Arc Raiders requires at least an Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen R5 1600 processor with 12GB RAM and GTX 1050 Ti graphics card for minimum settings. For optimal performance, upgrade to an Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 with 16GB RAM and RTX 2070 GPU. The game launches October 30, 2025, with an expected file size of 30GB.
| Requirement Level | CPU | GPU | RAM | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | i5-6600K / Ryzen R5 1600 | GTX 1050 Ti / RX 580 | 12 GB | ~30 GB |
| Recommended | i5-9600K / Ryzen 5 3600 | RTX 2070 / RX 5700 XT | 16 GB | ~30 GB |
| Ultra | i7-9700K / Ryzen 7 3700X | RTX 4070 Ti / RX 7900 XTX | 16 GB | ~30 GB |
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Arc Raiders system requirements, from minimum specs to ultra settings, plus expert optimization tips and hardware recommendations for the best gaming experience.
Contents
Arc Raiders, developed by Embark Studios (creators of The Finals), is an upcoming multiplayer extraction adventure set in a post-apocalyptic world dominated by mysterious machines called ARC. Using Unreal Engine 5, the game promises stunning visuals while maintaining relatively modest system requirements compared to other modern AAA titles.
The minimum system requirements for Arc Raiders will allow you to run the game at 720p to 1080p resolution with low to medium settings, targeting 30 FPS. These specs are designed to be accessible to players with older or budget gaming PCs.
Operating System: Windows 10 or later (64-bit, latest update)
Processor: Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen R5 1600
Memory: 12 GB RAM
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 580 or Intel Arc A380
VRAM: 4 GB
DirectX: Version 12
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: ~30 GB available space
Performance Expectations: At minimum settings, you can expect to play Arc Raiders at 1080p resolution with medium settings, achieving 30-40 FPS in most scenarios. The game may experience frame drops during intense combat sequences with multiple ARC machines and players.
For the optimal Arc Raiders experience, the recommended specifications will enable you to play at 1080p to 1440p resolution with high settings, maintaining a stable 60 FPS throughout your extraction adventures.
Operating System: Windows 10 or later (64-bit, latest update)
Processor: Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT or Intel Arc B570
VRAM: 8 GB
DirectX: Version 12
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: ~30 GB available space (SSD recommended)
Performance Expectations: With recommended specs, you'll enjoy smooth gameplay at 1080p with ultra settings or 1440p with high settings, maintaining 60+ FPS consistently. This configuration provides the best balance of visual quality and performance for most players.
For players who demand the absolute best visual quality and want to experience Arc Raiders at 4K resolution with maximum settings, the ultra requirements will push your hardware to its limits.
Operating System: Windows 10 or later (64-bit, latest update)
Processor: Intel Core i7-9700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
VRAM: 12-16 GB
DirectX: Version 12
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: ~30 GB available space (NVMe SSD required)
Performance Expectations: Ultra specs enable 4K gameplay with maximum settings, targeting 60 FPS. However, it's worth noting that there's some discrepancy in ultra requirements between sources, with some suggesting RTX 5070 Ti instead of RTX 4070 Ti. This variation may be due to different optimization stages or settings configurations.
The Arc Raiders download size is expected to be approximately 30 GB for the full release. During the invite-only playtest, the game occupied roughly 23 GB, with Steam reserving an additional 2 GB, totaling about 25 GB. The increase to 30 GB for the full release accounts for additional content including:
Storage Recommendations:
Why SSD Matters: While Arc Raiders doesn't officially require an SSD, testing during the playtest phase showed significantly better performance on solid-state drives. Load times were reduced by up to 60%, and texture streaming was much smoother, particularly when moving between the underground society of Speranza and the surface world.
The system requirements listed above apply specifically to the PC version of Arc Raiders, available on both Steam and Epic Games Store. PC players have the advantage of customizable graphics settings and hardware upgrades to optimize their experience.
Arc Raiders is also available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, but console players don't need to worry about system requirements as the games are optimized for each platform's specific hardware. The game supports cross-play across all platforms, allowing you to team up with friends regardless of their preferred gaming system.
Arc Raiders is available on GeForce NOW, allowing players with lower-end PCs to stream the game at high settings. This is an excellent option for players who don't meet the minimum requirements but still want to experience the game.
Arc Raiders appears to be moderately CPU-intensive, particularly during large-scale encounters with multiple ARC machines and other players. The recommended i5-9600K or Ryzen 5 3600 should handle most scenarios well, but players engaging in frequent large-group activities may benefit from a more powerful processor.
Upgrade Path: If you're below the minimum CPU requirements, consider upgrading to at least a Ryzen 5 1600 or i5-6600K. For future-proofing, the Ryzen 5 3600 or i5-9600K offers better performance headroom.
The graphics card requirements for Arc Raiders are relatively modest compared to other Unreal Engine 5 titles. The GTX 1050 Ti minimum requirement means many older gaming PCs can still run the game, while the RTX 2070 recommendation provides excellent 1080p performance.
