Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe fastest way to improve Cyberpunk 2077 performance is to measure the problem first, compare your hardware with CD PROJEKT RED’s target specifications, then work through driver, file-integrity, overlay, application, storage and graphics-setting checks in that order. Use an upscaler or frame generation only when your hardware and baseline frame rate support it; generated frames cannot repair an underpowered system or poor frame pacing.
This guide separates low average FPS, uneven frame times and loading or streaming hitches, because each symptom has a different remedy.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
1. Identify what is actually stuttering
Run the game’s built-in benchmark before changing anything. Record the result and the conditions: CPU model, GPU model and driver version, installed RAM, game-drive type, display resolution, graphics preset, ray tracing or Overdrive status, upscaler mode, frame-generation mode and whether the benchmark was a repeatable run. CD PROJEKT RED asks players with persistent problems to provide benchmark results and, when relevant, a video and save file, so keeping this record also makes support more effective (official performance troubleshooting guidance).
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Low average FPS
If the frame-rate counter stays low throughout a run, the system is usually limited by the CPU, GPU, memory bandwidth or a graphics setting. A low average with consistently high GPU utilization points toward the GPU or resolution; low GPU utilization with a busy main CPU thread points toward a CPU or background-process limit.
#1 Best Overall
- Powered by Radeon RX 9070 XT
- WINDFORCE Cooling System
- Hawk Fan
- Server-grade Thermal Conductive Gel
- RGB Lighting
Stutter or poor frame pacing
Stutter appears as irregular frame times even when the average FPS looks acceptable. Driver problems, overlays, background applications, shader or asset streaming and an unsuitable frame-generation setup can all contribute. Compare the benchmark’s smoothness with a repeat run rather than judging from one brief hitch.
Loading and streaming pauses
Long loads, late-arriving textures or pauses while driving through a dense area are storage and streaming symptoms as well as possible CPU or memory issues. They should not be treated as proof that the GPU needs replacement.
2. Compare your PC with the official targets
CD PROJEKT RED’s requirements are expected targets, not guarantees for every combination of motherboard, driver, software and in-game setting. Match your goal to the closest row instead of comparing your PC with a different resolution or ray-tracing mode. The studio’s current requirements page and its June 2023 update provide the following figures (current system requirements; 2023 requirements update).
| Target described by CD PROJEKT RED | Expected result | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p, Low preset | 30 FPS | Official minimum target, published in 2023; not a promise for every PC. |
| 1080p, High preset, no ray tracing | 60 FPS | Recommended target. The listed configuration includes a Core i7-12700 or Ryzen 7 7800X3D, GeForce RTX 2060 Super, Radeon RX 5700 XT or Intel Arc A770, 16 GB RAM and an SSD. |
| 1080p, Ray Tracing Low | 30 FPS | Ray-tracing minimum configuration target. |
| 1080p, Ray Tracing Ultra | 60 FPS | Recommended ray-tracing configuration target. |
| 2160p (4K), Ray Tracing Overdrive | 60 FPS | The requirements measurement had DLSS Frame Generation enabled; it is not a native-rendering target. |
The requirements also make SSD storage mandatory. A PC that is below the listed CPU, GPU or memory tier may still run the game, but you should lower the target resolution or visual features before assuming a driver fault. Conversely, meeting a row does not guarantee a locked frame rate in every district, crowd scene or expansion area.
Rank #2
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4
- Powered by GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
- Integrated with 16GB GDDR7 256bit memory interface
- PCIe 5.0
- WINDFORCE cooling system
3. Follow the clean-up sequence before changing quality
When performance is unexpectedly poor, use the developer’s order of operations. It removes common software causes without permanently sacrificing image quality.
- Clean-install the graphics driver. Download the current driver for your GPU from its manufacturer, choose the installer’s clean or factory-reset option, reboot and test the same benchmark. A clean installation removes corrupted profiles and old components that a normal update can leave behind.
- Verify the game files. In your launcher, open Cyberpunk 2077’s properties or manage menu and choose the file-verification or repair command. Let it finish, restart the launcher and run the identical benchmark. Damaged or missing files can cause crashes, asset stalls and inconsistent performance.
- Disable overlays. Turn off launcher, chat, capture, performance-monitoring and GPU overlays one at a time. Test without an overlay before re-enabling only the one you need; an overlay can add a hook to the rendering path or compete for GPU time.
- Close nonessential applications. Exit browsers with many tabs, recording tools, RGB utilities, game launchers you do not need and other background workloads. Do not use a paid “optimizer” as a substitute for identifying the process that is consuming CPU, memory or disk time.
