RimWorld System Requirements

To run the RimWorld requirements for PC, you will need an Intel HD 3000 GPU, an Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 1GB of HD space.

RimWorld is a phenomenal colony simulator with a number of complex systems to master. Despite the underlying complexity of RimWorld, you don't actually need a powerful PC to run the game. However, bear in mind that the RimWorld PC requirements might not appear intimidating, but you will eventually need a beast of a computer once your colony has grown to a large enough level. Much like Minecraft, RimWorld's performance can become incredibly demanding.

But, in order to meet the RimWorld minimum requirements, all you need is an Intel HD 3000 GPU, an Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 CPU, and 4GB of RAM. This will get you up and running on RimWorld without any issues. However, if you plan on playing the game at its best, with a colony wealthy enough to see raids of 20 plus enemies, you'll need a much beefier machine. 

There are no higher official RimWorld system requirements, but we've used our FPS calculator and extensive in-game testing to determine a level of hardware you should aim for, especially if you're looking to employ the many awesome RimWorld mods on offer in the Steam Workshop. The most critical component here is your CPU, as RimWorld operates off a single core, so improving your graphics card will have minimal gains over improving your processor. 

Our RimWorld recommended specs demand an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 GPU at minimum, an Intel Core i9 12900K CPU or equivalent, and 16GB of RAM. Yes, that is quite the jump from the minimum specs, however RimWorld's processor load is not to be underestimated owing to the mono-threading the game employs. Thus, a powerful processor is needed to achieve the best results, particularly if you suddenly have a horde of rats self-tame in the late game.

Still not sure if your setup can handle the RimWorld PC requirements? Take our PC benchmark test now with our automatic checker or by manually entering your system details to see if your PC can run RimWorld.

RimWorld size

The initial RimWorld download size on PC is 1GB of HDD space on Windows PCs. The game also requires 1GB of space on macOS and Linux systems, but the size of the game across all operating systems comes to about 730MB even with all of the available DLC installed. 

We recommend installing the game on an SSD to ensure the best gameplay performance, particularly during the lengthy startup time (which becomes even longer once you start employing mods). So, if you need more space or want to make an upgrade, check the PCGamesN buyers guide for the best SSD for gaming or just check the latest, best prices for SSDs.

RimWorld mods

When it comes to modding RimWorld, there are thousands of options on the table, adding new mechanics such as fishing, or overhauling the game to look like Star Wars. However, there are two major things to bear in mind: mod compatibility and RimWorld version compatibility.

You'll find that many great mods are relegated to older versions of RimWorld, and thus won't be compatible with the latest version. Sometimes a dedicated fan will pick up a mod and update it for the latest version, but this can take some time depending on when the most recent RimWorld update or DLC was released. 

But, there are two easy avenues to explore when looking for ways to mod you game experience, especially for your first time:

• Check out modded YouTube playthroughs
• Explore the Vanilla Expanded mods

YouTubers frequently upload entire mod lists which they've tested extensively, enabling you to emulate their playthrough and finding mods that compliment one another without too much legwork on your part.

Otherwise, it's a fairly safe bet to stick with the RimWorld Vanilla Expanded mods (VE). This massive series of mods adds new features, expands on existing factions and categories, while allowing you to cherry-pick what bests suits your tastes. As a personal favorite, check out the Vanilla Factions Expanded - Mechanoids mod, which introduces an entire automation tree, new mechanoids, and long-range missiles!

You can find a full list of the best RimWorld mods on the PCGamesN guide.

RimWorld will run on PC system with Windows 7 and upwards. Additionally it has Mac and Linux versions.

Looking for an upgrade? Try our easy to use RimWorld set up guides to find the best cards. Filter for RimWorld graphics card comparison and CPU compare. We'll help you find the best deal for the right gear to run the game.

RimWorld FPS - what frame rate can you expect?

How many FPS will I get on RimWorld? We reference thousands of reports from PCGameBenchmark users running our FPS tracking app to tell you exactly how RimWorld performs across a range of different settings and resolutions on the most popular PC gaming setups.

What frame rate does RimWorld run at?

Here are the typical frame rate samples

Avg FPS	CPU	GPU	RAM
45	Intel Core i5-9300H	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050	8 GB
42	Intel Core i7-4770	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650	16 GB
40	Intel Core i3-4130	Intel HD 4400	16 GB
38	Intel Core i5-9400	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660	16 GB
37	Intel Core i5-9400	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660	48 GB

What frame rate does RimWorld run at? Check our FPS Calculator

Are you experiencing RimWorld FPS drops and stutters? Want to know exactly how the game performs on your system? You can get a free easy FPS test for all your games using the PCGameBenchmark FPS monitor tool - your first step to understanding how the parts in your gaming PC are actually performing in real-world conditions.