Cyberpunk 2077 High CPU Usage Fix: How to Stop Stuttering in Update 2.1
It is the most frustrating feeling in PC gaming: You have an RTX 4090, an Intel i9 or Ryzen 9, and yet, when you drive into Dogtown, your game freezes for a split second. You’re likely searching for a Cyberpunk 2077 CPU usage fix at this point. You look at your overlay and see the horror—CPU Usage: 99%. GPU Usage: 60%.
Welcome to the “CPU Bottleneck” era of Cyberpunk 2077.
Since Update 2.0 and the release of Phantom Liberty, CD Projekt Red overhauled the game’s engine. The new police system, vehicle combat, and denser crowds have shifted the load heavily onto your processor, highlighting the need for a Cyberpunk 2077 CPU usage fix. If your CPU hits 100%, your GPU stops receiving frames, causing massive stutters.
Here is how to fix the high CPU usage glitch and smooth out your framerate in Update 2.1. Applying the proper Cyberpunk 2077 CPU usage fix can make a significant difference.
Fix 1: The “Hybrid CPU Utilization” Setting (Intel Users Only)
If you are using a modern Intel processor (12th, 13th, or 14th Gen), this is likely the culprit. These chips use a mix of “Performance Cores” (P-Cores) and “Efficiency Cores” (E-Cores).
Sometimes, Cyberpunk 2077 gets confused and tries to run heavy game tasks on the slow E-Cores, causing lag. A Cyberpunk 2077 CPU usage fix can prevent this issue.
The Fix:
-
Go to Settings > Gameplay.
-
Find Hybrid CPU Utilization.
-
Change it from “Auto” to “Prioritize P-Cores”.
Note: This was added in Patch 2.11. If you don’t see it, update your game.
Fix 2: Tuning AMD SMT to Reduce Cyberpunk CPU Usage
For years, Cyberpunk 2077 has struggled to use all the threads on AMD Ryzen CPUs, effectively ignoring half your processor’s power.
The Fix:
-
Go to Settings > Gameplay > Performance.
-
Find AMD Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT).
-
Set it to “On” (Do not leave it on “Auto”).
Advanced Fix for 8-Core Ryzens (5800X3D / 7800X3D):
If the in-game setting doesn’t work, the community recommends using the Cyber Engine Tweaks mod from Nexus Mods. This mod forces the game to utilize all logical threads, which can drastically lower overall CPU percentage by spreading the load evenly. It’s a crucial Cyberpunk 2077 CPU usage fix for those struggling with high CPU demands.
Fix 3: Fixing High CPU Usage by Adjusting Crowd Density
Many players refuse to lower settings because they have a high-end GPU. Do not make this mistake.
“Crowd Density” is not a graphics setting; it is a CPU setting. Every NPC you see requires AI pathfinding and physics calculations. In Dogtown, the density is so high that it can crush even an i9-13900K.
-
Action: Go to Settings > Graphics and lower Crowd Density from High to Medium. This adjustment acts as an effective Cyberpunk 2077 CPU usage fix.
-
Result: You will likely lose 0% visual fidelity while driving, but you will gain 10-15% CPU headroom, eliminating those micro-stutters.
Fix 4: Intel Hybrid CPU Utilization Setting for Cyberpunk 2077
Sometimes, the issue isn’t the game settings, but a mismatch in your hardware. If you paired a top-tier GPU with an older CPU (like an RTX 4070 with an i5-10400), no amount of settings tweaks will save you from the bottleneck.
Is your CPU too weak for your GPU?
Don’t guess. Check if your CPU is the bottleneck using our FPS calculator. It will tell you exactly which component is holding back your performance.
Fix 5: Disable “Ray Tracing Reconstruction”
This sounds counter-intuitive, but hear us out. Ray Tracing Reconstruction (DLSS 3.5) is designed to make Ray Tracing look better, but some users on Reddit have reported that it weirdly shifts load away from the GPU and increases CPU strain in specific scenes.
If you are desperate, try turning Ray Reconstruction OFF while keeping Path Tracing ON. It might just give your processor the breathing room it needs.
Are You Playing on Steam Deck or ROG Ally?
If you are experiencing high CPU temperatures or battery drain on a handheld device, the fixes above might not be enough. Handhelds like the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally use mobile processors that require very specific power-limiting settings to run smoothly without overheating. Consider specific Cyberpunk 2077 CPU usage fix approaches tailored for these devices.
We have a dedicated guide specifically for balancing performance and battery life on portable PCs.
Read the Guide: Cyberpunk 2077 Steam Deck vs ROG Ally: Best Settings for Phantom Liberty
