Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered PC System Requirements & Benchmarks
A post-apocalyptic open-world masterpiece, completely remastered. With a brand-new game engine replacing the Complete Edition's and native frame generation support, you can easily push stunning visuals even on current mid-range GPUs.
Actually, the system requirements are exactly the same as the sequel, Horizon Forbidden West. It's an older title, but the hardware demands are definitely not low.
Since the CPU load is heavy, don't over-invest in just the GPU; balancing it with CPU performance is key. It also quietly demands a lot from your storage, so don't forget to allocate some budget there.A mid-range RTX 30-series or newer is recommended for a stable experience. If your budget allows, you'll want to bump up your CPU to the next tier.
This title gets massive praise online, but there's a major trap: most benchmark videos out there are for the delisted "Complete Edition." The "Remastered" version runs on a completely different game engine, meaning the hardware requirements aren't even in the same ballpark. Don't get baited by old performance data. I've been exclusively testing the Remastered build, and make no mistake—it's a heavy lift. That said, there's an interesting quirk. Despite sharing an engine, this remaster is actually "Steam Deck Verified," whereas the sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, is completely unsupported. The actual performance footprint sits right in the middle: way more demanding than the original Complete Edition, but not quite as punishing as Forbidden West.
Changelog
Article published.
Popular GPU Ranking
User-popular GPUs for Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
Surprisingly 'Steam Deck Verified' considering the heavy system requirements. 1080p is pushing it, but drop the resolution down to 720p and it's highly playable across most handhelds. If you're on a gaming laptop with a 1440p or higher display, you'll need to bump your CPU and GPU specs up a full tier.
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 Zero Dawn Remastered PC Component Selection & Build Strategy
This game demands a perfectly balanced budget across your GPU, CPU, RAM, and SSD. If you build with the typical AAA mindset of 'just dump all the money into the GPU,' you're going to get hit with micro-stutters from a lack of RAM or straight-up OS hangs from storage bottlenecks. Don't sleep on this just because the original came out in 2020—make sure you allocate enough budget for solid memory and storage.
CPU
Open World & NPCs: A Heavy CPU Load
❯The hardware demands are noticeably higher than your average action RPG.
❯Avoiding a bottleneck with something in the Core i5-13400 or Ryzen 5 7600 tier is key to pushing higher FPS.
GPU
GPU Selection: VRAM, Frame Gen, and Upscaler Support Are Key
❯The Remastered version natively supports both frame generation and upscaling.
❯If you're on an 8GB VRAM GPU, dialing back texture quality and relying on frame gen to pad your frames above 60fps is a necessary compromise.
RAM
16GB is the Absolute Baseline; 32GB for Breathing Room
❯It's rare for an older title, but even the official minimum specs demand 16GB of RAM.
❯The remaster does a lot of background data streaming, so there are times when even 16GB feels like it's cutting it close.
Storage
A Fast NVMe SSD is Mandatory
❯For fast, DirectStorage-like load times, an NVMe SSD is highly recommended over a standard SATA drive.
❯It eats up over 135GB of space—true AAA sizing—so a 1TB+ drive is essentially a requirement.
Pro Advice
BUILD BALANCE
The 'Remastered' version heavily upgrades the graphics from the PS4 original for PS5 and PC. The hardware demands are drastically different from the 'Complete Edition,' so be careful not to mix them up. A mid-range GPU with 12GB+ of VRAM paired with a current-gen mid-range CPU is the safe bet here. If you opt for an 8GB VRAM GPU, expect to compromise on your texture settings.
On paper, the CPU and GPU requirements might not look too intimidating, but make no mistake: a solid mid-range system is a hard requirement. The demands on memory and storage are also unusually heavy. Pay close attention to the fact that 16GB of RAM is the *absolute minimum*, not the recommended spec.
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
135 GB HDD
Storage
135 GB SSD
Supported Tech (Upscaling & Frame Gen)
Upscaler:DLSSFSRXeSS
Frame Gen:DLSS FGFSR FG
GPU Selection & FPS Analysis
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered GPU Benchmark & FPS Guide
When you factor in the overall build budget, picking the right GPU for this title is actually pretty tricky. By locking in a GPU that supports modern upscaling and frame generation, you free up cash to funnel into your CPU, RAM, and storage. Your GPU choice dictates the balance of the entire rig.
Target Mapping
If your target is 1080p / 60fps / Medium settings, the GPU requirements aren't insane—just 'high for an older title.' However, if you're chasing 4K, a current-gen, top-tier GPU is an absolute must, and careful CPU and RAM selection becomes critical to avoid severe bottlenecks.
ENTRY
ENTRY 30fps
1080p
GeForce GTX 1650 OFFICIAL
Radeon RX 5500 XT 4GB OFFICIAL
Radeon R9 290X 4GB
Radeon R9 390
STANDARD
STANDARD 60fps
1080p
Radeon RX 5700 OFFICIAL
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB OFFICIAL
GeForce RTX 2060 12GB USED
GeForce RTX 2070 USED
QHD
QHD 60fps
1440p
GeForce RTX 2080 Ti USED
GeForce RTX 3070 Ti USED
GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB NEW
GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB NEW
HIGH_REFRESH
HIGH_REFRESH 144fps
1080p
GeForce RTX 3080 10GB USED
GeForce RTX 4070 USED
GeForce RTX 3080 12GB USED
Radeon RX 6800 XT USED
ULTIMATE
ULTIMATE 60fps
4K
Radeon RX 7900 XT USED
GeForce RTX 4080 USED
GeForce RTX 5070 Ti NEW
GeForce RTX 5080 NEW
ENTRY
ENTRY 30fps
1080p
Radeon RX 6400 USED
Arc Graphics 140V (8 Xe2) NEW
Radeon RX 5500M USED
Radeon RX 6500 XT USED
STANDARD
STANDARD 60fps
1080p
Radeon RX 7600S USED
GeForce RTX 2070 (Laptop) USED
GeForce RTX 3060 (Laptop) USED
GeForce RTX 4050 (Laptop) USED
QHD
QHD 60fps
1440p
Radeon RX 7900M USED
HIGH_REFRESH
HIGH_REFRESH 144fps
1080p
GeForce RTX 4080 (Laptop) USED
GeForce RTX 4090 (Laptop) USED
Technical Evidence
Even if you're sticking entirely to 1080p, you'll want to spring for a current-gen CPU to dodge the classic 'open world with dense NPCs' CPU bottleneck. Pair a beefier CPU with a mid-range GPU that supports frame generation, and you'll hit the sweet spot for overall cost-to-performance.
