Cyberpunk 2077 Ray Tracing Settings for High FPS

For the best balance of ray tracing and high frame rates in Cyberpunk 2077, start with ray-traced reflections and local shadows, leave path tracing off, and use DLSS Super Resolution on an Nvidia RTX card. This keeps much of the visual upgrade while avoiding the heavy cost of the game’s most demanding lighting modes; the right settings still depend on your GPU, resolution, and target frame rate.

What to Look For

Cyberpunk 2077’s graphics options do not have one universal best setting. A configuration that feels smooth at 1080p may struggle at 4K, and ray tracing can cost far more performance than conventional rasterized effects. Change one setting at a time, use the built-in benchmark or a repeatable route, and judge both average frame rate and stutter.

• GPU and resolution: Ray tracing is principally a graphics-card workload. Higher resolutions increase it further. Check the performance of your exact GPU at your target resolution rather than relying on a general tier label.
• Ray tracing versus path tracing: Ray tracing offers selected effects, including reflections and shadows. Path tracing—also called RT Overdrive—is a much more demanding, comprehensive lighting mode. Treat it as an option for powerful hardware, not a default.
• Upscaling and frame generation: Nvidia DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS can render internally below the display resolution and reconstruct the image. Frame generation can raise displayed FPS on supported hardware, but it does not make the game simulate input and frames at the same rate.
• Image quality: Upscaling modes vary in sharpness and artifacts. Compare them while moving through a detailed scene; a still screenshot may hide shimmering, ghosting, or loss of fine detail.
• CPU limits and stability: If lowering resolution or graphics settings barely changes FPS, the processor or another limit may be holding performance back. Leave headroom for busy areas, and avoid judging a setup only by a short, empty scene.

Balanced ray tracing: reflections and local shadows

For many RTX systems, this is the most practical starting point. Enable ray-traced reflections and ray-traced local shadows, but keep path tracing and other costly ray-traced lighting options off. Pair the effects with DLSS Quality at 1440p, or try Balanced if performance is short of your target. At 1080p, Quality is often a sensible first comparison; at 4K, Balanced or Performance may be necessary, depending on the card.

Strengths: Reflections make glass, wet roads, and reflective surfaces more convincing, while local shadows add depth around nearby objects. Trade-offs: Performance can still fall sharply compared with ray tracing off, and image quality depends on the DLSS mode. Best for: RTX owners who want a visible RT upgrade without the expense of full path tracing.

Ray tracing off, DLSS or FSR on

If a consistently high frame rate matters more than ray-traced effects, turn ray tracing off and use the game’s conventional lighting. Start with DLSS Quality on Nvidia, FSR Quality on AMD, or XeSS where supported and appropriate for your hardware. Move to Balanced only when you need more speed, then check for softness and artifacts at your normal viewing distance.

Strengths: This gives the GPU more room for higher settings, resolution, and smoother performance. Trade-offs: You lose ray-traced reflections and shadows, and upscaling is not identical to native rendering. Best for: Competitive-feeling controls, high-refresh displays, and GPUs that cannot sustain RT at the chosen resolution.

DLSS Frame Generation on RTX 40-series

On supported Nvidia RTX 40-series cards, DLSS Frame Generation can insert generated frames between conventionally rendered frames. It can make motion look smoother when the underlying frame rate is already reasonably stable. Enable it after choosing a suitable DLSS Super Resolution mode, then compare input response and image quality in actual play.

Strengths: It can substantially increase the displayed frame rate without requiring the GPU to render every displayed frame traditionally. Trade-offs: Generated frames do not reduce the delay associated with a low base frame rate, and may add artifacts or latency. It is not available on every GPU. Best for: RTX 40-series users who already have a stable base rate and want smoother-looking motion, particularly with demanding RT settings.

Path tracing with DLSS Ray Reconstruction

Path tracing, listed as RT Overdrive, provides the game’s most comprehensive ray-traced lighting, but it is exceptionally demanding. On supported Nvidia RTX hardware, use DLSS Super Resolution and Ray Reconstruction; add Frame Generation only if your GPU supports it and the base experience remains responsive. Start at 1440p with a suitable upscaling mode rather than assuming native 4K is realistic.

Strengths: It can transform lighting, reflections, and shadows in scenes designed to show those effects. Trade-offs: It can sharply reduce native rendering performance, and reconstruction or generated frames cannot erase every artifact or responsiveness cost. Best for: High-end RTX systems, visual showcase play, and users willing to prioritize image effects over latency or maximum FPS.

AMD FSR or Intel XeSS with ray tracing

Players without a suitable Nvidia card can try FSR or XeSS upscaling alongside a reduced ray-tracing configuration, if the options are available and perform well on their hardware. Start with ray-traced reflections alone, then test local shadows; disable RT effects again if frame pacing becomes uneven. These technologies and hardware support can differ, so check the options shown in your game.

Strengths: Upscaling can improve performance without relying on Nvidia-only DLSS features. Trade-offs: Results vary by GPU, mode, and scene; image reconstruction may look less stable than native rendering. Best for: AMD or Intel GPU users who want to test a modest RT setup rather than assume the game’s highest preset is practical.

How to Choose

Start with your target. For a responsive, high-refresh experience, turn RT off first and build upward. For a balanced single-player setup, test reflections and local shadows with Quality upscaling. For a visual showcase, try path tracing only after confirming your hardware can maintain an acceptable base frame rate.

Match the settings to your GPU and display. At 1080p, begin with Quality upscaling or native rendering if performance allows. At 1440p, Quality or Balanced is a useful comparison. At 4K, Balanced or Performance may be needed. These are starting points, not guarantees: GPU model, game version, scene complexity, and other settings all matter.

Spend performance where you notice it. Reflections often make RT especially apparent in Night City’s wet, illuminated streets. If you do not value the effect enough to accept its FPS cost, turn it off. Avoid stacking path tracing, high resolution, and demanding upscaling modes simply because each is available.

Test in a repeatable way. Run the built-in benchmark after each major change, then play a demanding area. Check frame pacing, image quality, and controls—not just the largest FPS number. Keep a setting if it improves your experience; revert it if it causes persistent stutter or distracting artifacts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best ray-tracing setting for high FPS?
There is no universal preset. Start with ray-traced reflections and local shadows, disable path tracing, and use an upscaler suited to your GPU and resolution.

Should I use path tracing?
Use it when visual quality is more important than maximum FPS and your hardware can handle the cost. Otherwise, conventional ray tracing—or RT off—is more practical.

Does Frame Generation improve input lag?
No. It increases displayed smoothness, but generated frames do not raise the underlying rendered frame rate and can add latency. A stable base rate still matters.

Which DLSS mode should I choose?
Begin with Quality for a sharper image. Try Balanced or Performance only if you need more speed, and compare the result during movement at your display’s resolution.

Can AMD or Intel GPUs use ray tracing in the game?
Supported hardware may run the game’s ray-tracing options, but performance varies. Test a small number of RT effects with FSR or XeSS where available, and turn RT off if play becomes uneven.

Bottom Line

For a broadly sensible balance, use ray-traced reflections and local shadows, turn off path tracing, and enable DLSS Quality on an RTX GPU; lower the upscaling quality only if you need more FPS. If your GPU is AMD or Intel, or your priority is a reliably high frame rate, start with RT off and test FSR or XeSS. Reserve path tracing and Frame Generation for compatible, powerful systems and use cases that favor visual spectacle over responsiveness.

Related

• Hate Relationship Running? Why You Feel That Way
• Marvel Rivals Mr. Fantastic Guide: Abilities, Combos & Counters
• Best Obsidian Alternatives for Collaborative AI Note Taking