Best GPU for Phantom Liberty – our top graphics cards for Cyberpunk 2077

No need to worry about a low framerate with the best GPUs for Cyberpunk 2077

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Although it might have come out as a bit of a letdown and in an unfinished state, CD Projekt Red has taken the No Man’s Sky approach of making it all that better. Now with the biggest overhaul yet and the first and only major DLC coming out, we find the best GPU for Cyberpunk 2077, with the range of graphics cards being the top choices for Cyberpunk Phantom Liberty DLC.

To obtain optimal performance, the greatest GPUs and CPUs are needed as the game can be quite the tough string on the hardware. With the latest implementations of ray tracing and frame generation to allow DLSS 3 it really can test your power by bringing the latest software enhancements. Some of these features do require you to have the latest hardware and full enjoyment might come at some cost with the Cyberpunk 2.0 release there is even more expected as the game resets in time for the Phantom Liberty release date not long after.

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GPU requirements for Cyberpunk 2077 and Phantom Liberty

With the new update and DLC, Cyberpunk 2077’s overhaul has in fact changed what it takes to run the game at different levels. Although it doesn’t immediately make the game inaccessible it does up the system requirements from the initial release and if you want the best features it does take some hardware. But this might finally bring the game we were promised at launch.

Now there is a range of GPUs that CD Red recommends for the game and provides as a minimum. It starts with a GTX 1060, RX 580, or Arc A380, which isn’t all too bad if you don’t mind the low settings and 30FPS at 1080p. The recommended ups this to an RTX 2060 Super, RX 5700 XT, or Arc A770, which is as far as older hardware and the Intel Arc series will get you, with only an expected 60 FPS at 1080p. As for something more on ultra 4K 60FPS, requires you to run an RTX 3080 or RX 7900 XTX.

Now if you’re considering ray tracing it does take some more to run it with more recent hardware needed. Such as the minimum low ray tracing at 1080p 30 requires an RTX 2060, RX 6800 XT, or Arc A750. With recommended for ultra 1080p 60 needing an RTX 3080 Ti or RX 7900 XTX, with overdrive for 4k 60 only available to those with the top RTX 4080 or higher.

It might be the top choice of graphics card in general for a price, but the RTX 4090 would be the top selection for the game to get you the most out of it. It would be able to unlock all the features and abilities of the game. It would allow for ultra ray tracing and DLSS 3 for frame generation as even the top current-gen card won’t be getting the highest performance without help.

As we reviewed the RTX 4090 it does give the best performance around and is the top pick for Cyberpunk previously managed a 4k 74FPS average in our testing. Ray tracing did knock that down the 43 for the ultra choice but DLSS did up that but a lower choice might not require it. The overhaul might change the performance but it certainly is the card that won’t have any trouble with it.

For the model in particular, the ASUS Strix provides a great air cooling solution for the GPU ensuring that you get the best performance for it without any throttling and loss. It does require quite a large PC case though as it isn’t exactly small and the 4090 size does take some accommodating. The RTX 4090 power supply is also a consideration to make sure you get the most out of it.

The runner-up choice of the graphics card and the top choice for AMD is the RX 7800 XT, although the RX 7900 XTX is the top range option for RDNA 3 our pick fills in a gap and offers a better value option. It surpasses the best choice of the previous gen and provides a good option for the new generation and the hardware benefits they provide.

The RX 7800 XT provides a good value selection that has the performance going for it. Focused on 1440p it can push some 4k but it is that good in the middle choice that can be an excellent all-rounder. Especially with RSR and FSR, you can push its capabilities even further. But the pure rasterization is pretty powerful already so it should be capable of a good performance out of the box.

The model in particular offers a great performance and value for it. Providing a good cooling solution to the graphics card, it keeps up the performance with the ridged backplate for better heat convection.

Now when it comes to getting a good value GPU with frame generation you have to look to the Ada series. Although the price varies wildly, across the board, the best choice is the RTX 4070 for something a bit more reasonable from the architecture. It also has the best specs for games coming out now and in the future to keep the performance up there.

With a focus on 1440p as well, it also is capable of pushing 4K performance. Making it a good contender for a GPU that can pretty much do anything without breaking the bank too much. With over a 100FPS average at 1440p in benchmarks and around 70 at 4k, it gives you a good performance at any selection.

While the Gigabyte AORUS option, it is the more expensive and fancy option. But that does provide a good model with its strong cooling and great design, it enables you to get the best out of it. Especially with the overclock it allows and is able to keep it going.

If you’re after more of a bargain, then the RTX 3060 Ti is the best option to go for. Providing a good value for price to performance it gets even better pricing after being succeded by the new generation options in its place. But that doesn’t mean you miss out on too much, although it might lack frame generation the RTX brand still gives you general ray tracing and DLSS that can help your experience.

Which is where the performance comes in anyway. The card is capable of running 1080p and 1440p primarily, but it does also achieve some 4K framerates as well. In terms of Cyberpunk 2.0, it would sit between their recommended and ultra requirements so you can run between high and ultra at 1440p, even with ray tracing it can manage low at a minimum.

As for the Zotac model, it offers a good value option as well. The IceStorm cooling solution in keeps the temperatures under wraps and the performance as it should with a robust and metal design that keeps it simple.

Best budget GPU for Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty

MSI Gaming Radeon RX 7600 Mech 2X

Core Clock Speed

1,720MHz base, 2,695 MHz OC boost, 2,280 MHz game

Stream processors

2,048

Memory Size

8GB GDDR6

Dimensions

235 x 125 x 47 mm

PSU Required

500W

TBP

165W

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Pros

• Overclocked model for improved performance offering
• Small size able to fit in most cases and avoids any sag

Cons

On the end of the spectrum, when it comes to keeping costs as low as possible we look to the entry-level RDNA 3 card with the RX 7600. As it offers new-gen hardware on the cheaper side it is a good choice for entry-level gaming and those after a budget gaming PC.

Benchmarks give us a look at how the graphics card performs at 1080p primarily. with a possible 60 FPS average at 1440p. Cyberpunk might be quite tough on the card, but it should occupy the recommended 1080p 60 category with a potential for ray tracing.

The MSI mech design is also a good model to go for. With a small and compact design that provides a dual fan cooling solution to ensure the cooling is robust and well done for the performance to stay intact.

Other guides

• Best graphics cards
• Best budget graphics card
• Best Nvidia graphics card
• Best monitor for Cyberpunk 2077
• Best gaming PC for Cyberpunk 2077
• Best gaming laptop for Cyberpunk 2077
• Best CPU for Cyberpunk 2077

FAQs

What GPU do you need to run Cyberpunk 2077?

For the minimum system requirements, the GPU is DX 12  compatible. The new Cyberpunk 2.0 update changes the requirements slightly over the initial release. At a minimum, for low settings, 1080p 30FPS the recommendation is for a GTX 1060 6GB, RX 580, or Intel Arc A380. While for ray tracing, at a minimum you require an RTX 2060, RX 6800 XT, or Arc A750. Any card rated above this should offer better performance but they are the minimum requirements for the game.

Is Cyberpunk 2077 GPU heavy?

Yes, Cyberpunk 2077 is GPU heavy, but also CPU intensive as well. It hits both components highly and so you need to balance the two as to the tier you go for.