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There is no single best video preset for every PC in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered. The right balance depends on your GPU, display resolution, target frame rate, and whether you value smoother play or advanced lighting more. Start with standard rendering and a supported upscaler, then test ray tracing or path tracing on your own system before keeping the extra load.
What changed in The Witcher 3 Remastered
CD PROJEKT RED released The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered on September 29, 2026. The upgrade is free for qualifying owners on listed storefronts and platforms, with eligibility varying by ecosystem; it includes Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. The developer describes updates to visuals, performance, combat, character progression, and animations. Read the release announcement.
On PC, the game now uses native DirectX 12 rendering with multithreading. Its listed visual changes include updated tone mapping, screen-space ambient occlusion through GTAO, ray-traced local shadows, revised screen-space reflections and shadows, HDR calibration changes, and altered lighting and material rendering. Those feature notes do not quantify each setting’s performance cost. See the official Remastered feature notes.
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Choose PC settings around your hardware and target
First decide which outcome matters most: a steady frame rate, higher output resolution, or advanced lighting. CD PROJEKT RED says performance varies with the scene, system configuration, graphics settings, and output resolution; higher output resolution can significantly reduce FPS. A setting combination that works on one PC is not a universal recommendation. Check the current PC requirements and support guidance.
#1 Best Overall
- Powered by Radeon RX 9070 XT
- WINDFORCE Cooling System
- Hawk Fan
- Server-grade Thermal Conductive Gel
- RGB Lighting
- Prioritize smooth play: Begin with standard rendering rather than ray tracing or path tracing. Choose an output resolution your GPU can sustain, then test the game in demanding areas.
- Prioritize image quality: Keep your display’s native output resolution if performance allows. Test ray tracing and path tracing separately; they are distinct advanced rendering options, not interchangeable labels.
- Use an upscaler when needed: Select the option supported by your graphics hardware, then compare image quality and smoothness in the same scene. The official feature list does not provide a controlled ranking among upscalers.
These are starting points, not benchmark-backed presets: the official material does not establish a single PC configuration that is best for all systems.
Match the upscaler and advanced features to your GPU
The PC feature list names several vendor-specific options. Check which one is available on your GPU rather than assuming every option appears on every system. The official feature notes list the supported technologies and hardware caveats.
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)
| Technology | What the official notes say | Practical consideration |
|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 | Includes Ray Reconstruction. | Use it only where supported by your hardware and game settings. NVIDIA recommends current GeForce drivers for its own hardware; that is vendor guidance, not a cross-vendor driver comparison. NVIDIA’s Remastered feature article. |
| AMD FSR 4 | Includes Frame Generation and Anti-Lag 2; listed for Radeon RX 7000 Series and newer. Unsupported GPUs use FSR 2. | Check which version the game offers for your GPU before choosing it. |
| Intel XeSS 2.0 | Includes Frame Generation and Low Latency. | Availability depends on supported hardware and the game’s options. |
| Ray-Traced HairWorks | Listed as a PC feature. | Treat it as an optional visual feature and assess its impact on your own system. |
| Path tracing | Listed as a PC feature. | Its performance estimates in the official requirements use an upscaler set to Auto; the path-tracing configuration also enables Frame Generation. These are test assumptions, not a guarantee of matching performance on your PC. |
Ray tracing and path tracing can increase rendering demands. If either option causes unacceptable dips or latency, turn it off before lowering several unrelated settings at once. That makes it easier to see which choice is affecting your experience.
Check requirements and drivers before tuning
- Confirm the operating system and storage: CD PROJEKT RED says an SSD is required for the latest technical enhancements. Its support page says Windows 10 is no longer officially supported or tested. The game may still run on Windows 10, but future compatibility and performance are not guaranteed. Review the support page.
- Install a current graphics driver: The official feature notes direct players to install the latest driver and provide links to NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel driver resources. Driver releases change, so check the relevant vendor’s current release information. Open the feature notes and driver links.
- Test one change at a time: Keep the same scene, resolution, and other settings while comparing standard rendering, ray tracing, or path tracing. This helps you judge the trade-off on your own machine without mistaking a scene or resolution change for a setting’s effect.
The official PC requirements include test assumptions for advanced rendering and upscaling, but those estimates should not be treated as a promise of a particular frame rate on a different GPU, scene, or output resolution.
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
Console video modes depend on the exact platform
Do not apply PC advice or one console’s frame-rate target to another platform. CD PROJEKT RED’s current Remastered notes specify the following PS5 modes and capabilities. Check the Remastered platform notes.
| Platform and mode | Officially stated target or feature |
|---|---|
| PS5 Ray Tracing Mode | Targets 60 FPS. |
| PS5 Performance Mode | Targets 60 FPS and up to 90 FPS on VRR-capable displays. |
| PS5 Pro | Adds PSSR, VRR, and uncapped frame rates. |
These are platform targets and feature descriptions, not a guarantee that every scene will hold a fixed frame rate. The current details above are specific to PS5 and PS5 Pro; they should not be extended to other platforms without supporting documentation.
For historical context, CD PROJEKT RED’s 2022 Next-Gen notes described PS5 and Xbox Series X Ray Tracing Mode as targeting 30 FPS and Performance Mode as targeting 60 FPS. They described Xbox Series S Quality Mode as targeting 30 FPS and Performance Mode as targeting 60 FPS, with no ray-tracing features. Those figures describe the earlier update, not a current Remastered recommendation. See the earlier Next-Gen notes.
Quick Recap
How to find your own best settings
- Write down your GPU, display resolution, and whether your display supports VRR.
- Choose a frame-rate goal that suits your display and preference; do not infer it from another player’s hardware.
- Start with standard rendering at your intended output resolution, then check performance in a demanding scene.
- If performance is below your goal, try a compatible upscaler and compare the result before adding advanced rendering features.
- Test ray tracing and path tracing separately. Keep a feature only if its visual improvement is worth the performance trade-off on your system.
- After a driver or game update, retest settings that matter to you; performance and available options can change.
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