Dead by Daylight: PC System Requirements & Best Hardware to Run It (2026)

Dead by Daylight is not a demanding game by 2026 standards. It’s built on Unreal Engine 4 and designed to run on a wide range of hardware, including older quad-core CPUs and entry-level GPUs. Any modern budget gaming PC with a current-gen integrated GPU or a discrete card like a GTX 1650 / RX 6500 XT class GPU will run it well at 1080p, while a mid-range PC from the last 3-4 years will easily handle 1440p at 60+ FPS with high settings. You do not need high-end hardware to get a smooth, competitive experience.

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#1 Pick

ASUS ROG G700 (2026) Gaming Desktop PC, Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 265KF Processor, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5070Ti, 1TB M.2 NVMe™ PCIe® 4 SSD, 32GB DDR5 RAM, Windows 11 Home, G700TF-PB776Ti

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#2 Pick

ASUS ROG G700 (2025) Gaming Desktop PC, Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 265F Processor, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060Ti, 1TB M.2 NVMe™ PCIe® 4 SSD, 32GB DDR5 RAM, Windows 11 Home, G700TF-AS776Ti

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#3 Pick

ASUS ROG GM700 (2025) Gaming Desktop PC, AMD Ryzen™ 7 9800X3D Processor, AMD® Radeon™ RX 9070 XT Prime OC, 2TB M.2 NVMe™ PCIe® 4 SSD, 32GB DDR5 RAM, Windows 11 Home, GM700TZ-MS777

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#4 Pick

ROG NUC 16 AI Gaming Mini PC with Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Mobile GPU, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD, Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 4, Triple-Fan Cooling, 3-Year Warranty

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Official PC System Requirements

The specifications below are approximate, based on the publisher’s store page on Steam. Behaviour Interactive lists relatively modest requirements because the game targets 60 FPS gameplay with scalable visuals rather than cutting-edge fidelity.

Note on the recommended GPU: The official store pages still list older cards like the GTX 760 as the recommended baseline. That listing is outdated relative to modern equivalents. For a smooth 1080p 60 FPS experience on current patches, treat the practical recommended target as a GTX 1060, GTX 1650 Super, RX 580, or any newer entry-level discrete GPU, which are all significantly faster than the officially listed minimum.

How Demanding Is Dead by Daylight in Practice?

Dead by Daylight is primarily limited by single-thread CPU performance in trial and by GPU load from post-processing, not by raw photorealism. Maps are relatively small, enclosed arenas with pre-baked lighting and limited draw distances, so there is no open-world streaming or heavy simulation overhead. As a 4v1 asymmetrical horror game, stable framerate matters more than maximum visual fidelity, especially for Survivors checking for the Killer and for Killers tracking fast movement.

Most performance reports from public outlets’ testing, including TechPowerUp and Tom’s Hardware, show that even budget GPUs from the last several generations can exceed 60 FPS at 1080p with medium to high settings. CPU requirements are similarly forgiving – any modern 4-core / 8-thread processor or better is more than enough, and 8GB of RAM meets the official spec, though 16GB is now the practical standard for multitasking while gaming.

GPU Choices by Resolution: What to Expect

Expectations below are approximate ranges based on public outlets’ testing at high/ultra presets without upscaling, on a balanced modern system. Actual FPS depends on map, Killer power effects, and number of particle effects on screen.

1080p (Full HD) – The Sweet Spot

This is where Dead by Daylight is optimized to run. It is easy to achieve 60 FPS and even 120+ FPS for high refresh monitors.

• Entry-Level (GTX 1650, RX 6500 XT, Arc A380, GTX 1060 6GB): Expect roughly 60-90 FPS on High settings. These cards are more than enough for 60 FPS and remain the most cost-effective way to play. You can push to Ultra with some settings lowered and still stay above 60 FPS.
• Mainstream (RTX 3050 6GB/8GB, RTX 4060, RX 6600 / RX 7600, Arc A580): Expect roughly 100-165+ FPS on Ultra at 1080p. Ideal if you have a 120Hz or 144Hz monitor and want consistently high framerates in chase.
• Overkill for 1080p (RTX 4060 Ti, RX 7700 XT and above): Will easily exceed 144 FPS on Ultra. Only needed for 240Hz competitive play.

