Providing a detailed breakdown of the PC requirements for Bethesda’s sci-fi game Starfield, this article also includes optimization tips to enhance your gaming experience. …
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Navigating the Starfield System Requirements
Bethesda's expansive sci-fi, Starfield, unlike other RPGs, places surprisingly relaxed demands on your PC. The game runs smoothly on a six-year-old graphics card, providing an immersive experience without investing in the latest hardware. No worries if you already have the best gaming PC to play Starfield – most modern machines are robust enough to run it effortlessly. However, for those relying on an existing system or updating an older build, we will cover all you need to play Starfield efficiently below.
Starfield PC Specifications – Minimum and Recommended
PC specs | Minimum | Recommended |
OS | Windows 10 version 21H1 | Windows 10/11 with updates |
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 2600X | Intel Core i7-6800K | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel i5-10600K |
Graphics card | AMD Radeon RX 5700 | Nvidia GeForce 1070 Ti | AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT | Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 |
RAM | 16GB | 16GB |
Storage | 126GB SSD | 126GB SSD |
You will need a GPU equivalent to AMD Radeon RX 5700 or NVIDIA GeForce 1070 Ti to meet the Starfield minimum requirements. AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel Core i7-6800K are just fine for processors. While you might be tricked into thinking you need the high-end i7, newer models like the 13th gen Intel i5-13600k are a better choice. Starfield is quite indulgent regarding RAM, requiring at least 16GB, which is twice the usual for most PC games.
Thankfully, the RAM requirement remains constant even for recommended specifications.Preparing Your Gaming PC for Starfield
If you aim for a higher resolution gaming experience and seek to boost fps, the recommended requirements rise slightly. Consider GPUs like AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT or Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 for the best results. While the suggested processors are AMD Ryzen 5 3600X and Intel i5-10600K, you have sufficient room to experiment.
Playing Starfield requires at least 125GB of storage space. If your SSD is filled with bulky games like Baldurs Gate 3, you might want to free up some space. Although Starfield can run on an HDD, SSDs are recommended to avoid stuttering issues during gameplay.
Optimizing Your Gaming Experience
Are you satisfied with your PC matching or exceeding the recommended specifications? It's then time to optimize your system to ensure a seamless gaming experience. Ensure you have a functional SSD and not a traditional hard disk drive. Free up 125GB of storage and switch off any unnecessary background apps. Lastly, activate 'game mode' in your Windows settings for the best performance. Let's not forget: if you wish to play Starfield on a portable stage, check out gaming laptops or Valve's mobile device, Steam Deck. Different performance considerations come into play in these settings, which we'd happily guide you through.