Ryzen 5 9600X
Arc B570 10GB
8GB
512GB SSD

If you're building fresh, a current-gen entry-to-mid-tier GPU will get the job done, leaving you plenty of headroom for your CPU, RAM, and storage.

bld4me
Writing & Verification

bld4me PC Technical Team

How We Validate

Verifier Comment

Metro Exodus was an absolute trailblazer for hardware-accelerated ray tracing . Looking at it from a mid-2020s perspective, most modern rigs will chew through it without breaking a sweat. But back when the Enhanced Edition dropped in 2021, the community backlash over its brutal hardware demands was 100% justified.The official spec sheet is heavily skewedit assumes you're pushing "High" presets with RT fully cranked, essentially designing scenarios to melt your GPU. The reality? If you know your way around the settings menu, you can absolutely squeeze a stable 60fps out of a GPU that technically falls below their official cutoff line.

Changelog

Article published.
On the Go

UMPC, Handheld & Laptop Performance

Valve

Steam Deck (LCD)

Grade
3
/10

64GB eMMC Model

256GB NVMe SSD Model

512GB NVMe SSD Model

Verified
Officially verified for this title.
Valve

Steam Deck OLED

Grade
3
/10

512GB NVMe SSD

1TB NVMe SSD

Verified
Officially verified for this title.
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.
While the requirements are steep, it actually holds a 'Playable' rating on the Steam Deckso the barrier to entry drops significantly if you're willing to compromise on resolution and settings. Just keep in mind that on a gaming laptop with a weaker GPU, you might have to dip below 1080p.

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

Metro Exodus PC Component Selection & Build Strategy

Secure a CPU and GPU that comfortably clear the recommended specs first. You *could* cheap out on an 8GB RAM kit and a low-capacity NVMe SSD to keep costs down, but realistically, 16GB is the non-negotiable minimum for modern gaming, and 32GB is where you really want to be. Allocate your budget wisely.
CPU

CPU demands are reasonable, but avoid bottlenecking your GPU

  • A 4-core chip like the Core i3-10100F will struggle to keep up, leading to obvious bottlenecks.
  • An 8-core CPU from Intel's 11th Gen (or AMD equivalent) and newer is the safest play.
Pro Advice

BUILD
BALANCE

Focus your budget on a CPU and GPU that comfortably clear the recommended specs. While the official RAM and storage demands are light, you'll want at least 16GB of RAM and an NVMe SSD for a modern rig. Be warned: the Enhanced Edition bumps the hardware requirements up a full tier compared to the base game.
Technical Specifications

Specs: Official System Requirements

Source: Steam Store Official
Don't confuse the base game with the Enhanced Editionthe latter severely hikes up the GPU requirements. Also, be aware that the official spec sheet doesn't target the standard '1080p / Medium / 60fps' baseline, so take their recommendations with a grain of salt.
The official system requirements for "Metro Exodus" are stated to target a "1080p / 60 fps / HIGH" experience.bld4me selects its recommended components based on achieving stable 1080p/60fps/MID settings at native performance, without frame generation or upscaling.
Don't confuse the base game with the Enhanced Editionthe latter severely hikes up the GPU requirements. Also, be aware that the official spec sheet doesn't target the standard '1080p / Medium / 60fps' baseline, so take their recommendations with a grain of salt.
Spec Timeline:

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

Minimum

Recommended

CPU
4 Cores + HT
CPU
8 Cores
GPU
GeForce RTX 2060 6GB
GPU
GeForce RTX 2070
GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
Radeon RX 6700 XT
RAM
8 GB
RAM
8 GB
Storage
59 GB HDD
Storage
59 GB HDD
Requirement Context
1080p / 45 fps
Requirement Context
1080p / 60 fps
Supported Tech (Upscaling & Frame Gen)
Upscaler:DLSS
GPU Selection & FPS Analysis

Metro Exodus GPU Benchmark & FPS Guide

Because the Enhanced Edition is notoriously GPU-heavy, allocate your budget toward a card that can actually sustain a native 60fps at 1080p on Medium settings. Ray tracing will absolutely tank your frames, so you'll want a GPU with plenty of headroom.

Target Mapping

Pushing past 1080p restricts your options to serious, high-power GPUs. Given the game's sluggish, immersive movement mechanics, frame drops will quickly induce motion sickness. Don't risk itget a GPU that guarantees a rock-solid 60fps+.
GeForce RTX 3060 8GBOFFICIAL
Radeon RX 6700 XTOFFICIAL
Radeon R9 Fury X
GeForce GTX 1660 SUPERUSED

Technical Evidence

You'll want to aim a tier higher than the official CPU and GPU recommendations. While the devs don't list exact CPU models for every tier, grabbing an 8-core chip from Intel's 11th Gen (or AMD equivalent) and newer is your safest bet to avoid bottlenecking.

GPU Benchmarks

Official Minimum
Official Recommended
bld4me Choice
Arc B570 10GBbld4me NEW
GeForce RTX 2070Official Recommended
GeForce RTX 2060 6GBOfficial Minimum
GeForce GTX 1660 SUPERbld4me USED

CPU Benchmarks

Official Minimum
Official Recommended
bld4me Choice
Ryzen 5 9600Xbld4me NEW
Ryzen 5 7600Xbld4me USED

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

Anything above the recommended specs should effortlessly push a stable 60fps at 1080p on Medium. If your rig is barely scraping the recommended floor, you can still hit 60fps, but be prepared to aggressively tweak your settings.

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
Official Recommended
GeForce RTX 2070
Official Minimum
GeForce RTX 2060 6GB
bld4me USED
GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER
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

Metro Exodus 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.

Metro Exodus

158 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
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
Grade A
ADVANCED"If you crave that next level of smoothness"

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

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

The smart pick—perfect balance of power and efficiency.

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
Grade C
COMPETENT"Play at 1080p/Medium"

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

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
Radeon RX 580 4GB
Radeon RX 580 8GB
Radeon R9 290
Radeon RX 480 4GB
Radeon RX 480 8GB
Arc A380
GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
GeForce GTX 1060 (Laptop)
Radeon 890M (16CU)
Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores)
Radeon RX 470 4GB
Radeon RX 470 8GB
Radeon RX 570 4GB
Radeon RX 570 8GB
GeForce GTX 1650
GeForce GTX 780
Radeon RX 580 (Mobile)
GeForce GTX 970
GeForce GTX 980M
Radeon RX 570 (Mobile)
Arc A370M
Arc Graphics (7 Xe-cores)
Radeon 780M (12CU)
Radeon 880M (12CU)
Radeon RX 5300
Radeon RX 5300M

Non-Recommended Models (Grade E)

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

GPU below official supported performance.

GeForce GTX 770 2GB
label_below_requirements
GeForce GTX 770 4GB
label_below_requirements
GeForce GTX 960 2GB
label_below_requirements
GeForce GTX 960 4GB
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

Metro Exodus packs an absurdly heavy GPU requirement for a 2019 release. We all remember the community meltdown when the Enhanced Edition dropped—"But my rig ran the base game fine!"—and while modern hardware finally gives it some breathing room, the mandatory hardware ray tracing means you still can't aggressively skimp on your GPU.

That said, any solid current-gen mid-range card will push more than enough frames here. Your best bet is to scale your GPU choice based on the newer AAA titles you actually plan on playing. Finally, completely ignore the official spec sheet claiming you can survive on 8GB of RAM and a mechanical hard drive. For a stable experience in the modern PC gaming landscape, 16GB of RAM and a fast NVMe SSD are the non-negotiable minimum. Cheap out now, regret it later.