GPU Upgrade Recommendations:
The 12 GB RAM minimum requirement is higher than some older games but has become standard for modern titles. The jump to 16 GB for recommended specs is well worth it, as it provides better multitasking capabilities and smoother performance.
RAM Upgrade Tips:
While the full range of graphics settings isn't available until launch, based on the playtest, here are the settings that have the biggest impact on performance:
High Impact Settings:
Low Impact Settings:
Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date before playing Arc Raiders. Both NVIDIA and AMD typically release game-ready drivers that can improve performance and stability.
Close unnecessary background applications before playing Arc Raiders, particularly:
For the best performance:
Arc Raiders system requirements are quite reasonable compared to other extraction shooters and Unreal Engine 5 titles:
| Game | Minimum GPU | Recommended GPU | RAM Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc Raiders | GTX 1050 Ti | RTX 2070 | 12 GB |
| Escape from Tarkov | GTX 1050 Ti | GTX 1060 | 8 GB |
| The Finals | GTX 1650 | RTX 3060 | 12 GB |
| Fortnite | GTX 960 | GTX 1060 | 8 GB |
Arc Raiders sits comfortably between these titles, offering better visuals than Fortnite while maintaining lower requirements than The Finals.
Yes, many gaming laptops can run Arc Raiders, particularly those with GTX 1650 or better graphics cards. However, laptop performance may vary due to thermal throttling and power limitations.
Based on current information, Arc Raiders does not appear to feature ray tracing, which helps keep system requirements more accessible.
While not officially confirmed, given Embark Studios' experience with The Finals (which supports both DLSS and FSR), it's likely that Arc Raiders will include these upscaling technologies to improve performance.
Arc Raiders is expected to utilize multiple CPU cores effectively, making modern 6-core and 8-core processors ideal for the best performance.
If you're planning to upgrade your PC specifically for Arc Raiders, consider these factors:
Stay connected with the Arc Raiders community for the latest updates, tips, and discussions:
Arc Raiders requires at least an Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen R5 1600 processor, 12GB RAM, and a GTX 1050 Ti or equivalent graphics card, running on Windows 10 or later.
No, Arc Raiders requires a minimum of 12GB RAM. While 8GB was sufficient for many games in the past, modern titles like Arc Raiders benefit from the additional memory for smoother performance.
No, Arc Raiders is not free to play. The Standard Edition costs $40, while the Deluxe Edition is priced at $60, both available on Steam and Epic Games Store.
For 60 FPS at 1080p with high settings, you'll need at least an RTX 2070 or RX 5700 XT graphics card, paired with a capable CPU and 16GB RAM.
While not officially required, an SSD is highly recommended for Arc Raiders. Testing showed significantly better load times and smoother texture streaming on solid-state drives compared to traditional hard drives.
Arc Raiders is expected to have a download size of approximately 30 GB. It's recommended to have at least 60 GB of free space available for installation and future updates.
No, Arc Raiders requires a dedicated graphics card with at least 4GB VRAM. Integrated graphics solutions do not meet the minimum requirements.
Yes, Arc Raiders supports cross-play between PC (Steam/Epic), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, allowing you to play with friends regardless of their platform.
At minimum settings, you can expect to play Arc Raiders at 1080p resolution with medium to low settings, targeting 30-40 FPS.
While specific update schedules aren't confirmed, Embark Studios has committed to regular content updates including new maps, ARC machines, and gameplay features based on player feedback.
Arc Raiders presents an exciting opportunity for PC gamers with relatively modest system requirements. The game's optimization using Unreal Engine 5 allows it to run well on mid-range hardware while still delivering impressive visuals and gameplay.
For Budget Gamers: If you meet the minimum requirements, you can still enjoy Arc Raiders, though you may need to lower some settings for stable performance. Consider upgrading your RAM to 16GB if possible, as this provides the best performance improvement per dollar spent.
For Mid-Range Gamers: The recommended specifications offer the sweet spot for Arc Raiders, providing excellent 1080p performance with high settings. This configuration will handle all aspects of the game smoothly, from intense combat to exploration.
For High-End Gamers: If you have ultra-spec hardware, you'll be able to enjoy Arc Raiders at its visual best, with 4K resolution and maximum settings providing an immersive experience of the post-apocalyptic world.
Pre-Order Considerations: With the game launching on October 30, 2025, now is the time to check your system requirements and consider upgrades if needed. The $40 Standard Edition offers great value, while the $60 Deluxe Edition includes additional cosmetic items and bonuses for dedicated fans.
Remember to join the official Discord community for the latest updates and to connect with other players preparing for the ARC invasion. Whether you're a seasoned extraction shooter veteran or new to the genre, Arc Raiders promises an engaging experience that's accessible to a wide range of PC configurations.
Stay prepared, Raider – the machines are coming, and only the well-equipped will survive on the surface of Speranza!