The game has undergone significant updates for the new DLC.
The myriad changes and improvements version 2.0 offers are too extensive to detail here.
While we aren’t delving into CPU performance today, we are evaluating using7800X3D.
We also see the introduction of Nvidia DLSS 3.5, which supportsray reconstruction.
However, enabling it requires path tracing, limiting its current utility.
Nevertheless, it’s exciting to see it incorporated.
check that you don’t miss our detailed featurediscussing DLSS 3.5.
There’s much to discuss, but for this feature, we want to zero in on GPU performance.
Let’s dive right in.
For this test, each pass lasts 30 seconds, and we’re reporting the average from three runs.
All three had their upscaling methods manually switched off.
As mentioned earlier, we used aRyzen 7 7800X3Dtest system with 32GB of DDR5-6000 CL30 memory.
The display drivers is use wereGame Ready 537.42andAdrenalin Edition 23.9.2.
This is undoubtedly strong performance, especially considering this is the 4090 we’re discussing.
Further, relying on upscaling won’t significantly improve this, and FSR at 1080p is notably subpar.
While we don’t advise using DLSS at such a modest resolution, it’s a preferable option.
Doing so would likely grant better performance at 1440p using the ‘Ultra’ preset.
We’ll explore this shortly.
Now, let’s assess ray tracing performance at 1440p.
Here, the RTX 4090 averaged a mere 70 fps, rendering the 4080 to about 49 fps.
Utilizing DLSS upscaling becomes quite appealing here, and it operates effectively at 1440p.
Both theRTX 3080, 7900 XTX, RTX 4070, and3080 Tihovered around the 30 fps mark.
Yet, beyond these figures, the outlook is grim, even with DLSS upscaling.
The gaming experience on the RTX 4070 Ti, for instance, is less than ideal from our perspective.
Benchmarks: Ultra Quality
It’s time to examine performance using the ‘Ultra’ quality preset.
Both the6800 XTand 3080 stood neck-and-neck at 122 fps, while the RTX 4070 and7700 XTwere evenly matched.
In fact, most of the tested GPUs performed impressively at 1080p using the ultra preset.
TheRTX 4060, for instance, clocked in at 70 fps, while theRX 7600excelled with 77 fps.
Even venerable units like the5700 XTperformed well, averaging 68 fps, matching the6650 XTandGTX 1080 Ti.
TheRTX 3060managed to average slightly above 60 fps, while theRX 6600just missed the mark.
Increasing the resolution to 1440p provides a clearer insight into the capabilities of theGeForce RTX 4090.
Averaging 144 fps, it was 14% faster than the 7900 XTX.
Though not a huge margin, this was an evident improvement over the 1080p results.
For the7900 XTX, being slightly behind the 4090 isn’t concerning.
Conversely, the4080was 10% faster than the7900 XT.
In terms of pricing, the 7900 XT competes with the4070 Ti, where it outperformed by 11%.
We then observed the7800 XTdelivering performance in line with the6950 XTandRTX 3090, which is impressive.
However, performance drops below 60 fps when considering components like the6750 XTand 4060 Ti.
The previous generation5700 XTmanaged a mere 37 fps, aligning with the performance of theRTX 3060and6600 XT.
Unfortunately, theRTX 3050underperformed, and the6500 XTencountered significant issues.
Increasing the resolution to 4K exerts considerable pressure on these GPUs.
While not perfect, the gameplay remained smooth and visually appealing.
The7900 XT, averaging 50 fps, equated with the3090 Ti.
Consequently, it slightly edged out the3090and was 9% quicker than the 4070 Ti.
Such performance levels suggest a potential compromise in quality, even when considering upscaling.
Benchmarks: Medium Quality
Time for the medium preset.
Once again, FSR 2.1 is enabled automatically.
However, this time the FSR quality level is set to auto, meaning results could vary.
We have manually disabled FSR for native resolution to ensure consistent testing.
The 3090 Ti, 6950 XT, and 7800 XT each surpassed 160 fps.
An intriguing comparison is the 6800 XT against theRTX 3080.
The 4060 Ti exhibited performance similar to the 6750 XT, both slightly outperforming the olderRTX 2080 Ti.
The GTX 1080 Ti achieved 81 fps, placing it just ahead of the 3060 and RX 6600.
The5700 XTmanaged 68 fps, still a playable rate.
The RTX 3050 also provided a playable experience with an average of 56 fps.
Moving to 1440p resolution, the RTX 4090 begins to shine.
Averaging 192 fps, it was 22% faster than the 7900 XTX.
Meanwhile, the Radeon GPU held an 8% edge over the 4080.
Further in the list, the RTX 3090,6900 XT, and 7800 XT hovered between 113 - 115 fps.
The 6800 XT held an 8% advantage over the RTX 3080.
Both GPUs performed well at these controls.
The 3080 matched the 4070, placing them slightly ahead of the 7700 XT and RX 6800.
Both the RX 7600 and RTX 4060 achieved a respectable 60 fps.
Notably, the 6500 XT struggled in this test.
Not far from the 60 fps mark, both the 6950 XT and RTX 3090 performed admirably.
The3090 Titook a slight lead with 67 fps.
In this tier, the performance of the current generation 4060 Ti, 4060, andRX 7600was notably limited.
Beyond this point, the gameplay experience becomes significantly compromised.
Three years after the game’s launch, this remains as true as ever.
Version 2.0 of Cyberpunk introduces ray reconstruction, a feature currently exclusive to Nvidia RTX GPUs.
Conversely, most GeForce GPUs often rely on significant upscaling.
For instance, at 1440p, only theRTX 4090manages to stay independent of upscaling, averaging 70 fps.
The more budget-friendlyRTX 4070 Ti, which remains a premium offering, reaches just 39 fps at 1440p.
Thankfully, DLSS functions effectively at this resolution.
But it’s an impressive technology all the same and it’s great to have options.
Achieving even 60 fps using upscaling at 1440p becomes a challenge beyond the 4070 Ti.
Therefore we believe that ray tracing truly shines primarily on the RTX 4090,4080, and perhaps the 4070 Ti.
For any GPUs below that tier, we’d lean towards prioritizing a high refresh rate experience.
Curiously, FSR doesn’t scale as efficiently with the RDNA 3 GPU.
But of course, we’d like to hear your opinion on this.
If you own anRTX 4070or a slower model, what level of ray tracing are you employing?
Bottom line, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is well-optimized for the PC platform.
This assessment doesn’t even account for the potential benefits of upscaling.
