STALKER 2 PC Requirements Finalized: RTX 4090 Struggles with 4K Without DLSS 3
Introduction to STALKER 2's System Requirements
As the highly anticipated STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl launches imminently, GSC Game World has finalized its PC system requirements, revealing a drastic increase in necessary resources. This announcement is crucial for gamers planning to experience this visually stunning Unreal Engine 5-powered game on their current hardware setups. Despite the benchmarks revealing astounding graphical demands, the game's allure remains undiminished among tech enthusiasts.
Significant Storage and Hardware Demands
Players eager to delve into the immersive world of STALKER 2 will need to ensure their systems are up to par with the latest hardware requirements. The game now requires a whopping 160GB of drive space, reflecting an increase of 10GB from previously estimated requirements. This poses a challenge for users with limited storage capacities, particularly those relying on SSDs, where space management is vital for optimal performance.
Furthermore, the increased minimum RAM requirement jump from 8GB to 16GB, combined with a shift in the minimum CPU requirements from an Intel Core i5-7600K to a Core i7-7700K, underscores the necessity for hardware upgrades. While the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X remains unchanged as a baseline, the elevated demands are evident across the board.
Performance Expectations with High-End Graphics
The game features four distinct graphics presets designed to cater to varying levels of hardware capabilities, with the High setting (1440p/60fps) advocated for those using a RTX 4070 or Radeon RX 6800 XT, paired with at least a Core i7-11700 or Ryzen 7 5800X. For enthusiasts seeking to push visuals to their limits, the Epic setting (4K at over 60fps) demands a Core i7-13700KF or Ryzen 7 7700X, alongside a RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XTX, making STALKER 2 a frequent benchmark subject.
DLSS 3's Impact on Performance
Nvidia's latest benchmarks are particularly illuminating concerning STALKER 2's performance with and without DLSS 3. The mighty RTX 4090, coupled with an i9-14900K, struggles to maintain an average of 60fps at maxed-out 4K in the absence of DLSS 3. However, activating DLSS 3 (Performance Mode) dramatically boosts frame rates to 124 fps. Similarly, at 1440p, the frame rates climb from 75fps to 145fps with DLSS 3, while 1080p figures rise from 85.5fps to 165 fps in Quality Mode.
Looking Forward to STALKER 2's Launch
With its release slated for November 20, STALKER 2 promises to be a benchmark for both visuals and performance in the gaming world. As players adjust to these increased hardware requirements, GSC Game World continues to heighten anticipation with its next-generation graphics and gameplay. This is a pivotal moment for tech enthusiasts and gamers alike as they prepare their systems to fully immerse in the post-apocalyptic experience that STALKER 2 promises.
