Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →High CPU usage in Cyberpunk 2077 is not automatically a fault. The game can use a processor heavily, especially in busy scenes or at high frame rates. Investigate when high usage comes with stutter, poor frame rates, unusually low GPU use, falling CPU clocks, overheating, or sluggishness across Windows.
Start by checking per-core load, CPU and GPU temperatures and clocks, GPU utilization, and frame pacing—not just Task Manager’s total CPU percentage. The steps below apply to the PC version on Windows, whether you play the base game or Phantom Liberty, through Steam, GOG, or Epic. Modded installations need an additional clean test. CD Projekt RED’s support site currently lists its Patch 2.31 page; check the official PC support site for any later updates. This guide is current to September 29, 2026.
Is high CPU usage in Cyberpunk 2077 normal?
It can be. CD Projekt RED describes the game as processor- and graphics-intensive, and its Update 2.0-era PC requirements set different CPU targets for 30-FPS and 60-FPS play, with stronger processors specified for ray tracing and higher presets. Those targets are not guarantees for every location, patch, mod combination, or background workload.
High utilization means the processor is busy; it does not by itself mean the game is broken, that the CPU is overheating, or that the computer is in danger. If frame delivery is smooth and temperatures and clocks are normal, the game may simply be using the available processor capacity.
#1 Best Overall
- Usually not a problem: CPU use is high, but frame pacing is smooth, performance meets your target, and temperatures and clocks remain normal.
- Possible CPU limit: one or more cores or threads are near saturation, GPU use is low, and frame rate or 1% lows are poor.
- Possible broader workload: both CPU and GPU use are high while performance is satisfactory.
- Investigate promptly: the whole PC becomes sluggish, clocks fall as temperatures rise, or heavy CPU use continues while the game is paused or minimized.
CPU percentage and temperature are separate measurements. Temperature limits vary by processor model, so check the manufacturer’s specification for your exact CPU instead of relying on a universal “safe” number.
How to tell whether the CPU is the bottleneck
Record a repeatable baseline
Use the same save, location, camera movement, graphics settings, and play duration for each comparison. Record the CPU and GPU models, RAM capacity and configuration, Windows version, game version, resolution, frame cap, ray tracing or path tracing state, upscaling and frame generation state, average FPS, 1% lows or a frametime graph, CPU and GPU temperatures, and CPU clocks. If your monitoring tool shows CPU use above 100%, note which tool it is: monitoring applications can calculate percentages differently, so figures from different tools are not always comparable.
Use Task Manager or a reputable hardware monitor to inspect total and per-core CPU load, GPU utilization, temperatures, and clocks. A moderate total CPU percentage does not rule out a limit: one important thread may be saturated while other cores are less busy.
Run three one-change-at-a-time tests
- Lower resolution or render scale temporarily. If FPS rises substantially, the GPU was likely a major limit. If it barely changes, the CPU or another cap may be limiting frame production.
- Lower Crowd Density. Compare the same busy area and route. An improvement, particularly in crowded districts, suggests CPU-side simulation was contributing. Keep the lower setting only if the improvement matters to you; there is no guaranteed FPS gain.
- Set a frame cap. If utilization, heat, or fan noise falls while gameplay remains smooth, the uncapped game was spending resources on frames you did not need. Choose a cap the system can sustain in demanding scenes, rather than assuming everyone should target 60 FPS.
These are diagnostic clues, not guarantees. A 60-FPS target corresponds to 16.67 ms per frame, 90 FPS to 11.11 ms, and 120 FPS to 8.33 ms. Choose for your display and preferred responsiveness. A cap set too close to the system’s unstable maximum may not prevent uneven frame pacing.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Read the results together
- Low GPU utilization plus a nearly saturated core and poor FPS points toward a CPU-side limit or a competing process.
- If lowering resolution barely changes FPS but reducing Crowd Density helps, scene simulation may be an important part of the limit.
- If CPU temperatures approach the model’s thermal limit and clocks fall during play, investigate cooling or power limits rather than treating utilization alone as the fault.
- If the GPU is also near full use, lowering resolution or GPU-heavy settings may improve FPS, but it may not reduce CPU use.
Try the lowest-risk fixes first
Cap an unnecessarily high frame rate
An uncapped game can keep asking the CPU to produce more frames. Use the in-game frame limiter or a GPU-driver frame cap, then repeat the same route. A sensible cap can reduce load, heat, and fan noise without sacrificing performance you can perceive. Raise it if it feels too restrictive; lower graphics settings only when they address the measured limit.
Rank #2
- The perfect quick reference tool for Cyberpunk RED.
- Includes all the tables a Gamemaster or Player needs to play the game.
- Four panels of gorgeous art, complete with a great view of Night City.
