Intel CPUs Exclusive: Cyberpunk 2077’s P-Core Mode releases Chaotic Stuttering

Intel CPUs Exclusive: Cyberpunk 2077’s P-Core Mode releases Chaotic Stuttering

CD Projekt Red recently released Patch 2.11 for Cyberpunk 2077, aiming to fix various issues and introduce new features. One of the notable additions is the “P-core preferred” mode specifically designed for Intel’s hybrid core processors, including Alder, Raptor, and Meteor Lake. This mode prioritizes the P-Cores for the render thread, aiming to enhance performance by keeping Latency-sensitive threads on the faster P-core cluster. However, it seems that this new feature has not lived up to expectations.

Players who have enabled the “P-core preferred” mode have encountered a frustrating experience with the game, as it becomes plagued with stuttering and even crashes at times. To put things into perspective, when running Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p Ultra settings with a Core i9-13900K and an RTX 4090, the average frames per second (FPS) stand at 201, with 1% lows of 136.5 FPS. However, enabling the P-core option significantly reduces performance, bringing the average FPS down to 125 and the 1% low to a mere 11.5 FPS.

Interestingly, manually disabling the E-Cores seems to resolve the issue, suggesting that CD Projekt Red’s solution may be causing confusion within the Windows Scheduler, resulting in inefficient work distribution. It remains to be seen whether the developers or nVidia will release an update to address this problem.

In addition to this CPU-related concern, Patch 2.11 also brings several other changes to Cyberpunk 2077. These include fixes for common player issues such as finisher animations and improvements for Rayfield enthusiasts. The update also introduces UI enhancements, such as a new Radioport category in the Settings → Gameplay menu, allowing players to customize Radioport behavior. Various fixes have been implemented, including resolving issues with cyberware changes at Ripperdocs and displaying the Cyberware Capacity bar correctly. Furthermore, small visual improvements have been made to Net sites, neon-lit rims for the Yaiba Kusanagi CT-3X now light up properly, and shadows on V’s torso and hands have been fixed when wearing certain outfits and using Ray Tracing.

For PC players, Patch 2.11 introduces a Hybrid CPU Utilization setting under Gameplay → Performance. This setting allows players to choose between “Auto,” which lets the operating system decide how to distribute threads among the cores, and “Prioritize P-Cores,” which prioritizes performance cores. The default setting is “Auto.” Additionally, an improvement has been made to enhance performance, particularly for AMD RX Vega GPUs.

While the latest patch for Cyberpunk 2077 brings several improvements and fixes, the introduction of the “P-core preferred” mode for Intel CPUs has unfortunately resulted in a disappointing experience for players. As CD Projekt Red and NVIDIA work on resolving this issue, gamers can look forward to future updates that will hopefully provide a smoother and more enjoyable gameplay experience in Night City.

(Note: This article is based on Patch 2.11 for Cyberpunk 2077 and the information available at the time of writing. For more information and updates, please refer to official sources.)

Background Information

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About AMD: AMD, a large player in the semiconductor industry is known for its powerful processors and graphic solutions, AMD has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and user experience. With a customer-centric approach, the company has cultivated a reputation for delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the needs of gamers, professionals, and general users. AMD's Ryzen series of processors have redefined the landscape of desktop and laptop computing, offering impressive multi-core performance and competitive pricing that has challenged the dominance of its competitors. Complementing its processor expertise, AMD's Radeon graphics cards have also earned accolades for their efficiency and exceptional graphical capabilities, making them a favored choice among gamers and content creators. The company's commitment to innovation and technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

  

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About CD Projekt Red: CD Projekt Red is a Polish video game development studio, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Warsaw, Poland. The company is celebrated for its critically acclaimed game series, "The Witcher," known for its rich storytelling, expansive open worlds, and immersive gameplay experiences. CD Projekt Red has gained a global fanbase and industry recognition for its dedication to creating high-quality role-playing games. Beyond "The Witcher" series, they ventured into the highly anticipated futuristic RPG, "Cyberpunk 2077." The company's commitment to immersive storytelling and innovative game design has firmly established it as a key player in the video game industry.

