Thinking about playing Path of Exile 2 on PC and wondering what hardware you actually need? Path of Exile 2 is an isometric action RPG that arrived in early access on December 6, 2024, and it keeps the original’s love of dense, effect-heavy combat, deep character building and online play. It is not a punishing game to run: the official minimum asks for an older 3 GB graphics card such as a GeForce GTX 960, and the recommended tier tops out at a GeForce RTX 2060 or Radeon RX 5600 XT. Getting the right graphics card, CPU and memory still makes the difference between a smooth run through the campaign and stutter when the screen fills with effects, so this guide breaks down the official requirements, the best GPU for each resolution, and complete build recommendations.
- How Demanding Is Path of Exile 2?
- Path of Exile 2 Official PC System Requirements
- Best GPU for Path of Exile 2 by Resolution
- CPU, RAM and Storage for Path of Exile 2
- Recommended PC Builds for Path of Exile 2
- Is It Worth Upgrading Your PC for Path of Exile 2?
- Can You Play Path of Exile 2 on a Laptop or Handheld?
- How to Boost FPS in Path of Exile 2
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Demanding Is Path of Exile 2?
Path of Exile 2 is moderate on PC hardware, and it is friendlier than its reputation suggests. The published minimum — a GeForce GTX 960 with 3 GB of VRAM, a Radeon RX 470 or an Intel Arc A380, plus a Core i7-7700 or Ryzen 5 2500X and 8 GB of RAM — is a genuinely older spec, so plenty of five- to eight-year-old gaming PCs can still run it at 1080p with settings dialled back. The recommended tier is only a modest step up: a GeForce RTX 2060, Radeon RX 5600 XT or Arc A770, a Core i5-10500 or Ryzen 5 3700X, and 16 GB of RAM.
What makes the game heavier than those numbers imply is the density of what happens on screen. As an online action RPG with large packs of monsters, particle-heavy skills and endgame boss encounters, performance can dip in busy moments even on hardware comfortably above the recommended line, and those dips are usually about how quickly your CPU and memory feed the GPU rather than raw graphics horsepower. That said, this is not a title that needs a flagship processor — the recommended chip is a mainstream part from a few generations back. Higher resolutions are a bigger ask, but 1440p is well within reach of current mid-range cards, and 4K is manageable with upscaling.
Path of Exile 2 Official PC System Requirements
| Component | Minimum (official) | Recommended (official) |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel® Core™ i7-7700 or AMD™ Ryzen 5 2500x | Intel® Core™ i5-10500 or AMD™ Ryzen 5 3700X |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 960 (3GB), Intel® Arc™ A380, or ATI Radeon™ RX 470 | NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2060, Intel® Arc™ A770, or ATI Radeon™ RX 5600XT |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 100 GB available space | 100 GB available space |
Source: the official Path of Exile 2 Steam store listing (app 2694490), checked October 2026. Publishers can update these specs after patches.
Both tiers list Windows 10, DirectX 12, a broadband internet connection and 100 GB of storage. The minimum specification also notes that a GPU with at least 3 GB of VRAM is required, while solid-state storage is called out as recommended — worth taking seriously, since 100 GB is a lot to stream from a mechanical drive.
Best GPU for Path of Exile 2 by Resolution
1080p
The official minimum (GeForce GTX 960 3 GB, Radeon RX 470 or Arc A380) will get you into the game at 1080p with reduced settings, and anything from an RTX 2060 or RX 5600 XT upward clears the recommended bar. For a smooth 1080p experience at high settings, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 (or a comparable card such as an RTX 5060 or RX 9060 XT if you are buying current-generation) is the sweet spot.
1440p
Step up to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER for high-refresh 1440p at high settings; a current-generation RTX 5070 or RX 9070 sits in the same bracket. This is the resolution most PC gamers target, and this class of card gives Path of Exile 2 plenty of headroom. You do not need this much GPU to play at 1440p — the official recommendation is only an RTX 2060-class card — but the extra margin keeps crowded endgame fights consistent.
4K
For 4K, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER is a realistic entry point, ideally paired with upscaling; an RTX 5070 Ti or RX 9070 XT gives you more room again. 4K is the one resolution where Path of Exile 2 asks for a genuinely fast GPU, because the effect density that makes the game look good is also what costs frames, so a strong card plus DLSS or FSR makes the biggest difference.
