Crimson Desert gets PC system requirements and console graphics modes

As the launch of Crimson Desert looms, Pearl Abyss has provided an exhaustive breakdown of how its highly anticipated open-world title will perform across a sprawling landscape of gaming hardware. By unveiling specific targets for PC, home consoles, and even dedicated handhelds and Mac specifications, the studio seems pretty confident in its proprietary BlackSpace Engine.

On the console front, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X users will have access to three distinct graphical profiles tailored to different gameplay priorities. The Performance Mode aims for a fluid 60 FPS by targeting a native 1080p resolution with ray tracing set to its lowest settings and using Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) or VSync to maintain stability. For those seeking a middle ground, the Balanced Mode pushes the visual envelope to 4K by upscaling from a 1280p base using AMD's FSR 3 technology, targeting a stable 40 FPS. Finally, the Quality Mode prioritises fidelity, scaling a 1440p internal resolution to 4K with FSR 3 to hit a 30 FPS target, with the Xbox Series X and PS5 versions using the high preset ray tracing.

The Xbox Series S is more restricted, offering a 720p Performance profile at 40 FPS and a 1080p Quality profile at 30 FPS, both with ray tracing disabled to ensure consistent performance on the more modest hardware. Lastly, the PS5 Pro runs the game with the same performance targets as the standard consoles, but at 4K. However, in Performance mode, the base is 1080p, while in Balanced mode, it increases to 1440p. In both cases, PSSR is the upscaling method used, and ray tracing is set at high. In the Ultra preset, the ray tracing is set at Ultra.

For PC players, the entry-level requirements are surprisingly inclusive, allowing the game to run on hardware nearly a decade old. The minimum spec calls for an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT paired with an Intel Core i5-8500 or Ryzen 5 2600X, targeting 30 FPS at 1080p (upscaled from 900p) on minimum settings.

To reach a native 1080p at 30 FPS with low settings, a slight bump to a GTX 1660 or RX 6500 XT is required. The Recommended Spec, which aims for 1080p at 60 FPS or 4K at 30 FPS with medium settings, moves into the mid-range territory, requiring an RTX 2080 or RX 6700 XT paired with a Ryzen 5 5600 or i5-11600K. For 1440p at 60 FPS with high settings, users will need an RTX 4070/Radeon RX 7700 XT and a Core i5-12600K/Ryzen 5 7600X. Those targeting 4K at 60 FPS on Ultra settings will need an Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti or the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, backed by an i5-13600K or Ryzen 7 7700X. All PC configurations require 150 GB of SSD space and 16 GB of RAM.

Handheld owners have also received dedicated guidance, with Pearl Abyss highlighting the performance delta between various handheld units. The standard Asus ROG Xbox Ally (Z2 A) is expected to maintain 40 FPS at 720p with FSR 3 Frame Generation. However, the newer ROG Xbox Ally X (Z2 Extreme) leverages its superior thermal and memory headroom to reach 60 FPS in Performance mode by upscaling 720p to 1080p with FSR 3 Frame Generation enabled. Even in its Quality mode, the Ally X is projected to deliver a respectable 1080p at 30 FPS, making it a viable way to experience the continent of Pywel on the go.

Surprisingly, Pearl Abyss also shared the specs for Mac systems, and in quite a lot of detail. Note that the chart highlights a massive performance delta between macOS 15 and the upcoming macOS 26, with the latter leveraging advanced MetalFX frame interpolation to effectively double frame rates across all tiers. Regardless of the system, like on PC and handheld systems, you'll need 16 GB of RAM and 150 GB of storage. To even get through the gate at “Minimum” settings, you're looking at an M2 Pro (ray tracing off) or a base M3/M4 chip (ray tracing on) to hit 30 FPS at sub-1080p resolutions. To push for “Ultra” settings at 4K with 60 FPS, you'll need an M3 Ultra or an M4 Max (both require macOS 26+).

KitGuru says: In an era where many “next-gen” titles feel unoptimised at launch, Pearl Abyss's new game looks to have gone the other way around. If the launch-day performance matches these specs, Crimson Desert could become the new standard for open-world tech.

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