To improve Cyberpunk 2077 on a lower-end PC, first compare your CPU, graphics card and VRAM, RAM, Windows version, and storage with CD PROJEKT RED’s current minimum requirements. Then start with the in-game Low preset, turn ray tracing off, update your graphics driver, and test a lower output resolution or an upscaler if needed. Frame generation is not a first fix for very low frame rates: CD PROJEKT RED recommends a 60 FPS baseline before enabling it.
Can your PC run Cyberpunk 2077?
CD PROJEKT RED’s current requirements apply to the base game and Phantom Liberty from Update 2.0 onward. The publisher’s non-ray-tracing minimum targets 1080p on Low at an expected 30 FPS. Treat that as a target, not a guarantee: performance varies with hardware, software, graphics settings, and output resolution.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Requirement | Current non-ray-tracing minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating system | 64-bit Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-6700 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 |
| Graphics card | GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB, Radeon RX 580 8 GB, or Intel Arc A380 |
| Graphics memory | 6 GB VRAM |
| System memory | 12 GB RAM |
| Storage | 70 GB SSD |
| Target | 1080p, Low preset, expected 30 FPS |
These are CD PROJEKT RED’s published Update 2.0-and-later requirements; see the current system requirements. The support page also preserves Patch 1.63 specifications separately. Those older figures are historical, not the current baseline. The publisher’s June 11, 2023 requirements update says the updated minimum represents an average 30 FPS at 1080p Low, that HDD support was discontinued in the updated requirements, and that active support and testing for old minimum configurations would end after the next base-game update—not that the game would immediately stop working on them.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →CD PROJEKT RED describes the game as both graphics- and processor-intensive, and requires DirectX 12. A PC that falls short on one component may behave differently from another that meets the same overall tier; meeting only some minimums does not establish that the game will run acceptably.
#1 Best Overall
- Powered by Radeon RX 9070 XT
- WINDFORCE Cooling System
- Hawk Fan
- Server-grade Thermal Conductive Gel
- RGB Lighting
How to make Cyberpunk 2077 run better
1. Check the whole system, not just the graphics card
Compare the PC’s exact processor and GPU models, GPU VRAM, RAM, Windows version, and drive against the current list above. Also confirm the game is installed on an SSD and that the drive has enough free space for the game. If the PC is below the listed baseline, settings changes may help, but the publisher’s expected minimum performance is not a promise for that machine.
2. Start with Low, then reduce output resolution if needed
Select the Low graphics preset as a diagnostic starting point. If performance remains poor, lower the game’s output resolution and test again. A lower resolution reduces rendering load but also makes the image less detailed or sharp; compare the result in the areas where you actually play rather than assuming a particular setting will produce a fixed frame-rate gain.
3. Keep ray tracing off while establishing a baseline
Disable ray tracing until the non-ray-traced game runs as smoothly as your hardware allows. CD PROJEKT RED lists a substantially higher separate ray-tracing minimum: 1080p RT Low at an expected 30 FPS, an RTX 2060, RX 6800 XT, or Arc A750, 8 GB VRAM, 16 GB RAM, and higher specified CPU requirements. Those are publisher targets, not a reason to enable ray tracing on a system already struggling with the standard Low preset.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems4. Update the GPU driver
Install the current graphics driver from your GPU manufacturer and restart the PC if the installer requests it. CD PROJEKT RED recommends keeping drivers updated. Driver numbers listed in older support guidance can become outdated, so use the vendor’s current driver rather than relying on an old version number.
Rank #2
- NVIDIA Ampere Streaming Multiprocessors: The all-new Ampere SM brings 2X the FP32 throughput and improved power efficiency.
- 2nd Generation RT Cores: Experience 2X the throughput of 1st gen RT Cores, plus concurrent RT and shading for a whole new level of ray-tracing performance.
- 3rd Generation Tensor Cores: Get up to 2X the throughput with structural sparsity and advanced AI algorithms such as DLSS. These cores deliver a massive boost in game performance and all-new AI capabilities.
