Subnautica PC Hardware Guide
Official requirements explained
The official minimum CPU is an Intel Haswell with 2 cores and 4 threads at 2.5 GHz or equivalent. Today that roughly corresponds to a Core i3-4130 class processor, which is very much entry level. The minimum GPU is listed as Intel HD Graphics 4600 or equivalent, which means an integrated graphics chip from an old generation. Minimum memory is 4 GB and the game needs 20 GB of storage. The publisher does not require an SSD.
The recommended CPU rises to a Haswell with 4 cores and 4 threads at 3.2 GHz. It is still the same Core i3 era tier in terms of raw performance, but the extra cores help with busy scenes. The recommended GPU is an Nvidia GTX 550 Ti or equivalent with 2 GB of VRAM, which today roughly corresponds to a GeForce GT 1030. Recommended memory is 8 GB, and the storage requirement stays at 20 GB.
In practice, the gap between minimum and recommended mostly affects visual detail and how steady the game feels in heavier areas rather than whether it runs at all. If your machine meets the recommended tier, you have room for a fuller graphics setup. If you only just reach the minimum, lower both resolution and detail settings to keep things smooth.
Recommended builds for three budgets
The entry budget centers on mid-low discrete cards such as the GeForce GTX 1650 or RTX 3050 6GB, paired with a Ryzen 3 or Core i3 class processor. This combination sits well above the official recommended GPU tier, so it suits players who want stable play at low to medium settings or who also play newer games. Aim for at least 16 GB of memory, since current operating systems and background apps use a good chunk of it.
The mainstream budget is where the value sits. A GTX 1660, RTX 3050 8GB or Radeon RX 6500 XT paired with a Ryzen 5 or Core i5 gives you medium to high settings across most of the game, with headroom for future updates and mods. 16 GB of memory is still the target, and 32 GB is a comfortable step up if you keep a browser, streaming or recording tools open.
The high budget uses cards like the RTX 2070 Super, RTX 4060 or Radeon RX 7600, with a Core i5-12400, Ryzen 5 5600X or better. This goes far beyond the official recommended tier and suits players who want high settings at higher resolutions or who record and stream while playing. Start at 16 GB of memory and go to 32 GB if the budget allows.
Graphics settings with the biggest impact
In underwater exploration games like this one, the settings that usually cost the most are shadows, volumetric lighting and fog, depth of field range, and the density of particles and wildlife effects. If you need to free up resources, lower shadow quality and volumetrics first. They are expensive to compute but contribute less to the overall look than you might expect. Reflections and depth of field can also be reduced if needed.
It is worth keeping main material detail and anti-aliasing. Water scenes rely heavily on color and light changes, and jagged edges or blurry textures break immersion quickly. If your GPU supports DLSS, FSR or XeSS, upscaling can let you render internally at a lower resolution and display a sharper result at a higher output size. In general this costs little in image quality, though the exact results depend on the game version and your chosen settings.
A sensible approach is to start from the default medium or high preset, play for a while, and then adjust individual settings based on what you see. There is no need to max everything from the start.
Laptops and handheld PCs
Laptop GPUs that share a name with desktop cards are often quite different in practice. Laptop versions usually run with lower power limits and tighter cooling, so they deliver less performance than the desktop part of the same name. When evaluating a laptop, check its power configuration and cooling design rather than just the model name. While playing, keep the laptop plugged in and use a performance mode, which is much more stable than running on battery.
Handheld PCs such as the Steam Deck or ROG Ally have clear limits on performance and cooling. In general they suit lower resolutions and lower detail settings, and upscaling features can help. We do not have verification data for these devices, so we cannot give a specific rating for any one model. Use their official specifications and general community experience as your guide.
Overall, laptop and handheld players should aim for stable play rather than maximum detail, and watch for heat buildup and clock throttling during long sessions.
Storage and memory
For memory, the official minimum is 4 GB and the recommended amount is 8 GB. Given how much current operating systems and background programs use, 16 GB is a more realistic target for comfortable play. If your motherboard supports dual-channel memory, make sure your sticks sit in the correct slots to get the bandwidth benefit.
For storage, the game itself needs 20 GB, but updates and save files will grow that over time, so leave extra room rather than filling the drive close to capacity. An SSD is not required by the official specs, but it noticeably shortens loading times, especially when reading saves and entering new areas. If your budget allows, install the game on an SSD. An HDD will still work, just with longer waits.