bld4me Grade
5
Score/10
Verified
The Verdict

To maximize stability, aim for a GPU above official recommendations paired with a mid-to-high tier CPU, 32GB of RAM, and an NVMe SSD.

Considering the heavy asset streaming in the open world, stick to the recommended CPU specs or higher. 16GB RAM and an SSD are mandatory, but 32GB and NVMe provide the best stability.
While you need decent GPU overhead for stability, 'High-End' cards aren't a strict requirement. Looking at the used market opens up plenty of viable options.
Since the game is hard-capped at 60fps, you have a wide degree of flexibility with GPU choices if your goal is just to hit that ceiling.
bld4me RECOMMENDED
Ryzen 5 9600X
Radeon RX 7600 XT
16GB

With a modern mid-range build, you can expect smooth sailing even in the most demanding open-world areas. The key for a new build is the storage and memory: stick to NVMe and 32GB of RAM to eliminate any micro-stutters caused by background data loading.

bld4me
Writing & Verification

bld4me PC Technical Team

How We Validate
Technical Insights

Compared to the absolute "hardware melters" of 2026, Elden Ring’s requirements aren't actually that steep. Whether you're building new or hunting for used parts, you don't need a mortgage-tier PC to enjoy it. Just a heads-up: flicking on Ray Tracing transforms it into an entirely different beast that will punish mid-range hardware.

Since it's an open-world title, sticking to the "Better CPU + Extra RAM + Fast Storage" formula is your best bet to keep things smooth. However, it’s not the kind of heavy load that keeps your CPU pinned at 100% all the time. Your component choice really comes down to how much you prioritize visual fidelity—especially if you're tempted by those Ray Traced shadows.

In a way, this game offers a wide degree of flexibility for your build. If you use Elden Ring as your benchmark, you’ll end up with a well-balanced rig capable of handling a huge variety of titles. It’s the perfect starting point for a build that makes you want to explore more than just the Lands Between.

Changelog

Article published.
On the Go

Elden Ring UMPC, Handheld & Laptop Performance

Valve2 Models

Steam Deck Series

Grade
3
/10

Steam Deck (LCD)

Steam Deck OLED

Verified
Officially verified for this title.
ROG

ROG Ally Series

Grade
5
/10

ASUS ROG Ally (Ryzen Z1 Extreme)

Playable
Estimated to run smoothly based on specs.
Legion

Legion Go Series

Grade
5
/10

Legion Go

Playable
Estimated to run smoothly based on specs.
MSI4 Models

MSI Claw Series

Grade
5
/10

MSI Claw 8 AI+

MSI Claw 8 AI+ (AMD Ryzen AI)

MSI Claw A1M (Intel Core Ultra 5)

MSI Claw A1M (Intel Core Ultra 7)

Playable
Estimated to run smoothly based on specs.
At 720p/800p, you can comfortably target a stable 30-40 fps. High-end handhelds can even push for 1080p. It remains one of the most played titles on the Steam Deck for a reason.

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

Elden Ring PC Component Selection & Build Strategy

Since the game is hard-capped at 60fps, throwing a top-tier GPU at it won't give you higher frames. However, being an open-world title, cheaping out on the CPU or RAM will create a bottleneck, leading to stutters. Your best bet is to stick with a mid-range GPU and reallocate that budget toward a beefier CPU and more RAM.

01. cpu

Balance Cores with Clock Speed

  • ❯Aim for at least an Intel 11th Gen or Ryzen 5000 series equivalent.
  • ❯Higher clock speeds are key to smoothing out those notorious micro-stutters.
  • ❯Don't just meet the official requirements; aim a tier higher for better frame pacing.
Pro Advice

BUILD
BALANCE

For the average player, a build that handles Elden Ring's 60fps cap is essentially the 'textbook' mid-range setup. If you can run this smoothly, you'll have no trouble with most last-gen AAA titles. By investing in a slightly beefier CPU and extra RAM now, you're setting yourself up for an easy GPU swap later to handle next-gen releases.

Technical Specifications

Elden Ring Specs: Official System Requirements

Source: Steam Store Official
There’s a significant gap between the 'Minimum' and 'Recommended' official specs. Since you're locked at 60fps, if you want 1080p/Medium settings or higher, consider the recommended specs your absolute baseline for a stable experience.

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

Minimum

Recommended

CPU
Core i5-8400
Ryzen 3 3300X
CPU
Core i7-8700K
Ryzen 5 3600X
GPU
GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
Radeon RX 580 4GB
GPU
GeForce GTX 1070
Radeon RX Vega 56
RAM
12 GB
RAM
16 GB
Storage
60 GB HDD
Storage
60 GB HDD

Supported Upscaling Technologies

FSR 1.0
GPU Selection & FPS Analysis

Elden Ring GPU Benchmark & FPS Guide

The official specs list older mid-range cards, but you’ll want something slightly modern for peace of mind. Ensure your GPU meets the floor, then focus on a CPU that exceeds the recommended tier to avoid 'CPU wait-time' stutters unique to large-scale open worlds.

