Starfield System Requirements: Minimum and Recommended PC Specs (2026)
Nick Guli|To run Starfield on PC, you need at least AMD Radeon RX 5700, NVIDIA GeForce 1070 Ti and 16 GB RAM. The developer recommends AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 with 16 GB RAM. Plan for 125 GB of free storage. These are the official specs from the game’s Steam page, checked on Oct 8, 2026.
Starfield PC requirements
| Spec | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 version 21H1 (10.0.19043) | Windows 10/11 with updates |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 2600X, Intel Core i7-6800K | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, Intel i5-10600K |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon RX 5700, NVIDIA GeForce 1070 Ti | AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 125 GB available space | 125 GB available space |
| Network | – | Broadband Internet connection |
| Additional notes | SSD Required | SSD Required |
How demanding is Starfield?
Its minimum memory requirement of 16 GB is higher than 88% of the 183 PC games we track. Its 125 GB install is larger than 92% of them.
Compared to today’s hardware, Starfield’s minimum requirements resemble an older mid-range gaming PC. You’ll need a six-core-class processor and a graphics card that’s several generations old. The recommended specs are just a slight upgrade and still don’t reach the level of a recent high-end build. The graphics card is the biggest difference between the two tiers, so check that component first. RAM and storage are also important since the game requires 16 GB for both tiers and 125 GB of free space.
Interestingly, the minimum and recommended tiers ask for the same RAM, storage, and SSD requirements, meaning only the processor and graphics card change. A practical tip here: an SSD is mandatory, not just a suggestion. Be sure to install the game on an SSD and make sure you have that full 125 GB cleared. Also, note that the Steam Deck is unsupported, so you’ll need a desktop or laptop to play.
Can you play Starfield on Steam Deck?
Valve rates Starfield Unsupported on Steam Deck. That means Valve’s testing found it does not run properly on Steam Deck.
- Note: Unsupported graphics performance
Is Starfield on Mac or Linux?
No. Steam lists Starfield for Windows only, with no native Mac or Linux version.
Starfield system requirements FAQ
What are the minimum requirements for Starfield?
Windows 10 version 21H1 (10.0.19043), AMD Ryzen 5 2600X, Intel Core i7-6800K, 16 GB RAM and AMD Radeon RX 5700, NVIDIA GeForce 1070 Ti. You also need 125 GB available space.
What are the recommended specs for Starfield?
AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, Intel i5-10600K, 16 GB RAM and AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080.
Can I run Starfield with 8 GB of RAM?
No. The minimum is 16 GB of RAM, so 8 GB is below the official requirement.
How much storage does Starfield need?
The Steam page lists 125 GB of free space.
Does Starfield work on Steam Deck?
Valve rates it Unsupported on Steam Deck.
More on Starfield
- Starfield stats, news and reviews
- Starfield player count: is it dead?
- Starfield patch notes: latest update
- Is Starfield cross platform?
- Starfield 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.
Nick Guli
Nick Guli is the founder and editor-in-chief of Explosion.com, which he launched in February 2012. With over a decade of experience in digital publishing, Nick oversees editorial direction across entertainment, gaming, technology, and lifestyle content. He is an avid gamer and movie enthusiast who brings a critical eye to coverage of industry trends, game reviews, and entertainment news.
