By the FlowUP team, PC gaming assembler in Genappe (Belgium) · Updated 28 September 2026
Direct answer: according to Rockstar, Red Dead Redemption 2 requires at least an Intel Core i5-2500K or an FX-6300, 8 GB of RAM and a 2 GB GTX 770, and recommends an Intel Core i7-4770K or a Ryzen 5 1500X, 12 GB of RAM and a 6 GB GTX 1060. Allow 150 GB of disk space. In 2026, any recent gaming PC will run it in 1080p; to play in 1440p or 4K with high settings, aim for an RTX 5070, an RX 9070 or better.
Official PC system requirements for Red Dead Redemption 2
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| System | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-2500K / AMD FX-6300 | Intel Core i7-4770K / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Graphics card | GeForce GTX 770 2 GB / Radeon R9 280 3 GB | GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB / Radeon RX 480 4 GB |
| Storage | 150 GB | 150 GB |
Source: Rockstar Games support, accessed on 28 September 2026.
These requirements date from the game’s PC launch on 5 November 2019. The “recommended” setup targets 1080p with medium settings: Red Dead Redemption 2 remains very demanding with high settings, especially due to water quality, volumetric lighting and grass.
Which PC do you need for Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2026?
The game’s requirements have aged, but it’s still one of the most beautiful open worlds on PC. Here’s our take for a smooth, great-looking experience with high settings:
- 1080p: an RTX 5060 or an RX 9060 XT, with a recent 6-core processor.
- 1440p: an RTX 5070 or an RX 9070, the right balance for this game.
- 4K: an RX 9070 XT, an RTX 5070 Ti or an RTX 5080, with DLSS or FSR enabled.
When it comes to memory, 16 GB of RAM makes the game more comfortable than the recommended 12 GB, and an SSD significantly reduces loading times.
The settings that really matter in RDR2
Red Dead Redemption 2 offers dozens of graphics options, but only a few have a big impact on performance. If your FPS are lacking, lower these first:
| Setting | Impact on FPS | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Water quality (physics and reflections) | Very high | Medium; the visual difference is small |
| Volumetric quality (lighting, clouds) | High | Medium |
| MSAA (anti-aliasing) | Very high | Disabled; keep TAA |
| Grass detail level | High | Reduce by one or two notches |
| Upscaling (DLSS or FSR) | Big gain | Enabled at 1440p and 4K |
The game offers two graphics APIs: Vulkan and DirectX 12. Test both on your machine: depending on your graphics card and driver, one is often more stable than the other.
Optimise the graphics settings of Red Dead Redemption 2, video by the Floyd Nexus channel.
What is Red Dead Redemption 2?
Developed by Rockstar Games, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an open-world action-adventure set in 1899, in a closing Old West. You play as Arthur Morgan, a member of Dutch van der Linde’s gang of outlaws, hunted across the country.
Released on consoles in 2018 and then on PC in 2019, it remains a reference for its storytelling, its living world and its level of detail. The online mode, Red Dead Online, is included. Fans of Rockstar keep an eye on GTA 6 too: we take a look at the GTA 6 PC specs you’ll need.
Our gaming PCs to play Red Dead Redemption 2
Banger PC: RTX 5060 for 1080p
Core i5-12400F and RTX 5060: RDR2 in 1080p with high settings, with DLSS as a boost.
Umbra PC: RTX 5070 for 1440p
Ryzen 5 7500F and RTX 5070 12 GB: the right balance for enjoying the West in 1440p.
Apex V2 PC: RX 9070 XT for 4K
Ryzen 7 7800X3D, 32 GB DDR5 and 16 GB VRAM: to aim for 4K with FSR.
To choose the right screen to go with it, read our 2026 gaming monitor guide, and to compare all our configurations by budget, our selection of the best gaming PC in 2026.
Frequently asked questions about Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC
What is the minimum configuration for Red Dead Redemption 2?
According to Rockstar: Windows 10 64-bit, Intel Core i5-2500K or AMD FX-6300, 8 GB RAM, GeForce GTX 770 2 GB or Radeon R9 280 3 GB, and 150 GB of disk space.
How many GB is Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC?
Rockstar requires 150 GB of free space. Install it preferably on an SSD to reduce loading times.
Is Red Dead Redemption 2 compatible with DLSS?
Yes, the game supports NVIDIA’s DLSS as well as AMD’s FSR, useful for playing in 1440p and 4K.
Vulkan or DirectX 12 for RDR2?
Both work. Depending on your graphics card and driver, one may be smoother or more stable: test it in the graphics options.
Is 16 GB of RAM enough for RDR2?
Yes. Rockstar recommends 12 GB; 16 GB leave room for Windows, Discord, and the browser running in the background.
