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

A modern mid-range build will comfortably lock in a stable 60fps. Throw in 32GB of RAM to give the system some breathing room.

bld4me
Writing & Verification

bld4me PC Technical Team

How We Validate

Verifier Comment

On paper, the spec sheet is a copy-paste of the PS5-grade Zero Dawn Remastered. In our actual benchmarks, though? This game is noticeably heavier. It makes perfect sense why it got slapped with an 'Unsupported' tag for the Steam Deck.Even during basic open-world exploration, a rig built to the official "recommended" specs will see both CPU and GPU utilization pegged above 60%. The CPU tax, in particular, is significantly steeper this time around.

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.
The previous game shares the exact same official specs but is Steam Deck 'Verified', while this sequel sits at 'Unsupported'. That alone tells you it hits harder. Handhelds sharing system RAM and VRAM simply can't handle the heavy 16GB system + 8GB VRAM demands. If you want to play on the go, you'll need a proper gaming laptop.

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 Forbidden West Complete Edition PC Component Selection & Build Strategy

You're looking at a modern mid-range gaming rig to run this right: step up a tier for your CPU, grab a GPU that supports frame generation, pack 16GB+ of RAM, and install it on an NVMe SSD.
CPU

6+ cores recommended to handle the multi-threaded load

  • Cheap out on your CPU, and you'll bottleneck any future GPU upgrades.
  • To avoid a CPU bottleneck, we recommend going above the official specs. Aim for a Core i5-12400 or Ryzen 5 5600 as your baseline.
Pro Advice

BUILD
BALANCE

This game hits both the CPU and GPU hard, and it eats VRAM for breakfastespecially in the expansion. If you're playing through the DLC, your best bet is to step up a tier and grab a GPU with frame gen support and at least 12GB of VRAM. Otherwise, be prepared to compromise and dial back your graphics settings.
Technical Specifications

Specs: Official System Requirements

Source: Steam Store Official
On paper, the spec sheet is identical to the Zero Dawn Remastered. In reality? The Steam Deck 'Unsupported' tag gives it awaythis game demands significantly more horsepower. Factor in the VRAM-hungry expansion, and you should definitely plan on building past the recommended specs.

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
150 GB HDD
Storage
150 GB SSD
Supported Tech (Upscaling & Frame Gen)
Upscaler:DLSSFSRXeSS
Frame Gen:DLSS FGFSR FG
GPU Selection & FPS Analysis

Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition GPU Benchmark & FPS Guide

The GPU demands are up there with the latest AAA heavyweights. The strategy here is simple: target a locked 60fps with raw rasterization, then use frame gen to push it even higher. It's also incredibly VRAM-heavy; you'll want at least 12GB if you plan on cranking up the settings.

Target Mapping

Because of how the game plays, dipping into the 50s will noticeably hurt your experience. Securing a GPU that can hold 60fps+ is non-negotiable. If you're pushing for 4K, a high-end card is mandatory, and you'll still need to lean on frame gen to keep the framerate afloat.
Radeon RX 5700
OFFICIAL
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
OFFICIAL
Radeon RX 6650 XT
USED
Arc A750
USED

Technical Evidence

We intentionally selected CPUs and GPUs with about 20-30% more headroom than the official specs. Over-speccing like this is how you guarantee a rock-solid 1080p/60fps, even when you hit the heavy loads of the expansion.

GPU Benchmarks

Official Minimum
Official Recommended
bld4me Choice
Arc B570 10GB
bld4me NEW
Radeon RX 6650 XT
bld4me USED
Radeon RX 5700
Official Recommended
GeForce GTX 1650
Official Minimum

CPU Benchmarks

Official Minimum
Official Recommended
bld4me Choice
Ryzen 5 9600X
bld4me NEW
Ryzen 5 7600X
bld4me USED
Core i5-8600
Official Recommended
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

Even the officially recommended GPUs will suffer from frame drops into the 50s during heavy scenes. Stepping up a tier to lock a native 60fpsand then layering on upscaling and frame gen for extra smoothnessis basically mandatory.

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 NEW
Arc B570 10GB
bld4me USED
Radeon RX 6650 XT
Official Recommended
Radeon RX 5700
Official Minimum
GeForce GTX 1650
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

Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition 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.

Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition

120 SKUS
GPU Share 720PHD 1080PFHD 1440PQHD 4KUHD
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
Grade A
ADVANCED"If you crave that next level of smoothness"

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

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

The smart pick—perfect balance of power and efficiency.

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
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)
Grade C
COMPETENT"Play at 1080p/Medium"

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

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
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

Non-Recommended Models (Grade E)

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

GPU below official supported performance.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
label_below_requirements
GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER
label_below_requirements
Radeon RX 5500M
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.

The Bottom Line

The Game's Verdict: Recommended Specs & Grade

The sequel to the critically acclaimed Horizon Zero Dawn is here. It's easy to look at the spec sheet, see it mirrors the Zero Dawn Remastered, and breathe a sigh of relief. Don't. Factor in the 'Burning Shores' DLC, and the real-world performance hit is noticeably heavier.

Even on the officially 'recommended' GPUs, our benchmarks showed frame drops into the 50s during demanding scenes. Stepping up a hardware tier is crucial if you want a consistently smooth experience.

Pushing higher resolutions and maxed-out graphics? Upscaling and frame gen support are mandatory. And if your goal is absolute zero micro-stutters, giving your system plenty of RAM and VRAM headroom is non-negotiable.