Bethesda Game Studio’sStarfieldis incoming with a launch date of the 6th of September (or the 1st if you go for the Premium or Constellation edition). Thankfully for PC gamers, it comes with a pretty modest spec sheet of what it needs to run at the bare minimum and recommended specifications.
What Do The Hardware Requirements ForStarfieldMean?
The PC specs tell us that most gamers with a fairly recent gaming PC and a decent CPU/GPU combination should be able to run the title without any issues. However, users who are looking to store the title on their HDD might be out of luck.Starfieldexplicitly requires storage on an SSD,possibly to limit loading screens and wait times for certain segmentsof the game while allowing for smoother, more seamless gameplay like current-generation consoles such as the Xbox Series S and X offer thanks to their own custom SSD configurations.
While the hardware requirements forStarfieldare available on Steam,AMD has published its own recommendations for FHD, 2K, and 4K target resolutions. With the bulk of PC gamers currently sporting an Nvidia GPU and a more equitable split between Intel and AMD when it comes to CPUs, the team at Game Rant is putting up 3 well-balanced PC builds that target the minimum and recommended specs as well as the ideal gaming PC for runningStarfieldat a higher resolution without any hiccups.
The Minimum Spec Build ForStarfield
Intel Core i5-12400F
The Intel Core i5-12400F 6-Core 12-Thread Processor is no slouch when it comes to delivering on performance, commanding a sweet spot in terms of capability and price point as it generally takes on and defeats AMD’s offerings under $200 comprehensively.
ASUS Prime H610M-E D4 Motherboard
The ASUS Prime H610M-E D4 Motherboard is an M-ATX entry-level H610 chipset-based motherboard that came out with the 12th generation Intel CPU lineup, but has since received a bios update to support the 13th generation Intel processor lineup.
Patriot Viper Steel DDR4 16GB (1 x 16GB) 3200 MHz
Patriot’s Viper Steel line of DDR4 memory uses a custom aluminum heat spreader to keep temperatures in check. The Patriot Viper Steel DDR4 16GB ram supports XMP 2.0 for excellent overclocking potential.
MSI MAG Forge 112R Case
The MSI MAG Forge 112R is an excellent affordable case for both gamers and content creators. Featuring 4 ARGB fans and an included controller box, the case lights up with some spectacular preset effects. A 4 mm tempered glass panel showcases the best components and is easily removed without tools. The case accommodates liquid cooling radiators and promotes efficient cooling through its mesh front panel.
Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 650W PSU
The Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 650W power supply unit (PSU) features a 256-color RGB-lit 140-millimeter Hydraulic-Bearing fan, designed to be low-noise while offering effective cooling performance. This is achieved through fan blades that have been optimized to enhance static pressure, thus promoting the cooling effect. Unique to this PSU, a lighting button at the back controls five different lighting modes, allowing users to select RGB Cycle, Red, Green, Blue, White, or turn the LED off entirely.Accredited with an 80 PLUS Gold rating, the Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 650W promises up to 90 percent efficiency.
MSI GeForce RTX™ 4060 VENTUS 2X BLACK 8G OC
The MSI GeForce RTX 4060 VENTUS 2X BLACK 8G OC is an excellent GPU offering as far as RTX 4060 offerings go. It offers an excellent, balanced take on Nvidia’s entry-level Ada Lovelace-based RTX 4000 series, offering low power consumption, a compact design, and a single 8-pin power connector to handle its power needs, making it a silent performer that delivers on its promise.
XPG 1TB GAMMIX S70 Blade SSD
The XPG 1TB GAMMIX S70 Blade SSD is an excellent value-added SSD that offers some of the fastest possible speeds one can get on PCI-E 4.0 making it a great addition to both PCs and game consoles for those looking to spruce up their PS5’s storage this summer. With a heat spreader that the company states works well for the PS5 console and a powerful controller able to handle the highest possible read/write speeds one could need as a consumer, the Gammix S70 Blade is a complete package with a price no one can argue with.
Estimated Build Cost:$825
First on the list is a brand-new build that leverages newer tech while aiming to meet the minimum specifications and then some without breaking the bank. Powered by an Intel Core i5 12400F paired with an entry-level ASUS Prime H610M-E D4 motherboard and a single stick of Patriot’s cost-effective DDR4 memory (Game Rant does recommend buying two if your budget allows it for extra memory).
The MSI Ventus RTX 4060 drives the graphics end being a slightly faster alternative to the minimum-spec GTX 1070TI thatStarfieldrecommends while going with 1TB of XPG’s well-priced Blade SSDs that also happen to be one of the fastest in the business. With a 650W Gold-rated Thermaltake Toughpower PSU and an excellent MSI MAG Forge 112R case, this build can handleStarfield’s specified minimum hardware requirements quite well while offering significantly better performance in both the CPU and GPU departments. It also clocks in more SSD space than the specifications demand in case you need to make multiple save files, like mostFalloutandSkyrimplayers do, while leaving more to spare for the expansion pack down the line.
This should allow gamers to target the FHD (1920 x 1080) resolution with ease. In some cases, it should allow for 2K resolution gameplay with ease.