1440p (QHD)

1440p increases GPU load by about 40-50% over 1080p but is still very manageable.

• Mainstream (RTX 4060, RX 7600, Arc A750): Expect roughly 70-100 FPS on High/Ultra. A good balance for 1440p 60Hz or 75Hz displays.
• Mid-Range (RTX 4070, RX 7700 XT / RX 7800 XT, Arc A770): Expect roughly 110-144+ FPS on Ultra. This class comfortably locks 60 FPS and gives headroom for high refresh rate.

4K (UHD)

4K is playable but not necessary for this art style, and it scales poorly in terms of visual benefit vs. performance cost.

• High-End (RTX 4070 Super / RTX 4070 Ti, RX 7900 XT): Expect roughly 60-80 FPS on High settings at 4K, based on Hardware Unboxed and TechSpot testing ranges for similar UE4 titles.
• Enthusiast (RTX 4080 / 4080 Super, RTX 4090, RX 7900 XTX): Expect roughly 90-120+ FPS on Ultra at 4K. Only relevant if you play on a 4K TV or monitor and want to max everything out.

Dead by Daylight does not have native support for demanding ray tracing features that would significantly raise 4K requirements, so performance scales predictably with raw rasterization power.

CPU, RAM and Storage Notes for Dead by Daylight

CPU

Dead by Daylight is moderately CPU-bound during trials, particularly when multiple Survivors, the Killer, and generators are active with status effects and perks triggering. However, it does not require many cores. Strong single-thread performance is more important than core count. Any modern CPU such as an Intel Core i3-12100 / i5-12400 / i5-13400 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600 / Ryzen 5 7600 will handle the game without bottlenecking a mid-range GPU. Older FX-series CPUs listed in the minimum specs will run the game but will show stutters and lower 1% lows compared to modern architectures.

You do not need a high-end 8+ core CPU for this game alone. Upgrading from an older quad-core to a current-gen 6-core CPU mainly improves framerate stability and load times rather than peak FPS.

RAM

8GB is the official minimum and still launches the game, but 16GB is the realistic recommendation in 2026 for any gaming PC. Dead by Daylight itself typically uses 4-6GB while in a match, but with Windows, Discord, a browser, and the game client running, 8GB systems can hit capacity and cause stuttering. 16GB in dual-channel (2x8GB) DDR4 or DDR5 is ideal. There is no benefit to 32GB for this title alone.

Storage

The game requires about 50GB of space, with patches and cosmetics adding more over time. An SSD is strongly recommended. While the game will install and run on an HDD, an SSD significantly reduces loading times between the menu, lobby, and trials, and prevents hitching when the game loads assets at the start of a match. Any SATA SSD is sufficient; an NVMe SSD offers slightly faster loads but no framerate advantage. There is no DirectStorage requirement.

Example Builds for Dead by Daylight in 2026

Prices are general ranges for new parts in 2026 and vary by region and retailer. These are not store links or exact quotes.

Build 1 – Budget 1080p 60+ FPS (General range: $500 – $700 for tower without peripherals)

• CPU: Intel Core i3-12100F / i5-12400F or AMD Ryzen 5 5500 / 5600
• GPU: Radeon RX 6600 / RX 7600 or GeForce RTX 3050 6GB / RTX 4060
• RAM: 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3200MHz
• Storage: 512GB – 1TB NVMe SSD
• What to expect: 80-120+ FPS at 1080p Ultra, easily capped to 60 FPS for stable gameplay. This is the best value for Dead by Daylight alone.

Build 2 – Mid-Range 1440p High Refresh (General range: $900 – $1200 for tower without peripherals)

• CPU: Intel Core i5-14400F / i5-13400F or AMD Ryzen 5 7600 / Ryzen 7 5700X3D
• GPU: GeForce RTX 4070 / 4070 Super or Radeon RX 7800 XT
• RAM: 16GB – 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4/DDR5
• Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
• What to expect: 120-165+ FPS at 1080p Ultra, 90-144 FPS at 1440p Ultra. Headroom for streaming, content creation, and more demanding games alongside Dead by Daylight.

For Dead by Daylight specifically, spending beyond these builds gives diminishing returns. A budget build already achieves the 60 FPS target that the game is balanced around.