GPU Benchmarks
Official Minimum
Official Recommended
bld4me Choice
Arc B570 10GB bld4me NEW
Radeon RX 5700 Official Recommended
Radeon RX 5700 bld4me USED
GeForce GTX 1650 Official Minimum
CPU Benchmarks
Official Minimum
Official Recommended
bld4me Choice
Ryzen 5 9600X bld4me NEW
Core i5-8600 Official Recommended
Ryzen 7 2700X bld4me USED
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
For 1080p, the officially recommended RX 5700 sits at a perfect baseline. But make no mistake: 4K is brutal even with frame generation carrying the load. If you want high resolutions and maxed-out settings, you need a GPU built to handle modern AAA heavyweights.
GPU
720p
1080p
1440p
4K
bld4me NEW
Arc B570 10GB
LOW: 207fps,
MED: 156fps,
HIG: 120fps,
ULT: 84fps
LOW: 104fps,
MED: 78fps,
HIG: 60fps,
ULT: 42fps
LOW: 61fps,
MED: 46fps,
HIG: 35fps,
ULT: 25fps
LOW: 30fps,
MED: 22fps,
HIG: 17fps,
ULT: 12fps
Official Recommendedbld4me USED
Radeon RX 5700
LOW: 160fps,
MED: 120fps,
HIG: 92fps,
ULT: 65fps
LOW: 80fps,
MED: 60fps,
HIG: 46fps,
ULT: 32fps
LOW: 47fps,
MED: 35fps,
HIG: 27fps,
ULT: 19fps
LOW: 23fps,
MED: 17fps,
HIG: 13fps,
ULT: Not playable
Official Minimum
GeForce GTX 1650
LOW: 71fps,
MED: 53fps,
HIG: 41fps,
ULT: 29fps
LOW: 36fps,
MED: 27fps,
HIG: 21fps,
ULT: 14fps
LOW: 21fps,
MED: 16fps,
HIG: 12fps,
ULT: Not playable
LOW: 10fps,
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 Zero Dawn Remasteredseo_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 Zero Dawn Remastered
105 SKUS
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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: 12fps, MED: Not playable, HIG: Not playable, ULT: Not playable
GeForce GTX 780 Ti
LOW: 83fps, MED: 62fps, HIG: 48fps, ULT: 34fps
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
GeForce GTX 980
LOW: 83fps, MED: 62fps, HIG: 48fps, ULT: 34fps
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 R9 290X 4GB
LOW: 81fps, MED: 61fps, HIG: 47fps, ULT: 33fps
LOW: 40fps, MED: 30fps, HIG: 23fps, ULT: 16fps
LOW: 24fps, MED: 18fps, HIG: 14fps, ULT: Not playable
LOW: 12fps, MED: Not playable, HIG: Not playable, ULT: Not playable
Radeon R9 390
LOW: 81fps, MED: 61fps, HIG: 47fps, ULT: 33fps
LOW: 40fps, MED: 30fps, HIG: 23fps, ULT: 16fps
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 original PS4 masterpiece cleared 10 million copies for a reason—its world, visuals, and story are top-tier. Back when the PC port was the "Complete Edition" (now delisted on Steam), it was a massive hit even with casual players because it was famously lightweight and well-optimized.
But make no mistake: this "Remastered" upgrade cranks the hardware demands way up. Rule number one is avoiding the YouTube benchmark trap. Don't watch an old video of the Complete Edition and think, "Sweet, my GTX 1660 will run this perfectly." It won't.
The second trap is the massive memory and storage footprint. A hard cutoff at 16GB of RAM just to meet the minimum spec, alongside a 135GB install size, puts this squarely in modern, heavyweight AAA territory. These are not your typical mid-range requirements.
As we've hammered home throughout this guide, getting a smooth, playable experience in this remaster dictates a perfectly balanced build. Don't cheap out on one component just to bottleneck the rest.
FAQ
FAQ: Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
Can I comfortably play Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered with RX 580 8GB, A380, GTX 1060 3GB, RX 570 4GB, GTX 1650?
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)]
RX 580 8GB: Approx. 47 fps (w/ FSR)
A380: Approx. 45 fps (w/ XeSS)
GTX 1060 3GB: Approx. 45 fps (w/ FSR)
RX 570 4GB: Approx. 43 fps (w/ FSR)
GTX 1650: Approx. 43 fps (w/ FSR)
What are the benchmark results and framerates for GTX 1050 Ti in Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered?
The estimated average framerates for each GPU at 1080p (Full HD) on the Low preset are as follows:
GTX 1050 Ti: Approx. 30 fps (w/ FSR)
Can RX 560 4GB, GTX 1050 2GB run Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered?
Unfortunately, running the game properly is highly unlikely. The graphics performance of these GPUs cannot handle the immense rendering workload of Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. 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 Zero Dawn Remastered launch on 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.
