Ryzen 5 9600X
Arc B570 10GB
16GB
1024GB SSD

Current-gen entry-level cards (like the RTX 5050) absolutely crush 1080p gaming, making them the smartest play for maximizing your bang for the buck.

bld4me
Writing & Verification

bld4me PC Technical Team

How We Validate

Verifier Comment

The first game ran great on handhelds, but this sequel is a noticeably heavier lift. You can technically scrape by on a Ryzen Z1-class handheld if you completely nuke the graphics settings, but realistically, you'll want to hold out for next-gen handheld hardware for a proper experience.On the desktop and gaming laptop side, things are much more forgivingprovided you have enough VRAM headroom. The playable hardware net is cast pretty wide here, so a lot of players should be able to jump right into the sequel with just a routine rig upgrade.

Changelog

Article published.
On the Go

UMPC, Handheld & Laptop Performance

ROG

ASUS ROG Ally (Ryzen Z1 Extreme)

Grade
5
/10

Standard 512GB Edition

Playable
Estimated to run smoothly based on specs.
Legion

Legion Go

Grade
5
/10

512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD

1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD

Playable
Estimated to run smoothly based on specs.
MSI

MSI Claw 8 AI+

Grade
5
/10

Claw 8 AI+ Standard (1TB)

Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition

Playable
Estimated to run smoothly based on specs.
MSI

MSI Claw 8 AI+ (AMD Ryzen AI)

Grade
5
/10

Claw 8 AI+ (Ryzen AI 9 HX 370)

Claw 8 AI+ (Ryzen AI 9 365)

Playable
Estimated to run smoothly based on specs.
MSI

MSI Claw A1M (Intel Core Ultra 5)

Grade
4
/10

Claw A1M-004JP (512GB)

Claw A1M i5 (1TB Custom)

Playable
Estimated to run smoothly based on specs.
MSI

MSI Claw A1M (Intel Core Ultra 7)

Grade
5
/10

Claw A1M-002JP (1TB)

Claw A1M i7 High-End (32GB/2TB)

Playable
Estimated to run smoothly based on specs.
For PC gaming handhelds, because VRAM is shared with system memory, 16GB models are going to struggle hard unless you tank the resolution and settings and rely heavily on Frame Gen. Gaming laptops, however, have dedicated VRAMso with the right CPU/GPU combo, 1080p is a smooth experience.

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

DEATH STRANDING 2 ON THE BEACH PC Component Selection & Build Strategy

Looking at this from a pure gaming PC perspective, the hardware floor for your CPU and GPU isn't insanely high. You should absolutely allocate a good chunk of your budget toward 16GB of RAM and a fast 512GB+ NVMe SSD. However, don't fall into the trap of buying an older GPU that lacks Frame Gen supportyour GPU choice here will make or break the build.
CPU

8+ cores with strong multi-core efficiency is your baseline for stability

  • High core counts are a huge advantage for background asset streaming across massive maps.
  • Even older-gen chips like the Ryzen 5600X can handle open-world exploration at around 50% utilization.
Pro Advice

BUILD
BALANCE

Normally for this genre, you'd dump most of your budget into the GPU. However, thanks to excellent engine optimization, the GPU load is surprisingly forgiving, meaning you should balance your budget across RAM and storage too. That said, borderline specs will choke during late-game heavy loads. Do yourself a favor and grab a GPU with some headroom that supports modern frame generation .
More from Series

death-stranding - Specs & Benchmarks for Other Titles

Technical Specifications

Specs: Official System Requirements

Source: Steam Store Official
There's a massive gap between the official Minimum and Recommended tiers. Our benchmarks show the publishers played it incredibly safe, padding the 'Recommended' specs with a massive performance buffer. That said, don't just settle for the bare minimumit won't give you an actually enjoyable experience. You'll still want to aim your parts list closer to that recommended hardware.

The number of ● dots quantifies the performance level required from PC components on a scale of 1 to 10.

