The Crimson Desert system requirements don’t ask much of your graphics card, but download size is another matter

System Requirements for Crimson Desert: A Closer Look

The system requirements for Crimson Desert reveal a surprisingly accessible landscape for gamers, with modest CPU and GPU specifications. However, the need for a minimum of 16GB of RAM and over 130GB of SSD storage may pose a challenge for those whose gaming rigs are not up to par, especially given the current market prices for these components.

It’s reassuring to note that players won’t need the latest and greatest graphics card to experience this expansive open-world adventure. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060, a card that has been around for nearly a decade and was considered mid-range at its debut, remains sufficient for running the game, albeit with visuals that might not impress.

Here are the system requirements for Crimson Desert on PC:

The minimum requirements highlight the GTX 1060 or the more recent AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT, although there is no specific mention of Intel Arc GPUs. Nevertheless, it is reasonable to assume that all Intel Arc cards should be capable of launching the game, given their modern architecture. On the CPU front, the requirements remain refreshingly low, with only the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel Core i5 8500 needed—both of which have been in circulation for over five years.

However, the two potential hurdles for older systems are the necessity of 16GB of RAM and the substantial download size of 135GB. While 16GB of RAM has long been recommended, the current high prices may make upgrading from 8GB a costly endeavor for some gamers.

Similarly, SSD prices have also seen an uptick, though not as steeply as RAM. For those looking to save costs, it may be wise to uninstall some less-played titles to free up space rather than invest in a new SSD at inflated prices. That said, there are still reasonably priced options available, such as the 500GB Crucial P310 drive, which, while not the fastest, offers a solid solution for game storage at just .99.

As for the recommended specifications, they escalate to require an AMD Radeon 6700 XT or Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080, both of which are formidable graphics cards. While Pearl Abyss has not disclosed specific performance metrics for either tier, it is generally expected that the recommended setup would yield at least 60 frames per second at 1080p.

In terms of CPUs, RAM, and storage, the recommended specs do not demand much more than their minimum counterparts, with only the CPU requirements seeing a slight increase. If your processor exceeds the capabilities of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 or Intel Core i5 11600K, you should be well-equipped to handle the game.

This leads to the intriguing question of whether Crimson Desert can be played on the Steam Deck. While it seems likely, Valve has yet to officially test and confirm compatibility.