Best GPU for Cyberpunk 2077 – budget, AMD, and overall picks
In this article, we’re taking a dive deep into the best GPU options for Cyberpunk 2077, ensuring you get the most immersive experience out of this dystopian gaming marvel. After all, in a world as detailed and dynamic as the one set in this game, you’d want every neon sign, every shimmering puddle, and every glint off your cybernetic arm to be rendered in breathtaking clarity.
Although Cyberpunk 2077 demands a lot from your CPU, it’s the ray-tracing capabilities that truly challenge today’s GPUs. This game isn’t just about dynamic narratives and immersive gameplay; its visual aesthetics, enhanced by high-fidelity ray tracing and smooth fps, elevate the gaming experience to cinematic levels. With the right graphics card in your rig, you can journey through Night City, experiencing every facet of this dystopian world as the developers intended.
Products at a Glance
How did we pick the best GPU for Cyberpunk 2077?
Determining the best graphics cards isn’t just about raw power. It’s about striking a balance between performance, price, and longevity. We started by examining publicly available benchmarks, focusing on how different GPUs handle Cyberpunk 2077, particularly at different resolutions and settings. While the benchmarks gave us an objective look at performance metrics, the feedback from the gaming community provided context.
Selecting the right GPU involves a combination of understanding game-specific requirements and broad market trends. First and foremost, we delve into Cyberpunk’s system requirements, dissecting its engine and graphics requirements. Drawing parallels with the game’s native recommendations provides a foundational guideline: in this case, a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon RX 470 are recommended as the minimum. However, Cyberpunk is heavy on ray tracing, or path tracing, and is graphically intensive even at medium settings.
As one of the most demanding games out there, it’s recommended to go above and beyond the minimum system requirements to allow the open world to really come to life. We’ve curated this list of GPUs that not only promise excellent performance for Cyberpunk 2077 but also ensure a smooth gaming experience for other AAA titles in the market. Once you’ve found your GPU, further enhance the gaming prowess of your system with the best CPU for Cyberpunk 2077 too.
Best GPU for Cyberpunk 2077 – budget, AMD, and overall picks
- Offers DLSS
- Exceptional ray tracing capabilities
- Perfect for 4K ultra settings
- Premium pricing
- Requires a beefy PSU
The Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Eagle OC, with its base clock of 1365MHz and boost up to 1680MHz, holds a beefy 12GB of VRAM. Measuring at 320 x 128 x 56 mm, it’s ideally powered by a PSU rated at 750W. With a video game as visually striking and demanding as Cyberpunk 2077, this GPU truly shines. When looking at the game’s 4k requirements with ray-tracing and DLSS activated, the RTX 3080 Ti hits the sweet spot and manages to perform to an exceptional level.
The card’s 2nd-generation Ray Tracing and frame generation ensures that the in-game graphics, especially in a ray tracing-heavy title like Cyberpunk, look absolutely breathtaking. If you’re someone who won’t settle for anything less than ultra performance settings on a 4K display, the RTX 3080 Ti Eagle OC is hands-down one of the best options available from Nvidia GPU’s 3000 series. Though it can be on the pricier side, the overall gaming experience it offers, especially with features like DLSS and ray tracing, is hard to match.
- Offers great value for the price
- Sleek and attractive design
- Generous 16GB VRAM
- Slightly larger in size
- Might overheat in smaller cases
The XFX Speedster MERC319 AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT boasts an impressive base clock of 1950MHz, which can be boosted to a staggering 2135MHz. It’s packed with 16GB of VRAM and is housed in a larger frame, measuring 340 x 139 x 57 mm. Ideally, a 700W PSU is recommended to get the most out of this GPU.
The Radeon RX 6900XT, especially this particular model, is a true competitor in the realm of GPUs below the $1000 mark. AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture in this card ensures optimum performance for high-end gaming with impressive frame rates, especially on monitors with higher resolutions and quicker refresh rates. If you’re taking on the world of Cyberpunk 2077, this GPU will not disappoint.
