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Frame Generation in Cyberpunk: Latency & Image Quality

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Frame Generation in Cyberpunk: Latency & Image Quality

Frame generation in Cyberpunk 2077 (via NVIDIA DLSS 3/3.5 or AMD FSR 3) creates new frames between rendered ones to boost your FPS, but it also adds input latency and can introduce visual artifacts. This guide explains what to expect, how to configure it for your hardware, and how to minimize the downsides.

What You’ll Need

  • A PC running Cyberpunk 2077 (version 2.0 or later) with the latest game patch.
  • A compatible GPU: NVIDIA RTX 40-series (DLSS 3) or newer, or an AMD RX 6000/7000-series (FSR 3). Older cards may not support frame generation.
  • Updated graphics drivers (NVIDIA or AMD).
  • In-game access to the settings menu (Graphics and Gameplay tabs).
  • Optional: a monitor with variable refresh rate (VRR) like G-Sync or FreeSync for smoother results.

Step-by-Step

  1. Open the Settings menu from the main menu or pause screen. Go to the Graphics tab.
  2. Locate the “Ray Tracing� section (if you have an RTX card) and set Ray Tracing: Overdrive Mode to your preference. Frame generation works with any ray tracing preset, but the Overdrive mode is the most demanding.
  3. Scroll to “NVIDIA DLSS� or “AMD FSR� (depending on your GPU). Set the mode to Frame Generation (sometimes labeled “DLSS Frame Generation� or “FSR 3 Frame Generation�).
  4. Set a base resolution and upscaling mode. Frame generation is typically combined with upscaling (e.g., DLSS Quality, Balanced, Performance). For best image quality, use Quality or Balanced; for higher FPS, use Performance.
  5. Enable V-Sync and a frame rate limiter (optional but recommended). In the Graphics tab, set V-Sync to On (or use the driver) and cap your FPS to just below your monitor’s refresh rate (e.g., 141 FPS on a 144Hz monitor) to avoid tearing and reduce latency.
  6. Adjust the “Latency� settings. In the Gameplay tab, enable NVIDIA Reflex (if you have an RTX card) or AMD Anti-Lag (for FSR 3). Set it to On or Enabled + Boost for the lowest input lag.
  7. Test in-game by playing for a few minutes. Use the in-game benchmark (Settings → Benchmark) or a tool like MSI Afterburner to check FPS and frame times.
  8. Fine-tune the upscaling mode if you see artifacts or blurriness. For example, switch from Performance to Balanced or Quality to improve image clarity.
  9. If you notice ghosting or smearing, try lowering the ray tracing preset (e.g., from Ultra to Medium) or disabling path tracing (if enabled) to reduce the load on the GPU, which can help the frame generation algorithm.
  10. Save your settings and restart the game to ensure they are applied correctly.

Common Mistakes

  • Using frame generation without upscaling – this often results in lower FPS than expected because the GPU is still rendering at full resolution, and the frame generation overhead adds latency.
  • Not enabling Reflex or Anti-Lag – without these, input latency increases noticeably, making the game feel sluggish despite high FPS.
  • Leaving V-Sync off – this can cause screen tearing, which is especially noticeable with frame generation because the extra frames can desynchronize from the monitor’s refresh.
  • Setting the frame rate cap too high – capping above your monitor’s refresh rate can cause missed frames and stutter. Keep it at or just below your refresh rate.
  • Ignoring in-game UI artifacts – some HUD elements (like health bars) may flicker or ghost with frame generation; this is a known limitation, not a hardware fault.

Tips

  • Use the in-game benchmark to compare settings quickly. It runs a fixed sequence and gives you average FPS and frame times.
  • Combine frame generation with DLSS or FSR upscaling – they are designed to work together. The upscaling reduces the render resolution, giving the frame generation more headroom.
  • For competitive play (e.g., multiplayer modes), consider turning off frame generation entirely. The latency reduction from Reflex/Anti-Lag alone is often better than the FPS boost.
  • If you have a 120Hz or higher monitor, enable VRR (G-Sync/FreeSync) and set the frame cap to your refresh rate minus 3–5 FPS. This gives the smoothest experience.
  • Update your drivers regularly – both NVIDIA and AMD have improved frame generation quality and latency in recent updates.

Troubleshooting

  • Frame generation option is grayed out – your GPU may not support it (e.g., RTX 20/30-series or older AMD cards). Check the game’s requirements or update your drivers.
  • FPS drops or stutter after enabling – this can happen if your base FPS is too low (below ~60 FPS). Try lowering ray tracing or upscaling to Performance mode to raise the base FPS.
  • Game crashes when enabling – ensure your drivers are up to date and verify the game files (Steam/Epic). Also, try disabling any overclocking (GPU/CPU) temporarily.
  • Visual artifacts (ghosting, smearing) persist – reduce the ray tracing preset or switch to a higher upscaling quality mode. If using path tracing, turn it off.
  • Input lag feels high – enable Reflex or Anti-Lag, and set the frame cap to your monitor’s refresh rate. Also, check that V-Sync is on (or use Fast Sync).
  • HUD elements flicker – this is a known issue with frame generation; try disabling the “Minimapâ€� or “Dynamic HUDâ€� options, or accept it as a trade-off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does frame generation reduce latency?

No, it increases latency. The GPU takes extra time to compute the interpolated frames, which adds a few milliseconds of input lag. However, the overall responsiveness can feel better because the FPS is higher and motion is smoother.

What is the difference between DLSS and FSR frame generation?

DLSS 3 uses dedicated hardware (Optical Flow Accelerator) on RTX 40-series cards, while FSR 3 is software-based and works on a wider range of GPUs. In practice, DLSS 3 tends to produce slightly better image quality and lower latency, but FSR 3 is more accessible.

Can I use frame generation with ray tracing enabled?

Yes, and it’s often recommended. Ray tracing is heavy, and frame generation helps maintain high FPS. However, the combination can amplify artifacts, so you may need to tweak settings.

Will frame generation work on a 60Hz monitor?

Yes, but the benefits are less noticeable. You’ll get higher FPS, but the monitor can’t display more than 60 frames per second, so you might not see a difference in smoothness. It can still reduce input lag if you use Reflex/Anti-Lag.

Does frame generation affect the game’s visuals?

Yes, it can introduce minor artifacts like ghosting, smearing, or flickering on UI elements. The quality depends on the algorithm and the base FPS. Higher base FPS usually means fewer artifacts.

Should I always enable frame generation?

Not necessarily. If you already have high FPS (e.g., 100+), the latency increase may not be worth it. For single-player games, it’s great for visual fidelity; for competitive multiplayer, you might prefer lower latency over higher FPS.

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