RDR2 System Requirements: Minimum and Recommended PC Specs

Red Dead Redemption 2 needs at least an Intel Core i5-2500K or AMD FX-6300, 8 GB of RAM, a GeForce GTX 770 2GB or Radeon R9 280 3GB, and 150 GB of free storage on 64-bit Windows 10. Rockstar's recommended spec steps that up to a Core i7-4770K or Ryzen 5 1500X, 12 GB of RAM and a GTX 1060 6GB or RX 480 4GB. The full lists below come from the game's official Steam store page.

Last checked: November 9, 2026.

RDR2 minimum and recommended specs

Component	Minimum	Recommended
Operating system	Windows 10, 64-bit	Windows 10, 64-bit
Processor (Intel)	Core i5-2500K	Core i7-4770K
Processor (AMD)	FX-6300	Ryzen 5 1500X
Memory	8 GB RAM	12 GB RAM
Graphics (Nvidia)	GeForce GTX 770 2GB	GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
Graphics (AMD)	Radeon R9 280 3GB	Radeon RX 480 4GB
Storage	150 GB available space	150 GB available space
Sound	DirectX compatible	DirectX compatible
Network	Broadband internet	Broadband internet

Both tiers require a 64-bit processor and a 64-bit operating system. A 32-bit version of Windows can't run the game at all.

What changed since launch

When Rockstar first published these specs in 2019, ahead of the PC launch, the minimum OS was Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and the recommended OS was the April 2018 update of Windows 10, as PC Gamer reported at the time. The current Steam listing names 64-bit Windows 10 for both tiers. The processor, memory, graphics and storage numbers haven't changed.

What the minimum and recommended tiers mean

Rockstar never said which resolution or frame rate each tier targets. PC Gamer noted that minimum specs usually aim at 1080p and 30 fps, and recommended specs at 1080p and 60 fps, but that's an industry habit, not a promise from Rockstar. Treat the minimum tier as "the game starts and is playable with lowered settings" and the recommended tier as a comfortable baseline for 1080p.

If your hardware sits between the two tiers, the game should run, but expect to lower some settings. If you're below the minimum on the graphics card or RAM, stutter and crashes become much more likely.

How to check your own PC

Press Windows + R, type dxdiag and press Enter.
On the System tab, note your processor, memory and operating system (look for "64-bit").
On the Display tab, note your graphics card name and its memory.
Open File Explorer, right-click the drive you plan to install to, and check its free space under Properties.

Compare those four things with the table above. Graphics card and free space are the two that most often fall short.

Storage: plan for 150 GB

The 150 GB figure is the same at both tiers, so it's a hard requirement rather than an optional extra. That's a lot of space by any standard, and it's worth checking before you buy, especially on a laptop with a small SSD.

A few practical points:

Install to an SSD if you can. Rockstar doesn't list an SSD as required, but an open-world game this size loads much faster from one.
Leave room on top of the 150 GB. Updates and your save files need space too.

Accounts, launchers and stores

Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC is tied to a Rockstar Games account. The Steam page lists it as requiring a third-party account (Rockstar Games), which can be linked to your Steam account, plus agreement to Rockstar's own EULA. In practice that means the Rockstar Games Launcher runs alongside the game, even when you start it from Steam.

The game first released on PC on November 5, 2019, through the Rockstar Games Launcher and the Epic Games Store. The Steam release followed on December 5, 2019. Whichever store you use, the system requirements are the same.

The Steam page also confirms that Red Dead Online, the multiplayer mode, is included. Rockstar said in July 2022 that Red Dead Online would get no more major updates, though the servers are still running and the mode is still part of the game.

PC-only improvements

When Rockstar announced the PC version, it listed several upgrades over the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions, including:

Unlocked frame rate and unlocked resolution, including 4K and higher
Ultrawide and multi-monitor support
HDR support
Longer draw distance
Better global illumination, ambient occlusion, reflections and shadows
Improved grass, fur and snow-trail detail

These are why the PC version can look better than the console versions, and also why the higher graphics presets ask so much of your hardware. The recommended spec does not mean you can turn everything to maximum.

Can you play RDR2 on Steam Deck?

Yes. Valve rates Red Dead Redemption 2 as Playable on Steam Deck, one step below Verified. According to the Steam Deck compatibility notes on the store page:

Steam Deck check	Result
Default controller configuration	Fully functional
Controller glyphs	Match the Deck
Default graphics configuration	Performs well
Launcher	May need touchscreen or extra steps
Text size	Some interface text is small
First-time setup	Needs an internet connection

The Rockstar Games Launcher is the main reason it isn't Verified. Once you've signed in and the game is running, it plays like other Playable games.

Is RDR2 on Mac or Linux?

There's no native Mac or Linux version. The Steam store lists Windows only. The Steam Deck runs it through Valve's Windows compatibility layer, and Valve also rates it Playable on SteamOS, but Rockstar doesn't release a Linux or Mac version.

Before you buy: a quick checklist

64-bit Windows 10 or newer
At least 8 GB of RAM (12 GB recommended)
A graphics card at or above a GTX 770 2GB or R9 280 3GB
150 GB of free space, ideally on an SSD
A Rockstar Games account and an internet connection for first-time setup

If all five check out, you can play. For more on what's waiting once it's installed, see our guide to how long Red Dead Redemption 2 takes to beat.

Frequently asked questions

Can my PC run Red Dead Redemption 2?

It can if you meet the minimum spec: a Core i5-2500K or FX-6300, 8 GB of RAM, a GTX 770 2GB or R9 280 3GB, 64-bit Windows 10 and 150 GB of free space. Run dxdiag to see your processor, RAM and graphics card, then compare them with the table above.

How many GB is Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC?

The official requirement is 150 GB of available storage for both the minimum and recommended specs. Leave some extra room for updates and saves.

How much RAM do you need for RDR2?

You need at least 8 GB of RAM, and Rockstar recommends 12 GB. With 8 GB you'll want to keep other programs closed while you play.

Does RDR2 run on Windows 11?

The Steam listing names 64-bit Windows 10 as the operating system and doesn't list Windows 11 separately. Windows 11 is the newer version of the same 64-bit platform, so a PC that meets the hardware specs on Windows 11 meets the OS bar too.

Is Red Dead Redemption 2 Steam Deck verified?

No, it's rated Playable rather than Verified. Controls and default performance pass Valve's checks, but the Rockstar Games Launcher can need touchscreen input and some text is small.

Do you need the Rockstar Games Launcher for RDR2 on Steam?

Yes. The Steam version requires a Rockstar Games account, which you can link to Steam, and the Rockstar Games Launcher runs alongside the game. First-time setup needs an internet connection.