Counter-Strike 2 System Requirements: Minimum and Recommended PC Specs (2026)

To run Counter-Strike 2 on PC, you need at least Video card must be 1 GB or more and should be a DirectX 11-compatible with support for Shader Model 5.0 and 8 GB RAM. Plan for 85 GB of free storage. These are the official specs from the game’s Steam page, checked on Oct 8, 2026.

Counter-Strike 2 PC requirements

Spec	Minimum	Recommended
OS	Windows® 10	–
Processor	4 hardware CPU threads – Intel® Core™ i5 750 or higher	–
Memory	8 GB RAM	–
Graphics	Video card must be 1 GB or more and should be a DirectX 11-compatible with support for Shader Model 5.0	–
DirectX	Version 11	–
Storage	85 GB available space	–

How demanding is Counter-Strike 2?

Its minimum memory requirement of 8 GB is higher than 37% of the 183 PC games we track. Its 85 GB install is larger than 78% of them.

Counter-Strike 2 targets older budget machines. The required Intel Core i5 750 processor is quite dated, and the graphics need just 1 GB of video memory with DirectX 11 and Shader Model 5.0 support. This is pretty easy to meet by today’s standards. Most PCs built in the last ten years, along with many entry-level laptops, can handle it. The Steam Deck is rated Playable, which shows the game’s simple requirements.

Storage and the processor are crucial here. The 85 GB installation size can be a challenge for smaller drives. Plus, the game needs a CPU with at least 4 hardware threads. This minimum is important since a competitive shooter relies more on the processor than the graphics card. One unusual point: the processor is listed as a minimum with “or higher,” but there’s no recommended tier. A smart tip is to install the game on an SSD, which helps with quick map loading, and to ensure you have the full 85 GB free before starting the download.

Can you play Counter-Strike 2 on Steam Deck?

Valve rates Counter-Strike 2 Playable on Steam Deck. That means it runs, but may need some manual tweaks.

• Note: Controller glyphs do not match deck device
• Note: Interface text is not legible
• Passes: Default controller config fully functional
• Passes: Default configuration is performant

Is Counter-Strike 2 on Mac or Linux?

Yes. Steam lists native Linux versions of Counter-Strike 2.

Counter-Strike 2 system requirements FAQ

What are the minimum requirements for Counter-Strike 2?

Windows® 10, 4 hardware CPU threads – Intel® Core™ i5 750 or higher, 8 GB RAM and Video card must be 1 GB or more and should be a DirectX 11-compatible with support for Shader Model 5.0. You also need 85 GB available space.

Can I run Counter-Strike 2 with 8 GB of RAM?

Yes, 8 GB meets the minimum of 8 GB.

How much storage does Counter-Strike 2 need?

The Steam page lists 85 GB of free space.

Does Counter-Strike 2 work on Steam Deck?

Valve rates it Playable on Steam Deck.

More on Counter-Strike 2

• Counter-Strike 2 stats, news and reviews
• Counter-Strike 2 player count: is it dead?
• Is Counter-Strike 2 cross platform?
• Counter-Strike 2 on Steam

Specs and the Steam Deck rating come from the game’s official Steam store listing and Valve’s compatibility report. Comparisons use the same data for every PC game Explosion tracks. Re-checked monthly.