cyberpunk 2077 new header
PC Performance Analyses

Cyberpunk 2077 – Update 2.0 & DLSS 3.5 Benchmarks & Impressions

33 Comments

CD Projekt has just lifted the embargo for the latest major update of Cyberpunk 2077. Cyberpunk 2077 Patch 2.0 introduces NVIDIA DLSS 3.5, so it’s time now to benchmark this latest version of the game and examine its path-traced performance on PC.

For our Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.0 benchmarks, we used an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, 32GB of DDR5 at 6000Mhz, NVIDIA’s RTX 2080Ti, RTX 3080 and RTX 4090. We also used Windows 10 64-bit and the GeForce 537.13 driver. Moreover, we’ve disabled the second CCD on our 7950X3D.

Let’s start with the NVIDIA RTX2080Ti. This GPU was the first high-end graphics card to support DLSS and hardware-accelerated Ray Tracing. Unfortunately, though, it cannot provide a playable experience in this path-traced game, even at 1080p with DLSS 3.5 Quality.

Cyberpunk 2077 Path Tracing Benchmarks & Performance-1

Similarly, the RTX3080 is unable to provide playable framerates at pretty much all resolutions. By enabling DLSS 3.5 and Ray Reconstruction, we were able to get an average of 59fps, though there were numerous drops to the 50s. This basically means that even if you have a G-Sync monitor, you will notice these framerate drops (or at least we can).

Cyberpunk 2077 Path Tracing Benchmarks & Performance-2

The only GPU that is able to provide a smooth gaming experience in Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.0 with its Path Tracing effects is the RTX 4090. At Native 1080p/Max Settings, the RTX 4090 can push framerates over 60fps at all times. Then, by enabling DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution, Frame Generation and Ray Reconstruction, you can get over 60fps even at 4K.

Cyberpunk 2077 Path Tracing Benchmarks & Performance-3

DLSS 3.5 introduces Ray Reconstruction. Ray Reconstruction is part of an enhanced AI-powered neural renderer that improves ray-traced image quality for all GeForce RTX GPUs by replacing hand-tuned denoisers with an NVIDIA supercomputer-trained AI network that generates higher-quality pixels in between sampled rays. Basically, Ray Reconstruction replaces the traditional denoisers that most games use for their RT effects, something that can result in better image quality (and slightly higher framerates).

And yes, as advertised, DLSS 3.5’s Ray Reconstruction works wonderfully. This can be easily noticeable when using DLSS 3.5 Performance Mode. Previously, all the RT effects looked blurry with the Performance Mode as they were rendered at a really low resolution. With Ray Reconstruction, however, you get a crisper image. This is a game changer and makes Performance Mode a viable option.

For instance, in Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.0, we highly recommend using DLSS 3.5 Performance Mode in 4K with an RTX4090. In our opinion, this is currently the best way to play the game. By doing this, you’ll get framerates around 100fps. What this ultimately means is that you won’t feel the extra latency of Frame Generation. Not only that but the game will look sharper than before thanks to Ray Reconstruction. Below I’ve also included some screenshot comparisons with (left) and without (right) Ray Reconstruction.

Cyberpunk 2077 with Ray Reconstruction-1Cyberpunk 2077 without Ray Reconstruction-1 Cyberpunk 2077 with Ray Reconstruction-2Cyberpunk 2077 without Ray Reconstruction-2 Cyberpunk 2077 with Ray Reconstruction-3Cyberpunk 2077 without Ray Reconstruction-3 Cyberpunk 2077 with Ray Reconstruction-4Cyberpunk 2077 without Ray Reconstruction-4 Cyberpunk 2077 with Ray Reconstruction-5Cyberpunk 2077 without Ray Reconstruction-5 Cyberpunk 2077 with Ray Reconstruction-6Cyberpunk 2077 without Ray Reconstruction-6 Cyberpunk 2077 with Ray Reconstruction-7Cyberpunk 2077 without Ray Reconstruction-7

Before closing, I should note some graphical issues that I’ve spotted. Cyberpunk 2077 path-traced currently suffers from major shadow and lighting pop-ups. Do note that these issues are also present in the previous path-traced version of the game. And it’s a shame that CDPR has not addressed them as these issues can be really distracting. And, in a way, these shadow issues reminded me of those that were also present in The Witcher 3 Next-Gen.

All in all, DLSS 3.5’s Ray Reconstruction is the real deal. As NVIDIA claimed, Ray Reconstruction does improve overall image quality. It also works on all RTX GPUs. Thus, even those who own an RTX 20 series GPU can benefit from it. Cyberpunk 2077 path-traced looks and runs better than ever, so kudos to NVIDIA and CDPR.

Enjoy!

Cyberpunk 2077 - Update 2.0 + DLSS 3.5 Benchmarks - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090