To make Cyberpunk 2077 run better on a lower-end PC, first compare your hardware with CD PROJEKT RED’s current minimum requirements. Then start with the in-game Low preset, lower the output resolution if needed, keep ray tracing off, and update your graphics driver. Try an upscaler only after establishing that baseline; treat frame generation as a later option, not a fix for a very low base frame rate.
Can your PC run Cyberpunk 2077?
CD PROJEKT RED’s current requirements apply to the base game and Phantom Liberty on Update 2.0 and later. For the non-ray-tracing minimum, the publisher targets 1080p on Low at an expected 30 FPS. That is a published target, not a promise for every PC: results vary with hardware, software, settings and output resolution.
| 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 |
| System memory | 12 GB RAM |
| Storage | 70 GB SSD |
| Graphics API | DirectX 12 |
| Published performance target | 1080p, Low preset, expected 30 FPS |
Check your actual GPU model and VRAM, processor, installed RAM, Windows version and drive type rather than relying on a broad label such as “gaming PC.” The game is graphics- and processor-intensive, so the limiting component can differ from one computer to another. CD PROJEKT RED’s current system requirements also show a separate, substantially higher minimum for ray tracing: 1080p RT Low at an expected 30 FPS, with an RTX 2060, RX 6800 XT or Arc A750, 8 GB VRAM, 16 GB RAM and higher processor requirements.
The current requirements specify an SSD; the 2023 update discontinued HDD support. The publisher said its updated minimum represented a 1080p average of 30 FPS on Low, while cautioning that actual FPS varies. It also distinguished the new baseline from the older configurations: those setups would not necessarily stop working immediately, but active support and testing for them would end after the next base-game update. The older Patch 1.63 requirements remain historical, not the right baseline for the current game. See CD PROJEKT RED’s 2023 requirements update.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#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 on a low-end PC
- Confirm the requirements. Compare the PC’s CPU, GPU and VRAM, RAM, Windows version and storage with the current minimum above. If the game is installed on a hard drive, move it to a compatible SSD with enough free space; an SSD addresses the storage requirement, not a weak graphics card or processor.
- Start with the Low preset. In the game’s graphics settings, select the Low preset and test a repeatable scene or location. This gives you a baseline before changing individual settings. The publisher’s stated minimum target is 1080p Low, but a PC below that baseline may need compromises and still perform poorly.
- Reduce output resolution if Low is not enough. Try a lower resolution and compare both smoothness and readability. Lowering resolution reduces rendering load but makes the image less sharp; there is no single setting that guarantees a particular FPS increase across different PCs.
- Leave ray tracing off while diagnosing. First establish how the game performs without ray tracing. The official RT minimum is a distinct, higher hardware tier, so enabling those effects can make a lower-end setup struggle further.
- Update the graphics driver. Install the current driver for your GPU from its manufacturer and restart the PC if the installer requests it. CD PROJEKT RED recommends keeping graphics drivers updated; use the vendor’s current release rather than an old driver version cited in past guidance.
- Test an available upscaler. In Settings → Graphics → Quick Preset, choose an upscaling option your game version and hardware expose. Compare it with your baseline for both image clarity and smoothness. Keep the option that works best on your own PC; the publisher does not promise a fixed gain or say one scaler is always superior.
- Consider frame generation only after checking base performance. Measure ordinary gameplay performance first. CD PROJEKT RED recommends a baseline minimum of 60 FPS before enabling FSR Frame Generation; it warns that at lower rates artifacts may be more prominent and frame-pacing problems may occur. Frame generation is not a first-line remedy for a very low base rate.
- Identify the bottleneck before buying parts. If performance remains unacceptable, check which requirement the PC misses and whether that component is actually limiting performance. A GPU, CPU or RAM shortfall calls for a different response from the SSD requirement, and any upgrade must be compatible with the rest of the system.
What to know about upscaling and frame generation
Upscaling and frame generation are related but distinct. Upscaling renders the game at a lower internal resolution and reconstructs an output image; frame generation creates additional displayed frames. CD PROJEKT RED’s FSR 3 guidance says FSR 3 combines upscaling with frame generation, but frame generation has a separate in-game setting and can be enabled only when FSR 3 upscaling is enabled.
In that guidance, FSR is selected in Settings → Graphics → Quick Preset, and the separate frame-generation control is available when FSR 3 upscaling is active. CD PROJEKT RED retained FSR 2.1 as well as FSR 3 so players can choose a preferred quality/performance setting. The publisher also recommends a 120 Hz-or-higher monitor and requires Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling for FSR Frame Generation. Windows 11 enables the scheduling feature by default; the support article provides steps for Windows 10. See CD PROJEKT RED’s FSR 3 support guidance.
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)
Available options depend on the installed patch, GPU and drivers. Patch 2.13, released September 12, 2024, added FSR 3 with Frame Generation and Intel XeSS 1.3 for PC, and moved HDD Mode, Hybrid CPU Utilization and AMD SMT controls to the Utilities tab. In July 2025, CD PROJEKT RED listed AMD FSR 4, FSR 3.1 Frame Generation and Intel XeSS 2.0 among Update 2.3’s technology features. Check the menus your own installation actually offers instead of assuming every option is available. The publisher’s notes are Patch 2.13 and Update 2.3.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which component should you upgrade?
There is no universally correct upgrade based on the game title alone. Use the current requirements to identify what your PC lacks, then consider compatibility and whether that part is the performance bottleneck. A drive change is relevant if the game is on an HDD or the SSD lacks capacity; it should not be treated as a general FPS upgrade. A GPU, CPU or RAM upgrade addresses a different shortfall and should be chosen only after checking the system’s actual limitation.
Crashes, 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 minuteWindows 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 reinstallQuick Recap
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
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.