Target Mapping

While the RTX 4060 is considered the 'gold standard' for 1080p/60fps, older cards can still hold their own. However, if you want to jump to 4K, the requirements skyrocket—you'll need something in the RTX 4080 class to keep it steady.
GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
OFFICIAL
Radeon RX 580 4GB
OFFICIAL
GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Radeon RX 5500 XT 4GB

Ensures minimum playable performance. This line is close to official minimum requirements; anything below this may struggle.

Technical Evidence

For new builds, mid-range GPUs are the target. If you’re hunting the used market, look for previous-gen high-end cards that have finally dropped in price. That said, since the game asks for an i7-8700K (an old but surprisingly capable chip), don't buy an ancient used CPU. Go with a modern CPU for better longevity and 1% lows.

GPU Benchmarks

Official Minimum
Official Recommended
bld4me Choice
Radeon RX 7600 XT
bld4me Choice NEW
10.4k
Radeon RX 5600
bld4me Choice USED
7.1k
Radeon RX Vega 56
Official Recommended
6.2k
GeForce GTX 1070
Official Recommended
6.0k
GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
Official Minimum
3.8k
Radeon RX 580 4GB
Official Minimum
3.8k

CPU Benchmarks

Official Minimum
Official Recommended
bld4me Choice
Ryzen 5 9600X
bld4me Choice NEW
9.0k
Core i7-8700K
Official Recommended
7.5k
Core i5-11400
bld4me Choice USED
6.8k
Ryzen 5 3600X
Official Recommended
5.2k
Core i5-8400
Official Minimum
4.5k
Ryzen 3 3300X
Official Minimum
3.8k

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

Choosing a GPU is actually easier here since high-refresh-rate gaming isn't an option. Any extra GPU headroom can be spent on 4K resolution or Ray Tracing. Your choice ultimately boils down to one question: How much visual fidelity are you willing to pay for?

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
bld4me Choice NEW
Radeon RX 7600 XT
bld4me Choice USED
Radeon RX 5600
Official Recommended
Radeon RX Vega 56
Official Recommended
GeForce GTX 1070
Official Minimum
GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
Official Minimum
Radeon RX 580 4GB
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

Elden Ring GPU Benchmark & FPS Database

Elden Ring Estimated FPS Database

136 SKUS
GPU 720P HD 1080P FHD 1440P QHD 4K UHDGrade
Grade S
SUPREME"For those who refuse to compromise"

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

Grade A
ADVANCED"If you crave that next level of smoothness"

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

Grade B
BALANCED"bld4me's recommendation. The smart, well-balanced choice"

The smart pick—perfect balance of power and efficiency.

GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER
SCORE
6
/10
Radeon Pro VII
SCORE
5.9
/10
Radeon VII
SCORE
5.9
/10
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
SCORE
5.8
/10
GeForce RTX 2060 12GB
SCORE
5.7
/10
Radeon RX 5700
SCORE
5.2
/10
Radeon RX 6600
SCORE
5.2
/10
GeForce GTX 1080
SCORE
5
/10
GeForce RTX 2060 6GB
SCORE
5
/10
GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
SCORE
5
/10
Radeon RX 5600 XT
SCORE
5
/10
Radeon RX Vega 64 Liquid
SCORE
5
/10
Radeon Pro Vega 64
SCORE
4.9
/10
Radeon RX 5600
SCORE
4.9
/10
Radeon RX Vega 64
SCORE
4.9
/10
GeForce GTX 1070 Ti
SCORE
4.8
/10
GeForce GTX Titan X
SCORE
4.6
/10
GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
SCORE
4.5
/10
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
SCORE
4.5
/10
Radeon RX Vega 56
SCORE
4.5
/10
GeForce GTX 980 Ti
SCORE
4.5
/10
GeForce GTX 1070
SCORE
4.5
/10
GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER
SCORE
4.5
/10
Grade C
COMPETENT"For 'just get it running' builds"

Bare-minimum GPU or playable with tweaks.

Non-Recommended Models (Grade E)

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

GPU below official supported performance.

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"For 'just get it running' builds"

Bare-minimum GPU or playable with tweaks.

The Bottom Line

Elden Ring Verdict: Recommended Specs & Grade

"Elden Ring is widely hailed as an open-world masterpiece, but from a hardware perspective, the 60fps hard cap is the key factor to keep in mind. While you can bypass this limit with unofficial mods, doing so puts you at a high risk of catching a ban during online play—consider yourself warned.

If your rig can handle Elden Ring, you’ve already cleared the bar for most major pre-2020 Action RPGs. For those sticking to older classics, a budget-focused build or a current-gen entry-level machine is plenty to get a 'smooth' experience (though your mileage may vary depending on the title).

The tricky part? Building only for Elden Ring’s ceiling can leave you stranded with an underpowered rig for the latest AAA heavy hitters.

If you want to keep your future options open, the pro move is to 'overbuild' your foundation. Opt for a modern CPU and high-capacity RAM now, even if it feels like overkill. You can save a few bucks by starting with a modest GPU, then swap it for a mid-range powerhouse down the road. This strategy not only future-proofs your setup but also gives your CPU the overhead it needs to handle Elden Ring’s seamless world-streaming without breaking a sweat."