Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition PC System Requirements & Benchmarks
The sequel to the Horizon series brings its massive open world and hyper-detailed graphics to PC. Make no mistake: this game was built with the PS5 as its baseline. Even with a highly optimized port, it demands serious hardware to run properly.
A modern mid-range build will comfortably lock in a stable 60fps. Throw in 32GB of RAM to give the system some breathing room.If you're hunting for older used hardware, picking a GPU generation that natively supports frame generation is non-negotiable.
On paper, the spec sheet is a copy-paste of the PS5-grade Zero Dawn Remastered. In our actual benchmarks, though? This game is noticeably heavier. It makes perfect sense why it got slapped with an 'Unsupported' tag for the Steam Deck.Even during basic open-world exploration, a rig built to the official "recommended" specs will see both CPU and GPU utilization pegged above 60%. The CPU tax, in particular, is significantly steeper this time around.
Changelog
XeSS FG added. Accuracy of 'Estimated FPS' has been improved for compatible GPUs when 'AI Boost' is enabled, now factoring in the XeSS FG algorithm.
Article published.
Popular GPU Ranking
User-popular GPUs for Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition
The previous game shares the exact same official specs but is Steam Deck 'Verified', while this sequel sits at 'Unsupported'. That alone tells you it hits harder. Handhelds sharing system RAM and VRAM simply can't handle the heavy 16GB system + 8GB VRAM demands. If you want to play on the go, you'll need a proper gaming laptop.
The verdict is estimated based on hardware specifications, assuming a game resolution of 720p and settings at Medium or lower. A 'PLAYABLE' status does not guarantee actual gameplay performance.
PC Parts Selection Guide
Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition PC Component Selection & Build Strategy
You're looking at a modern mid-range gaming rig to run this right: step up a tier for your CPU, grab a GPU that supports frame generation, pack 16GB+ of RAM, and install it on an NVMe SSD.
CPU
6+ cores recommended to handle the multi-threaded load
❯Cheap out on your CPU, and you'll bottleneck any future GPU upgrades.
❯To avoid a CPU bottleneck, we recommend going above the official specs. Aim for a Core i5-12400 or Ryzen 5 5600 as your baseline.
GPU
VRAM capacity and frame gen support are make-or-break
❯The officially recommended GPUs can hit 60fps+, but only if you lean heavily on frame generation.
❯Factor in the included expansion, and you really want the trifecta: raw GPU power, ample VRAM, and frame gen support.
RAM
16GB is the hard cutoff, but 32GB gives you breathing room
❯16GB of system RAM is the absolute baseline, but we recommend 32GB once you factor in background apps.
❯RAM speed (like DDR5) also goes a long way in ironing out your 1% lows.
Storage
SSD is a hard requirement. Go for a fast NVMe
❯The official spec demands an SSD and at least 150GB of free space.
❯To take full advantage of fast load times via DirectStorage, we strongly recommend installing this on an NVMe SSD rather than a standard SATA drive.
Pro Advice
BUILD BALANCE
This game hits both the CPU and GPU hard, and it eats VRAM for breakfast—especially in the expansion. If you're playing through the DLC, your best bet is to step up a tier and grab a GPU with frame gen support and at least 12GB of VRAM. Otherwise, be prepared to compromise and dial back your graphics settings.
On paper, the spec sheet is identical to the Zero Dawn Remastered. In reality? The Steam Deck 'Unsupported' tag gives it away—this game demands significantly more horsepower. Factor in the VRAM-hungry expansion, and you should definitely plan on building past the recommended specs.
The number of ● dots quantifies the performance level required from PC components on a scale of 1 to 10.
Minimum
Recommended
CPU
Core i3-8100
Ryzen 3 1300X
CPU
Core i5-8600
Ryzen 5 3600
GPU
GeForce GTX 1650
Radeon RX 5500 XT 4GB
GPU
Radeon RX 5700
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
RAM
16 GB
RAM
16 GB
Storage
150 GB HDD
Storage
150 GB SSD
Supported Tech (Upscaling & Frame Gen)
Upscaler:DLSSFSRXeSS
Frame Gen:DLSS FGFSR FGXeSS FG
GPU Selection & FPS Analysis
Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition GPU Benchmark & FPS Guide
The GPU demands are up there with the latest AAA heavyweights. The strategy here is simple: target a locked 60fps with raw rasterization, then use frame gen to push it even higher. It's also incredibly VRAM-heavy; you'll want at least 12GB if you plan on cranking up the settings.
Target Mapping
Because of how the game plays, dipping into the 50s will noticeably hurt your experience. Securing a GPU that can hold 60fps+ is non-negotiable. If you're pushing for 4K, a high-end card is mandatory, and you'll still need to lean on frame gen to keep the framerate afloat.