- Shield your notes from the prying eyes of others at your table
- Made of sturdy thick cardstock
Adjust Crowd Density if busy areas are the problem
Change Crowd Density in the game’s graphics settings, using the label and menu location shown by your current PC build. Test one setting change at a time in the same crowded area. If it improves frame pacing, Medium or Low may be a reasonable trade-off. Do not expect a fixed gain across CPUs, locations, or patches.
Check for another process using the CPU
Microsoft recommends using Task Manager to identify resource-heavy processes and review startup apps. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, then:
- In Processes, sort by CPU while the problem is happening.
- Check whether
Cyberpunk2077.exeis the main consumer or whether another process—such as a launcher, browser, recorder, overlay, antivirus scan, RGB utility, or update—is competing for CPU time. - Open Startup apps and temporarily disable nonessential startup programs if they are adding background load; reboot and retest.
Close unnecessary applications and overlays for the test, including recording or monitoring overlays. CD Projekt RED’s performance troubleshooting guidance also recommends disabling overlays and unnecessary applications. Do not permanently disable antivirus protection; if you suspect a scan or conflict, use a temporary test or a carefully considered exclusion with the security trade-off in mind. Microsoft’s Windows performance guidance covers Task Manager and startup-app checks.
Test without mods
Mods can change scripts, NPC behavior, streaming, graphics, or startup processes, so a modded session is not a reliable baseline for diagnosing the vanilla game. Back up saves, then disable or remove mods using the mod manager or author’s instructions and test a clean launch. If the problem disappears, re-enable mods in batches to isolate the cause. Verifying files may not remove every archive override, script extension, or third-party loader; a genuinely clean test may require following the mod author’s uninstall instructions or performing a clean reinstall. CD Projekt RED has a separate support category for issues after modifying game content.
Verify game files
CD Projekt RED recommends checking the game files. Storefront controls can change, but the usual routes are:
Rank #3
- Command Edgerunners like David, Lucy, and Maine in intense tactical battles against the Arasaka Corporation and Adam Smasher.
- Features a complete 2-player starter set with acrylic StandUpz, double-sided game board, scenery, and essential components for immediate play.
- Utilizes Monster Fight Club’s [RE]action System for fluid, cinematic combat that rewards smart strategy and quick decisions.
- Fully compatible with Cyberpunk RED: Combat Zone, allowing cross-play and expanded tactical possibilities.
- Immerse yourself in a dark futuristic world of rebellion, cybernetic warfare, and street survival.
- Steam: Library → right-click the game → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.
- GOG Galaxy: select the game → Manage Installation → Verify/Repair.
- Epic Games Store: Library → game’s menu → Manage → Verify.
If a client’s labels differ, use its current help page. Verification can repair missing or damaged game files, but it is not a substitute for removing mods.
Check drivers and recent software changes
If the problem started after a GPU-driver update, a clean driver installation or rollback may be worth testing. If you have not updated recently, install the appropriate driver from the GPU maker’s official channel, reboot, and retest before trying more disruptive steps.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11- Download the driver for your exact GPU and Windows version from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel.
- Install it, restart Windows, and repeat your baseline test.
- If the issue began immediately after an update, consider reinstalling the previous driver version and comparing results.
- Use a more thorough driver-removal utility only if ordinary installation or rollback has not helped; it is unnecessary for many cases.
A problem appearing after an update does not prove the update caused it. Also consider whether the game patched, a mod became incompatible, Windows or a hardware utility changed, or shader compilation or cache rebuilding was occurring. Avoid registry edits, random launch parameters, or timing tweaks as first-line fixes.
Check temperatures, clocks, and power
Compare CPU temperature and clock speed at the start of a session and after 10–15 minutes. A temperature rise alone is not proof of throttling; the useful clue is whether performance falls as the CPU approaches its model-specific thermal limit and clocks or power drop.
- Confirm that fans work and vents are not blocked.
- Use BIOS, chipset, and system updates only from the computer or motherboard manufacturer.
- Avoid disabling thermal protections, forcing unsafe voltages, or applying a generic overclock.
For laptops
Plug the laptop into AC power and select the manufacturer’s performance mode for testing. Battery operation, quiet profiles, and limited cooling can reduce sustained CPU power. Check that the game is using the discrete GPU, where applicable, and that airflow and fans are unobstructed. If performance drops only after several minutes, retest after the machine reaches a stable temperature rather than judging from a brief run.
Rank #4
- FOR CYBERPUNK 2077 VIDEO GAME FANS: You might lose your sanity in Night City, but at least you won't lose your keys
- QUALITY DESIGN: Molded flat relief design; sturdy metal alloy construction with enamel color finish
- IDEAL SIZE: Keychain design measures approximately 2.75 inches x 0.84 inches
- AUTHENTIC CYBERPUNK 2077 KEY CHAIN: Officially licensed by CD PROJEKT RED; designed and created by JINX
Account for ray tracing, path tracing, upscaling, and frame generation
Ray tracing and path tracing change the workload balance between CPU and GPU; Overdrive is a distinct, demanding workload. CD Projekt RED’s listed Overdrive target specifies DLSS Frame Generation enabled. Upscaling and frame generation do not make CPU and GPU utilization directly interchangeable, and generated display FPS is not the same as base-render FPS.
