Products at a Glance
How we picked the best GPU for Cyberpunk 2077
We researched the market and found various options from Nvidia and AMD. We filtered those options based on their price, compatibility, performance, and other features, such as DLSS and FSR. On top of that, we also conduct rigorous in-house testing of the cards. During our testing, we saw how our selected GPUs performed in various games, including Cyberpunk 2077. This helps us give you the best options available. We’re always updating our list with the latest information, so if there are better pairings than these, we’ll be sure to update them, so check back with us.
Product Reviews
- Great 4K and 1440p performance
- Comparatively cheaper than the base model
- It has better in-game results than the RTX 4080
- It still costs more than $1,000
- The large footprint requires a spacious casing to accommodate it
- The performance hike isn’t groundbreaking
If you’re looking for the best GPU for Cyberpunk 2077, check out the RTX 4080 Super.
Our RTX 4080 Super review showed that it performed better than the RTX 4080 and held its own in 1440p and 4K gaming. This is possible due to its impressive specifications, which include 10,240 CUDA cores, 2.29 GHz base clock speed, and 2.55 GHz boost clock speed. CUDA cores are responsible for the GPU’s in-game performance, and this substantial core count should enable it to keep up with the latest AAA titles.
It also sports 16GB of GDDR6X VRAM with a 256-bit memory interface width. This should be more than enough to maximize your in-game settings without experiencing performance degradation. Its bandwidth of 736GB/s should also contribute toward faster processing and data transfer.
During our testing of the RTX 4080 Super, it has great results for Cyberpunk 2077. It delivered 127 FPS at 1440p and 51FPS in native 4K. This was done without turning on any performance-enhancing features such as DLSS. So, if you were looking forward to enjoying the environment of Nightcity in 4K, this GPU shouldn’t leave anything on the table.
According to Nvidia, this GPU has a maximum display resolution of 4K at 240Hz and 8K at 60Hz. While pushing a full 240 frames at 4K might not be possible, playing various games at 60+ FPS should be a breeze with the RTX 4080 Super.
It also has one HDMI port and three Display ports, meaning that you can have a multi-monitor setup and have the option to change the port to experience the full refresh rate of your monitor. Besides that, the RTX 4080 Super also has Nvidia Reflex, which reduces the system latency when you’re gaming. What this means is the time when you click a button to the time when it is registered and displayed on the screen is reduced. This is great for competitive games, but during intense firefights in Cyberpunk 2077, it should also give you a competitive advantage.
Overall, the RTX 4080 Super is a powerful GPU, which is a good fit for a demanding game like Cyberpunk 2077.
- Superb native 4K performance
- 20GB VRAM should let you max out graphical settings
- Very affordable as compared to RTX 4080 Super or RTX 4090
- The Ray Tracing results aren’t as great as Nvidia GPUs
- High power draw of 315W
- RX 7900 XTX is available for a little price hike and better performance
If you’re looking for the best AMD GPU for Cyberpunk 2077, we recommend giving the RX 7900 XT a shot. We went with this particular card from Team Red, as in our RX 7900 XT review, we saw that it performed exceptionally well across a number of titles in 1440p and 4K, including Cyberpunk 2077.
This GPU is powered by 5,376 stream processors, has a base clock speed of 2,000 MHz, and a boost clock speed of 2,400 MHz. These specifications mean it has enough muscle to handle the latest AAA titles in ultra-resolution. As for Cyberpunk 2077, it had a stable 62 FPS at max/ultra settings without any software enhancements enabled, such as DLSS.
The RX 7900 XT also has abundant VRAM, as it houses 20GB of GDDR6 memory with a 320-bit memory interface. Its memory bandwidth is up to 800 GB/s, which should be sufficient for seamless data transfer. The low bottleneck risk leads to better overall performance.
This GPU supports plenty of AMD technologies, such as AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution. This technology used advanced upscaling and frame generation to enhance in-game performance. According to AMD, with FSR3 Performance Mode and Frame Generation enabled, you should experience a boost from 50 FPS to 175 FPS in games like Forspoken at 4K with ultra-high Ray Tracing settings. So, if you were wondering if you’d be able to play Cyberpunk 2077 at high settings, this card has you covered.
Lastly, the RX 7900 XT costs less than the RTX 4080 Super, and according to our testing, it performed better than it did at native 4K. So, this card is the best GPU for Cyberpunk 2077 if you don’t want to spend a fortune but still want to play in ultra-definition.
