PC Requirements
Ensure your system is ready for the wasteland
✅ Official System Requirements - The specifications below are from the official Steam store page. Last verified: December 1, 2025
System Requirements
Of Ash and Steel is built on modern game engine technology that balances visual fidelity with performance. Below are the official system requirements from Steam, along with performance expectations and optimization recommendations.
| Component | Minimum (Steam Official) | Recommended (Steam Official) |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10/11 (64-bit) | Windows 10/11 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 10600 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Intel Core i7-10700 / AMD Ryzen 7 3700x |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 1070 / AMD RX 5700 XT | NVIDIA RTX 2080 / AMD RX 6700 |
| Storage | 45 GB available space (SSD required) | 45 GB available space (SSD required) |
| DirectX | Not specified | Not specified |
| Additional Notes | - | - |
Source: Steam Official Store Page
Performance Expectations
Minimum Specifications (30 FPS @ 1080p Low Settings)
The minimum specifications allow the game to run, but expect compromises in visual quality and occasional performance dips during intensive scenes. This configuration is suitable for players who prioritize accessibility over visual fidelity. Recommended for basic gameplay experience.
Recommended Specifications (60 FPS @ 1080p High Settings)
The recommended specifications provide the intended gameplay experience with smooth performance and good visual quality. This is the sweet spot for most players, delivering consistent 60 FPS with detailed environments and effects. Ideal for competitive and immersive play.
Optimal Specifications (60+ FPS @ 1440p/4K Ultra Settings)
Optimal specifications unlock the full visual potential of Of Ash and Steel. Expect stunning graphics, maximum draw distances, advanced lighting effects, and high-resolution textures. Suitable for enthusiasts with high-refresh-rate monitors or 4K displays.
Graphics Settings Breakdown
Preset Configurations
Low Preset
- Reduced texture quality and resolution
- Minimal shadows and simplified lighting
- Lower draw distance for objects and terrain
- Disabled post-processing effects
- Reduced particle effects
- Best for: Maximizing frame rate on budget hardware
Medium Preset
- Standard texture quality
- Basic shadows with moderate detail
- Balanced draw distance
- Some post-processing (motion blur, basic anti-aliasing)
- Standard particle density
- Best for: Balanced performance and visuals
High Preset
- High-resolution textures
- Detailed shadows with soft edges
- Extended draw distance
- Enhanced post-processing effects
- Increased particle density
- Best for: Strong mid-range to high-end systems
Ultra Preset
- Maximum texture resolution
- Ray-traced shadows and reflections (on supported hardware)
- Maximum draw distance
- Full post-processing suite including ambient occlusion and volumetric lighting
- Maximum particle effects and physics simulation
- Best for: Top-tier hardware showcasing visual capabilities
Performance Optimization Tips
Hardware Optimization
- Update Graphics Drivers: Always use the latest GPU drivers from NVIDIA or AMD. Driver updates often include game-specific optimizations.
- Monitor Temperatures: Overheating throttles performance. Ensure proper cooling and clean dust from components regularly.
- Close Background Applications: Free up system resources by closing unnecessary programs, especially browsers and streaming software.
- Enable XMP/DOCP: Ensure your RAM is running at its rated speed by enabling XMP (Intel) or DOCP (AMD) in BIOS.
- Use SSD: Install the game on an SSD to dramatically reduce loading times and eliminate texture streaming stutters.
In-Game Settings Tweaks
- Lower Shadow Quality First: Shadows are extremely demanding. Dropping from Ultra to High often gains 10-15 FPS with minimal visual difference.
- Adjust View Distance: Reducing object and terrain view distance improves performance significantly in open areas.
- Disable V-Sync: V-Sync caps frame rate and can introduce input lag. Use adaptive sync (G-Sync/FreeSync) instead if available.
- Lower Anti-Aliasing: Use TAA or FXAA instead of MSAA/SSAA for better performance with acceptable image quality.
- Reduce Particle Effects: Intensive combat scenes with many particles can tank frame rates. Lower particle density helps maintain smooth performance.
Advanced Tweaks
- Frame Rate Limiter: Cap frame rate at your monitor's refresh rate to reduce GPU power draw and heat without impacting experience.
- Dynamic Resolution: Enable dynamic resolution scaling to maintain target frame rate during intensive scenes.
- Config File Adjustments: Advanced users can edit config files for additional performance tweaks not available in menus (search community forums for safe modifications).
Common Performance Issues and Solutions
Stuttering and Frame Drops
- Update GPU drivers to latest version
- Close background applications consuming CPU/RAM
- Lower texture quality if VRAM is maxed out
- Disable any overlays (Discord, Steam, etc.)
- Verify game files integrity through Steam
Low Frame Rate
- Lower graphics preset one tier (Ultra → High, etc.)
- Reduce resolution (1440p → 1080p)
- Disable ray tracing if enabled
- Lower shadow quality and view distance
- Ensure your PC meets at least minimum requirements
Long Loading Times
- Install game on SSD instead of HDD
- Close programs accessing storage in background
- Ensure sufficient free space on drive (at least 20GB free)
- Defragment HDD if still using traditional drive
Crashes and Instability
- Verify game files through Steam
- Update DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables
- Disable overclocks on CPU/GPU temporarily
- Run game as administrator
- Check Windows Event Viewer for error codes
- Reinstall graphics drivers using DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller)
Multiplayer Performance Considerations
Multiplayer sessions can be more demanding than single-player due to simulating multiple players and their actions:
- Stable internet connection (minimum 10 Mbps download/upload recommended)
- Lower latency is crucial—prioritize wired Ethernet over Wi-Fi
- Slightly higher CPU usage in multiplayer—consider lowering particle effects
- Server performance can affect your experience regardless of your PC specs
Future-Proofing
As Of Ash and Steel is in early access, system requirements may change with major updates:
- Developers are optimizing performance with each patch
- New content additions may increase system demands
- Graphics options continue to expand, allowing better scaling
- Check patch notes for performance-related changes