The best performance I have been able to get from Cyberpunk 2077 is described below. There is no spoilers. So don't worry about that. My other posts are clearly marked that may contain spoilers, just a heads up to read the top description before browsing my blog.
Specs
CPU : I5-4690K @ 3.5ghz (4 core, 8 thread)
GPU : Nvidia 1080ti (MSI DUKE 11gb 352 Bit GDDR5)
RAM : 12gb DDR3
Hard Drive : 250gb Crucial SSD
Monitor : Sony Bravia 55 inch (Variable Refresh Rate, system requests 60ghz @ 2560×1440)
The resolution is 4K with variable refresh rate, although down scaled to 1440 by the game itself. I never use GPU production suites like Nvidia Experience, but I did refer to Nvidia experience for a reference on performance.
It recommended upping the resolution from 1080 to 1440, and oddly enough I have a more stable frame rate now at 1440 than I did at 1080.
Real Time Footage in Game
I have in game recording on LBRY. I remind you uploads are limited to 720p on LBRY. This is in-game resolution recorded with Nvidia GeForce experience alt+F9 function. Perhaps performance is reduced when recording?
Odysee Mirror : https://odysee.com/@PhusionPhil:0/Cyberpunk-2077-i5-4690k-1080ti-1440p:6?r=CgVaBbwQBQim3uvk6uiHt4aJdTyR9vz7
This performance is rather great, and better than Gears of War 5 which is my other go to title.
This experience reminds me of Doom 3, way back in the day, half the world is trying to run the game, but I seemed to have managed with outdated hardware.
Custom Settings
The following settings are dropped down from maximum, if a setting isn't listed, its on the highest quality.
Ambient Occlusion : High (2 drops down from max)
Depth of Field : Off
Distant Shadow Resolution : Low
Improved Facial Lighting Geometry : Off
Level of Detail : Medium
Resolution : 2560×1440 (upscaled to 3840×2160)
Screen Space Reflections : Medium
Volumetric Cloud Quality : Off
Volumetric Fog Resolution : Low
Ray Tracing : Off
1080ti Custom Tuning
Power Limit : 88%
Temp. Limit : 65°C
Core Clock : +125 MHz
Memory Clock : +420 MHz
Auto fan leads to 65°C that hits 66 during very intense scenes, like the Kubati Market or other high density downtown environments. The lowest framesrate i would see in the drops, and very uncommon flicker (once every 15 minutes or so I miss a frame or 2) is around 20 FPS, and it was very brief after loading screens or mission scenes loading. Almost unnoticeable performance drops and at 1440p, I am happy and will be keeping these settings.
The microatx motherboard doesn't allow for good cooling of the I5, so without water cooling I don't feel confident overclocking the CPU.