Age of Wonders 4 PC Hardware Guide
Official requirements explained
The official minimum CPU is an Intel Core i5-2500K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X. Those are old chips by today's standards, roughly in the same band as an AMD FX-8350, so most machines that are not very old should be able to run the game at its lowest settings. The minimum GPU list includes the GTX 670 (2GB), Radeon HD 7870 (2GB), Intel Arc A380 (6GB), Intel Iris Xe G7 and Radeon Vega 8. In our estimate, that puts the minimum GPU around the GeForce GT 1030 level, meaning integrated graphics or a very old entry-level card. The minimum asks for 8GB of RAM and 35GB of storage, and the publisher does not require an SSD.
The recommended CPU is an Intel Core i7-9700K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, which sits in the modern mainstream band, close to an Intel Core i5-10400F. The recommended GPU is a GTX 1070 Ti (8GB) or Radeon RX 5700 XT (8GB), a 1080p-class mainstream card. Recommended RAM rises to 16GB, while the storage requirement stays at 35GB.
For a player, the gap between minimum and recommended mostly comes down to the graphics card. A recommended-class GPU gives you far more room for visual quality and larger scenes, and the late game with more units and cities puts extra load on memory and the CPU. If your PC only meets the minimum, start with lower settings and smaller maps to keep the game running smoothly.
The publisher has not listed Steam Deck or other handheld results, and we have no verification data for them, so we make no compatibility claim for handhelds.
Recommended builds for three budgets
The entry build suits players who want to spend less and play at 1080p with low to medium settings. Pair a GeForce GTX 1650 4GB or GTX 1660 with an AMD Ryzen 5 3500X or Intel Core i5-10400F, and go straight to 16GB of RAM so multitasking and big maps stay stable.
The mainstream build is the best value for most players, aimed at 1080p or 1440p with medium-high settings. A GeForce RTX 3060 8GB, Radeon RX 6600 or Radeon RX 5700 XT paired with an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel Core i5-11400F fits well, again with 16GB of RAM. This tier comfortably clears the recommended requirements and leaves room to raise settings.
The high build is for players who want high resolution and high quality, or who want headroom for several years. Options include a GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB, Radeon RX 6800 or RTX 3070 Ti, with a CPU such as the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D, Ryzen 7 7700 or Intel Core i7-12700K. 16GB of RAM is already plentiful here, and 32GB makes sense if you run a browser, streaming software or other apps alongside the game.
Graphics settings with the biggest impact
In a game that blends 4X strategy with turn-based tactical combat, the settings that usually cost the most are view distance, the density of units and scene detail, and the quality of shadows and effects. Shadows and volumetric effects are especially noticeable in battles and city scenes, so lowering them is often the most direct way to reduce load, and the visual difference is not always large. If the game offers view or terrain detail sliders, those are also worth adjusting first.
Ray tracing usually matters less in this game than the detail settings do, but it still adds GPU load. Turn it off if your card has little headroom. For anti-aliasing, pick a medium setting at 1080p.
Upscaling technologies such as DLSS, FSR and XeSS render at a lower internal resolution and then scale the image to your display resolution. In general they reduce GPU load with only a modest loss in image quality. Use them if your card supports them and find the balance between sharpness and smoothness that suits you. The results depend on how the game implements them and on your settings, and we do not provide specific performance figures.
Laptops and handheld PCs
Laptop GPUs carry the same names as desktop cards but usually perform lower because of power limits and smaller cooling. An RTX 3060 in a laptop typically runs at a lower power budget than its desktop namesake, so check the card's power rating (TGP) and cooling design rather than just the model name. Long sessions can get loud and hot, so keep the vents clear and set the power mode to performance while gaming.
Handheld PCs such as the Steam Deck or ROG Ally use integrated hardware with limited performance and power. They are better suited to low settings and lower resolutions. If you plan to run this game on one, compare the official requirements with your device's specs and expect to adjust settings heavily. We have no verification data for any handheld, so we cannot give a compatibility rating.
Storage and memory
Install 16GB of RAM in dual-channel configuration. Dual channel improves data transfer between the CPU and the graphics hardware, which matters most on systems that rely on integrated graphics. A single 8GB stick will run the game, but memory pressure becomes noticeable on large maps and late-game turns.
The game itself needs 35GB of free storage. The publisher does not require an SSD, and the game will run from a hard drive. An SSD, however, noticeably shortens load times, which helps in a strategy game where you reload saves often. If your budget allows, install the game on an SSD.
Leave extra room for patches and save files. We suggest keeping at least 10GB free beyond the installed size so that updates do not fail for lack of space.