(Image credit: Tom's Hardware) (Image credit: Tom's Hardware) (Image credit: Tom's Hardware) Performance with ray tracing and path tracing disabled is excellent across nearly the entire GPU stack, with the RX 6500 XT being the lone major exception. It's limited 4GB frame buffer struggles heavily at max settings, while the RTX 5060 also begins to run into VRAM limitations at 4K with its 8GB allocation. Outside of those cases, however, the game delivers very high frame rates with fully maxed-out rasterized settings on most GPUs tested here.
We did want to see if the game would be playable on the 6500 XT at 1080p with lower settings. We tested the GPU using the Medium and Low presets.
The game is very playable with both presets. Image quality takes a hit, but the game still looks solid at these settings. Keep in mind that this is one of the more demanding circuits. The fact that the GPU can average over 70 FPS with low settings and nearly 60 FPS with medium settings means that it should achieve considerably better performance at other tracks.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware) (Image credit: Tom's Hardware) (Image credit: Tom's Hardware) Even with ray tracing enabled, most of the GPUs tested are capable of delivering around 60 FPS or better at 1080p. However, as resolution increases – particularly at native 4K – the RTX 5090 becomes the only GPU where enabling RT consistently makes practical sense without major compromises. Alternatively, players can still target a 4K output by using DLSS or FSR in Performance mode, allowing six of the tested GPUs to deliver playable frame rates with ray tracing enabled.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware) (Image credit: Tom's Hardware) (Image credit: Tom's Hardware) As expected, path tracing is reserved for the very high end of the GPU market. While the feature is genuinely transformative in this game, we would only recommend enabling it on GPUs in the RTX 5090, RTX 5080, or RTX 4090 class. Even with that level of hardware, DLSS Performance mode is still required to maintain consistently playable framerates across all circuits, though some tracks are light enough to allow the use of DLSS Quality mode.
The game runs smooth without any stuttering across all settings and resolutions we tested. Even when the average framerate is low on certain configurations, the frametime graph remains flat.
Codemasters has consistently delivered highly scalable F1 titles over the years, and F1 25: 2026 Season Edition continues that trend. With the right settings for your hardware, most players should have little trouble achieving 60 FPS or higher. Whether you are running an RTX 5090 and looking to push max settings with path tracing enabled, or using a lower-end GPU with limited VRAM, the game remains accessible across a wide range of GPUs.
Dan Mateescu is a PC enthusiast with many years of experience benchmarking PC hardware. In 2021, he started his own YouTube channel called 'Compusemble' where he benchmarks hardware in video games and the latest tech demos. ","collapsible":{"enabled":true,"maxHeight":250,"readMoreText":"Read more","readLessText":"Read less"}}), "https://slice.vanilla.futurecdn.net/13-4-25/js/authorBio.js"); } else { console.error('%c FTE ','background: #9306F9; color: #ffffff','no lazy slice hydration function available'); } Dan Mateescu Social Links Navigation Contributor Dan Mateescu is a PC enthusiast with many years of experience benchmarking PC hardware. In 2021, he started his own YouTube channel called 'Compusemble' where he benchmarks hardware in video games and the latest tech demos.
Key considerations
- Investor positioning can change fast
- Volatility remains possible near catalysts
- Macro rates and liquidity can dominate flows
Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/f1-25-2026-season-edition-gpu-benchmarks-from-pole-position-to-the-back-of-the-grid#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com/membership
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