Minimum

Recommended

CPU
Core i3-10100
Ryzen 3 3100
CPU
Ryzen 7 5700X
Core i7-11700
GPU
Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB
GeForce GTX 1660
GPU
GeForce RTX 3070
Radeon RX 6800
RAM
16 GB
RAM
16 GB
Storage
150 GB SSD
Storage
150 GB SSD
Supported Tech (Upscaling & Frame Gen)
Upscaler:DLSSFSRXeSS
Frame Gen:DLSS FGFSR FG
GPU Selection & FPS Analysis

DEATH STRANDING 2 ON THE BEACH GPU Benchmark & FPS Guide

If you take the official spec sheet at face value, you'll end up either underpowered at the 'Minimum' or dealing with overkill at the 'Recommended' tier. You have to find the sweet spot. Based on our raw benchmarking, a 12GB RTX 3060 is the true baseline for this game.

Target Mapping

This title is seriously VRAM-hungry. If you're pushing anything above 1080p, you need to pay close attention to VRAM capacity, not just raw compute power. Be especially careful with older cards or current-gen entry-level GPUsthat 8GB VRAM limit is a massive trap.
GeForce RTX 3070OFFICIAL
Radeon RX 6800OFFICIAL
GeForce RTX 2060 12GBUSED
GeForce RTX 3060 12GBUSED

Technical Evidence

To hit a rock-solid 1080p/Medium/60fps, your target GPU sits right in the middle of the official Minimum and Recommended tiers. You can get away with a CPU slightly weaker than the recommended spec, but given how tight CPU pricing is right now, do yourself a favor and just grab a modern-gen chip.

GPU Benchmarks

Official Minimum
Official Recommended
bld4me Choice
GeForce RTX 3070Official Recommended
Arc B570 10GBbld4me NEW
Radeon RX 5700bld4me USED
Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GBOfficial Minimum

CPU Benchmarks

Official Minimum
Official Recommended
bld4me Choice
Ryzen 5 9600Xbld4me NEW
Core i5-12400Fbld4me USED
Ryzen 7 5700XOfficial Recommended
Core i3-10100Official 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

The hardware demands for 1080p on Medium aren't crazy, but even the official 'Recommended' GPUs will sweat if you try to max out the sliders at 1080p Ultra. And it goes without saying: if you're pushing 4K, those recommended specs are going to be gasping for air.

How to Read GPU Matrix

Read Vertically

Aligned on the same scale, simply follow the resolution column down to see performance gains.

Read Horizontally

Bars shorten and colors change as resolution increases, indicating upgrade thresholds.

Overall View

The color gradient from top-left to bottom-right illustrates generational limits and potential.

GPU720p1080p1440p4K
Official Recommended
GeForce RTX 3070
bld4me NEW
Arc B570 10GB
bld4me USED
Radeon RX 5700
Official Minimum
Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB
Note

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

DEATH STRANDING 2 ON THE BEACH GPU Benchmark & FPS Database

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.

DEATH STRANDING 2 ON THE BEACH

138 SKUS
GPUShare720PHD1080PFHD1440PQHD4KUHD
Grade S
SUPREME"For those who refuse to compromise"

The ultimate GPU. Delivers premium 4K gaming at max settings.

GeForce RTX 5090
GeForce RTX 4090
Radeon RX 9070 XT
Radeon RX 7900 XTX
Radeon RX 9070 GRE
Radeon RX 9070
GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER
GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
GeForce RTX 5080
Radeon RX 7900 XT
GeForce RTX 4080
GeForce RTX 5070
GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER
GeForce RTX 4070 Ti
Radeon RX 6950 XT
GeForce RTX 3090 Ti
GeForce RTX 4090 (Laptop)
Radeon RX 7900 GRE
GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER
Radeon RX 6900 XT
GeForce RTX 3090
GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB
Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB
GeForce RTX 4080 (Laptop)
Radeon RX 6800 XT
Radeon RX 7800 XT
GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
GeForce RTX 3080 10GB
GeForce RTX 4070
Grade A
ADVANCED"If you crave that next level of smoothness"

A step-up GPU for chasing high refresh rates and stunning visuals.

