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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThere is no single best path-tracing preset for every PC. Start with the game’s path-tracing preset and a supported upscaler, then tune one setting at a time in the same scene. Judge the result by image quality, frame pacing and control response—not just the FPS counter.
Why path tracing needs game-specific tuning
Path tracing can be exceptionally demanding, but its cost depends on the game’s implementation, scene, output resolution, settings and GPU. NVIDIA describes Cyberpunk 2077’s RT Overdrive mode as extremely GPU-intensive; that is a warning about this particular implementation, not a universal performance estimate for every path-traced game. NVIDIA’s Cyberpunk 2077 RT Overdrive overview discusses the mode and its 2023 technology-preview results.
A preset may change the amount of path tracing itself, rather than simply reducing conventional graphics detail. NVIDIA’s October 2023 Alan Wake 2 guidance describes Low as having no path tracing, Medium as partial path tracing and High as full path tracing; other ray-traced settings also vary. Use the game’s own descriptions to understand what a preset changes. NVIDIA’s Alan Wake 2 settings and feature guide is a title-specific example, not a rule for other games.
Build a repeatable baseline
Before changing settings, record the game version, GPU, driver, display resolution, target frame rate and current graphics options. Choose a repeatable scene or built-in benchmark, then use it for each comparison. Keep the scene, output resolution, hardware and driver constant so that changes are easier to attribute.
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For each run, note the average and low frame rates if available, how smooth frame delivery feels, and whether controls remain responsive. Inspect reflections, shadows and lighting, along with fine detail during movement; a still image can hide reconstruction artifacts or ghosting. Change one option at a time, and keep a written note of the result so you can revert a change that costs more image quality than it saves in performance.
Choose the path-tracing level first
Start from the game’s path-tracing or ray-tracing preset, then decide how much of the effect you want to retain. If the game exposes Low, Medium and High options, read the in-game descriptions: in some games, these labels alter path tracing directly. Lowering the path-tracing level can be a more effective compromise than cutting unrelated settings that have little bearing on the workload.
Alan Wake 2 illustrates why preset names cannot be generalized. NVIDIA’s October 2023 table identifies Low as no path tracing, Medium as partial path tracing and High as full path tracing. Treat that as a description of Alan Wake 2’s settings at the time of publication, not a mapping for other games.
Use an upscaler before cutting every other setting
A supported temporal upscaler reduces the resolution at which the game renders internally, then reconstructs the image for the selected output resolution. When a game offers DLSS or AMD FSR, compare its Quality, Balanced and Performance modes at your actual display resolution. Start with the least aggressive mode that meets your performance target, and inspect fine detail, moving objects and ghosting before settling on it.
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NVIDIA’s Alan Wake 2 guidance from October 2023 recommends DLSS Quality at 1080p, Quality or Balanced at 1440p, and Performance at 4K. Those are NVIDIA’s recommendations for that game, not universal settings or a guarantee of a particular frame rate. The appropriate mode depends on the game, your hardware and how the reconstructed image looks to you. Check the current in-game menu and official feature information: DLSS and FSR support varies by title and by feature. AMD’s FSR technologies page describes feature and hardware support, but compatibility can change as games add or update integrations.
Test Ray Reconstruction separately
If the game supports NVIDIA DLSS Ray Reconstruction, compare it both enabled and disabled in the same repeatable scene. Ray Reconstruction changes how ray-traced effects are denoised and reconstructed; NVIDIA describes it as replacing multiple hand-tuned denoisers in supported implementations. The visual result and performance effect depend on how the particular game integrates the feature, so do not assume every supported title will look or run the same way.
NVIDIA’s DLSS 3.5 explanation describes the feature and lists supported titles as of August 2023. That historical list should not be treated as a complete account of current compatibility.
Consider Frame Generation only after the game feels playable
Frame Generation can increase the displayed frame rate in supported games by inserting generated frames. It is distinct from improving the underlying rate at which the game renders frames. First establish that the game’s rendered performance and controls feel acceptable; then enable Frame Generation and check control response and frame pacing as well as the displayed FPS. A larger number on the counter does not by itself establish a better experience.
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NVIDIA’s game-specific Alan Wake 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 materials show Frame Generation as part of a larger performance feature stack. They do not establish that it will improve responsiveness or deliver the same results for every player or game.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If performance is still too low
- Reduce the path-tracing level. Try the next lower option and check which effects the game changes. Re-run the same scene and compare lighting, reflections, shadows and performance.
- Try a more aggressive upscaler mode. Move from Quality toward Balanced or Performance if available, then inspect moving detail and ghosting at your normal output resolution.
- Lower the output resolution if needed. If the image remains too demanding, test a lower display resolution and assess whether the loss of sharpness is acceptable.
- Recheck the whole experience. Compare frame pacing and control response, not just average FPS. Keep the settings that meet your target without an image-quality compromise you dislike.
- Assess hardware only after tuning. Compare current game requirements and independent hardware tests for your target resolution before considering an upgrade. CD PROJEKT RED’s PC system requirements update is an official starting point for Cyberpunk 2077, but check the live page and the current game version; its Overdrive measurements used Frame Generation.
How to interpret vendor performance figures
Published multipliers can illustrate one tested configuration, but they are not promises for another PC. NVIDIA reported an average 4.5× frame-rate multiplier at 4K for Alan Wake 2 in 2023 with its stated GeForce RTX 40 Series, full-ray-tracing and DLSS configuration; NVIDIA said the performance was captured on a pre-release build. It also reported 4.1× for an RTX 4090 at 4K, maximum settings and full ray tracing with Frame Generation, Ray Reconstruction and Super Resolution. Both are NVIDIA figures, not independent cross-game benchmarks. The Alan Wake 2 announcement gives the stated context.
For Cyberpunk 2077, NVIDIA’s April 2023 technology-preview material reported 4.6× at 4K and 103 FPS on an RTX 4090 with DLSS 3 activated in RT Overdrive. These are vendor-reported preview results for that configuration, not estimates of what another GPU or game will achieve. NVIDIA’s Overdrive announcement provides the context. Use your own repeatable test to decide which settings work on your system.
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