- Roll back a newly problematic driver. If the stutter began immediately after a driver update, CD PROJEKT RED recommends trying the previous driver version and reporting the issue through its support process (performance issues support page).
After each step, rerun the same benchmark. Changing several variables at once makes it impossible to know which action helped.
4. Use a repeatable graphics-setting method
Once drivers and files are healthy, change one setting at a time and benchmark again. Record average FPS and frame-time consistency, not only the highest number on screen.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Start with the target resolution and preset
Choose the resolution you actually intend to play. A 4K target can remain GPU-limited even after a preset change, while a 1080p target may expose a CPU limit in crowded scenes. Begin with the High, Low or ray-tracing target closest to your hardware, then adjust from there rather than copying a “best” preset designed for another PC.
Rank #3
- AI Performance: 767 AI TOPS
- OC mode: 2632 MHz (OC mode)/ 2602 MHz (Default mode)
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4
- Axial-tech fan design features a smaller fan hub that facilitates longer blades and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure
- A 2.5-slot design maximizes compatibility and cooling efficiency for superior performance in small chassis
Lower expensive features only when the benchmark shows a GPU limit
If the GPU is saturated and frame times are stable, reduce the settings that have the greatest visible cost for your scene, or select a compatible upscaler. The available technologies and hardware tiers are documented by the developer, but no universal setting-by-setting FPS gains have been established; the effect depends on resolution, driver, scene and GPU. Compare image quality at the same camera position after every change.
Keep ray tracing and Overdrive as explicit decisions
Ray tracing and Overdrive are separate performance targets in the official table. Disable them while diagnosing a general stutter, then re-enable the mode you want after establishing a stable baseline. Do not compare a non-ray-traced 1080p run with a 4K Overdrive run and attribute the entire difference to a single setting.
Separate average FPS from frame pacing
A higher average can still feel worse if frame times contain spikes. A setting change that raises the displayed counter but leaves hitching intact has not solved the problem. Keep the benchmark route, weather and settings identical so you can compare pacing rather than memory of how the game felt.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall5. Select an upscaler and frame generation safely
Upscaling renders internally at a lower resolution and reconstructs the output; it can reduce GPU workload. Frame generation creates additional displayed frames from rendered frames. These are different functions: frame generation can make the counter larger without fixing low base FPS, input latency or the original hitch.
Rank #4
- 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
Current feature options
Update 2.3 (July 16, 2025) lists FSR 3.1 Frame Generation and Intel XeSS 2.0, including XeSS Frame Generation on compatible hardware. The notes also list FSR 4 for compatible AMD GPUs when the supporting driver is installed (Update 2.3 patch notes). NVIDIA’s DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation is available for RTX 50-series cards according to the studio’s support article (DLSS 4 support guidance).
Meet the baseline before enabling FSR Frame Generation
CD PROJEKT RED’s FSR guidance says: “It’s recommended to run the game at a baseline of minimum 60 FPS before enabling Frame Generation for it to work properly.” The same guidance warns that lower rates can make artifacts and frame-pacing problems more noticeable. It also recommends a display with a 120 Hz or higher refresh rate and hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling enabled (AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 3 guidance).
- Benchmark with frame generation off and confirm that the base result is at least 60 FPS for the FSR recommendation.
- Confirm that your GPU, driver and game version support the selected upscaler and generation mode.
- Enable hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling in Windows if you are following the FSR guidance, reboot if Windows requests it, and verify your monitor is running at 120 Hz or higher when possible.
- Enable frame generation, repeat the same benchmark and watch for uneven frame times, ghosting or input delay.
- Turn it back off if the base rate is below the recommendation or if perceived smoothness worsens. Lowering the internal rendering resolution or a demanding setting may be a better first move.
Do not enable every reconstruction and generation option simultaneously. Establish one known-good configuration, then test another so you can identify whether a visual artifact or hitch belongs to the upscaler, the generator or the underlying game.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
6. Install the game on an SSD
CD PROJEKT RED requires an SSD and advises against an HDD because its lower bandwidth can prevent new content from streaming correctly. The studio describes SSDs as faster for loading and better for streaming (Update 2.0 system guidance; current requirements).
Best Value
- Next-Gen Intel Arc Graphics: Powered by Intel Arc A580 GPU with Intel Xe HPG microarchitecture, featuring 384 XMX engines for enhanced AI acceleration and content creation.
