Cyberpunk 2077 PC System Requirements

The game Cyberpunk 2077 has evolved significantly since its initial release in December 2020. The September 2023 Update 2.0 overhauled core mechanics, while the Phantom Liberty expansion added the Dogtown area and more than 30 hours of content featuring Idris Elba. These updates have also altered the hardware needs. For those looking to explore Night City set in 2026, it's essential to review what your machine must have.

Minimum Requirements for Cyberpunk 2077

After Update 2.0, the official minimum specs include: Intel Core i7-6700 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 processor, 12 GB of RAM, GeForce GTX 1060 with 6 GB, Radeon RX 580 with 8 GB, or Intel Arc A380, DirectX 12, and 70 GB of storage space. An SSD is mandatory, as developers have stressed.

Some details stand out. First, the i7-6700 as a baseline indicates that Cyberpunk demands a robust processor even at the lowest settings. Night City ranks among the most crowded urban environments in gaming, with thousands of NPCs, vehicles, lights, and neon signs rendered at once. The CPU can become the limiting factor before the GPU.

Second, an SSD is now essential, not just suggested. Following the changes in Update 2.0 that revamped data streaming, the game performs poorly with HDDs. Load times become unacceptable, and in extreme cases, missing textures and visual glitches occur.

At 12 GB of RAM, you can get the game running, but close all other programs. A web browser with many tabs could use up the remaining memory, leading to performance hitches and potential crashes.

Recommended Requirements

The recommended setup is much more advanced: Intel Core i7-12700 or AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D processor, 16 GB of RAM, GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER, Radeon RX 5700 XT, or Intel Arc A770, DirectX 12, and 70 GB on an SSD.

The shift from i7-6700 to i7-12700 spans several processor generations, highlighting how the game leverages modern multi-core chips. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D, with its 96 MB of L3 cache via 3D V-Cache, suits this title well, as Night City creates heavy demands on cache memory. Tests indicate the 7800X3D performs up to 30% faster in Cyberpunk than the standard 7800X.

With this configuration, expect steady 60 fps at 1080p on High settings. This serves as a benchmark where the game starts to shine visually. Ray tracing is not enabled in this profile; activating it requires substantially more power.

Cyberpunk 2077 with Ray Tracing Overdrive

The Ray Tracing Overdrive mode, which uses path tracing, launched in Update 1.62 from April 2023. CDPR implemented full physical ray tracing that mimics light behavior based on physics laws. The results are striking: realistic reflections, soft shadows, and global illumination. With path tracing, Night City stands out in gaming, from the neon-lit Pacifica to the rainy Watson.

However, the technology is extremely resource-intensive. To run Overdrive, you need an NVIDIA RTX series card, ideally RTX 4070 or higher. For instance, RTX 4070 with DLSS 3 and Frame Generation achieves about 50-60 fps at 1080p. RTX 4070 Ti Super or RTX 4080 works for 1440p, while RTX 4090 in 4K Overdrive still requires Frame Generation for 60+ fps. RTX 5090, released in January 2025, with DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Generation, delivers over 100 fps comfortably in 4K.

AMD cards do not support Overdrive mode. Basic ray tracing for reflections and shadows is possible, but full path tracing needs NVIDIA RT cores, a hardware limitation. Update 2.21 from 2025 introduced ray reconstruction, enhancing visuals in RT modes.

If you own an RTX 30 series card, standard ray tracing without Overdrive functions adequately. RTX 3070 at 1080p with RT Medium and DLSS Quality yields around 50-60 fps, whereas RTX 3060 might require RT Low or turning it off entirely.

Which Graphics Card Can Handle Cyberpunk?

A practical overview of performance based on graphics cards, using settings without ray tracing.

GTX 1060 6 GB meets the official minimum and provides a playable experience at 1080p on Low/Medium settings with 30-40 fps. It's not ideal, but the game runs. Enabling FSR in Balanced mode adds 15-20 frames with minimal visual loss.

RTX 2060 SUPER or RX 5700 XT aligns with the recommended setup. At 1080p High, you can anticipate 55-65 fps steadily. Using DLSS Quality for NVIDIA or FSR Quality for AMD boosts numbers by 20-30%, making for smooth gameplay.

RTX 3070 or RX 6800 XT offers strong value. At 1080p Ultra without RT, expect 70-90 fps, and 1440p High easily hits 60+ fps. With DLSS or FSR, you can add standard RT while keeping things fluid.

RTX 4070 or RTX 4070 Super opens the door to RT Overdrive. At 1080p Overdrive with DLSS 3 and Frame Generation, it reaches 50-60 fps; at 1440p Ultra without RT, 80-100 fps. It's a solid starting point for upgrades aimed at this game.

RTX 4080, RTX 4090, or RTX 5090 handles 1440p with Overdrive or 4K without compromises. RTX 5090 is currently the only option for native 4K Path Tracing at 60+ fps using DLSS 4, realizing the developers' vision for Night City.

Phantom Liberty: Any Extra Requirements?

Phantom Liberty, released on September 26, 2023, is a story expansion that brings the Dogtown district. This area is a dense, multi-level space packed with NPCs, particle effects like explosions and energy weapons, and complex mega-structure geometry. Even graphics cards that perform well elsewhere in Night City may see a 10-15% fps drop in Dogtown.

The official requirements for Phantom Liberty match those of the base game after Update 2.0, as the same patch covered both. In reality, setups near the minimum might find Dogtown challenging. Scenes with explosions and effects are particularly demanding, and the expansion features many, given its spy thriller plot involving Solomon Reed, portrayed by Idris Elba.

To enjoy Phantom Liberty smoothly, aim for the recommended specs as a baseline. Configurations like RTX 3060 12 GB or RX 6700 XT with 16 GB RAM and a Ryzen 5 5600X processor provide a reasonable setup for 1080p High. The expansion lasts 18-25 hours, so ensuring fluidity is key.

About the Game

Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action RPG from CD Projekt RED, set in the futuristic Night City. Players take on the role of V, a mercenary with cybernetic enhancements navigating a world controlled by corporations, gangs, and advanced tech. Three life paths (Streetkid, Nomad, Corpo) alter the story's beginning. The action occurs in 2077 across five city districts and the Badlands.

Following its 2020 launch, which faced major issues leading to removal from the PS Store for over six months, the game underwent extensive improvements through numerous patches. Update 2.0 in September 2023 revamped the police system, enemy AI, skill trees, and economic balance. Phantom Liberty contributed Dogtown and over 30 hours of story. Sales surpassed 30 million copies by 2024. Now, Cyberpunk 2077 ranks among the top action RPGs, with an average Metacritic score of 86/100 and high player ratings.