PC 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 & 11Crashes, 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 minuteThe current PC requirements for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered range from a GTX 1660-class system for 1080p Low to an RTX 5080 for 4K Path Tracing with frame generation. You do not need the top-tier hardware for ordinary play: choose the row that matches your resolution and whether you want ray tracing or path tracing, then treat its FPS figure as a developer test target—not a guarantee for every scene or PC.
These requirements apply to the Remastered release available September 29, 2026. The detailed hardware rows below are transcribed by PC Gamer from CD PROJEKT RED’s image-based requirements table; the studio’s official notes describe how its performance targets were tested.
What are The Witcher 3 PC requirements?
The table lists the current Remastered targets as transcribed by PC Gamer on September 29, 2026. CPU and GPU entries are alternatives within their respective columns; the upscaling shorthand and GPU pairings should not be read as a promise that every upscaler works on every listed card.
| Target | Preset and resolution | FPS target | CPU | GPU | VRAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | Low, 1080p | 30 | Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660, AMD Radeon RX 550 XT 8 GB, or Intel Arc A580 | 6 GB |
| Recommended | High, 1080p | 60 | Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Super, AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT, or Intel Arc B580 | 8 GB |
| Ultra | Ultra, 1440p | 60 | Intel Core i7-13700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7700X | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti, AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, or Intel Arc B580 (XeSS) | 12 GB |
| RT Minimum | RT, 1080p with DLSS/FSR/XeSS | 30 | Intel Core i7-11700K or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Super, AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT, or Intel Arc B580 | 8 GB |
| RT Recommended | RT: Ultra, 1440p with DLSS/FSR | 60 | Intel Core i7-13700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7700X | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 or AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT | 12 GB |
| Path Tracing | RT: Ultra, 2160p with DLSS | 60 with Frame Generation | Intel Core i9-13900K or AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 | 16 GB |
CD PROJEKT RED says its RT and Path Tracing tests used DLSS, FSR, or XeSS upscaling set to Auto; the Path Tracing target also used frame generation. The other configurations were measured at native resolution with upscaling off. The listed FPS values are developer QA targets, and actual results vary with scene, settings, resolution, and system configuration.
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 →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →#1 Best Overall
- Powered by Radeon RX 9070 XT
- WINDFORCE Cooling System
- Hawk Fan
- Server-grade Thermal Conductive Gel
- RGB Lighting
Which requirement tier should you aim for?
1080p without ray tracing
For a basic 1080p Low target, the listed minimum is a GTX 1660-class GPU, 6 GB VRAM, and a Core i5-8400 or Ryzen 5 2600. For 1080p High at a 60 FPS target, use the Recommended row instead. CD PROJEKT RED specifically says its selected minimum NVIDIA card, the GTX 1660, can reach 60 FPS or higher at Minimum settings; that is not a promise for every listed minimum GPU, preset, or scene.
1440p Ultra without ray tracing
The Ultra row raises the target to 1440p and specifies a 60 FPS goal, with an RTX 3070 Ti, RX 6800 XT, or Arc B580 (XeSS), plus 12 GB VRAM and one of the listed CPUs. This is a different workload from 1080p High, so do not assume a PC meeting Recommended automatically meets Ultra.
Ray tracing and Path Tracing
Ray tracing has its own two tiers: 1080p at a 30 FPS target and 1440p RT Ultra at 60 FPS. The 4K Path Tracing row is substantially more demanding and names an RTX 5080 with 16 GB VRAM, DLSS, and frame generation. That card is relevant to this specific high-end target, not a baseline requirement for playing the game without Path Tracing.
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)
Storage and operating-system qualifications
CD PROJEKT RED now requires an SSD, citing faster loading, smoother asset streaming, and improved overall performance. The retrieved official requirement text does not specify a storage capacity, so the listed SSD requirement does not establish a minimum number of gigabytes or a particular model.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The studio says it will no longer officially support Windows 10 because Microsoft and NVIDIA have ended support for the operating system. The game may still run on Windows 10 after the next update, but CD PROJEKT RED says it no longer develops or tests for that OS and cannot guarantee compatibility or performance. It also says supported components are those that continue to receive official manufacturer updates.
How to choose settings for stable performance
- Pick the rendering goal first. Decide whether you want ordinary rasterized play, Ultra settings, ray tracing, or Path Tracing. Use the corresponding requirement row rather than treating the Path Tracing system as necessary for all play.
- Match the target to your display. Compare your resolution and desired frame rate with the table. Higher resolution can significantly reduce FPS, and the listed target assumes the specific preset and rendering mode in that row.
- Measure your own demanding scenes. The developer’s FPS figures are QA targets, not guaranteed minimums for every location or hardware combination. If performance is unstable, lower the preset, reduce resolution, or choose a lower frame-rate target, then check the same scenes again.
- Use upscaling only with the relevant RT target assumptions. The official test method used Auto DLSS/FSR/XeSS for RT and Path Tracing configurations, and frame generation for Path Tracing. Do not treat those figures as native-resolution results.
There are no confirmed modern per-setting benchmark comparisons here for the Remastered build. NVIDIA’s May 2015 graphics guide can help identify settings such as HairWorks, ambient occlusion, foliage range, grass density, shadows, textures, and water, but it predates Remastered and should not be used as a current performance benchmark.
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
HairWorks: a dated performance warning
On September 30, 2026, CD PROJEKT RED advised players to disable NVIDIA HairWorks temporarily because an issue “may significantly affect performance,” recommending: “We recommend disabling that setting until this is addressed in a patch.” This advice was reported by GamesRadar+. It is a time-specific workaround, not evidence that HairWorks explains every case of low FPS or stuttering; check for later patch guidance before changing the setting.
How to compare upgrade options
Compare systems against the same target rather than comparing GPU names in isolation. Check the resolution, preset, FPS goal, RT or Path Tracing mode, upscaling and frame-generation assumptions, VRAM, CPU, and SSD requirement together. An RTX 5080 is named only for 2160p Path Tracing at 60 FPS with frame generation; for ordinary play, the relevant tier may be much lower.
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.
