Scrap Mechanic PC Hardware Guide
Official requirements explained
The official minimum for Scrap Mechanic lists an Intel Core i5-1235U or equivalent processor, Intel Iris Xe Graphics or equivalent graphics, 8 GB of memory and 30 GB of storage. By our tier comparison, the i5-1235U is a laptop-class entry processor from a few generations back, sitting in the older entry band. Intel Iris Xe is an integrated graphics core built into the processor, also entry level. It suits low resolutions and low graphics settings.
The official recommended specs list an Intel Core i5-12500 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600 processor, an NVIDIA RTX 3060 with 12 GB of VRAM or an AMD RX 6700 XT with 12 GB of VRAM, 16 GB of memory and 30 GB of storage. In our comparison, both recommended processors fall into the mainstream band, and both recommended graphics cards are mainstream sweet-spot parts. The gap between minimum and recommended is mostly about the graphics card: far more compute and more video memory.
For memory, the minimum is 8 GB and the recommended is 16 GB. In a sandbox game with many objects and machines, 16 GB leaves comfortable room for Windows and background programs. Both official tiers list 30 GB of storage and do not require an SSD, so the game installs on a hard drive as long as there is enough free space. An SSD is still the better choice, as explained below.
The publisher does not list an upper-tier processor or graphics card, so if you want to play at high resolutions you will need to judge that yourself. The builds below can serve as a reference.
Recommended builds for three budgets
The entry build suits players on a tight budget who are happy with low settings and a modest resolution. Pair a GTX 1650 4GB type entry graphics card with a Ryzen 5 4500 or Core i5-10400F class processor and 16 GB of memory. This combination meets the official minimum but does not reach the recommended tier, so you will need to lower settings to keep play smooth.
The mainstream build is the choice most players should consider. Use an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600 and 16 GB of memory. Both parts meet the official recommended specs, so this system has comfortable headroom at medium to high settings and room for a higher resolution. If you want better value, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT is a comparable option.
The high build suits players who want high resolution, high settings, or long-term headroom for large builds and multiplayer. Use an AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 with an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D or Intel Core i7-14700K and 32 GB of memory. Both the graphics card and processor sit well above the official recommended specs, which makes this build a good fit for long sessions with large machines and other players.
Graphics settings with the biggest impact
In sandbox simulation games like this one, the most demanding settings are usually global effects such as shadows, volumetric light and fog. Their visual gain is not always large, but their cost to the graphics card is significant, so lower shadows and volumetrics first.
Another major cost is the density of objects and physics in the scene. Large player-built machines and many interactive objects draw on both the processor and the graphics card at once. If you see obvious stutter, try lowering scene detail or draw distance. Adjust draw distance carefully, because distant large machines still have to be rendered.
Ray tracing, reflections and high-resolution textures depend mainly on how much video memory your graphics card has. If VRAM runs short, textures can stall or the picture can become unstable even when other settings are low. On cards with less VRAM, keep textures at medium or below.
Upscaling technologies such as DLSS, FSR and XeSS render the scene at a lower internal resolution and scale it up to the output resolution. They usually lighten the load on the graphics card with only a modest loss in image quality. If your card supports one, try it first and pick the quality mode that suits your taste.
Laptops and handheld PCs
A laptop graphics chip with the same name as a desktop card usually has a lower power limit and less cooling room, so its real performance is often below the desktop version. Judge a laptop by its actual power setting and thermal behavior rather than the model name alone. Use the dedicated graphics mode and keep the machine plugged in so power-saving modes do not cap performance.
Handheld PCs such as the Steam Deck or ROG Ally use mobile processors and integrated graphics. In general they suit low settings and a lower resolution, and built-in scaling and frame limiting features help keep the game steady. Since we have no verification data for handhelds, treat this as general guidance and check results on your own device.
On both laptops and handhelds, cooling and power management matter. Sustained heavy load can cause clock throttling, so lowering settings a little and keeping vents clear usually gives steadier play.
Storage and memory
For memory, the official minimum is 8 GB and the recommended is 16 GB. Sixteen gigabytes leaves enough room for the operating system, the game and background programs to run together without stutter caused by memory shortage. If you also keep a browser, voice chat or other apps open, 32 GB gives more breathing room.
Install memory in dual-channel mode, meaning two identical sticks in the matching slots. This raises the bandwidth between memory and the processor and the integrated graphics, which helps integrated graphics in particular.
For storage, both official tiers list 30 GB and do not require an SSD. A hard drive will work, but an SSD noticeably shortens load times and speeds up level loading and saving. Keep more free space than the official figure, since updates and saves need extra room, and keeping a few tens of gigabytes free is a safe margin.