Wow!! the RT mode is insane, if you want to see its full potential go to a place where it has shadows and lights, like Vizima for example and turn it on/off, big difference there, much more natural and beautiful lighting.
I got 55 fps with RT mode on 2k just now, goes to 60 fps once i stop moving. All on ultra with DLSS on (RTX 3070) - good stuff
Without RTx its capped at 60 for me because i dont unlock it unless i play multiplayer, i dont want to spoil myself with 144fps even though my monitor is 144hz, i just lock every single player game on 60fps no matter what.
But without RTX its smooth and my PC is quiet.
With RTX its almost smooth but PC is loud and heated.
Overall for me it seems to be alright, with the patches CDPR is going to make i can expect even better performance later on, great update visually.
I even took a screenshots but i assume most of you seen all that needs to be seen by now.
Here:
RT off:
RT On:
Edit:
Ok did another run at different time in another city, it seems the benefits of RTX mode depends on the time of the day in the game and the angle/place where you are at.
If you are indoors-outdoors i mean kind of between them, near some house at the time of the noon then the effect is in full potential.
At night the effects are reduced, the lighting is more natural but the benefits get lower. I tested another one in Oxenfort and the difference was not as massive as Vizima for example.
So to conclude RTX is a good cosmetic/immersion addition but its not essential, as the performance mod on high/ultra is more than enough of a gorgeous looking visuals so for the console folk or people that can't run RTX mode at higher frames you are not missing out so much, dont worry.
It's impressive how implemented it is in older game though, i assume if its was built from the ground up in the game like Cyberpunk did it would be even better looking and the benefits will be bigger, but can't complain about free addition to probably boost some GPU sales lol. Wouldn't surprise me if Nvidia has some stocks at CDPR at this point lol.
Anyway, overall good update so far.
If you have 3070 and below (less than 12GB ram and less than 30 series) then i highly recommend RTX off and Performance mode.
However it is worth to turn on RTX if you are in photo mode and want to bring out your inner photographer.
I will not be replaying the game sadly, just collect the new content and leave, but have fun and hope whoever has issues they get fixed ASAP.