F1 25 benchmark analysis: Even the RTX 5090 struggles at 4K

F1 25 is noticeably more demanding than its predecessor. On the plus side, the game scales fairly well. At low settings, it can still run on a capable integrated GPU or an older GPU. However, as soon as you increase detail levels or move beyond Full HD resolution, even high-end GPUs begin to struggle, especially with ray tracing enabled at the "Ultra High" preset. At QHD resolution, even premium GPUs require assistance from AI upscaling or similar technologies. By the time you reach UHD, these techniques are no longer enough. To maintain smooth performance, you'll need to reduce detail settings, turn off path and ray tracing, and make further optimisations.

F1 25 is priced at €80 (approximately $87 USD) for the Iconic Edition on Amazon Germany and continues to use Codemasters' in-house EGO engine. The latest version includes modern features such as DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) 4, Multi-Frame Generation, and Path Tracing. The circuits of Bahrain, Miami, Melbourne, Suzuka and Imola were captured using high-precision 3D laser scanning (LiDAR), resulting in exceptionally accurate track modelling. Formula 1 fans can expect a visual treat.

For more on the game's content, we recommend checking out our full Magazine section review. Players can continue the Braking Point storyline in its third chapter, compete for the championship in Career mode, or take on full team management responsibilities in My Team 2.0. The game opens with a key decision, and for newcomers, the story mode is a good place to start. After two brief trial laps, players are immediately placed into the first race without a formal introduction. Beginners will find it easiest to start on the lowest difficulty, where all driving assists are active by default, allowing for a smoother entry into the game's handling model. Advanced players can switch off assists and select higher difficulty levels for a more demanding experience.

F1 25 also supports racing wheels, according to the developer. Our Thrustmaster T248 was recognised with its own profile and performed well in a brief test. A Fanatec wheel (Gran Turismo DD Pro Wheel Base) also worked flawlessly. Force feedback is well implemented. Steering becomes heavier under high G-forces, such as in fast corners, and curbs and other track details are clearly felt through the wheel.

Visually, the game has evolved only cautiously. The circuits are well modelled and feature spectators along with details such as tour buses, service vehicles and, of course, a wide array of advertising banners. However, even at maximum graphics settings, the environments do not appear especially detailed on close inspection. In most cases, this is not a major issue, as the focus is on chasing down the car ahead at high speed. That said, there are games that offer more impressive visuals despite having similar or even lower hardware requirements. For instance, the water rendering in image 2 (see below) lacks depth and realism, and the grass textures come across as noticeably flat.

Unfortunately, graphics settings can only be accessed from the main menu; changing graphical options during gameplay is not possible. On the plus side, the range of available settings is extensive, although certain changes require a restart. This applies, for example, to enabling DLSS and separately to activating Frame Generation.

Ray tracing is enabled starting from the Very High preset. Path tracing can also be activated, along with DLSS, FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), other upscaling technologies and Frame Generation. Most AI-based features are located in the "Video Mode" submenu, where resolution settings are also found.

An integrated Radeon 890M can only handle FHD at medium detail settings, while a UHD Graphics 770 is overwhelmed regardless of the configuration. For the "High" preset, an older RTX 2060 Super or RTX 2070 Laptop is sufficient. From "Ultra High" onwards, ray tracing significantly increases the demands. At this level, even in Full HD, you will need at least an RTX 5060 to achieve over 60 fps. According to EA, a GTX 1060 is the minimum requirement for FHD at low settings, which appears to be fairly accurate.

The screenshots below illustrate the differences between detail levels. Comparing Ultra Low and Ultra High DLSS in particular, the more detailed cars and environments become clearly noticeable. Lighting quality also improves significantly at higher presets.

Even in QHD, laptops equipped with an RTX 5090 begin to reach their limits, as seen with the very fast XMG Neo 16. Natively, the system manages only 37 fps, although DLSS can boost the frame rate back above 60 fps. A desktop RTX 5060 Ti reaches just 41 fps, even with DLSS enabled.

It comes as no surprise that UHD overwhelms even the best graphics cards, both natively and with DLSS enabled. Even a desktop RTX 5080 manages only around 40 fps with DLSS at this resolution.

Given the high demands, it makes perfect sense to rely on new technologies to squeeze more frames out of the game. Using an XMG Neo 16 with an RTX 4090, we tested all settings at native Full HD resolution. For example, the laptop achieves only 45 fps natively at maximum detail (Ultra Max). With DLSS enabled, gamers can reach up to 75 fps. Activating Frame Generation (2x) boosts this further to 137 fps. Multi Frame Generation (4x) is reserved for current-generation Nvidia GPUs.

In addition to the built-in benchmark, we ran our own test laps to detect any visual glitches caused by AI techniques or increased input latency. During the races, no distracting visual artifacts appeared. Latency was also not noticeably affected, even with Multi Frame Generation (4x) enabled. Therefore, both DLSS and Frame Generation can be confidently used in FHD and QHD.

• Asus ROG Strix XG28UCS UHD monitor