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Cyberpunk 2077PATCH 2026.09.07

Gamers Are Already Using Nvidia’s DLSS 4 in Cyberpunk 2077—But the Full Upgrade Is RTX 50-Only

By VGSources Team 6 min read

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Yes—Cyberpunk 2077 has native DLSS 4 support on PC. CD Projekt Red added it with Patch 2.21, announced on January 23, 2025. But “DLSS 4” describes several technologies, and not every GeForce RTX owner receives the same features: RTX 50-series graphics cards get Multi Frame Generation, while RTX 20-, 30-, and 40-series cards can use the newer Transformer model for supported DLSS image-reconstruction features.

That distinction matters if you are deciding whether to upgrade. An RTX 4090 does not gain the same feature set as an RTX 5090, and a high generated-FPS number does not provide the same responsiveness as an equivalent number of traditionally rendered frames.

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What Patch 2.21 added to Cyberpunk 2077

Patch 2.21 brought official DLSS 4 support to the PC edition of Cyberpunk 2077. CD Projekt Red’s notes identify January 30, 2025, as the activation date for Multi Frame Generation. The same update also shipped for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, but DLSS is specific to the PC version and compatible NVIDIA hardware.

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The update included:

  • DLSS Multi Frame Generation for GeForce RTX 50-series GPUs.
  • 2x, 3x, and 4x Multi Frame Generation modes on compatible RTX 50-series cards.
  • The Transformer model for DLSS Super Resolution, Ray Reconstruction, and DLAA across supported GeForce RTX cards.
  • Faster, lower-memory single-frame generation on RTX 40- and 50-series cards.

This is native game support, not merely an NVIDIA App override or an unofficial mod. Read the original Patch 2.21 notes and CD Projekt Red’s DLSS 4 support explanation for the implementation details.

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DLSS 4 is not one feature

The Transformer model improves image reconstruction

The Transformer model is used in DLSS Super Resolution, DLSS Ray Reconstruction, and DLAA. CD Projekt Red says it is intended to improve image stability, reduce ghosting, strengthen anti-aliasing, and preserve detail during motion.

In Cyberpunk 2077, those changes are especially relevant in scenes with neon signs, wet reflections, thin geometry, foliage, wires, hair, particles, vehicles, and heavy ray-traced lighting. Ray Reconstruction is also important when using the demanding RT Overdrive or path-traced lighting modes.

The Transformer model is not exclusive to RTX 50-series hardware. Its availability does not mean every card receives every DLSS 4 feature, however. The game and the selected DLSS function still determine what is available.

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Multi Frame Generation creates additional displayed frames

Multi Frame Generation inserts AI-generated frames between conventionally rendered frames. On an RTX 50-series card, Cyberpunk 2077 can offer 2x, 3x, or 4x generation modes.

Those generated frames can make camera movement look smoother, but they are not equivalent to additional fully rendered frames. The game simulation and input processing still depend on the underlying rendered frame rate. If that base rate is low or inconsistent, adding more generated frames cannot fully fix the responsiveness problem.

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Artifacts can also appear around rapidly moving objects, particles, interface elements, or scene transitions. Multi Frame Generation is therefore best treated as a smoothness feature layered on top of a sufficiently strong base frame rate—not as a replacement for rendering performance.

Which RTX cards get which DLSS 4 features?

GPU family Transformer model Standard Frame Generation Multi Frame Generation
GeForce RTX 20 Yes, where supported No No
GeForce RTX 30 Yes, where supported No No
GeForce RTX 40 Yes Yes No
GeForce RTX 50 Yes Yes Yes

So an RTX 40-series owner does get meaningful DLSS 4-related improvements: the Transformer model, Ray Reconstruction, DLAA, and existing single-frame Frame Generation. What an RTX 40-series card does not get is Multi Frame Generation.

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That makes “DLSS 4 works on all RTX cards” an incomplete statement. The broader image-quality portion reaches older RTX generations, while the feature most associated with the RTX 50-series launch is hardware-restricted.

How to enable DLSS 4 in Cyberpunk 2077

  1. Update the PC version of Cyberpunk 2077 to Patch 2.21 or later.
  2. Install a current NVIDIA graphics driver.
  3. Launch the game and open Settings → Graphics.
  4. Enable DLSS Super Resolution if you want upscaling, and enable DLSS Ray Reconstruction when using demanding ray-traced effects.
  5. Enable Frame Generation if your GPU supports it.
  6. When the model selector is available, compare the Transformer and CNN options.
  7. On an RTX 50-series card, select the available 2x, 3x, or 4x Multi Frame Generation mode.
  8. Restart the game if the options do not appear after updating.

