Guide · PC performance

Elden Ring System Requirements (2026): Can You Run It on PC?

Thinking about diving into the Lands Between but not sure your PC can handle it? This guide breaks down the Elden Ring system requirements in plain language — the official minimum and recommended specs, a realistic can-you-run-it verdict by graphics card, and the storage and stutter details that actually matter in 2026. By the end you'll know exactly what frame rate to expect on your hardware before you buy.

The short version: Elden Ring is not a demanding game by modern standards. It launched in 2022, runs on a wide range of hardware, and is locked to 60 fps by default — so you don't need a top-tier rig to enjoy it. What you do want is an SSD.

Elden Ring minimum system requirements

These are the official minimum Elden Ring PC requirements. Hit them and the game will run at 1080p on low-to-medium settings, targeting around 30–60 fps.

Elden Ring recommended system requirements

For a smoother, locked 60 fps at 1080p on higher settings, aim for the recommended Elden Ring specs below.

Note the 60 fps cap: because Elden Ring limits the frame rate to 60 by default, a high-end GPU won't push you past that number without mods. That's good news for affordability — once you can hold a steady 60, more powerful hardware mainly buys you higher resolution and headroom, not extra frames.

Can you run Elden Ring? A breakdown by GPU

Here's the realistic picture for the most common graphics cards, all at the default 60 fps cap:

• GTX 1060 3 GB / RX 580 (minimum): 1080p, low–medium settings, roughly 40–60 fps. Playable and enjoyable; pair it with an SSD.
• GTX 1070 / RTX 2060 / RX 5600 XT (recommended): A locked 1080p 60 fps on high settings.
• RTX 3060 / RX 6600 / RX 6700 XT: Comfortable 1440p 60 fps on high–max, or 1080p 60 with ray tracing on.
• RTX 4070 and up: 4K 60 fps maxed with ray tracing. You're well past what the engine needs — the spare power just keeps frame times rock-solid.

If your card sits at or above the GTX 1060, you can run Elden Ring. For the full picture of the game itself — modes, DLC, and our verdict — see our Elden Ring on PC overview.

Storage, SSD and the stutter question

Elden Ring needs about 60 GB of free space for the base game. The single most impactful upgrade for the experience isn't your GPU — it's an SSD.

At launch the game was criticised for traversal stutter: brief hitches as you galloped across the open world on Torrent and the engine streamed in new areas. Patches improved it, and running from an SSD reduces it further by feeding assets to the game faster than a mechanical hard drive can. If you only take one tip from this guide, install Elden Ring on an SSD.

One more thing: keep EAC (Easy Anti-Cheat) enabled if you plan to play online. Launching in offline mode disables co-op summons and PvP invasions.

How to check your PC specs

Not sure what's inside your machine? Confirm it in under a minute:

1. Press Windows + R, type dxdiag and press Enter — the System and Display tabs show your CPU, RAM and GPU.
2. Or open Settings → System → About for CPU and RAM, and Task Manager → Performance → GPU for your graphics card.
3. Compare those numbers against the minimum table above. Match or beat the GPU and CPU, and you're good to go.

Don't forget Shadow of the Erdtree

The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion runs on the same engine, so if your PC meets the base requirements it will handle the DLC too — just budget a little extra storage. It's a paid add-on you reach in the late game, not a separate install with higher specs. Planning your first run? Check our co-op notes and the full feature list on the Elden Ring game page, and browse the rest of the shelf in the game catalog.

Frequently asked questions

Can a GTX 1060 run Elden Ring?

Yes. The GTX 1060 3 GB is the official minimum GPU and runs the game at 1080p on low-to-medium settings, around 40–60 fps. Add an SSD to smooth out traversal.

Is an SSD required for Elden Ring?

Not strictly required, but strongly recommended. It's listed as recommended storage and meaningfully reduces stutter when streaming the open world.

How much storage does Elden Ring need?

About 60 GB for the base game, plus a few GB for Shadow of the Erdtree. Aim for ~70 GB free.

Is Elden Ring locked to 60 fps on PC?

Yes, by default. Uncapping needs mods that disable EAC and therefore online play, so most players keep the 60 fps cap.