Witcher 3 Remastered RTX 5080: 30 FPS With Path Tracing

Image: CD PROJEKT RED

IGN's early Witcher 3 Remastered RTX 5080 test averaged 30 FPS on a route through Novigrad with frame generation disabled. The result came at 4K output with DLSS set to Performance, path tracing enabled, and HairWorks enabled; it is not a native-4K or console benchmark. CD PROJEKT RED has scheduled The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered for September 29, 2026, on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Witcher 3 Remastered RTX 5080 results at 4K

In IGN's RTX 5080 test, senior tech editor Jacqueline Thomas measured average frame rates while traveling through Novigrad. All four figures below use 4K output and DLSS Performance; the major switches are HairWorks and frame generation. They are IGN's measurements, not tests conducted by Gamefasti.

Path tracing	HairWorks	Frame generation	Average FPS
On	On	Off	30
On	On	On	59
On	Off	Off	44
On	Off	On	80

The comparison matters more than the headline number alone. Turning off HairWorks lifted IGN's non-generated average from 30 to 44 FPS while keeping path tracing on. Even that lighter configuration remained below 60 FPS without frame generation in the reported run.

Witcher 3 Remastered frame generation and image quality

With frame generation enabled, IGN reported averages of 59 FPS with HairWorks on and 80 FPS with HairWorks off. Those figures include generated frames; they do not show the GPU rendering 59 or 80 distinct game frames without the feature. IGN also noticed visible artifacts, particularly on ground textures, when frame generation started from the 30-FPS base result.

Witcher 3 Remastered path tracing performance

IGN reported a 55-FPS average after disabling path tracing. Its article does not give a complete matching settings breakdown for that last result, so it is best treated as a separate observation rather than a controlled one-switch comparison with every table row.

For an RTX 5080 owner who values consistent response over every visual effect, HairWorks is an obvious setting to try lowering first. If that is not enough, reducing or disabling path tracing is the next major tradeoff. The published test does not establish a universal 60-FPS preset for all PCs: location, hardware, drivers, and the rest of the settings can change the outcome.

Witcher 3 Remastered PC requirements and graphics options

CD PROJEKT RED's Remastered patch notes confirm that PC gets path tracing, Ray-Traced HairWorks, NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 with Ray Reconstruction, and upscaling and frame-generation options from AMD and Intel. These are PC-specific additions. The official post also publishes a revised system-requirements chart for players comparing hardware targets; its highest visual settings should not be mistaken for the minimum needed to play.

Release date, upgrade access, and platforms

Date	Confirmed information
September 28, 2026	CD PROJEKT RED published Remastered changes and revised PC requirements; IGN reported its RTX 5080 test.
September 29, 2026	Scheduled Remastered release on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.

CD PROJEKT RED says anyone who previously bought a version of The Witcher 3 can claim the Remastered upgrade at no extra cost within the same platform ecosystem, whether their copy is physical or digital. The PC launch covers Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, and Battle.net. Owners should check the update or upgrade listing on the store tied to their copy once the release reaches their region. New buyers should check the current price on their chosen storefront; the free-upgrade offer is for existing owners.

The new edition also brings gameplay and interface changes, not just heavier graphics settings. CD PROJEKT RED lists a reworked skill tree, improved movement and monster behavior, expanded Photo Mode, and both earlier expansions as part of the upgraded package. The RTX 5080 result says nothing about frame rates on PS5, Xbox, or Switch 2; their rendering options and hardware differ from this PC test.

What players still need to know

One Novigrad route cannot show how every region or PC configuration performs, and the published averages do not describe frame-time consistency or low-frame-rate moments. Buyers considering a GPU upgrade should wait for broader independent tests across several locations and hardware tiers. Existing owners can try the free update and adjust the expensive visual features before spending money on new hardware.

FAQ

Does The Witcher 3 Remastered run at only 30 FPS on an RTX 5080?

No. IGN measured 30 FPS in a specific 4K-output Novigrad test with DLSS Performance, path tracing, and HairWorks enabled but frame generation disabled. Removing HairWorks raised its average to 44 FPS, and other settings can change the result again.

Does frame generation make the game run at a native 60 FPS?

IGN measured 59 FPS with frame generation in the path-tracing and HairWorks-on configuration, up from a 30-FPS non-generated average. The generated-frame figure should not be read as 59 independently rendered frames.

Is The Witcher 3 Remastered upgrade free?

CD PROJEKT RED says previous owners of any version can upgrade for free within the same platform ecosystem. The release is scheduled for September 29, 2026, across PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Do the RTX 5080 results apply to consoles?

No. IGN tested a PC with an RTX 5080 and PC-specific options including DLSS and path tracing. Console performance needs separate platform-specific measurements.

For more release and update coverage, visit Gamefasti's News section.