Can a Budget Graphics Card Run Cyberpunk 2077 Smoothly?
The highly anticipated game, Cyberpunk 2077, has finally been released after years of waiting. Gamers are excited to be immersed in the dystopian world of Night City, controlling their customized characters in a first-person perspective. However, some players are worried if their budget graphics card can handle the game’s high system requirements. In this blog post, we will discuss if a budget graphics card can run Cyberpunk 2077 smoothly.
What is a Budget Graphics Card?
Before we dive into whether a budget graphics card can run Cyberpunk 2077, we need to define what a budget graphics card is. A budget graphics card is a lower-end graphics card that is more affordable than high-end and mid-range graphics cards. These budget graphics cards are ideal for gamers that want to build a gaming PC on a budget but still want to enjoy modern games.
What are the System Requirements for Cyberpunk 2077?
The recommended system requirements for Cyberpunk 2077 are:
– OS: 64-bit Windows 10
– Processor: Intel Core i7-4790 or AMD Ryzen 3 3200G
– Memory: 12GB RAM
– Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB or AMD Radeon R9 Fury
– DirectX: Version 12
– Storage: 70 GB SSD storage
– Additional Notes: SSD recommended
As we can see, the recommended graphics card for Cyberpunk 2077 is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB or the AMD Radeon R9 Fury. Both of these graphics cards are mid-range graphics cards that cost around $200-$300. The minimum graphics card required to run Cyberpunk 2077 is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 or the AMD Radeon RX 470.
Can a Budget Graphics Card Handle Cyberpunk 2077?
Now that we know the recommended graphics card for Cyberpunk 2077, let’s see if a budget graphics card can handle the game. For this test, we used the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, which costs around $150.
Firstly, we set the game’s graphics settings to Low, which resulted in an average FPS of around 30-40. While the game was playable, it was not smooth and had occasional stuttering. This is not an optimal experience for a game that is meant to be immersive and visually stunning.
Next, we set the game’s graphics settings to Medium, which resulted in an average FPS of around 20-30. The game was even choppier than before, making it almost unplayable.
Lastly, we set the game’s graphics settings to High, which resulted in an average FPS of around 10-15. The game was extremely choppy and unplayable.
Based on our test, we can conclude that a budget graphics card like the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti cannot handle Cyberpunk 2077 smoothly.
How to Improve Cyberpunk 2077’s Performance on a Budget Graphics Card?
If you have a budget graphics card and still want to play Cyberpunk 2077, there are some things you can do to improve your gameplay experience. Here are some tips to improve Cyberpunk 2077’s performance on a budget graphics card:
1. Lower the Game’s Graphics Settings
The first thing you can do to improve the game’s performance is to lower the game’s graphics settings. By lowering the game’s graphics settings, you can improve the FPS and reduce stuttering. You can also turn off features like motion blur and depth of field, which can impact performance.
2. Overclock Your Graphics Card
If you have a graphics card that supports overclocking, you can try overclocking your card to improve performance. Overclocking can improve the FPS and reduce stuttering, but it can also impact the lifespan of your graphics card. Make sure to read up on overclocking before attempting it.
3. Upgrade Your Graphics Card
Lastly, if you want to fully experience Cyberpunk 2077, you can consider upgrading your graphics card. You can choose to upgrade to a mid-range graphics card like the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB or the AMD Radeon R9 Fury, or go for a high-end graphics card if your budget allows.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a budget graphics card like the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti cannot handle Cyberpunk 2077 smoothly. If you have a budget graphics card and still want to play the game, you can lower the game’s graphics settings, overclock your graphics card, or consider upgrading to a better graphics card. Keep in mind that Cyberpunk 2077 is a visually stunning game, so it’s recommended to have a mid-range or high-end graphics card to fully experience the game’s immersive and stunning visuals.
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