Smooth frame pacing is vital for precise steering, especially when chasing ghost records. These optimisation steps cover Windows, macOS, and mobile devices. Tackle them in order and benchmark after each change so you know what actually helps.
1. Update drivers and firmware
- GPU drivers: Install the latest Game Ready (NVIDIA) or Adrenalin (AMD) release.
- Chipset & BIOS: Ensure motherboard firmware is current if you play on desktop.
- Mobile OS: Update to the latest iOS/Android patch for new scheduler improvements.
2. Apply the balanced graphics preset
Launch Polytrack, go to Settings › Graphics, and copy these values:
- Resolution: Native
- Frame cap: 120 (desktop), 60 (mobile)
- Antialiasing: TAA Medium
- Shadows: Low
- Reflections: Screen Space Low
- Particles: Medium
- Motion blur: Off
3. Reduce background load
Close resource-heavy apps and disable overlays that inject hooks into the game.
- Turn off Discord / GeForce overlays unless you record footage.
- Disable live wallpapers and RGB controller software while racing.
- On mobile, switch to focus mode to block notifications and background app refresh.
4. Optimise storage and memory
Install Polytrack on SSD storage to reduce loading times. Ensure at least 3 GB of free RAM—close browser tabs or background emulators when racing.
5. Manage thermal throttling
- Laptops: Use a cooling pad and choose the “High Performance” power profile.
- Desktops: Clean dust filters monthly and set a custom fan curve.
- Mobile: Play in a cool room and remove thick cases that trap heat.
6. Measure improvements with built-in telemetry
Press F10 (desktop) or enable Performance Overlay in Settings to view frame time graphs. Aim for frame time variance below 2 ms when driving; spikes indicate CPU contention or disk swaps.
Quick checklist
- ✅ Drivers updated within the last 30 days
- ✅ Polytrack set to Balanced preset
- ✅ No overlays or background recorders running
- ✅ Frame time variance < 2 ms on test map
If you still see stutter after these steps, capture a 30-second system trace using the in-game diagnostics menu and share it on Discord. The community can pinpoint whether the bottleneck is CPU, GPU, or I/O.