Ray Tracing Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 was already a visually impressive game, but the implementation of “Ray Tracing: Overdrive Mode” takes things to a whole new level. This mode utilises path tracing, a form of full ray tracing, to render all lighting, reflections, and shadows with exceptional accuracy. This means every neon sign, streetlamp, headlight, and screen in Night City contributes to the illumination of the environment, creating a truly breathtaking and immersive experience. Ray-traced reflections bring the city’s rain-slicked streets and glass skyscrapers to life, while ray-traced shadows add depth and realism to every scene.
In Cyberpunk at 1440p with ray tracing enabled, the RTX 5080 shows respectable performance gains but doesn’t push the boundaries significantly. Compared to the RTX 4080, it achieves an 11% improvement in the averages and an 8% boost in the lows, providing a smoother experience in demanding scenes like what we tested. Against the 4080 SUPER, the performance difference narrows further, with the 5080 coming in just 4% ahead in the averages and 2.5% in the lows. Then when compared to the RTX 4090, the 5080 lags behind by 22% in the averages and 21% in the lows, which I feel some may be a little disappointed in. In the battle with the 7900 XTX, the 5080 pulls far ahead again, leading by 85% in the averages and 86% in the lows.
At 4K, the RTX 5080 continues to demonstrate its performance gains over the previous generation. Compared to the RTX 4080, it delivers an 18% improvement in the averages and a 17% boost in the lows, maintaining a strong advantage. Against the 4080 SUPER, the 5080 pulls ahead by 8% in the averages and 11% in the lows, showcasing a noticeable, if not groundbreaking, lead. However, when compared to the RTX 4090, the 5080 trails by 24% in the averages and 22% in the lows, falling short of the Ada flagship’s raw power. The 7900 XTX, on the other hand, lags well behind, with the 5080 outperforming it by 86% in the averages and 90% in the lows, providing a much more stable and enjoyable experience in this graphically demanding title.