CPU, RAM and Storage for Path of Exile 2
Pair your GPU with a capable processor. The official recommendation is only a Core i5-10500 or Ryzen 5 3700X, so you do not need a flagship chip, but an online action RPG with many monsters and calculations on screen does respond to CPU and memory speed. The AMD Ryzen 5 7600 is excellent value for gaming, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is one of the fastest mainstream gaming CPUs and helps most in busy late-game fights. Intel fans can opt for the Intel Core i5-14600K. For memory, 16 GB matches the official recommendation and is the sensible target; 32 GB of DDR5 such as the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 32GB is a comfortable upgrade if you keep a browser and other apps open alongside the game. Install the game on a fast NVMe SSD like the Samsung 990 Pro 2TB NVMe SSD — with a 100 GB install and frequent zone loads, storage speed matters more here than in most games.
Recommended PC Builds for Path of Exile 2
1080p budget build: AMD Radeon RX 7600 + AMD Ryzen 5 7600 + 16 GB DDR5 — comfortably above the official recommended spec, great for high-settings 1080p.
1440p sweet-spot build: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER + AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D + 32 GB DDR5 + 2TB NVMe SSD — the setup most players should aim for.
4K high-end build: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER + AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D + 32 GB DDR5 + fast NVMe SSD — for 4K with upscaling.
Is It Worth Upgrading Your PC for Path of Exile 2?
Because the official minimum is an older spec, plenty of existing PCs already clear it, so Path of Exile 2 is not on its own a reason to rebuild. If your hardware falls below that line — integrated graphics, a card with less than 3 GB of VRAM, or a machine already struggling on 8 GB of memory — the graphics card usually delivers the biggest jump and is the place to start. This is an online action RPG, so an ageing processor can also hold back frame rates in crowded fights, and a CPU or platform upgrade may be worthwhile if you are on a much older chip. Moving the game to an SSD and making sure you have 16 GB of RAM are inexpensive upgrades that noticeably smooth out loading and busy scenes. Rather than replacing everything at once, target the weakest link in your build for the best value.
Can You Play Path of Exile 2 on a Laptop or Handheld?
Gaming laptops with a dedicated mobile GPU in the RTX 3050 class or above can run Path of Exile 2 well at 1080p, since the official recommended desktop cards are themselves modest mid-range parts; expect shorter battery life and more heat than a desktop, though. On handheld PCs such as the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, the game will run with reduced settings and resolution rather than at full quality. If portability matters, prioritise a device with a capable GPU and fast storage — a 100 GB install means you will want a generous SSD rather than a small memory card.
How to Boost FPS in Path of Exile 2
If frame rates are low, enable upscaling where your GPU supports it (DLSS on NVIDIA, FSR on AMD, or XeSS on Intel), which offers the single biggest performance gain, and turn on frame generation if your GPU supports it. Drop the most expensive settings first — shadows, effects and post-processing — before lowering overall resolution. Keep your GPU drivers up to date, close background apps, and make sure the game is installed on an SSD; running a 100 GB game from a mechanical drive hurts loading and asset streaming. Lowering settings to hit a stable frame rate almost always feels better than chasing maxed-out visuals with stutter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my PC run Path of Exile 2?
If your PC meets the official minimum — a GeForce GTX 960 with 3 GB of VRAM, a Radeon RX 470 or Arc A380, a Core i7-7700 or Ryzen 5 2500X, and 8 GB of RAM — it can run Path of Exile 2 at 1080p with adjusted settings. For a smooth high-settings experience, aim for the recommended tier: an RTX 2060, RX 5600 XT or Arc A770, a Core i5-10500 or Ryzen 5 3700X, and 16 GB of RAM.
Is Path of Exile 2 demanding on PC?
No, not especially. Its official minimum is an older 3 GB card with 8 GB of RAM, and the recommended tier is a mainstream mid-range spec, so most gaming PCs from the last several years can handle it at 1080p. Busy endgame fights and 4K are where hardware starts to matter.
What GPU do I need for Path of Exile 2 at 1440p 60fps?
Less than you might expect: the official recommended tier (RTX 2060, RX 5600 XT or Arc A770) is already aimed at smooth 1440p play. A NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER-class graphics card gives you comfortable headroom for high settings at that resolution, especially with upscaling enabled, and enough margin for future titles too.
How much RAM does Path of Exile 2 need?
8 GB is the official minimum and 16 GB is the recommended figure for Path of Exile 2. For a modern gaming PC, 16 GB is the practical target — 8 GB will get you running but leaves little room for a browser or other background apps, which matters in a game that can be busy on screen. Faster memory also helps in CPU-limited scenes.
Do I need an SSD for Path of Exile 2?
It is not strictly required, but the official requirements call out solid-state storage as recommended, and with a 100 GB install it is the sensible choice for load times. An NVMe drive like the Samsung 990 Pro is ideal for modern games.
