p): Up to 140 fps using highest graphics settings
- RTX 4080 (3440×1440 ultrawide): Up to 120 fps using TSR anti-aliasing and Frame Generation 2
- RTX 3080 Ti (1440p): 100-110 FPS with DLSS Quality + Frame Gen
What stood out is how stable the framerate was—no matter the time of day or weather, conditions did not have a big impact on performance, which speaks volumes for the level of optimization.
Nvidia Control Panel Optimization
Beyond in-game settings, your GPU driver configuration significantly impacts performance:
Critical Nvidia Settings:
- Power Management Mode: Prefer Maximum Performance
- Texture Filtering – Quality: High Performance
- Threaded Optimization: On
- Vertical Sync: Off (controlled in-game)
- Low Latency Mode: On or Ultra (reduces input lag)
- CUDA GPUs: Disable integrated graphics if applicable
Create a game-specific profile for Assetto Corsa Rally to prevent global setting interference.
For comprehensive GPU control panel guides, check our graphics card optimization tutorial.
AMD Radeon Settings for Rally
AMD users should configure Adrenaline software for optimal performance:
Recommended Adjustments:
- Radeon Chill: Off (causes framerate inconsistency)
- Radeon Boost: Off (dynamic resolution not needed)
- Anti-LAG: On (reduces input latency)
- Enhanced Sync: Off (use in-game options instead)
- Image Sharpening: 80% (enhances FSR upscaling clarity)
Monitor and Windows Optimization
Your operating system plays a supporting role in achieving maximum performance:
Windows Game Mode:
- Enable Game Mode in Windows Settings
- Set Assetto Corsa Rally to “High Performance” in Graphics Settings
- Disable unnecessary background applications
- Set process priority to “High” in Task Manager during gameplay
Monitor Configuration:
- Match refresh rate to your hardware capabilities (144Hz, 165Hz, etc.)
- Enable G-Sync (Nvidia) or FreeSync (AMD) for tear-free experience
- Use native resolution for sharpest image quality
VR Settings Preview
While full VR support isn’t available in Early Access v0.1, the developers have committed to comprehensive VR implementation in future updates. High-end GPUs with 16GB+ VRAM will be essential for maintaining comfortable VR framerates (90+ FPS) when this feature arrives.
Common Performance Issues & Solutions
Issue: Stuttering despite high FPS
- Solution: Enable G-Sync/FreeSync, disable background apps, verify SSD performance
Issue: Inconsistent framerate in weather effects
- Solution: Reduce Volumetric Effects to High, ensure GPU isn’t thermal throttling
Issue: Texture pop-in on stages
- Solution: Upgrade to faster NVMe SSD, verify game files aren’t corrupted
Issue: Frame Generation artifacts
- Solution: Reduce Frame Gen to 1X or disable if motion clarity is critical
Early Access Optimization Outlook
Remember that AC Rally launched as v0.1 Early Access with minimal content but impressive technical foundation. The developers admit the full version should be “significantly richer and more polished”, meaning future optimization updates will likely improve performance further.
The development roadmap promises expanded content reaching 30+ cars and 10 special stages, with continued performance refinements throughout the 18-month Early Access period.
Budget Consideration: Is High-End Worth It?
If you’re running 8GB VRAM cards (RTX 3070, RX 6700 XT), you can still achieve excellent results at 1080p with High settings and aggressive upscaling. However, the visual fidelity jump at 1440p Ultra with 12GB+ cards genuinely enhances the rally experience—reading road surfaces and anticipating terrain changes becomes significantly easier with maximum detail.
For players considering hardware upgrades specifically for rally sims, explore our GPU buying guide for sim racers.
The Bottom Line
Assetto Corsa Rally rewards high-end hardware with spectacular visuals that genuinely enhance gameplay rather than just looking pretty. The combination of Unreal Engine 5’s capabilities with Kunos Simulazioni’s technical expertise creates a visual experience worthy of premium GPUs.
With these optimized settings, your RTX 4080/4090 or RX 7900 series card will deliver the buttery-smooth, visually stunning rally experience that makes every hairpin turn and gravel spray feel authentic.
FAQs
Q: Can I run Assetto Corsa Rally at 4K with Ultra settings on an RTX 4090?
Yes, an RTX 4090 can comfortably handle 4K Ultra settings in AC Rally. With DLSS Quality mode (not DLAA at 4K) and 2X Frame Generation enabled, expect 100-120 FPS at 4K resolution. However, for competitive rally racing where split-second reactions matter, many professional sim racers prefer 1440p with higher framerates (140+ FPS) over 4K resolution. The clarity difference at racing speeds is minimal, while the responsiveness improvement is significant.
Q: Should I use DLSS/FSR at 100% (DLAA mode) or Quality mode for best results?
For 1440p on high-end GPUs (12GB+ VRAM), DLAA mode (100%) provides superior image quality with minimal performance cost—it’s essentially AI-enhanced anti-aliasing. However, if you’re targeting 4K or struggling to maintain 100+ FPS, switch to DLSS/FSR Quality mode, which renders at lower internal resolution before upscaling. The visual difference is barely noticeable during actual racing, but the performance gain is substantial. Pair either setting with 2X Frame Generation for optimal results.