ENTRY
ENTRY 30fps
1080p
GeForce GTX 1650 OFFICIAL
Radeon RX 5500 XT 4GB OFFICIAL
Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB USED
Radeon R9 Nano
STANDARD
STANDARD 60fps
1080p
Radeon RX 5700 OFFICIAL
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB OFFICIAL
Radeon RX 6650 XT USED
Arc A750 USED
QHD
QHD 60fps
1440p
Radeon RX 7700 XT USED
GeForce RTX 3080 10GB USED
GeForce RTX 4070 USED
GeForce RTX 3080 12GB USED
HIGH_REFRESH
HIGH_REFRESH 144fps
1080p
Radeon RX 7900 GRE USED
Radeon RX 6950 XT USED
GeForce RTX 3090 Ti USED
GeForce RTX 4070 Ti USED
ULTIMATE
ULTIMATE 60fps
4K
Radeon RX 9070 XT NEW
GeForce RTX 4090 USED
ENTRY
ENTRY 30fps
1080p
Radeon RX 6500 XT USED
GeForce GTX 1070 (Laptop)
Radeon RX Vega 56M USED
Arc A570M USED
STANDARD
STANDARD 60fps
1080p
Radeon RX 7600M XT USED
GeForce RTX 3070 Ti (Laptop) USED
GeForce RTX 4060 (Laptop) USED
Radeon RX 6800M USED
QHD
QHD 60fps
1440p
Radeon RX 7900M USED
GeForce RTX 4080 (Laptop) USED
GeForce RTX 4090 (Laptop) USED
HIGH_REFRESH
HIGH_REFRESH 144fps
1080p
No matching candidates found in database
Technical Evidence
We intentionally selected CPUs and GPUs with about 20-30% more headroom than the official specs. Over-speccing like this is how you guarantee a rock-solid 1080p/60fps, even when you hit the heavy loads of the expansion.
GPU Benchmarks
Official Minimum
Official Recommended
bld4me Choice
Arc B570 10GB bld4me NEW
Radeon RX 6650 XT bld4me USED
Radeon RX 5700 Official Recommended
GeForce GTX 1650 Official Minimum
CPU Benchmarks
Official Minimum
Official Recommended
bld4me Choice
Ryzen 5 9600X bld4me NEW
Ryzen 5 5600 bld4me USED
Core i5-8600 Official Recommended
Core i3-8100 Official Minimum
This is a comparison graph of the manufacturer's minimum required specs, recommended specs, and bld4me-recommended parts (new and used). Higher values indicate smoother performance. bld4me's recommended parts are selected based on independent research, balancing comfortable gameplay with cost-performance for the game title.
GPU Matrix
Even the officially recommended GPUs will suffer from frame drops into the 50s during heavy scenes. Stepping up a tier to lock a native 60fps—and then layering on upscaling and frame gen for extra smoothness—is basically mandatory.
GPU
720p
1080p
1440p
4K
bld4me NEW
Arc B570 10GB
LOW: 173fps,
MED: 130fps,
HIG: 100fps,
ULT: 70fps
LOW: 86fps,
MED: 65fps,
HIG: 50fps,
ULT: 35fps
LOW: 51fps,
MED: 38fps,
HIG: 29fps,
ULT: 21fps
LOW: 25fps,
MED: 19fps,
HIG: 14fps,
ULT: 10fps
bld4me USED
Radeon RX 6650 XT
LOW: 165fps,
MED: 123fps,
HIG: 95fps,
ULT: 67fps
LOW: 82fps,
MED: 62fps,
HIG: 47fps,
ULT: 33fps
LOW: 48fps,
MED: 36fps,
HIG: 28fps,
ULT: 20fps
LOW: 24fps,
MED: 18fps,
HIG: 14fps,
ULT: Not playable
Official Recommended
Radeon RX 5700
LOW: 133fps,
MED: 100fps,
HIG: 77fps,
ULT: 54fps
LOW: 67fps,
MED: 50fps,
HIG: 38fps,
ULT: 27fps
LOW: 39fps,
MED: 29fps,
HIG: 23fps,
ULT: 16fps
LOW: 19fps,
MED: 14fps,
HIG: 11fps,
ULT: Not playable
Official Minimum
GeForce GTX 1650
LOW: 59fps,
MED: 44fps,
HIG: 34fps,
ULT: 24fps
LOW: 30fps,
MED: 22fps,
HIG: 17fps,
ULT: 12fps
LOW: 17fps,
MED: 13fps,
HIG: 10fps,
ULT: Not playable
LOW: Not playable,
MED: Not playable,
HIG: Not playable,
ULT: Not playable
The FPS values above are estimated based purely on the GPU's native performance without any upscaler. These are merely estimates and do not guarantee actual performance.
Estimated FPS Database
Horizon Forbidden West Complete Editionseo_benchmark_table_suffix
Estimated FPS on this site is calculated based on the official recommended requirements of each game, assuming only the GPU is changed. Actual frame rates may vary depending on the environment, such as the combined CPU, memory, and storage.
Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition
91 SKUS
Share Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition benchmarks for
GPU
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720PHD
1080PFHD
1440PQHD
4KUHD
Grade S
SUPREME"For those who refuse to compromise"
The ultimate GPU. Delivers premium 4K gaming at max settings.
LOW: 13fps, MED: Not playable, HIG: Not playable, ULT: Not playable
Radeon R9 Nano
LOW: 86fps, MED: 64fps, HIG: 49fps, ULT: 35fps
LOW: 43fps, MED: 32fps, HIG: 25fps, ULT: 17fps
LOW: 25fps, MED: 19fps, HIG: 15fps, ULT: 10fps
LOW: 12fps, MED: Not playable, HIG: Not playable, ULT: Not playable
Radeon RX 5500 XT 4GB
LOW: 82fps, MED: 62fps, HIG: 47fps, ULT: 33fps
LOW: 41fps, MED: 31fps, HIG: 24fps, ULT: 17fps
LOW: 24fps, MED: 18fps, HIG: 14fps, ULT: Not playable
LOW: 12fps, MED: Not playable, HIG: Not playable, ULT: Not playable
Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB
LOW: 82fps, MED: 62fps, HIG: 47fps, ULT: 33fps
LOW: 41fps, MED: 31fps, HIG: 24fps, ULT: 17fps
LOW: 24fps, MED: 18fps, HIG: 14fps, ULT: Not playable
LOW: 12fps, MED: Not playable, HIG: Not playable, ULT: Not playable
Ranking Criteria Explained
S
SUPREME"For those who refuse to compromise"
The ultimate GPU. Delivers premium 4K gaming at max settings.
A
ADVANCED"If you crave that next level of smoothness"
A step-up GPU for chasing high refresh rates and stunning visuals.
B
BALANCED"bld4me's recommendation. The smart, well-balanced choice"
The smart pick—perfect balance of power and efficiency.
C
COMPETENT"Play at 1080p/Medium"
Ensures standard playability, delivering 30 to just under 60 FPS at 1080p/Medium settings.
The Bottom Line
The Game's Verdict: Recommended Specs & Grade
The sequel to the critically acclaimed Horizon Zero Dawn is here. It's easy to look at the spec sheet, see it mirrors the Zero Dawn Remastered, and breathe a sigh of relief. Don't. Factor in the 'Burning Shores' DLC, and the real-world performance hit is noticeably heavier.
Even on the officially 'recommended' GPUs, our benchmarks showed frame drops into the 50s during demanding scenes. Stepping up a hardware tier is crucial if you want a consistently smooth experience.
Pushing higher resolutions and maxed-out graphics? Upscaling and frame gen support are mandatory. And if your goal is absolute zero micro-stutters, giving your system plenty of RAM and VRAM headroom is non-negotiable.
FAQ
FAQ: Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition
Can I comfortably play Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition with RTX 3050 6GB, GTX 1060 6GB, RX 580 8GB?
To be direct, achieving a completely comfortable experience will be challenging. While you can play by setting all graphics to 'Low' and utilizing upscalers, you will experience stuttering during intense combat or effects-heavy scenes. We recommend lowering texture and shadow quality first, and utilizing upscaler performance modes to test gameplay stability.
[Estimated Framerate (1080p / Low Preset)]
RTX 3050 6GB: Approx. 51 fps (w/ DLSS)
GTX 1060 6GB: Approx. 42 fps (w/ FSR)
RX 580 8GB: Approx. 40 fps (w/ FSR)
What are the benchmark results and framerates for A380, GTX 1060 3GB, RX 570 4GB, GTX 1650 in Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition?
The estimated average framerates for each GPU at 1080p (Full HD) on the Low preset are as follows:
A380: Approx. 38 fps (w/ XeSS)
GTX 1060 3GB: Approx. 38 fps (w/ FSR)
RX 570 4GB: Approx. 36 fps (w/ FSR)
GTX 1650: Approx. 36 fps (w/ FSR)
Can GTX 1050 Ti run Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition?
Unfortunately, running the game properly is highly unlikely. The graphics performance of these GPUs cannot handle the immense rendering workload of Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition. Even if the game launches, you will face extreme frame drops (10-20fps range), texture loading delays, or frequent freezes. Because severe rendering lag compromises the intended game experience, a GPU upgrade is mandatory to play this title.
Will Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition launch on RX 560 4GB, GTX 1050 2GB, GTX 750 Ti 2GB? Will it crash?
It is extremely likely that the game will crash on startup or fail to reach the main menu. In addition to severe performance deficits, these GPUs often lack the required VRAM capacity or modern architectural features, failing to meet the basic launch requirements. Since this is a hardware-level limitation that cannot be bypassed via settings, please ensure your system meets the official system requirements.