The Recommended Spec Build ForStarfield
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
Gamers interested in upgrading to a newer CPU from Team Red will find the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X to be of spectacular value thanks to its high single-core performance, efficient hexacore architecture, and compatibility with newer technology such as PCI-E 5.0 and DDR5 memory. It also abandons AMD’s AM4 design, going for a pin-less processor offering by moving them to the motherboard instead.
ID-COOLING SE-214-XT ARGB CPU Cooler
The ID-COOLING SE-214-XT ARGB CPU Cooler is one of the better air coolers in the market that replaces stock coolers from Intel and AMD, doing an excellent job at a price that makes it a steal. With the ability to cool CPUs with a TDP of up to 180W and an excellent bundled PWM ARGB fan, this adds both color and competent cooling at a price that seems almost criminal to ignore.
GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX
The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX is a high-end motherboard featuring the B650 chipset that allows it to command a much lower price point, closer to AMD’s more budget-oriented motherboard lineups. It is a capable entry that also offers a PCI-E Gen 5 M2 slot that should allow access to faster PCI-E 5.0 storage down the line.
G.Skill Flare X5 Series (AMD Expo) 6000MHz 32GB (CL36)
The G.Skill Flare X5 Series RAM kits are DDR5 RAMs that operate at an overclocked 6000MHz sweet spot for AMD AM5 processors with a lower latency EXPO profile available to allow users to overclock their memory with a push of a button while costing significantly lower than the competition.
MSI RTX 4070 Ventus 3X 12G OC
The MSI RTX 4070 Ventus 3X 12G OC is a mid-range RTX 4000 series GPU that offers RTX 3080-like performance with slightly better value thanks to its stellar DLSS 3 performance. Currently, trading slightly above MSRP for the founder’s edition makes it an excellent buy for anyone looking to upgrade this summer.
SAMSUNG 990 PRO NVMe 4.0 SSD 1TB
The Samsung 990 Pro is Samsung’s latest and greatest PCI-E 4.0 SSD endeavor. It delivers blazing-fast read and write speeds with a solid 5-year warranty and excellent software support in tow via the Samsung Magician software suite allowing for fine-grained control to users giving them the ability to tweak, benchmark, and customize how their SSDs function.
Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 PE 850 W
The Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 PSU offers 850 W of power with full modular cables. This power supply is certified 80 plus gold, and it keeps cool with a 140 mm fan. Using a powerful single +12V rail ensures a stable and reliable supply to other PC components.
Corsair 4000D Airflow
The CORSAIR 4000D AIRFLOW is a mid-tower ATX case with easy cable management and exceptional cooling. A steel front panel with triangular cutouts offers optimal airflow to components, accompanied by two included 120 mm AirGuide fans designed with anti-vortex vanes that enhance cooling. The CORSAIR RapidRoute cable management system makes it effortless to route major cables through a single channel, with 25mm of routing depth.
Estimated Build Cost:$1,412
In the hand-picked recommended build forStarfield, one sees the build again go 6-core on the CPU end but adds a more current-gen Ryzen 5 7600X that performs significantly better than the competition while offering higher clocks. It does not come with a stock cooler, however, so it gets bundled with the SE-214-XT air cooler from ID-Cooling which mimics the design of the trusty Hyper 212 at a lower cost. Given that there is now a Zen 4-based CPU in play, one sees a newer, slightly more pricey motherboard on offer which does have better I/O options than the entry-level option in consideration for the minimum spec build.
Given that AMD’s newer CPUs and chipsets only pair with DDR5 memory, not only does the RAM recommendation get higher clocks, but it also gets pushed up to 32GB to prevent any memory bottlenecks impeding performance. With an RTX 4070 (with 12GB of VRAM) to polish off the graphics end coupled with an excellent 1TB SSD of Samsung 980 Pro in play for storage, this build easily handlesStarfield, exceeding the recommended specs heavily in some cases and matching it or faring slightly better in other situations.
All in all, if one decides to game on this PC forStarfield,it should easily handle their needs at up to 2K resolution with ease while allowing for some 4K gameplay with tweaked settings.
The Ideal SpecStarfieldBuild
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is AMD’s latest and greatest CPU when it comes to gaming. With an excellent and highly efficient gaming performance that tops the charts currently, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is here to stay and has a crown to claim thanks to its 3D V-Cache-enabled prowess when it comes to gaming on a PC.The octa-core CPU currently happens to be the fastest in the business for gaming even as it leads efficiency charts at the top, making it a very sought-after gaming upgrade.
DeepCool Liquid Cooler LS720 360MM ARGB Liquid Cooler
The DeepCool Liquid Cooler LS720 360MM ARGB Liquid Cooler is one of the best-looking ARGB liquid coolers available on the market, and it delivers excellent cooling that can handle some of the most powerful CPUs on the market without costing the part as some of the more premium ARGB liquid coolers.
ASRock X670E PG Lightning Gaming Motherboard
The ASRock X670E PG Lightning Gaming Motherboard is one of the best value purchases one can get when it comes to a gaming motherboard for the AM5 socket/Ryzen 7000 processor lineup. Featuring the full X670E chipset coupled with extensive I/O options, the X670E does sacrifice Wi-Fi despite offering antenna cutouts on its IO plate but more than makes up for it with its value proposition.
