For smooth performance in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered, start with a non-ray-traced preset that matches your GPU and output resolution, then reduce image quality or resolution if you miss your frame-rate target. There is no single best preset for every PC: CD PROJEKT RED says performance varies by scene, gameplay, hardware, settings, and resolution. Its published figures are target configurations, not guaranteed frame rates on every system.
How to choose the best PC settings for smooth performance
Set your output resolution and desired frame rate before changing graphics options. Higher resolutions significantly affect FPS, and the result can change between locations and gameplay situations. A preset that feels smooth at 1080p may not meet the same target at 1440p or 4K.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Choose your target. Decide whether you want a stable 60 FPS or prefer higher visual quality at a lower frame rate.
- Start without ray tracing. Select a rasterized preset aligned with your GPU and resolution rather than beginning with Path Tracing.
- Check performance in the places you play. If it misses your target, lower image-quality options or reduce output resolution, then check again.
- Add visual features selectively. Try ray tracing or other higher-demand options only after the game meets your performance goal, and keep them only if the result remains responsive.
This is a practical starting method based on the official performance caveats and configuration tiers, not a controlled test of individual settings. No current-build source here establishes a universal preset or a reliable FPS cost for each option.
Official PC performance targets: rasterized and ray-traced tiers
The figures below are CD PROJEKT RED QA targets reported by PC Gamer, not promises of identical results on every PC. For the ray-tracing and Path Tracing configurations, the reported settings used DLSS, FSR, or XeSS on Auto; the 4K Path Tracing target also used frame generation.
#1 Best Overall
- System: AMD Ryzen 5 5500 3.6GHz 6 Cores | AMD B550 Chipset | 8GB DDR4 | 500GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD | Windows 11 Home
- Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT 4GB Graphics | 1x HDMI | 1x DisplayPort
- Connectivity: 4 x USB-A 3.2 | 4 x USB-A 2.0 | 1 x LAN | WiFi 5 | Bluetooth 5.0 | 7.1 Channel Audio
- Tempered Side Case Panel | Custom RGB Lighting | Keyboard and Mouse
- 1 Year Parts & Labor Warranty, Free Lifetime Tech Support
| Output and graphics tier | Reported target | GPU class listed | Important assumptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p High, no ray tracing | 60 FPS | NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super; AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT; or Intel Arc B580-class graphics | Vendor QA target; individual PC results vary. |
| 1440p Ultra, no ray tracing | 60 FPS | NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti; AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT; or Intel Arc B580 using XeSS | Vendor QA target; the Arc configuration specifies XeSS. |
| 2160p Path Tracing | 60 FPS | NVIDIA RTX 5080 | Upscaling and frame generation enabled; this is not a native-rendered 4K target. |
These configurations show why resolution, image quality, and rendering features need to be considered together. Path Tracing is an optional visual tier, not a sensible first choice when smoothness is the priority. The 4K figure depends on both upscaling and frame generation, so it should not be read as a claim that the RTX 5080 renders Path Tracing natively at 4K and 60 FPS.
CD PROJEKT RED’s current PC requirements present the component table as an image; PC Gamer’s September 29, 2026 report transcribes the configurations above.
Rank #2
- 8-Core 16-Thread Processing Power – Powered by the Ryzen 7 4700LE processor with Zen 2 architecture, delivering 8 cores and 16 threads with a boost clock up to 4.2GHz. Effortlessly handle multitasking, streaming, content creation, and demanding applications simultaneously without slowdowns.
- GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Graphics – Equipped with 8GB GDDR6 dedicated VRAM and real-time ray tracing support. Experience smooth 1080p gaming at 55-60 FPS in AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077, 70+ FPS in Fortnite, and 90-100 FPS in Apex Legends with DLSS enabled. The 8GB buffer handles modern game textures comfortably – a step above 6GB variants
- High-Speed Memory & Storage – Paired with 16GB of DDR4 3200MHz dual-channel RAM (16GB), the PC ensures responsive multitasking—whether streaming while gaming or editing videos. It also includes a 512 GB NVMe M.2 SSD for lightning-fast boot times, quick game loads, and ample storage for your game library, creative projects, and files.
- Next-Gen WiFi 6 Connectivity – Stay connected with the latest WiFi 6 technology for faster speeds, lower latency, and improved network efficiency. Whether you're gaming online, streaming 4K content, or joining video conferences, enjoy stable, high-speed wireless connectivity.