- High-Performance Memory: 8GB GDDR6 on a 256-bit interface running at 16 Gbps, delivering excellent bandwidth for 1440p gaming and creative workloads.
- Factory Overclocked: Engine clock set at 2000 MHz out of the box, providing optimized performance for smooth gameplay and multimedia tasks.
- Advanced Dual-Fan Cooling: Features a dual-fan design with striped axial fans and an ultra-fit heatpipe for efficient thermal management. 0dB Silent Cooling stops fans completely at low temperatures for silent operation.
- Durable Construction: Includes a stylish metal backplate for enhanced PCB rigidity and a premium aesthetic, backed by ASRock's Super Alloy components for long-term reliability.
Move or reinstall the game to an SSD with sufficient free space, then verify the files again. Keep the drive from filling completely and avoid running a large transfer or antivirus scan during testing. An SSD addresses the game’s storage requirement and can improve loading and streaming behavior; it is not a guaranteed way to raise average FPS, so continue checking CPU, GPU and frame pacing if the benchmark remains low.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.7. Decide whether a hardware upgrade is justified
Buy hardware only after the benchmark identifies a repeatable bottleneck and you have chosen a target resolution, preset and ray-tracing mode. A graphics-card upgrade is appropriate when the GPU is consistently saturated, the official target for your desired mode is above your current tier and lowering resolution or settings is no longer acceptable. Select a card only after checking case clearance, power-supply capacity, connectors, cooling and the rest of the system; the requirements page names several GPU tiers but does not identify one universal best model.
A CPU upgrade is more relevant when GPU utilization falls well below its limit while one or more CPU threads are busy, especially at 1080p with dense crowds. More RAM can help when the game and other applications exhaust available memory, but it should not be presented as a guaranteed FPS increase. Moving from an HDD to an SSD is required for the game and useful for streaming, yet it should not be sold as a universal frame-rate upgrade.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →| Measured symptom | First action | When an upgrade becomes reasonable |
|---|---|---|
| GPU near full utilization, stable frame times | Test a compatible upscaler and lower costly visual features. | After those changes, the GPU still cannot meet the chosen resolution and preset. |
| Low GPU utilization with a busy CPU thread | Close background applications and test a lower crowd or CPU-heavy configuration if available. | The CPU remains the limit at your intended settings and resolution. |
| Hitching while assets load from an HDD | Move the installation to an SSD and verify files. | Only if stutter persists after storage and software checks and another component is demonstrably limiting. |
| High displayed FPS but uneven motion with frame generation | Disable generation, restore the recommended base FPS and retest. | Consider hardware only after confirming the base rendering bottleneck. |
8. A practical decision tree for persistent stutter
- Is the game on an HDD? Move it to an SSD, verify files and retest.
- Did the problem follow a driver update? Clean-install the current driver; if the timing is immediate, test the previous driver as CD PROJEKT RED suggests.
- Does disabling overlays and background applications remove the hitch? Re-enable programs individually to identify the conflict.
- Is the base FPS below 60? Do not use FSR Frame Generation as the first fix. Lower GPU-heavy settings or use a supported upscaler and establish stable base performance.
- Is the base FPS adequate but frame times still spike? Test without frame generation, compare another driver, verify files again and check for CPU, memory or storage activity during the benchmark.
- Does only one location stutter? Capture a video, preserve the save and note the exact location and settings for a support report.
9. What to send to CD PROJEKT RED if nothing works
Use the support performance page and include the benchmark result plus your complete configuration: CPU, GPU, RAM, driver, Windows version, game version, resolution, preset, ray tracing or Overdrive state, upscaler and frame-generation settings, and whether the game is on an SSD. Add a short video when possible. If the issue occurs in one mission or area, include the relevant save file as requested by the studio (Performance issues — Cyberpunk 2077). A precise reproduction path is more useful than a claim that the game is simply “slow.”
10. A concise baseline configuration to test
For a clean comparison, reboot the PC, close nonessential applications and overlays, use a verified game installation on an SSD, select a known resolution and preset, leave frame generation off, and run the benchmark twice. If the second run is materially different, investigate background activity or streaming before judging a setting change. Once the result is stable, test one upscaler or one visual setting, then test frame generation only if your hardware supports it and the base-rate guidance is met.
This process gives you a defensible answer to the upgrade question: whether the limitation is software, storage, CPU, GPU, settings or frame-generation compatibility. It also prevents a high generated-FPS number from masking the low base performance that causes latency and stutter.
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.
