Why optimisation matters ⚙️
Assetto Corsa is over a decade old, but with modern mods like Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) and SOL, it can look next-gen and demand just as much power.
If you’re running heavy track packs, weather systems, or VR, performance tuning is essential. A few careful adjustments can make all the difference between silky-smooth racing and stuttering through Eau Rouge.
Here’s how to keep your setup fast and flawless.
Step 1: Check your hardware 💻
Even though Assetto Corsa is CPU-friendly, mods and CSP visuals can push systems hard.
✅ Recommended setup:
- CPU: 4.0 GHz+ quad-core (Intel i5 / Ryzen 5 or higher)
- GPU: GTX 1660 / RX 6600 or better
- RAM: 16 GB minimum
- Storage: SSD or NVMe for faster loading
💡 Tip: CSP and SOL rely on your GPU more than the base game, make sure your drivers are up to date.
Step 2: Adjust graphics settings 🎮
These tweaks deliver major gains without killing image quality.
| Setting | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-Aliasing | 2x or FXAA | Smooth edges with minimal impact |
| Shadows | Medium | High shadows tank FPS |
| Reflections | Low | Heavy GPU load with little benefit |
| World Detail | High | Keeps tracks detailed but stable |
| Smoke Generation | Low | One of AC’s biggest FPS drains |
| Mirrors | Medium | High settings hit VRAM usage |
| V-Sync | Off | Reduces input lag for racing accuracy |
🎯 Pro tip: Use borderless fullscreen for faster tabbing without frame drops.
Step 3: Tune Content Manager ⚙️
If you’re not already using Content Manager, install it, it’s the best tool for managing settings, mods, and performance profiles.
- Enable GPU optimisations under Settings → Video → Advanced.
- Set Threaded Optimisation to Auto.
- Reduce reflection frequency to “static”.
- Enable Performance Mode when using heavy weather scripts.
💡 Bonus: Content Manager automatically adjusts CSP effects when FPS dips, perfect for long endurance sessions.
Step 4: Optimise CSP and SOL 🌄
CSP and SOL transform visuals, but they can cripple performance if overdone.
Recommended tweaks:
- In CSP → Graphics Adjustments: lower Car Reflections and Mirrors Quality.
- Disable Extra FX and Screen-Space Reflections unless you’re running an RTX GPU.
- In SOL Config, disable Volumetric Clouds or lower cloud resolution to Medium.
- Reduce Rain Reflections and Light Pollution.
🧠 Pro tip: Run Pure instead of SOL if you want a lighter, more efficient visual mod, it’s built for modern systems.
Step 5: Use FPS limiters 🔧
Running unlimited FPS causes GPU heat and power spikes.
- Cap FPS to 90–120 using RivaTuner or your GPU control panel.
- Enable Adaptive Sync or G-Sync if available.
- Keep frame pacing consistent, smoothness matters more than raw numbers.
🔥 Tip: VR users should match FPS to headset refresh rate (72–120Hz).
Step 6: Clear cache and optimise memory 🧱
Over time, cache and shaders pile up.
- Delete cache from
Documents\Assetto Corsa\cache. - Clear shader cache in
AppData\Local\Temp\acShaders. - Use Content Manager’s “Clear Cache” button monthly.
💾 Bonus: Store your mods and tracks on SSD, it slashes loading times for large Workshop collections.
Step 7: Server performance tips 🌐
If you’re running a multiplayer server:
- Limit grid size to 24–32 players.
- Keep track rotation under 10 maps.
- Restart every 8–12 hours.
- Avoid heavy weather scripts on public servers.
- Use ping limits (e.g. 250ms) to prevent lag spikes.
💡 Pro tip: ChipHead servers come pre-optimised with dedicated CPU cores, fast storage, and automated restarts, perfect for mod-heavy communities.
Step 8: Use performance overlays 📊
Track your bottlenecks in real time:
- MSI Afterburner: Monitors FPS, temps, and usage.
- CapFrameX: Analyses frame pacing for micro-stutter.
- CSP Debug App: Built-in FPS counter and GPU load display.
🧠 Tip: If CPU usage spikes above 90% but GPU stays low, reduce AI count or reflection quality.
Step 9: Keep mods clean 🧩
Heavy mod lists are great for variety, but kill performance fast.
- Uninstall unused car and track mods.
- Remove duplicate versions.
- Avoid multiple weather mods at once.
- Update CSP and SOL manually, old builds cause errors.
🎯 Pro tip: Make separate mod profiles for race nights, cruising, or testing to keep loads light and stable.
Step 10: VR-specific optimisation 🥽
VR in Assetto Corsa is amazing but demanding.
- Lower shadows and smoke to minimum.
- Use ASW/SpaceWarp if you’re under 90 FPS.
- Disable reflections completely for smoother head tracking.
- Try the “OpenXR Toolkit” for extra stability and sharpening.
💬 Tip: Keep supersampling between 1.1–1.3 — higher looks great but costs too much performance.
Final thoughts 💭
Assetto Corsa might be an older sim, but with CSP, SOL, and a few smart settings, it still rivals modern racing games, and runs smoother than ever.
Keep your visuals clean, your cache clear, and your mods lean. If you’re hosting with ChipHead, you’ll get fast servers and flawless sync, so every corner, drift, and overtake feels perfect. 🏎️💨
