Stalker 2 requirements on PC

To run the Stalker 2 requirements, you will need an AMD Radeon RX 580 graphics card, an Intel Core i7-7700K processor, 16GB of RAM, and 160GB of free SSD space.

The developer has stated that the Stalker 2 minimum requirements demand an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card, an AMD Ryzen 5 1600X processor, and 16GB of RAM. This will get you up and running on the 'Low' graphics preset at 30FPS on a 1080p resolution.

By contrast, the 'Medium' Stalker 2 settings require an Intel Core i7-9700K CPU, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER GPU, and 16GB of RAM. This is just enough hardware to net you 60FPS, but you won't be even close to running the game on the 'High' or 'Epic' graphics presets.

In order to meet the Stalker 2 recommended specs for the 'High' preset,you will require an AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT or NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti GPU, an Intel Core i7-11700 or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X CPU, and 32GB of RAM. This is a considerable leap from the minimum requirements, but even this level of hardware will still cap your Stalker experience to 60FPS.

To get the best framerate, and play on the Stalker 2 epic requirements, you will need a beefy NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GPU, an Intel Core i7-13700KF CPU, and 32GB of RAM. To say the least, not every gaming rig is capably of reaching this level of performance.

So, if you're still not sure if your setup can handle the Stalker 2 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 Stalker 2.

Stalker 2 size - How big is Stalker 2?

The Stalker 2 size for download on PC is set at 160GB of HD or SSD space. According to the Microsoft Store, Stalker 2 actually demands 180GB of HD space on Xbox consoles.

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.

If you want to dive into S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl at the best price, your best bet is to grab an order on the Humble Store if you're already a member of the Humble Choice.

Stalker 2 settings

Considering just how hardware heavy Stalker 2 has proven, you might want to check out the best Stalker 2 settings to smooth out your gameplay if you aren't packing the latest graphics card.

One of the many reasons Stalker 2 is so demanding on your hardware is due to the excellent lighting and illumination effects at work. Enter a building, and your character's eyes will slowly adjust to the dark. Leave the building, and you'll be momentarily blinded by the sun as your eyes readjust. So, if your graphics card is crying out in pain or your encountering stuttering, you may want to reduce the Shadows, Global Illumination, and Reflections Quality settings to Low or Medium.

Beyond that, make sure your upscaling is turned on and set to DLSS, FSR Quality, or DLAA/FSR NativeAA, and turn Frame Generation on in order to improve your FPS. For a full breakdown, be sure to check out the PCGamesN testing.

You may also want to consider turning Motion Blur off, not to improve FPS, but to make it far easier for you to spot enemies and Anomalies while you're wandering the Zone. While Motion Blur can make your experience more cinematic, it can make it difficult to differentiate what is an immediate threat in the heat of combat.

Stalker 2 Steam Deck

The Stalker 2 Steam Deck rating is currently sitting at "Unsupported" on account of the game's need for keyboard inputs, even with the use of supported controllers. The game makes it clear that controllers will work, but that some context buttons may be mislabeled, or require a keyboard to complete. However, Valve has stated in its Steam Deck rating that they are working on getting Stalker 2 support implemented in the near future.

Stalker 2 multiplayer

As of launch, Stalker 2 does not have a multiplayer mode, but the developers will be adding a Stalker 2 multiplayer mode as part of a free content update in the near future. Players who purchased the Deluxe or Ultimate versions of the game will be able to take their bonus items into the multiplayer mode, though it is unclear if they will be purely cosmetic, early unlocks, or powerful boons as of yet.

Stalker 2 update

Get the latest patch notes on the new Stalker 2 update.

Stalker 2 guides

Want to find your feet in The Zone? Check out the best Stalker 2 news and guides over on PCGamesN for everything you need to know about the Stalker universe, including:

• Stalker 2 anomalies explained
• Guns in the best Stalker 2 weapons
• Stalker 2 artifact list and how to get them
• Full Stalker 2 mission list
• Best Stalker 2 mods list

Stalker 2 will run on PC system with Windows 10 and upwards.

Looking for an upgrade? Try our easy to use Stalker 2 set up guides to find the best cards. Filter for Stalker 2 graphics card comparison and CPU compare. We'll help you find the best deal for the right gear to run the game.

Stalker 2 FPS - what frame rate can you expect?

How many FPS will I get on Stalker 2? An FPS Monitor is the first step in understanding how the parts in your gaming PC are actually performing in real-world conditions. It's the perfect way to track Stalker 2 FPS drops and stutters.

Download our free FPS Monitor via Overwolf to count your frame rates as you play, and test how tweaks to your settings can boost FPS and increase Stalker 2 performance. Our app is compatible with hundreds of the best PC games and available now.