Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition PC Hardware Guide
Official requirements explained
The official minimum CPU is listed as an Intel Core i5 or equivalent. By FrameScope's tier comparison, that roughly matches an Intel Core i5-4460, which is a very old entry-level part. The minimum GPU is an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 or an ATI Radeon HD 6XXX or higher, which today corresponds to something around integrated graphics like the Intel UHD Graphics 630. That means the game can likely start on that hardware, but only at the lowest settings and with a rough experience. The minimum RAM is 4 GB and storage is 60 GB, and the publisher does not require an SSD.
The official recommended CPU is an Intel Core i7 or equivalent, which lands near an Intel Core i5-4570 in our tier comparison. The gap between minimum and recommended CPU is actually fairly small, so the CPU jump is less dramatic than the name suggests. The recommended GPU is an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 or AMD R9 280, roughly comparable to an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 today. Recommended RAM rises to 8 GB, and storage stays at 60 GB. The publisher does not list a higher tier, so the official data alone cannot tell you how the game performs beyond the recommended level.
This game leans heavily on simulation and large numbers of units, so the processor usually matters more than the graphics card. Even at the recommended level, prioritise a CPU with some headroom. An SSD is not required, but it still affects how long loading takes.
Recommended builds for three budgets
The entry build suits players who want to play on a tighter budget. Pair an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super with an AMD Ryzen 5 3500X or Intel Core i5-10400F, and use 16 GB of RAM. This combination sits above the official recommended requirements and should handle the game well at medium settings, though large battles and late-game areas may still call for lower options.
The mainstream build is the choice most players will find most sensible. An NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super or RTX 3050 8GB works well as the graphics card, with an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel Core i5-10400 as the processor and 16 GB of RAM. Because the game is sensitive to the CPU, the extra processor headroom here helps keep busy combat scenes more consistent than the entry build.
The high build suits players who want long sessions at higher resolutions. Choose an RTX 4060 or AMD Radeon RX 7600, an AMD Ryzen 5 5600 or Intel Core i5-12400, and 32 GB of RAM for comfortable margin. This tier is far above the official recommended requirements, but since the game is mainly limited by the CPU and simulation load, a faster graphics card will not necessarily bring improvements in proportion to its price.
Graphics settings with the biggest impact
In a game like this, the settings that usually cost the most are shadow quality, volumetric effects, crowd and simulation density, and view distance. Shadows and volumetrics add directly to graphics card work, while crowd and unit density mostly load the processor. If frame rates drop, start by lowering those options rather than cutting resolution or textures first.
Ray tracing is usually not essential in this game, so unless your graphics card has plenty of headroom, it is practical to turn it off or reduce it on mid-range hardware. Texture quality has a comparatively small effect on performance, so if you have enough video memory, you can usually keep it high.
Upscaling technologies such as NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR and Intel XeSS render at a lower internal resolution and reconstruct the image, which can noticeably reduce graphics card load. They are generally worth enabling on supported cards, and the image quality cost is often acceptable. Keep in mind that if the processor is the bottleneck, upscaling will help less.
Laptops and handheld PCs
Laptop graphics chips often share names with desktop cards but perform quite differently, because laptops run lower power limits and have less room for cooling. Check the laptop's power and cooling design rather than relying on the model name alone. Playing while plugged in with a performance mode enabled typically gives a much better experience than running on battery.
Handheld PCs such as the Steam Deck and ROG Ally are limited by battery and thermals. In general, set graphics to low or medium, use upscaling where available, and cap the frame rate to keep power draw stable. The CPU load here is significant, so prioritise lowering simulation-related options on handhelds. The publisher does not provide handheld-specific requirements, so this is general guidance only.
Storage and memory
The official minimum RAM is 4 GB and the recommended is 8 GB, but FrameScope suggests 16 GB as a comfortable target that leaves room for the system and background programs and reduces paging during play. If you want to run other applications or play at high resolutions, 32 GB gives more breathing room. When installing memory, make sure it is set up in dual-channel mode, which helps data transfer for both the processor and integrated graphics.
The official storage figure is 60 GB, but it is wise to leave extra space for patches and save files. An SSD is not officially required, yet it noticeably shortens loading times, such as when moving between areas or reading saves. The game will run from a hard drive, just with longer waits.
Finally, keep the game and graphics drivers up to date and leave enough free space on your system drive to keep performance stable over the long term.