By the FlowUP team, gaming PC builder in Genappe (Belgium) · Updated 29 September 2026
In brief: officially, Cyberpunk 2077 requires a GTX 1060 6 GB or an RX 580 at minimum, plus 12 GB of RAM and an SSD, and recommends an RTX 2060 SUPER or an RX 5700 XT with a Core i7-12700 or a Ryzen 7 7800X3D, plus 16 GB of RAM. These figures target settings without ray tracing. To truly enjoy it in 2026, our advice: an RTX 5060 or an RX 9060 XT for 1080p, an RTX 5070 or an RX 9070 for 1440p, and an RTX 5070 Ti or better for path tracing with DLSS. Add 32 GB of RAM if you can, and an SSD, mandatory.
Why Cyberpunk 2077 remains the game that puts PCs to the test
Released on 10 December 2020, Cyberpunk 2077 had a difficult launch, followed by a long series of updates. In April 2023, CD Projekt RED added the RT: Overdrive mode, with lighting fully based on path tracing. In September 2023, update 2.0 overhauled a large part of the game, just a few days before the Phantom Liberty expansion. In early 2025, patch 2.21 made it the first game to take advantage of DLSS 4 multi-frame generation.
Result: more than 35 million copies sold in November 2025, and a game that still serves as a benchmark for measuring a graphics card, from 1080p without ray tracing to path tracing in 4K. That’s also why there isn’t just “one” good setup for Cyberpunk: it all depends on your screen and the ray tracing level you’re aiming for.
Cyberpunk 2077 remains, in 2026, the benchmark game for pushing a graphics card to its limits.
Official system requirements
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| System | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Core i7-6700 or Ryzen 5 1600 | Core i7-12700 or Ryzen 7 7800X3D |
| Graphics card | GTX 1060 6 GB, RX 580 8 GB or Arc A380 | RTX 2060 SUPER, RX 5700 XT or Arc A770 |
| Memory (RAM) | 12 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 70 GB on SSD (required) | 70 GB on SSD (required) |
Source: official Steam page for Cyberpunk 2077, consulted on 29 September 2026.
Two details matter. The SSD is mandatory, even in the minimum configuration: on a hard drive, the textures of Night City load far too slowly. And the recommended processor has clearly moved up since update 2.0: crowds, traffic and physics put a lot of strain on the CPU, especially in dense areas such as Dogtown, the Phantom Liberty neighbourhood.
Which PC for Cyberpunk 2077 in 2026?
The official recommended configuration targets smooth gameplay without ray tracing. If you want the reflections, shadows and lighting that made the game famous, you’ll need to go higher. Here’s our estimate as a PC builder, depending on the screen and the ray tracing level you’re aiming for:
| Goal | Graphics card | To plan for |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p, high settings | RTX 5060 or RX 9060 XT 16 GB | Light ray tracing with DLSS or FSR |
| 1440p, high settings and ray tracing | RTX 5070 or RX 9070 | DLSS or FSR in Quality mode |
| 1440p in path tracing (RT: Overdrive) | RTX 5070 Ti or RTX 5080 | Frame generation and DLSS are essential |
| 4K in path tracing | RTX 5090, or RTX 5080 with DLSS Performance | Multi-frame generation to go beyond 60 displayed FPS |
FlowUP estimate, based on the official configuration and the known performance of each card; FPS vary depending on the settings and the area of the game.
To compare graphics cards in detail, see how to choose a graphics card in 2026, and for 4K, our article 4K gaming PC.
Ray tracing and path tracing: NVIDIA or AMD?
In Cyberpunk 2077, the answer is more clear-cut than in most games. Without ray tracing, Radeon cards match GeForce cards in the same tier, and the RX 9060 XT 16 GB is an excellent choice for 1080p. The moment you enable advanced ray tracing, and especially path tracing, GeForce pulls ahead: the game’s path tracing was developed in partnership with NVIDIA, and DLSS with frame generation is particularly well integrated there.
Frame generation makes the display smoother, but it doesn’t improve responsiveness. In a single-player game like Cyberpunk, it’s a very good compromise, as long as you start with at least 50 to 60 FPS before generation. We explain the settings in DLSS 4.5 vs FSR Redstone.
For Cyberpunk 2077 path tracing, a GeForce RTX with DLSS is the safest choice.
NVIDIA shows the effect of DLSS 4 on Cyberpunk 2077 in 4K:
NVIDIA GeForce, “Cyberpunk 2077 | 4K NVIDIA DLSS 4 Comparison”, 2025.
Processor, memory and storage
- Processor: a recent 6-core is enough for 1440p, but Cyberpunk is one of the games that benefits the most from a fast processor in busy areas. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is also included in the official recommended configuration.
- Memory: 16GB is the official recommendation; 32GB gives you breathing room for ray tracing, mods, and having a browser open alongside. See 16GB or 32GB of RAM in 2026.
- Storage: an NVMe SSD, with 70GB free for the game alone, plus the expansion and mods.
- Screen: the game looks fantastic in HDR on an OLED or Mini LED panel. Our guide for choosing your screen helps you make the right choice.
Our PCs for Cyberpunk 2077
Rift PC: Night City in 1080p
Ryzen 5 7500F, RX 9060 XT 16GB and DDR5: Cyberpunk on high settings in 1080p, with FSR for ray tracing.
Cheetoh PC: 1440p with ray tracing
RTX 5070 and Ryzen 7 7800X3D or 9800X3D: the processor recommended by the game, and DLSS 4 for ray tracing in 1440p.
Rainbow V2 PC: path tracing in 1440p
RTX 5070 Ti 16GB, available with 32GB of DDR5: the RT: Overdrive mode in 1440p with DLSS and frame generation.
Orion PC: Cyberpunk in 4K
RTX 5080 16GB and Ryzen 7 X3D: 4K with DLSS, and path tracing with multi-frame generation.
FAQ: Cyberpunk 2077 on PC
What is the minimum configuration for Cyberpunk 2077?
A Core i7-6700 or a Ryzen 5 1600, a GTX 1060 6GB, an RX 580 8GB or an Arc A380, 12GB of RAM and 70GB on an SSD.
Which graphics card for Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p?
An RTX 5070 or an RX 9070 for high settings with ray tracing and upscaling. For path tracing, aim for an RTX 5070 Ti or an RTX 5080.
Can Cyberpunk 2077 run on a hard drive?
No, an SSD is required according to the official configuration, even at minimum.
Is 16GB of RAM enough for Cyberpunk 2077?
Yes, that’s the official recommendation. 32GB feels more comfortable for ray tracing, Phantom Liberty and mods.
Do you need an NVIDIA card for Cyberpunk 2077?
Not for playing without ray tracing, where AMD is on par. For path tracing, a GeForce RTX with DLSS and frame generation remains clearly more at ease.