- Axial-tech fan design features a smaller fan hub that facilitates longer blades and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure.
- OC Mode : 1500 MHz (Boost Clock)/Default Mode : 1470 MHz (Boost Clock)
5. Test an upscaler and judge both smoothness and clarity
Upscaling renders the game at a lower internal resolution and reconstructs the image for display. Open Settings → Graphics → Quick Preset to select an available FSR option; the exact choices depend on the installed game version and hardware. Compare the available quality settings on your own system, looking at both performance and image clarity. No single upscaler or quality level is established as best for every PC, and results vary.
CD PROJEKT RED’s FSR 3 support guidance says the game retained FSR 2.1 alongside FSR 3 so players can choose a preferred quality/performance balance. Later releases added more technology options: Patch 2.13 added FSR 3 with Frame Generation and Intel XeSS 1.3 for PC, while the July 2025 Update 2.3 announcement listed AMD FSR 4, FSR 3.1 Frame Generation, and Intel XeSS 2.0. Check the options exposed by your installed game and hardware instead of expecting every feature to appear on every setup.
6. Treat frame generation as a later option
Frame generation is separate from ordinary upscaling: it creates additional displayed frames and is not a substitute for getting a stable base frame rate. CD PROJEKT RED recommends at least a 60 FPS baseline before enabling FSR Frame Generation; below that, visual artifacts may be more noticeable and frame pacing may suffer. Its guidance also strongly advises a 120 Hz-or-higher monitor and requires Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling to be on. Windows 11 enables that scheduling by default; the support article gives steps for Windows 10.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →In the game, frame generation has its own setting and can only be enabled when FSR 3 upscaling is enabled, according to CD PROJEKT RED. If the PC cannot approach the recommended baseline, leave frame generation off while troubleshooting the underlying performance problem.
Rank #3
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4. System Requirements: Minimum 850W PSU with 16-pin 12V-2x6 (12VHPWR) connector required. Verify before purchasing.
- Military-grade components deliver rock-solid power and longer lifespan for ultimate durability. Compatibility: 348mm (13.7") length, 3.6 slots, 4.3 lbs. Confirm case clearance and slot spacing. GPU bracket included.
- Protective PCB coating helps protect against short circuits caused by moisture, dust, or debris
- 3.6-slot design with massive fin array optimized for airflow from three Axial-tech fans
- Phase-change GPU thermal pad helps ensure optimal thermal performance and longevity, outlasting traditional thermal paste for graphics cards under heavy loads
What to upgrade if settings are not enough
Do not choose an upgrade from the symptom “low FPS” alone. Compare the part that misses the publisher’s requirements and check compatibility with the rest of the PC before buying anything.
- Storage: If the game is on an HDD, moving it to a compatible SSD addresses the current storage requirement. An SSD is not a general remedy for a weak GPU or CPU and should not be presented as a guaranteed FPS upgrade.
- GPU or VRAM: If the graphics card or its VRAM is below the listed minimum, a compatible graphics upgrade may be relevant. Check the exact GPU model, power supply, case clearance, and system compatibility.
- CPU: If the processor is below the listed minimum, a CPU upgrade may be more relevant than a graphics card. Confirm motherboard and platform compatibility first.
- RAM: If the PC has less than the stated 12 GB system memory, address that shortfall and verify the motherboard’s supported memory configuration.
The requirements identify component categories, but they do not establish one universally correct upgrade or a guaranteed performance result for a particular PC.
Why the game may look different from older guides
Cyberpunk 2077’s PC feature set has changed across patches. Patch 2.13, released September 12, 2024, added FSR 3 with Frame Generation and Intel XeSS 1.3, and moved HDD Mode, Hybrid CPU Utilization, and AMD SMT controls to the Utilities tab. The later Update 2.3 announcement lists additional upscaling and frame-generation technologies. Therefore, a menu path or feature described by an older guide may not match your current installation; use the options and labels shown by your game version and hardware.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
CD PROJEKT RED’s Patch 2.13 notes and Update 2.3 announcement document those changes.
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.
