Can I Run The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt?
2015 · Action RPG · Check your PC against the official system requirements below.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt system requirements
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Processor (CPU) | Intel i5-2500K / AMD Phenom II X4 940 | Intel i7-3770 / AMD FX-8350 |
| Graphics (GPU) | NVIDIA GTX 660 2 GB / AMD HD 7870 2 GB | NVIDIA GTX 770 / AMD R9 290 |
| Memory (RAM) | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Video memory | 2 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage | 50 GB | 50 GB |
Source: published system requirements
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt FPS benchmarks (estimated)
Estimated frame rates
| GPU tier | 1080p | 1440p | 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
| EntryGTX 1650 / RX 6500 XT | 75-95 | 50-65 | 30-40 |
| MainstreamRTX 4060 / RX 7600 | 175-225 | 120-155 | 75-95 |
| High-endRTX 4070 Super / RX 7800 XT | 300+ | 205-260 | 125-160 |
| EnthusiastRTX 4080 Super / RX 7900 XTX | 300+ | 280-355 | 170-220 |
FPS figures are estimates derived from the published minimum and recommended requirements at high settings, not measured benchmarks. Real-world results vary with CPU, RAM, drivers and in-game options.
Steam Deck & laptop compatibility
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt performs well on Steam Deck. Users can expect an estimated 89 frames per second at the Deck's native 1280x800 resolution.
For a smooth experience at 1080p with 60 frames per second, a laptop with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Laptop GPU or better is recommended. This title is not particularly demanding, so most gaming laptops should be able to run it at playable settings.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is CD Projekt Red’s acclaimed open-world action RPG, originally released in 2015 and later given a free next-generation update that added ray tracing, improved visuals and FSR support. The base game remains accessible by modern standards, with the original minimum specifications met by a GeForce GTX 660 or Radeon HD 7870 and just 6 GB of RAM, reflecting its mid-2010s launch.
The original recommended specifications, built around a GTX 770 or R9 290, target a comfortable 1080p experience on the standard build. The next-generation update is considerably heavier, especially with ray tracing enabled, and effectively requires a modern RTX or RDNA2 card to stay smooth. Players on older hardware can run the classic, non-ray-traced version comfortably. The base install needs around 50 GB, with expansions adding more. The next-gen update also introduced a DirectX 12 mode that enables the ray tracing and FSR features, while the older DirectX 11 build remains a lighter option for weaker systems, so players can pick the renderer that best suits their hardware and balance fidelity against frame rate accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
What graphics card do I need for The Witcher 3?
The original minimum is a GTX 660 2 GB or HD 7870. The next-gen update with ray tracing is much heavier and benefits from a modern RTX or RDNA2 card.
What is the difference between the classic and next-gen versions?
The next-gen update adds ray tracing, improved visuals and FSR. It is far more demanding, while the classic version runs well on older hardware.
How much RAM does The Witcher 3 need?
The original specs list 6 GB minimum and 8 GB recommended. More RAM helps with the next-gen update and heavily modded setups.