It’s more than capable of pushing ultra settings on both 1440p and 4K displays, ensuring a smooth and immersive gaming session. The card is not only powerful but also boasts a sleek design, making it a favorite among those who appreciate aesthetics just as much as performance. To truly max out the performance of this card on your PC, try pairing it with one of the best CPUs for the RX 6900.
- Wallet-friendly powerhouse
- Compact and compatible
- Reliable TUF durability
- Not a 4K frontrunner
- Limited RGB for aesthetic enthusiasts
Sporting a solid base clock and bolstered by an impressive amount of VRAM, the ASUS TUF Gaming Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti OC Edition is no slouch in the performance department. With its compact dimensions, it’s a snug fit for most gaming rigs, ensuring a blend of performance and compatibility. Pair it with a 700W PSU, and you’ve got yourself a workhorse ready for the most demanding titles boosted by Nvidia’s RT cores and Tensor cores.
Gaming on a budget but still itching for those crisp, high-detail visuals in Cyberpunk 2077? Look no further. The 3060 Ti from ASUS’s TUF lineup is the perfect companion for gamers looking to experience Night City without breaking the bank. While it might not push 4K at ultra settings, it will breeze you through medium and low settings. It’s a beast for 1080p and even dabbles efficiently into 1440p territory.
- Capable of up to 8K gaming
- Operates quietly
- Premium aesthetic appeal
- Lacks DisplayPort 2.1
- On the bulkier side
- Pricey for some gamers
The ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 4080 AMP Extreme AIRO is a marvel in the graphics card realm, touting a base clock of 2205MHz that can be revved up to a whopping 2565MHz. This beast from NVIDIA’s 40-series lineup comes equipped with 16GB of VRAM and occupies a space of 356 x 150 x 72mm, necessitating a 700W PSU for optimal performance.
When you’re looking for state-of-the-art performance, especially in a game as graphically demanding as Cyberpunk 2077, this card is right up there with the best. The 4080’s incredible boost clock ensures it outpaces most high-end GPUs available today, especially when paired with the right processor.
For many, the price might seem steep, but when you consider the long-term, especially if you’re the kind who upgrades once every blue moon, it’s an investment worth considering. Furthermore, ZOTAC’s reputation for crafting GPUs with stunning aesthetics holds true here. The GeForce RTX 4080 is not just a powerhouse, but it’s a gorgeous addition to any rig. The support of maxed settings for graphics can truly be appreciated when this card is paired with one of the best monitors for the RTX 4080.
Features and Considerations
When considering a GPU for Cyberpunk 2077, it’s paramount to factor in ray tracing capabilities, as the graphics of the Night City were built to make use of this technology. Additionally, VRAM plays a pivotal role. With the dense urban environments and intricate character designs in the game, having ample VRAM ensures that textures and assets are rendered smoothly, reducing any potential stutter or lag.
Another key feature to consider is the GPU’s cooling system. Cyberpunk 2077 can push your hardware to its limits, especially when running the game in its highest settings for prolonged periods. A robust cooling solution will not only ensure consistent performance but will also extend the life of the GPU.
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
Final thoughts
Diving into the neon-lit streets of Night City is a visual treat, one that demands hardware capable of rendering the intricacies of Cyberpunk 2077’s world. With a myriad of GPUs flooding the market, finding the perfect fit can seem daunting. However, the choices we’ve listed here cater to a spectrum of gaming needs, with the top spot going to the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Eagle OC. Whether you’re pinching pennies or ready to splurge, there’s an option tailored just for you.
As the gaming industry propels forward, titles like Cyberpunk 2077 set a new bar for graphical demand and immersion. While the game is indeed CPU-intensive, especially with the bustling AI-driven environment, the GPU equally plays a pivotal role. For gamers on the hunt for unparalleled visual fidelity, making an informed GPU choice for this title is indispensable