Cyberpunk 2077’s 2.0 update brings a multitude of enhancements to the base game, including the adoption of Nvidia’s DLSS 3.5 Ray Reconstruction technology. These upgrades, however, do come with increased system requirements. Amid concerns about compatibility, German publication Computerbase conducted a test to see how the update runs on Valve’s Steam Deck. In this article, we delve into the details of the test results, system requirements, and performance expectations.

Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 Update: Noteworthy Features and System Requirements

The 2.0 update significantly improves Cyberpunk 2077, with Nvidia’s DLSS 3.5 technology as a key feature. This new addition contributes to higher-quality visuals in the game. Consequently, system requirements have also seen a rise. Now, an SSD is indispensable for the game to function smoothly. CD Projekt Red strongly advises against running the game on a conventional hard drive, particularly for Steam Deck users. The lower bandwidth of hard drives and SD cards could interfere with the streaming of new content.

Minimum System Requirements

The new minimum system requirements include:

  • Quad-core processor
  • 6GB of memory
  • 70GB SSD
  • A somewhat modern graphics card with 6GB of memory

While the Steam Deck may not meet the graphics card criteria, it compensates with its custom AMD Zen 2 SoC (Aerith), containing eight RDNA 2 compute units (CUs) up to 1.6 GHz. Furthermore, the device outputs games at a 1280×800 resolution, reducing the graphical load.

Steam Deck Benchmarks: Frame Rates and Settings

Computerbase’s benchmarks provided insight into how the game performs on the Steam Deck. The device, running on SteamOS 3.5 Preview, managed to produce an average frame rate around the 30 FPS mark with medium image settings or lower.

Detailed Frame Rate Analysis

  • Low, FSR “Balanced”: Average frame rate of 33.2 FPS, 1% low of 25.4 FPS
  • Low: Average frame rate of 31.5 FPS, 1% low of 22.3 FPS
  • Steam Deck preset: Average frame rate of 30.2 FPS, 1% low of 22 FPS
  • Medium, FSR “Balanced”: Average frame rate of 30 FPS, 1% low of 21.9 FPS
  • Medium: Average frame rate of 27.8 FPS, 1% low of 20.3 FPS
  • High, FSR “Balanced”: Average frame rate of 25.6 FPS, 1% low of 19.2 FPS
  • High: Average frame rate of 24 FPS, 1% low of 15.6 FPS

The Steam Deck preset balances performance and image quality, delivering results similar to the medium preset with FidelityFX Super Resolution 2 (FSR 2) set on balanced. Interestingly, Computerbase claims that the medium preset offers better visual quality than the Steam Deck preset.

Limitations and Future Optimizations

Unfortunately, the high preset is not suitable for the Steam Deck. Even with FSR technology, frame rates dip too low for a satisfactory experience. CD Projekt Red continues to optimize Cyberpunk 2077 across various platforms, and it is worth noting that the forthcoming Phantom Liberty DLC will be particularly demanding on processors.

Conclusion

The Steam Deck offers reasonable performance and image quality for Cyberpunk 2077, even after the 2.0 update. While it may not match the capabilities of more powerful systems, it provides a viable option for mobile gamers. Those looking to experience Cyberpunk 2077 on the Steam Deck should pay close attention to system requirements and performance benchmarks for optimal gameplay.

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