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Best Cyberpunk 2077 Graphics Settings for 1080p on Apple Silicon

Start with Cyberpunk 2077’s For This Mac preset for a hardware-specific 1080p setup, then use the official Mac performance tiers to decide whether to adjust MetalFX DRS or try Ray Tracing.
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For most Apple silicon Macs, start with Cyberpunk 2077’s built-in For This Mac preset and keep its assigned output resolution and MetalFX Dynamic Resolution Scaling (DRS). The preset adapts graphics settings and resolution to the Mac; it is not one fixed configuration for every chip. CD PROJEKT RED’s example for an M2 Max Mac Studio is High graphics at 1920×1080, MetalFX DRS, and a 60 FPS target. That example is not a universal promise of 60 FPS on other Macs.

Best starting settings for 1080p

Use the game’s hardware-specific preset rather than copying settings from a different Mac. CD PROJEKT RED says the “For This Mac” preset selects settings and resolution according to the computer’s capabilities: “The more powerful your hardware is, the higher the applied settings are.” On an M2 Max Mac Studio, its example uses High graphics, 1920×1080 output, MetalFX DRS, and a 60 FPS target. Your preset may select a different resolution, quality level, or target.

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  1. Open Cyberpunk 2077 and select For This Mac in the graphics preset options.
  2. Let the game apply its assigned settings and resolution. On an external 1080p display, keep the assigned 1920×1080 output when the preset selects it; CD PROJEKT RED recommends the preset-assigned resolution and warns that increasing resolution significantly affects FPS.
  3. Keep MetalFX DRS enabled if the preset uses it. It allows the game to vary internal rendering resolution within set bounds to pursue the chosen output resolution and frame-rate target.
  4. Play a demanding section before making manual changes. If performance or image clarity is unsatisfactory, adjust one setting at a time rather than importing another Mac’s profile.

These are developer recommendations and targets, not independent benchmark results. Actual frame rate can change with the scene, chip variant, display resolution, power and thermal conditions, and game updates.

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Match expectations to your Mac

CD PROJEKT RED’s Mac requirements page separates its guidance by hardware tier. The resolution and frame rate below are the developer’s listed targets, not guaranteed results in every scene.

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Developer tier Apple silicon and memory Listed resolution Target
Minimum M1, 16GB unified memory 1440×900 or 1600×900 30 FPS
Recommended M3 Pro, 18GB unified memory 1800×1125 or 1920×1080 60 FPS
High Fidelity M2 Max or M3 Max, 32GB unified memory See CD PROJEKT RED’s current requirements page for the tier’s listed resolution 60 FPS
Very High Fidelity M3 Ultra or M4 Max, 36GB unified memory See CD PROJEKT RED’s current requirements page for the tier’s listed resolution 60 FPS

The developer’s minimum tier aims at 30 FPS and a lower resolution than 1080p. If that describes your Mac, the preset’s choices are a more appropriate starting point than forcing 1920×1080 and expecting the recommended-tier target. For an M3 Pro with 18GB, CD PROJEKT RED lists 60 FPS at 1800×1125 or 1920×1080; start with the preset rather than assuming another chip’s settings will transfer.

See CD PROJEKT RED’s current Mac system requirements for the full tier details and any changes.

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What MetalFX DRS changes

Output resolution is the image size sent to the display; internal rendering resolution is the resolution the game uses to draw each frame before scaling. With MetalFX DRS, the game can lower or raise that internal resolution within configured bounds to help meet its frame-rate target while retaining the selected output resolution. The trade-off is image sharpness versus steadier frame times: a lower internal resolution can look softer, especially in motion, while rendering more detail can make performance harder to sustain.

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Apple’s WWDC26 presentation describes “For This Mac” as targeting either 30 or 60 FPS, with MetalFX DRS and minimum and maximum resolution bounds. The game also chooses output resolution, V-Sync, and HDR according to the Mac and display. Its M5 Max demonstration used a range from 50% to 80% of output resolution; that range is an example for that device, not a setting recommendation for every Mac.

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If motion feels uneven

Keep the preset’s DRS behavior and frame-rate target in place first. Forcing a fixed or higher internal render scale can improve sharpness but may make performance less consistent. If you experiment with a higher minimum scale or fixed render mode, change it in small steps and check it in a demanding location; those manual adjustments are troubleshooting suggestions, not universal developer-tested profiles.

If the picture looks too soft

Test a modestly higher minimum scale, if available, and compare the result in the same scene. Do not assume that raising the display’s output resolution will solve softness without a cost: CD PROJEKT RED warns that higher output resolution significantly affects FPS. The right trade-off depends on your display and whether you prefer clearer detail or more consistent motion.

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Ray Tracing is an optional branch

Ray Tracing is off by default, including on capable Macs. CD PROJEKT RED says it is available on M3 or newer chips with at least 16GB RAM. To try it, open Settings → Graphics and choose a Ray Tracing quick preset or enable individual settings. For a 1080p-class output, the developer’s RT Medium starting targets are:

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  • 30 FPS: M3 Pro with 18GB, at 1800×1125 or 1920×1080, with MetalFX DRS enabled manually.
  • 60 FPS: M3 Max with 36GB, at 1800×1125 or 1920×1080, with MetalFX DRS enabled manually.

These are specific developer profiles, not evidence that every M3-or-newer Mac can run RT at the same quality and frame rate. If your chip and memory do not match a listed profile, keep Ray Tracing off unless you are willing to trade performance for the visual effect and tune carefully.

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Mac requirements to check before troubleshooting

  • Operating system: macOS 15.5 or later.
  • Storage: SSD required; HDD installation is unsupported.
  • Free space listed by CD PROJEKT RED: 92GB for GOG, Epic, or Steam installations and 159GB for the App Store version. Extra temporary space may be needed for downloads, installation, or updates.
  • Minimum supported tier: M1 with 16GB unified memory.

The Mac Ultimate Edition launched digitally on July 17, 2025, through the Mac App Store, GOG, Steam, and Epic Games Store. CD PROJEKT RED’s launch announcement said it included the base game and Phantom Liberty and required Apple silicon with at least 16GB unified memory and macOS 15.5 or later. For present compatibility, use the live requirements page rather than relying on the dated launch announcement.

Apple’s porting-session discussion says the development team tuned per-device settings using demanding scenarios such as dense areas, crowds, reflections, driving, and combat. That explains why one preset can differ by Mac; it does not make its frame-rate target a guarantee for every location.

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