Menu labels can vary with the game revision, language, driver, and display configuration. Check that you are running the PC edition and that DLSS or Resolution Scaling has not been disabled. Patch 2.21 also included a settings-reset issue involving Resolution Scaling, so it is worth checking the graphics menu after an update.

What performance should you expect?

Separate these three measurements:

  • Base rendered FPS: Frames produced by the GPU and CPU before generated frames are added.
  • Displayed FPS: The visible frame count after Frame Generation or Multi Frame Generation.
  • Latency and frame pacing: How quickly inputs affect the game and how consistently frames arrive.

NVIDIA claims that an RTX 5090 can reach up to 290 frames per second at 4K in Cyberpunk 2077 with full ray tracing, RT Overdrive, maximum settings, and DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation. That is NVIDIA’s own showcase result, not an independent benchmark or a universal expectation for every RTX 5090 system. The result depends on the CPU, DLSS mode, ray-tracing preset, location, crowd density, driver, game build, generation multiplier, display refresh rate, and synchronization settings.

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Even a very high displayed FPS can feel sluggish if the underlying rendered rate is weak or the game is CPU-limited. NVIDIA’s DLSS 4 announcement is useful for understanding the technology, but its headline figure should not be read as an ordinary average.

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What the image-quality changes can affect

The Transformer model is most valuable in motion-heavy, high-contrast scenes rather than only in static screenshots. Compare:

  • Neon signs and bright lighting against dark backgrounds.
  • Reflections on wet streets and other ray-traced surfaces.
  • Fences, wires, hair, foliage, and other thin geometry.
  • Vehicle and character movement, where ghosting is easier to notice.
  • Particles and fast camera pans.
  • RT Overdrive scenes using Ray Reconstruction.

CD Projekt Red’s claims about improved stability, reduced ghosting, and better detail describe the intended benefits of the Transformer model. Results can vary by scene, resolution, DLSS quality mode, and the rest of the graphics settings. If image quality looks worse, try DLSS Quality instead of Performance, compare the Transformer and CNN models, test Ray Reconstruction separately, reduce excessive sharpening, and judge moving scenes at your monitor’s native resolution.

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Should you buy an RTX 50-series card for DLSS 4?

If you already own an RTX 50-series card

Enable Multi Frame Generation when you want smoother motion at high resolution or with RT Overdrive, provided the underlying frame rate is already strong enough for responsive play. Compare 2x, 3x, and 4x rather than assuming the highest multiplier is always best, and make sure your display can show the additional frames.

If you own an RTX 40-series card

Do not assume that “DLSS 4” requires an upgrade. You can use the Transformer model and standard Frame Generation, which may already provide the image quality and smoothness you want. Upgrade specifically for Multi Frame Generation only if that feature, along with the broader RTX 50-series performance and feature set, justifies the total cost of changing cards.

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If you own an RTX 20- or 30-series card

The Transformer-based improvements may still be useful where the game exposes them, including Super Resolution, Ray Reconstruction, or DLAA. You cannot use standard Frame Generation on these generations or native Multi Frame Generation. Lowering ray-tracing settings or using a sensible DLSS quality mode may produce a better latency trade-off than chasing a higher displayed FPS.

If you do not own an NVIDIA card

Cyberpunk 2077 also added FSR 3 Frame Generation in Patch 2.13. It is an alternative for supported AMD hardware, but it should not be described as equivalent to DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation. You can also improve consistency by reducing ray-tracing settings or choosing a lower rendering resolution.

The commercial choice is therefore use-case based. NVIDIA’s RTX 50-series overview explains the hardware family, but the right purchase depends on your current GPU, CPU, power supply, monitor, resolution, and preferred ray-tracing settings—not simply on the DLSS 4 label.

Common problems and fixes

The DLSS 4 options do not appear

  • Confirm that you are running the PC version.
  • Confirm that the game is on Patch 2.21 or later.
  • Update the NVIDIA driver.
  • Check that DLSS and Resolution Scaling are enabled.
  • Restart the game after updating.
  • Verify that the system detects a supported RTX GPU.

Multi Frame Generation is unavailable

Check the GPU first. Native Multi Frame Generation in Cyberpunk 2077 requires an RTX 50-series card. RTX 40-series cards support ordinary Frame Generation, not Multi Frame Generation.

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The FPS counter is high but the game feels slow

Check the base rendered FPS, CPU and GPU utilization, frame-time consistency, Reflex or latency settings, and your V-Sync and G-SYNC configuration. A generated frame can improve visual smoothness without providing the same input response as a fully rendered frame.

An NVIDIA App override causes unexpected behavior

Cyberpunk 2077 already has native DLSS 4 integration, so start with the game’s own graphics settings. NVIDIA App overrides are mainly useful for games without native support or for experimentation. NVIDIA documents the override system here.

Quick Recap

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