Laptop and Handheld Suitability

Gaming Laptops

Dead by Daylight runs very well on gaming laptops. Any laptop with a GTX 1650, RTX 2050, RTX 3050 Laptop, or Radeon 6600M class GPU will manage 60 FPS at 1080p High. Laptops with RTX 4050 / 4060 Laptop GPUs can push beyond 100 FPS at 1080p Ultra and handle 1440p displays well. Since the game is not thermally demanding, it does not throttle as aggressively as AAA open-world titles. 16GB RAM and an SSD are recommended for laptops as well to avoid stutter while multitasking.

Steam Deck, ROG Ally and Other Handhelds

Dead by Daylight is well suited to handhelds and is rated as Verified on Steam Deck. On Steam Deck (LCD/OLED), expect roughly 45-60 FPS at 800p with medium to high settings and the 60Hz cap enabled, with some dips on more effects-heavy maps like Eyrie of Crows. Lowering shadows and post-processing stabilizes the framerate and improves battery life. The ROG Ally and similar handhelds with Ryzen Z1 Extreme / 7840U class APUs perform similarly or slightly better, typically holding 60 FPS at 1080p Low-Medium or 720p High with FSR if needed. For competitive play, a keyboard and mouse or a stable 60 FPS cap is preferable to maximum visuals on handhelds.

Settings That Raise FPS the Most

If you need more FPS, these settings give the biggest gains with the smallest visual cost in Dead by Daylight:

• Shadow Quality: The single biggest FPS lever. High and Ultra shadows are soft and expensive; dropping from Ultra to Medium or Low can improve framerate by 10-20% with minimal impact on gameplay visibility. In fact, lower shadows can make Survivors/Killers easier to spot in dark areas.
• Post-Processing: Controls bloom, vignette, and other screen effects. Lowering this from Ultra to Low gives a noticeable FPS boost and also reduces visual clutter during chases, which many competitive players prefer. Visual difference is mainly in atmospheric haze.
• Anti-Aliasing / Resolution Scale: Keep resolution scale at 100% for native sharpness, but if you need FPS, dropping to 90% or using FXAA instead of TAA provides a large gain. TAA is smoother but slightly blurrier and heavier.
• Texture Quality: Has almost no FPS cost if you have 4GB+ VRAM. Keep this on High or Ultra. Only lower it if you have a 2GB card that is running out of VRAM. Lowering textures makes the world look muddy without helping performance significantly on modern GPUs.
• Foliage / Shrub Quality: Moderate impact on maps with dense grass (like Coldwind Farm). Lowering one step helps on lower-end GPUs without making the maps look empty.

For the most competitive setup, many players use Low post-processing, Medium shadows, High textures, and disable Motion Blur and V-Sync. Cap your framerate to your monitor’s refresh rate or set an FPS limit in the config to reduce tearing without adding input lag.

FAQ

Do I need a powerful PC for Dead by Daylight?

No. Dead by Daylight is one of the more accessible multiplayer games in 2026. A budget gaming PC with a modern quad-core CPU and an entry-level discrete GPU easily exceeds 60 FPS at 1080p. Even older systems that meet the minimum GTX 1050 Ti / RX 560 requirement can still play at lower settings.

Is 8GB RAM enough?

It meets the official requirement and will run the game, but 16GB is strongly recommended in 2026. With 8GB, background apps can cause stuttering. 16GB ensures smooth performance while running Discord and a browser alongside the game.

Does Dead by Daylight need an SSD?

Not strictly, but it is highly recommended. The game runs on an HDD, but an SSD cuts lobby and map loading times dramatically and prevents initial hitching when a trial starts. A basic SATA SSD is enough.

Can I run Dead by Daylight without a graphics card?

On a modern processor with integrated graphics such as an AMD Ryzen 5 5600G / 8600G or Intel Core i5-12400 / Core Ultra 5 with Iris Xe / Arc Graphics, you can run the game at 720p-1080p Low settings and expect roughly 30-60 FPS. For a stable 60 FPS, a discrete entry-level GPU is still recommended.

What refresh rate is best for Dead by Daylight?

The game is locked by default to 60 FPS in some menus but supports higher framerates in trial with the right settings. A 60Hz monitor is perfectly fine, but a 120Hz or 144Hz display with a system that can push 100+ FPS provides smoother camera movement during chase, which many players find advantageous.