Radeon RX 7900M
Radeon RX 7700 XT
Radeon RX 6800
Radeon RX 9060
GeForce RTX 5060
GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB
GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB
Radeon RX 7800M
GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
Radeon RX 6750 XT
GeForce RTX 3070
GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB
GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8GB
GeForce RTX 3080 Ti (Laptop)
Radeon RX 6700 XT
Radeon RX 6850M XT
Arc B580 12GB
GeForce RTX 4070 (Laptop)
Radeon RX 6800M
Arc A770 16GB
GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
GeForce RTX 5050
Grade B
BALANCED"bld4me's recommendation. The smart, well-balanced choice"

The smart pick—perfect balance of power and efficiency.

Radeon RX 6700 10GB
Radeon RX 7600 XT
Arc A770 8GB
GeForce RTX 2080
Radeon RX 7600
Radeon RX 7600M XT
Arc B570 10GB
GeForce RTX 3070 Ti (Laptop)
GeForce RTX 4060
GeForce RTX 4060 (Laptop)
Radeon RX 6650 XT
Arc A750
GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER
Radeon RX 6600 XT
Radeon RX 6700M
GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
Radeon RX 5700 XT
Radeon Pro VII
Radeon VII
Arc A770M
GeForce RTX 2080 (Laptop)
Arc A580
GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER
GeForce RTX 4050 (Laptop)
GeForce RTX 2070
GeForce RTX 2070 (Laptop)
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
GeForce RTX 3060 (Laptop)
GeForce RTX 2060 12GB
Radeon RX 7600S
Radeon RX 5700
Radeon RX 6600
Radeon RX 7600M
Radeon RX 5600 XT
Radeon RX 5700M
Radeon RX Vega 64 Liquid
Arc A730M
Radeon Pro Vega 64
Radeon RX 5600
Radeon RX Vega 64
GeForce GTX 1080
GeForce RTX 2060 6GB
GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
Grade C
COMPETENT"Play at 1080p/Medium"

Ensures standard playability, delivering 30 to just under 60 FPS at 1080p/Medium settings.

GeForce GTX 1080 (Laptop)
GeForce RTX 2060 (Laptop)
GeForce GTX 1070 Ti
Radeon RX Vega 56
GeForce GTX Titan X
Radeon RX 5600M
GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
GeForce GTX 980 Ti
GeForce GTX 1070
GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER
Radeon R9 Fury X
GeForce GTX 1660 Ti (Laptop)
Radeon RX Vega 56M
Arc A570M
GeForce GTX 1660
GeForce GTX 1070 (Laptop)
Radeon R9 Nano
Radeon RX 5500 XT 4GB
Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER
Radeon RX 5500M
Radeon R9 390X
Radeon RX 590
Arc Graphics 140V (8 Xe2)
GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
GeForce GTX 780 Ti
GeForce GTX 980
Radeon R9 290X 4GB
Radeon R9 390

Non-Recommended Models (Grade E)

Performance Insufficient / Risk of Crash
E
EXCLUDED"Not recommended. Time to upgrade"

GPU below official supported performance.

Radeon RX 580 4GB
label_below_requirements
Radeon RX 580 8GB
label_below_requirements
Radeon R9 290
label_below_requirements
Radeon RX 480 4GB
label_below_requirements
Radeon RX 480 8GB
label_below_requirements
Arc A380
label_below_requirements
GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
label_below_requirements
GeForce GTX 1060 (Laptop)
label_below_requirements
Radeon 890M (16CU)
label_below_requirements
Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores)
label_below_requirements

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.

E
EXCLUDED"Not recommended. Time to upgrade"

GPU below official supported performance.

The Bottom Line

The Game's Verdict: Recommended Specs & Grade

This is a true sequel to the original hit that turned "movement-as-gameplay" into a core mechanic alongside a heavy, cinematic narrative. Visual density has received a massive bump this time around. Combined with a shift toward a more open-world action design, the hardware requirements are undeniably steeper.

Make no mistake: system RAM and VRAM demands are heavy. Consider 16GB of system memory the absolute hard cutoff, and be aware that an 8GB VRAM buffer might actually choke. Keep that reality in check when looking at specs.

That being said, engine scalability is impressive. If you tank the resolution and settings, it's optimized enough to run on a Steam Deck at 720p/Low. Ultimately, your hardware choices will entirely dictate how much eye candy you get to experience.