For smoother gameplay, first confirm which PC version of The Witcher 3 you have: the 2022 Next-Gen update or the Remastered build released September 29, 2026. They use different renderers and offer different graphics features, so settings advice is not interchangeable. On either build, start by switching off ray tracing or path tracing if performance is below your target, then test any compatible upscaler and lower demanding visual settings in small steps.
Identify your build before changing settings
“Next-Gen” commonly refers to the 2022 PC update. CD PROJEKT RED announced The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered on September 28, 2026, for release the following day. The Remastered announcement describes native DirectX 12 rendering with multithreading, while NVIDIA describes the earlier Next-Gen PC renderer as a hybrid DirectX 11/DirectX 12 renderer. The two versions therefore have distinct graphics features and requirements; do not assume that a setting or recommendation for one applies to the other. See the Remastered announcement and NVIDIA’s renderer overview.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check the game’s title/version information in your launcher or game menu and note your graphics card before following version-specific advice. The recommendations below separate the 2022 Next-Gen build from Remastered.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Start with the settings that most directly trade visual effects for smoothness
Turn off ray tracing or path tracing if you need more headroom
On the 2022 Next-Gen build, ray-traced reflections and shadows are optional features for compatible PCs. On Remastered, PC path tracing is an additional fidelity feature. If the game is not meeting your preferred level of smoothness, disable these effects first and compare how it feels. This is a practical starting point, not a guaranteed FPS increase: the official feature notes do not establish a universal performance gain. Feature details are in CD PROJEKT RED’s Next-Gen update notes and Remastered announcement.
#1 Best Overall
- Powered by Radeon RX 9070 XT
- WINDFORCE Cooling System
- Hawk Fan
- Server-grade Thermal Conductive Gel
- RGB Lighting
Try an upscaler supported by your GPU and build
If your version offers an upscaler compatible with your graphics card, test it at your chosen output resolution. Compare the resulting image as well as smoothness; an upscaler is not automatically the best choice for every player or GPU.
For Remastered, CD PROJEKT RED lists NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 with Ray Reconstruction, AMD FSR 4 on Radeon RX 7000 Series and newer (with FSR 2 used on unsupported GPUs), and Intel XeSS 2.0. These are version- and hardware-specific features, not a promise that every option will appear on every PC. Consult the Remastered announcement for the stated support details.
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)
Tune the 2022 Next-Gen PC settings one change at a time
The 2022 update added Ultra+ graphics controls. If you are using that build and still want smoother play after adjusting ray tracing and upscaling, lower individual settings gradually, testing after each change. The official list includes:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems- Background character count
- Shadows
- Grass density
- Texture quality
- Foliage visibility range
- Terrain
- Water
- Detail
Keep settings that matter to you visually and reduce the ones whose effect you are willing to trade away. CD PROJEKT RED documents these controls but does not quantify their individual performance costs, so there is no evidence-based universal ranking of which one will improve a particular PC most. The list is in the Next-Gen change notes.
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
Set a target before deciding whether a result is better
Choose the resolution you want to play at and the smoothness you consider acceptable, then judge each change against both that goal and image quality. A setting change that improves smoothness but makes the picture less pleasing may not be worth keeping; another player may make the opposite trade-off. Compare like with like by testing the same scene and resolution before and after each adjustment.
There is no supported “best settings” table that applies to every PC: a reliable recommendation would need to name the build, graphics card, processor, resolution, and driver used. The official materials cited here document features rather than neutral, representative PC benchmarks. They do not support an FPS guarantee or a general ranking of settings by performance impact. Also, do not treat the 60 FPS performance-mode statement in the 2022 update notes as a PC target: it refers specifically to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, with dynamic resolution scaling.
Consider streaming only if local play remains unsuitable
If your PC cannot run the game at settings you find acceptable, cloud streaming is one alternative to investigate rather than an automatic recommendation. NVIDIA says GeForce NOW can stream The Witcher 3 with RTX and DLSS for players without an RTX PC. Whether it suits you depends on connection quality, latency tolerance, regional availability, the service’s current game catalog, and membership terms. Check NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW information for current details.
Recommended Free Tools
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.
