iRacing VR Settings Guide for Pimax Crystal
Super 57 PPD
Introduction
If you’re running iRacing in VR, you already know it can be one of the most demanding sims to
tune correctly—especially at extreme resolutions. In this guide, I’m breaking down the exact
settings I use with the Pimax Crystal Super 57 PPD, why they work, and how you can use them
as a baseline to achieve smooth, crystal‑clear racing without dropped frames or
immersion‑breaking stutters.
This setup prioritizes clarity, stability, and consistency, which matters far more in competitive
online racing than chasing maxed‑out graphics.
Test System Overview
To set expectations, here’s the hardware this guide is based on:
• CPU: Intel i9‑13900K
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4090• Headset: Pimax Crystal Super 57 PPD
• Refresh Rate: 72 Hz
• Runtime: Pimax OpenXR
While this is a high‑end system, iRacing still requires careful tuning—especially when
leveraging eye‑tracked foveated rendering.
Why 72 Hz Instead of 90 Hz
I spent significant time testing 90 Hz versus 72 Hz. While 90 Hz is achievable, the performance
trade‑offs in iRacing are steep and require aggressive compromises.
At 72 Hz, the experience becomes far more consistent:
• Stable frame pacing
• Reduced CPU and GPU spikes
• Better headroom for visual clarity
For sim racing—where predictability matters more than raw refresh rate—72 Hz is the sweet
spot.
Eye‑Tracked Foveated Rendering: The Real Advantage
iRacing is currently the only racing sim that truly benefits from eye‑tracked foveated
rendering, and it makes a massive difference on a 57 PPD headset.
Recommended Foveated Rendering Settings
• Foveated Rendering: ON
• Resolution Percentage: 35
• Inset Size Percentage: 40
I tested more aggressive settings like 25/25, which do improve FPS, but introduce distracting
shimmering too close to your central vision. The 35/40 balance preserves clarity while
maintaining performance.
The Tobii eye tracking is fast enough that you never notice it working—even at racing speeds.
Visual Quality Observations
Clarity & Distance Vision
This is where the 57 PPD truly shines. You can clearly:
• Read braking boards far down the track
• Judge car spacing with confidence
• Make micro‑corrections when racing wheel‑to‑wheel
There is no visible screen door effect, and textures look natural rather than artificially
sharpened.
Blacks & Contrast
Despite not being OLED, black levels are surprisingly strong. Dash displays, mirrors, and shaded
cockpit areas appear properly black—not gray.
Color Palette
iRacing’s colors appear slightly washed compared to other sims, but this is a limitation of
iRacing’s rendering—not the headset itself.
Pimax Play Settings
These settings ensure the headset itself isn’t adding unnecessary overhead:
• Refresh Rate: 72 Hz
• Brightness: Slightly reduced
• Resolution: High
• GPU Upscaling: OFF
• Sharpness: OFF
• Black Levels: MAX
• Hidden Mask Area: ONAll sharpening and scaling should be handled in‑game if needed—but with the 57 PPD, it usually
isn’t.
NVIDIA Control Panel (VR‑Focused)
I optimized my NVIDIA settings specifically for VR performance, minimizing latency and
background overhead. These settings focus on:
• Consistent frame delivery
• Reduced VR compositor interference
• Stable GPU scheduling
(Full screenshots and presets are available in my Discord.) Here: https://linktr.ee/tjrsim
iRacing In‑Game Graphics Settings (Key Highlights)
General
• Cars & Objects: High
• Most Environment Detail: Low
• Two‑Pass Trees: OFF
• High‑Quality Trees: OFF
Trees and foliage are extremely expensive to render—especially on tracks like Brands Hatch—
and offer minimal visual benefit in VR.
Mirrors & Cars
• Virtual Mirror: ON
• Physical Mirrors: 3
• Max Cars: 20
• Draw Cars: 40 (12 minimum)
• Draw Pits: MinimumReducing off‑track car rendering dramatically improves CPU stability during races.
Dynamic LOD
• Target FPS: Match headset refresh rate (72)
• LOD Behavior: Only Decrease
This prevents sudden visual pops while still protecting performance under load.
Shadows & Lighting
• Shadow Quality: High or Max (4090 GPU dependent)
• Dynamic Objects: Main View Only
• Night Shadow Maps: ON
• Shadow Map Filter: PCF4
• Lights: 2
Avoid higher shadow filters—they cost FPS quickly with minimal benefit.
Effects & Post Processing
• Motion Blur: OFF
• Heat Haze / Distortion: OFF
• Depth of Field: OFF
• Other Effects: OFF
These effects add latency and distraction without helping immersion.
Anti‑Aliasing
• AA Method: MSAA
• Samples: 4x
• Filter: Simple4x MSAA provides excellent edge clarity without the heavy performance hit of 8x.
Frame Control
• Frame Rate Limit: ON
• NVIDIA Reflex: Enabled
• VRAM Swap: ON
• Car Textures: 2048
Boost mode showed no measurable benefit, so standard Reflex is recommended.
Rain Performance Notes
Heavy rain remains extremely demanding in VR:
• FPS can drop into the 45–50 range
• Requires lowering Pimax Play resolution or overall graphics
For this reason, I generally avoid rain racing in VR unless necessary.
Why These Settings Matter in Online Racing
In iRacing, dropped frames aren’t just annoying—they’re dangerous.
Poor clarity or unstable performance can cause:
• Cars popping in and out
• Misjudged distances
• Unintentional contact
With proper VR tuning, you gain confidence to race closer, brake later, and trust what you see—
something many racers still rely on flat screens for.
Final Thoughts
The Pimax Crystal Super 57 PPD delivers an exceptional sim racing experience when paired
with the right settings. While it takes time to dial in, the payoff is unmatched clarity, stability,
and immersion.
Use this guide as a baseline, adjust based on your hardware, and don’t be afraid to prioritize
smoothness over maxed‑out visuals.
If you’d like the full settings files or want to compare setups, join the Discord and share what
you’re running. https://linktr.ee/tjrsim
See you on track.
Larry Ray
Track Junkie Racing (TJRSim)
Social and Affiliate:
https://linktr.ee/tjrsim