For a clean diagnosis, temporarily turn frame generation off and compare base FPS, GPU and CPU load, frametimes, and latency. Then test it on and off under the same conditions. If base FPS is already low or uneven, address that underlying limit first. Do not assume frame generation will always increase or decrease CPU use.
AMD- and Intel-specific checks
AMD SMT option
Update 2.0 added an AMD SMT control under Settings → Gameplay → Performance, as described in CD Projekt RED’s Update 2.0 notes. It is a controlled comparison, not a universal high-CPU fix. Test the default first, change only this option, compare the same scene, and revert if results worsen.
Intel 13th- and 14th-generation instability
CD Projekt RED’s PC support index includes guidance for instability issues on 13th- and 14th-generation Intel CPUs. That is relevant when high usage comes with crashes, freezes, WHEA errors, or other instability; it does not establish that high CPU usage alone is caused by those processors. For BIOS or platform changes, follow the system or motherboard manufacturer’s model-specific guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When a CPU upgrade is justified
Consider an upgrade only after repeatable tests show that the CPU is the limit: a core or thread is consistently saturated, GPU use remains low, lowering GPU-heavy settings does little for FPS, and temperatures and clocks are normal. The same pattern should persist with overlays and unnecessary applications closed, mods disabled, and files verified. Compare the result with the frame rate you actually want, rather than upgrading based on one percentage reading.
Recommended Free Tools
Best Value
- From the award-winning game Cyberpunk 2077
- The ex-nomad of the Aldecaldo family is recreated with incredible detail
- Stands approximately 9” tall
- Display base included
A CPU or platform upgrade can require a compatible motherboard, RAM, cooler, or BIOS update. A faster GPU will not solve a CPU limit when the GPU is already underused. More RAM matters if the system is memory-constrained or paging, but is not a guaranteed CPU-usage remedy; an SSD can help loading and streaming but is not a direct cure for CPU saturation.
When to contact CD Projekt RED
If the problem persists in a clean, repeatable test, gather evidence before contacting support. CD Projekt RED recommends running the in-game benchmark; its results are saved under:
%userprofile%DocumentsCD Projekt RedCyberpunk 2077benchmarkResults
If the issue is limited to a particular save, the support page identifies save files here:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
%userprofile%Saved GamesCD Projekt RedCyberpunk 2077
Include benchmark results, a video if possible, the affected save for a save-specific issue, your system specifications, game version, storefront, mods status, and the steps you have already tested. Follow CD Projekt RED’s performance troubleshooting page for its current instructions.
Settings and interventions by symptom
| What you see | Likely interpretation | First action |
|---|---|---|
| CPU and GPU both near full use, with smooth frame pacing | The system is being used effectively; not necessarily a fault | Leave settings alone if performance and temperatures are acceptable. |
| CPU high, GPU underused, one thread near saturation, FPS poor | CPU limit or competing CPU process | Check Task Manager, cap FPS, and test Crowd Density. |
| CPU load rises mainly in crowded areas | Scene simulation may contribute | Compare Crowd Density in the same area. |
| Usage or heat rises while the game is uncapped | The system may be rendering more frames than needed | Choose a sustainable frame cap. |
| Load began after installing mods | A mod or loader may contribute | Back up saves and test a clean, unmodded launch. |
| Load began after a driver change | Driver installation or regression is possible | Reinstall or roll back the driver and compare. |
| Temperatures climb and clocks fall during play | Thermal or power constraint may be limiting performance | Check airflow, fans, and power mode. |
| High CPU use while paused or minimized | Background software, mods, or abnormal behavior may be involved | Check process usage, overlays, and installation state. |
Fixes to avoid
- Do not treat 100% CPU use as proof of damage. Check temperatures, clocks, and stability separately.
- Do not lower every graphics setting automatically. Reducing GPU work can leave a CPU limit unchanged or make it more apparent.
- Do not set the game to high priority as a general fix. It is not dependable and can harm responsiveness elsewhere.
- Do not disable CPU cores or Hyper-Threading/SMT as a blanket remedy. It may reduce performance; test the game’s AMD SMT control only where applicable.
- Do not use a CPU limiter to hide the problem. Restricting cores can lower reported usage while worsening FPS or frametimes. Treat it as a last-resort experiment with a clear trade-off.
- Do not permanently disable antivirus, thermal protections, or security features to chase a lower percentage.
Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. CD Projekt RED’s requirements page still lists 64-bit Windows 10 for the Update 2.0-era requirements, but game compatibility and ongoing operating-system security support are separate issues. Use a supported Windows 11 installation where your hardware permits.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
