Will you need new hardware to play Subnautica 2 on PC?

GAMING NEWS Fyra Frost - 3 hours ago

System requirements

After confirming the official release date for Subnautica 2, Unknown Worlds Entertainment has officially revealed the PC system requirements for the game, giving players a clearer idea of the hardware needed to explore the franchise's new underwater world. The survival sequel, which is being developed with Unreal Engine 5, represents a major technical leap compared to the original game and will demand significantly stronger PCs across all performance tiers.

Can your PC run the game?

The newly published specifications cover several graphical presets, including minimum, recommended, ultra and an even more demanding "Ultra+" configuration designed for enthusiasts using high-end gaming hardware. With support for advanced lighting, larger environments, and cooperative multiplayer gameplay, Subnautica 2 appears set to become the most ambitious entry in the series so far.

Players hoping to run the game at basic settings in 1080p will still need relatively modern components. However, those targeting high refresh rates or 4K resolutions will require powerful processors and GPUs from NVIDIA's RTX series or AMD's latest Radeon lineup.

Subnautica 2 Minimum PC Requirements

For 1080p gameplay at lower graphical settings, Unknown Worlds recommends the following hardware:

OS: Windows 10 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
Memory: 12 GB RAM
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 6 GB / AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT 8 GB
Storage: 50 GB available space

This setup is expected to deliver a playable experience at around 30 FPS with reduced visual settings.

Subnautica 2 Recommended PC Requirements

Players aiming for smoother gameplay and higher visual quality at 1440p should meet these recommended specifications:

OS: Windows 11 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core i7-13700 / AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 3070 / AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
Storage: 50 GB SSD

According to current information, this configuration targets stable 60 FPS gameplay with medium-to-high settings enabled.

Subnautica 2 Ultra PC Requirements

For players wanting ultra-quality visuals and enhanced effects, the game’s requirements increase considerably:

Processor: Intel Core i7-14700K / AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
Memory: 32 GB RAM
Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 4080 / AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
Storage: SSD required

This tier is intended for high-resolution gaming with advanced graphical features fully activated.

Subnautica 2 Ultra+ Requirements

The highest performance preset is aimed at enthusiasts seeking maximum visual fidelity, likely for 4K gameplay at high frame rates.

Processor: Intel Core i9-14900K / AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
Memory: 32 GB RAM or higher
Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 5090 / next-generation AMD GPU equivalent
Storage: High-speed NVMe SSD

While these specifications are extreme, they underline how demanding Unreal Engine 5 games are becoming on PC hardware.

A Major Leap for the Series

Unlike the original Subnautica, which was relatively accessible on older PCs, the sequel has been designed around modern rendering technology and larger-scale environments. The addition of cooperative multiplayer, improved AI systems, dynamic ocean physics and more detailed ecosystems all contribute to the higher system demands.

The game is scheduled to launch in Early Access in 2026, and developers are expected to continue optimizing performance throughout development. Even so, the confirmed hardware requirements suggest that Subnautica 2 is targeting a much more advanced visual and technical experience than anything previously seen in the franchise. Remember that youc an use our comparator to purchase your Subnautica 2 PC code at the best price.