G.Skill Trident Z5 NEO Series (AMD Expo) 64GB Kit CL30
The G. Skill Trident Z5 NEO sticks are a pair of 32GB RAM sticks that conform to AMD’s more stringent EXPO memory requirements for overclocking. With tight timings and a CAS latency of just 30-40-40-96.With a subtle RGB effect and a premium feel, the Trident Z Neo is one of the best premium RGB RAM sticks money can buy that is designed for AMD-based systems.
Sapphire AMD Radeon NITRO+ RX 7900 XTX Vapor-X
The Sapphire Nitro lineup is synonymous with the highest-end AMD 3rd-party GPU offerings in the market. The Nitro+ doubles down on this with the highest-in-market clocks and a vapor chamber that outperforms the stock design considerably while trading at a significant premium over competing 7900XTX-based products.
MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 PSU
The MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 PSU is built from the ground up to support the ATX 3.0 spec while also being PCI-E 5.0 compatible in a fully modular design without costing an arm and a leg unlike some of its nearest competitors, making it a viable contender for a gaming PC.
SAMSUNG 990 PRO w/ Heatsink SSD
The Samsung 990 Pro is the fastest PCI-E Gen 4 SSD that Samsung has to offer, and it comes with a new, bold design on the heatsink that should blend in with most gaming PCs and allow the PlayStation 5 to use it optimally. Trading at an impressive discount over MSRP, the Samsung 990 Pro is pretty much the maximum performance that users can eke out on most modern gaming PCs from the 2TB SSD.
MSI MEG Prospect 700R Case
The MSI MEG Prospect 700R is a high-end PC case for gamers demanding the best options for advanced cooling and monitoring of rigs. The highlight of the MEG Prospect 700R is its 4.3-inch touchscreen LCD panel, which can display anything from system temps to weather and control the RGB effects of the four 140 mm fans. Another unique feature of the case is its side panels which open on hinges, including the tempered glass on the left side. The MEG Prospect 700R supports most motherboards up to E-ATX size and graphics cards up to 400 mm long, which can also be vertically mounted.
Estimated Build Cost:$2831
In many cases, the Ideal SpecStarfieldBuild goes overboard in a bid to allow for high-resolution, no-holds-barred gaming. It throws in the best-in-class AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D at the heart of the gaming-centric PC, pairing it with the ASRock X670E PG Lightning Gaming motherboard. Since the Ryzen 7 7800X3D does not come with a cooler of its own, the capable (but relatively inexpensive) tri-fan DeepCool LS720 liquid cooler is called into service for what is essentially the heart of the PC.
The Sapphire RX 7900 XTX Vapor-X is arguably the highest-end SKU one can get for AMD’s flagship GPU. With 24GB of VRAM, it can handle the highest resolutions with ease. This, coupled with the fact that AMD isStarfield’s partner, should make for a smoother experience for gamers who trust AMD. If one feels the Nvidia route is a better approach, theRTX 4080 is a great pick that can be interchangeably swappedwith the 7900 XTX while still staying true to the PC’s performance promise. The bundled MSI MPG 1000W is PCI-E 5.0 compliant and already has the native power connector that Nvidia’s offerings require.
With excellent low-latency DDR5 memory with custom AMD EXPO profiles, the G.Skill RAM above has gamers covered. One would be hard-pressed, even with mods down the road, to run through all 64GB of it. With a 2TB Samsung 990 Pro (with heatsink) SSD in play, in addition to the expensive but premium MSI Meg Prospect 700R case, this is a pricey affair for a PC that can do a lot more than handleStarfieldat most playable resolutions. It should exceed expectations for most users looking to play the game at the maximum possible textures at 4K.
Target Resolution:4K Ultra
Other Things To Consider ForStarfieldAt Launch
Much like previous open-world Bethesda titles, it is expected thatStarfieldwill come with quite a few bugs, given the scope of the title coupled with the challenges of open-world titles even if they have been in development for years. It would help to have the latest drivers for your motherboard/chipset, GPU, and other peripherals to avoid having a sub-par experience at launch due to older drivers. We expect a new Nvidia and AMD driver release closer to the launch ofStarfieldwith optimizations in play. Updating a PC’s GPU drivers would not only impact performance positively but could eliminate many bugs one might otherwise encounter.
Likewise, using an up-to-date version of Windows 10 or 11 for the game is recommended as part of the specs published above, and it can help. If you are looking for a copy of Windows 11 for your new gaming PC, Newegg hascopies of both Windows 11 Home and Pro available, depending on your needs as an end user. Getting a licensed copy of Windows with updates is probably the best way to experienceStarfieldwhen it launches on the 6th of September 2023.
FAQ
Q: How much RAM is needed for Starfield?
Starfieldrequires at least 16GB of RAM to run smoothly on PC, per the official specs published on Steam.
Q: Is an SSD recommended for Starfield?
Starfield’s specifications explicitly state that an SSD isrequiredfor the game. If you do not have 125GB or more SSD space free, you might need to get a new SSD to playStarfieldin all its glory.
