Cyberpunk 2077’s Overdrive mode has been launched, and it looks fantastic. This technology preview pushes the limits of current hardware, and only those with an Nvidia 40-series graphics card are able to experience it. For those who have the right hardware, you can expect to see a really, really good-looking version of Cyberpunk 2077. However, if you’re still stuck with last-gen hardware, there is still some good news. CD Projekt Red claims that an RTX 3090 GPU can still run Overdrive Mode, albeit at a resolution of 1080p and a frame rate of 30fps. Alternatively, older hardware can use Overdrive Mode, but only for path-traced screenshots in Photo Mode.
The Catch to Overdrive Mode
If you want to experience Overdrive Mode, you will need to have a lot of money to shell out for a new Nvidia 40-series graphics card. These cards are currently among the most expensive graphics cards on the market, and it’s unlikely that many people will be willing to pay such a high price just for a technology preview. However, if you do have the right hardware, you can expect to see a version of Cyberpunk 2077 that looks truly stunning.
Compatibility with Older Hardware
If you don’t have the latest hardware, there’s still some good news. Older hardware can still use Overdrive Mode, but with a bit of a catch. Ray-tracing-capable PC graphics cards with at least 8GB VRAM will be capable of rendering path-traced screenshots in Photo Mode. This is possible because it means that these GPUs just need to render one frame, as opposed to rendering several frames every second when playing the game. However, it’s important to remember that the higher the resolution, and the less powerful the GPU is, the longer it will take to take a screenshot. This could take anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, depending on your hardware.
Guided Tour of Night City
For those who are unable to experience Overdrive Mode, Digital Foundry has uploaded a guided tour of Night City that is now available to watch online. The gaming tech analysts captured footage of the game running at 4K and 60fps, using an RTX 4090 GPU with DLSS performance mode enabled. This footage provides an excellent look at what the game looks like with the latest hardware, and it’s definitely worth watching if you’re interested in Cyberpunk 2077.
Phantom Liberty Expansion
The game’s first and only expansion, Phantom Liberty, will be out later this year. CD Projekt Red is pushing forward on a Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, and has established a new studio staffed by several developers from the first game to work on the project. More information on the expansion will be revealed in June, so stay tuned for more details in the coming months.
