Rise of the Tomb Raider System Requirements: PC Guide

What Does Your PC Need to Run the Game?

Before you follow Lara into Siberia, make sure your computer clears the hardware baseline. Rise of the Tomb Raider system requirements start at an Intel Core i3-2100, 6 GB of RAM, and a GTX 650 or Radeon HD 7770 with 2 GB of video memory. Comparing those requirements with your hardware helps you decide whether to install immediately or plan an upgrade.

The Windows version has separate minimum and recommended specifications:

Component	Minimum	Recommended
Operating system	Windows 7, 64-bit	Windows 10, 64-bit
Processor	Intel Core i3-2100 or AMD equivalent	Intel Core i7-3770K
System memory	6 GB RAM	8 GB RAM
Graphics card	NVIDIA GTX 650 2 GB or AMD HD 7770 2 GB	NVIDIA GTX 970 for 1920×1080 or NVIDIA GTX 980 Ti for 2560×1440
DirectX	Version 11	Version 11
Available storage	25 GB	25 GB

Check the entire configuration before downloading. Having enough RAM does not compensate for a graphics card below the minimum, and sufficient storage alone says nothing about gaming performance.

How to Compare Your Hardware

Start with the processor’s exact model. “Core i3” and “Core i7” describe product families; the requirements identify specific processors within those families. Compare your CPU with the i3-2100 minimum or i7-3770K recommended target rather than relying on the family name alone.

Image: Steam / Crystal Dynamics

Apply the same care to the graphics card. The minimum GPU specification includes both a model and its video memory: a GTX 650 with 2 GB, or an HD 7770 with 2 GB. A different card having the same amount of VRAM does not automatically make it equivalent.

For the recommended NVIDIA cards, resolution matters:

• 1920×1080: GTX 970.
• 2560×1440: GTX 980 Ti.

Use the target that matches your intended resolution when comparing your setup. These are different hardware targets, so avoid treating the two cards as interchangeable recommendations.

RAM, Storage, and Benchmarking

The Windows minimum is 6 GB of system RAM, while the recommended configuration calls for 8 GB. Keep system memory separate from graphics memory when checking your specifications: the GPU’s 2 GB does not count toward the RAM requirement.

Reserve at least 25 GB of available drive space for the Windows installation. Consider an SSD for loading responsiveness, while keeping the CPU, GPU, and RAM requirements in view.

On a computer near the minimum, start with lower graphics settings and run the game’s benchmark. Evaluate how the game behaves on your own configuration before increasing visual quality. Change settings gradually so you can identify which adjustments affect performance.

Mac and Linux Have Different Requirements

Rise of the Tomb Raider also has native macOS and Linux versions. Their processor, memory, graphics, and storage targets differ from the Windows build.

Image: Steam / Crystal Dynamics

Component	Mac	Linux
Operating system target	macOS 10.13.4 or later	Ubuntu 17.10
Minimum processor	Intel Core i5, 2.3 GHz	Intel Core i3-4130T, 2.9 GHz
Minimum system memory	8 GB	8 GB
Graphics	NVIDIA 680MX 2 GB, Intel Iris 540 1.5 GB, or AMD Radeon R9 M290 2 GB, or better	NVIDIA 680MX 2 GB or AMD GCN 3rd generation 2 GB, or better
Available storage	27 GB	28 GB

The Linux recommended configuration steps up to an Intel Core i7-3770K at 3.5 GHz, 12 GB RAM, and an NVIDIA 980 Ti with 6 GB, or better.

Compare your machine against the requirements for the version you intend to install. In particular, the Windows recommendation of 8 GB RAM differs from Linux’s 12 GB recommended target.

Does the Game Require a VR Headset?

You can play the main adventure without a VR headset. SteamVR support applies to the Blood Ties story chapter, which lets you explore Croft Manor from Lara’s perspective using an HTC Vive or Oculus Rift.

Image: Steam / Crystal Dynamics

Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration includes the base game and Season Pass content, including Blood Ties, Lara’s Nightmare, and Co-Op Endurance. Owners of the standard edition can also access Blood Ties through the relevant DLC or Season Pass.

Choose the edition on the Rise of the Tomb Raider Steam page when you are ready to install.