- Ready-to-Use Value Desktop – Pre-built and ready to go right out of the box. Perfect for gamers, students, content creators, and home office users seeking reliable performance without the hassle of building a PC themselves. The mature AM4 platform with DDR4 memory offers excellent value and proven stability.
Should you turn off ray tracing for smoother gameplay?
If your priority is a stable frame rate, begin with ray tracing and Path Tracing off. The published 1080p High and 1440p Ultra 60 FPS tiers are rasterized configurations; the substantially more demanding 4K Path Tracing tier is listed separately and assumes upscaling plus frame generation. That makes rasterized settings the more appropriate baseline when matching a PC to the official targets.
There is no sourced, setting-by-setting benchmark for the 2026 build that establishes a fixed FPS penalty for turning on ray tracing, shadows, foliage, or another individual option. Treat the in-game result on your system as the deciding factor rather than assuming one slider always carries the largest cost.
Rank #3
- POWERHOUSE 8-CORE GAMING PERFORMANCE — Driven by the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F with 8 cores and 16 threads, boosting up to 5.0 GHz for smooth, responsive gameplay and the ability to handle AAA titles, streaming, and background tasks all at once
- NEXT-GEN BLACKWELL ARCHITECTURE — The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is powered by NVIDIA's cutting-edge Blackwell GPU architecture, delivering a massive generational leap in rasterization and ray tracing performance so you can experience your games the way they were meant to be played.
- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. *MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Cool While Gaming: In conjunction with an ARGB fan Air Cooler, the Codex R2 features four system cooling fans; three in the front and one in the rear to pull in cool air and push heat out of the PC.
- Turn on the Bright Lights: With the built-in RGB lighting, take your gaming experience to the next level by pressing the MSI LED button to cycle through lighting options. Customize lighting even further with MSI Center software.
Which graphics options can you adjust?
CD PROJEKT RED’s December 2022 next-gen notes describe options affected by the PC ULTRA+ settings, including background-character count, shadow quality, grass density, texture quality, foliage visibility range, terrain, water, and detail. The notes also list DLSS 3 for compatible hardware and AMD FSR 2.1. The December 2022 change list is useful context, but it does not establish that each historical option behaves identically in every 2026 Remastered build. Check the current in-game menu and current patch notes before relying on a particular label or option.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.PC requirements that affect setup
Use an SSD
The current requirements call for an SSD. CD PROJEKT RED says it offers “faster load times, smoother asset streaming, and improved overall performance.” Those stated benefits do not establish that moving the game to an SSD by itself will increase FPS. If your PC does not have suitable SSD storage, an internal SSD is a relevant upgrade category, but the source does not specify a capacity, interface, model, or speed tier.
Rank #4
- POWERED BY RTX 5070 12GB + RYZEN 7 9700X - The GeForce RTX 5070 12GB GDDR7 graphics card pairs with an 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 9700X processor to drive smooth 1440p and 4K gameplay, giving this gaming PC the headroom for modern titles, streaming, and creative work.
- 32GB DDR5 6000MHz MEMORY & 1TB NVMe SSD - 32GB of high-speed DDR5 memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid state drive deliver quick load times, smooth multitasking, and generous storage, keeping this prebuilt gaming desktop responsive under heavy workloads.
- BUILT-IN 11.3-INCH Smart DISPLAY - An integrated smart screen shows real-time CPU and GPU temperatures, usage, and weather while you play, adding a distinctive and functional touch to your battlestation.
- 850W 80+ GOLD POWER SUPPLY, 360MM LIQUID COOLING & WiFi 7 - An 850W 80 Plus Gold certified power supply provides stable, efficient power with headroom for future upgrades, while a 360mm AIO liquid cooler, WiFi 7, and an ARGB mid-tower case keep the Ryzen 7 CPU cool and connected in a clean build.
- READY TO PLAY OUT OF THE BOX - Arrives fully assembled and tested with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, so your prebuilt gaming computer is ready to set up in minutes. Assembled in the USA, and backed by a one-year limited warranty and lifetime free technical support.
Windows 10 compatibility
Windows 10 may continue to run the game, but CD PROJEKT RED no longer officially supports or tests it. The current requirements and support caveat are on the official system-requirements page.
What changed in the Remastered release?
The release announcement identifies The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered as released on September 29, 2026, with broad visual and performance changes and Path Tracing on PC. Because the current build is not necessarily identical to earlier next-gen versions, treat older option names and feature details as historical context, not a guarantee of current menu behavior. See CD PROJEKT RED’s Remastered release announcement.
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.