  

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About Intel: Intel Corporation, a global technology leader, is for its semiconductor innovations that power computing and communication devices worldwide. As a pioneer in microprocessor technology, Intel has left an indelible mark on the evolution of computing with its processors that drive everything from PCs to data centers and beyond. With a history of advancements, Intel's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the digital landscape, offering solutions that empower businesses and individuals to achieve new levels of productivity and connectivity.

  

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About nVidia: NVIDIA has firmly established itself as a leader in the realm of client computing, continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation in graphics and AI technologies. With a deep commitment to enhancing user experiences, NVIDIA's client computing business focuses on delivering solutions that power everything from gaming and creative workloads to enterprise applications. for its GeForce graphics cards, the company has redefined high-performance gaming, setting industry standards for realistic visuals, fluid frame rates, and immersive experiences. Complementing its gaming expertise, NVIDIA's Quadro and NVIDIA RTX graphics cards cater to professionals in design, content creation, and scientific fields, enabling real-time ray tracing and AI-driven workflows that elevate productivity and creativity to unprecedented heights. By seamlessly integrating graphics, AI, and software, NVIDIA continues to shape the landscape of client computing, fostering innovation and immersive interactions in a rapidly evolving digital world.

  

Technology Explained

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CPU: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of a computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. It is the most important component of a computer system, as it is responsible for controlling all other components. CPUs are used in a wide range of applications, from desktop computers to mobile devices, gaming consoles, and even supercomputers. CPUs are used to process data, execute instructions, and control the flow of information within a computer system. They are also used to control the input and output of data, as well as to store and retrieve data from memory. CPUs are essential for the functioning of any computer system, and their applications in the computer industry are vast.

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E-Cores: E-Cores (Efficiency Cores) are a type of technology used in the computer industry to provide a more efficient and reliable way of powering and cooling computer components. They are made up of a combination of copper and aluminum, and are designed to be more efficient than traditional copper cores. E-Cores are used in a variety of applications, such as in CPUs, GPUs, and other computer components. They are also used in servers, laptops, and other electronic devices. The technology is designed to reduce heat and power consumption, while also providing a more reliable and efficient way of powering and cooling computer components.

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Latency: Technology latency is the time it takes for a computer system to respond to a request. It is an important factor in the performance of computer systems, as it affects the speed and efficiency of data processing. In the computer industry, latency is a major factor in the performance of computer networks, storage systems, and other computer systems. Low latency is essential for applications that require fast response times, such as online gaming, streaming media, and real-time data processing. High latency can cause delays in data processing, resulting in slow response times and poor performance. To reduce latency, computer systems use various techniques such as caching, load balancing, and parallel processing. By reducing latency, computer systems can provide faster response times and improved performance.

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P-Cores: P-Cores (Performance Cores) are a type of processor technology developed by Intel that is designed to improve the performance of computer systems. This technology is based on the concept of multi-core processors, which are processors that contain multiple cores or processing units. P-Cores are designed to increase the speed and efficiency of computer systems by allowing multiple cores to work together in parallel. This technology is used in a variety of applications, including gaming, video editing, and data analysis. P-Cores are also used in servers and other high-performance computing systems. The technology is also used in mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, to improve battery life and performance. P-Cores are an important part of the computer industry, as they allow for faster and more efficient computing.

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Ray Tracing: Ray tracing is an advanced rendering technique used in computer graphics to simulate the way light interacts with objects in a virtual environment. It traces the path of light rays as they travel through a scene, calculating how they interact with surfaces, materials, and lighting sources. By simulating the complex behaviors of light, ray tracing produces highly realistic and accurate visual effects, including lifelike reflections, shadows, and refractions. This technology enhances the overall visual quality of images and animations by accurately replicating how light behaves in the real world, resulting in a more immersive and visually stunning digital experience.

Ray Tracing Website: https://www.nvidia.com/en-gb/geforce/technologies/ray-tracing/