- Excellent 1440p performance
- Has an affordable price tag
- It is a power-efficient option and won’t require a bulky PSU
- 8GB VRAM is limiting for more resource-intensive tasks
- Subpar 4K performance
- Almost four years old
If you’re looking for the best budget GPU for Cyberpunk 2077, the RTX 3070 is one of the best options out there. While the 3000 Nvidia GPUs are four years old, they still pack a punch, and in our RTX 3070 review, we saw it blowing through modern titles at 1080p and 1440p. That said, you most likely won’t get playable framerates at 4K, but other than that, it’s a great GPU if you’re operating on a budget.
The RTX 3070 has 5,888 CUDA cores, a base clock speed of 1.50GHz, and a boost clock speed of 1.73GHz. This means it should have enough juice to cater to 1440p gaming at max easily presets without stuttering or frame drops. However, you always have the option to enable the boost clock or overclock it to take its performance to the next level.
It features 8GB of GDDR6 memory with a 256-bit interface. While many won’t be happy with the 8GB VRAM due to its limitations, it doesn’t take away from its performance and should be able to handle various graphical tasks within reason. That said, its limited VRAM is also one of the reasons why its 4K performance isn’t up to the mark.
We ran Cyberpunk 2077 on ultra presets with the RTX 3070, which delivered 98 FPS at 1080p and 62 FPS at 1440p. However, at 4K, we saw a substantial decrease in performance, and it could only manage 29 FPS. That said, these tests were done without DLSS, so there is a chance that you could get more frames, but it won’t be much to make a difference in 4K gameplay.
Overall, this GPU was a solid mid-range option of the previous generation, and if you can get your hands on one during a sale, it would serve you well. Its performance at lower resolutions but higher presets gave it a spot on our list for the best GPU for Cyberpunk 2077.
How to pick the best GPU for Cyberpunk 2077
Before investing in any GPU, you need to keep a handful of factors in mind. These factors should help you avoid needless upgrades and filter your options until you have the best balance between performance and value. We’ve listed some of these factors below to help you make an informed decision.
Performance
The first thing you need to consider is what level of performance you are looking for. If you want to experience the best possible graphics in Cyberpunk 2077 with Ray Tracing on, then going for a powerful GPU like our top pick or even the RTX 4090, which performed stellarly during our hands-on review, would be better suited for you.
However, if you want to play at lower resolutions, such as 1080p or 1440p, you could opt for a mid-range GPU like the RTX 4070 Super or the RX 7800XT, both of which had great 1440p results during our testing. To get an in-depth insight regarding their performance and other GPUs, head over to our GPU hub, which will provide more insider knowledge.
System requirements
Considering the system requirements for any game is always a great place to start, as it should give you an idea of the level of performance you can expect from various GPUs. According to CD Projekt Red, to play Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K ultra preset, you’ll need the RX 7900 XTX, and if you want to play with Ray Tracing at Overdrive, the RTX 4080 is the way to go.
However, there have been multiple installations in the Nvidia 4000 series lineup, such as the RTX 4080 Super, which performs better than the RTX 4080. So, consider the performance you want and also keep in mind your monitor’s refresh rate and resolution before making a choice because opting for a high-end GPU for a 1080p monitor doesn’t make sense.
Budget
Your budget is one of the most important things to consider before selecting a GPU. It’s understandable if you want to experience everything Night City offers in 4K with Ray Tracing on, but to get that, you’ll have to invest a good amount of money in a beefy GPU. However, going overboard with your GPU isn’t recommended, as you also need to think about whether you’ll need that level of performance for anything else or if it’s just for this one game.
If it’s just for Cyberpunk 2077, we recommend going for a mid-range CPU or a high-end AMD GPU, which costs less than an Nvidia GPU but still offers great 4K performance. However, investing in a good GPU might be justified if you could also use the GPU for professional reasons. If not, sticking within your budget is always better.
Is Cyberpunk 2077 GPU intensive?
Yes, Cyberpunk 2077 is both CPU and GPU-intensive. While the game leverages the CPU for its dense AI activities, the rich details, textures, and effects place a hefty demand on the GPU. To experience Cyberpunk 2077 smoothly and at its best, a robust GPU is essential.
Is RTX worth it for Cyberpunk?
Absolutely. Owing to ray tracing capabilities, Nvidia’s RTX series stands out as the top choice for Cyberpunk 2077. The game’s graphics, especially the reflections, lighting, and shadows, come alive with RTX, offering an unparalleled gaming experience.
Our Verdict
Verdict
After considering the price and performance of the cards on our list, we concluded that the RTX 4080 Super is the best GPU for Cyberpunk 2077. First, it costs less than the RTX 4080, the recommended GPU for 4K resolution by CD Projekt Red, and has comparatively better performance. It features 16GB GDDR6X VRAM, DLSS 3.5, and Nvidia Reflex support, and it’s the second most powerful GPU in the Nvidia 4000 series GPUs.