The most common question from potential DragonSword: Awakening players is simple: "Can my PC run it?" The game runs on Unreal Engine 5, an engine known for pushing hardware to its limits, and the open-world structure with streaming assets adds another layer of demand. This guide helps you answer that question definitively by walking through each hardware component, comparing common PC configurations to the game's requirements, and providing specific upgrade recommendations if your system falls short.
For the detailed system requirements breakdown, see our system requirements guide. This guide focuses on practical hardware assessment and upgrade planning.
How to Check Your Current PC Specs
Before comparing your hardware to the requirements, you need to know what you have. Here are the quickest ways to check each component.
GPU (Graphics Card)
On Windows, right-click the desktop and select "Display Settings," then scroll down to "Advanced Display Settings" to see your GPU name. Alternatively, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), go to the "Performance" tab, and select "GPU" from the left sidebar. The GPU name and VRAM amount are displayed at the top.
For more detailed GPU information, download GPU-Z (free utility) which shows your GPU model, VRAM, driver version, and clock speeds. This is useful for comparing your GPU's specific variant (e.g., "RTX 3060 12GB" vs "RTX 3060 8GB") to the recommended specs.
CPU (Processor)
Open Task Manager > Performance tab > CPU. Your processor model name is displayed at the top. Alternatively, right-click the Start button, select "System," and your processor is listed under "Device specifications."
RAM (Memory)
Open Task Manager > Performance tab > Memory. The total RAM is displayed at the top (e.g., "16.0 GB"). Note that the "In use" value is not your total — look at the total capacity, which represents your installed RAM.
Storage
Open Task Manager > Performance tab > Disk. The disk type (SSD or HDD) and available space are shown. If you see "HDD" instead of "SSD," this is a critical issue for DragonSword: Awakening — see the Storage section below for details.
GPU Comparison: Where Your Graphics Card Stacks Up
The GPU is the most important component for DragonSword: Awakening performance. The following table compares common GPUs to the game's requirements and estimates expected performance.
| GPU | vs. Minimum (GTX 1660) | Expected Performance |
|---|---|---|
| GTX 1060 6GB | Below minimum | 15-25 FPS on low settings — not recommended |
| GTX 1650 | Well below minimum | Unplayable |
| GTX 1660 | Meets minimum | 25-35 FPS on low settings |
| GTX 1660 Super | Meets minimum | 30-40 FPS on low settings |
| RTX 2060 | Above minimum | 35-50 FPS on medium settings |
| RTX 3060 | Meets recommended | 50-60 FPS on high settings (with DLSS) |
| RTX 3060 Ti | Above recommended | 60-75 FPS on high settings |
| RTX 3070 | Above recommended | 70-90 FPS on high settings at 1080p |
| RTX 4060 | Above recommended | 65-80 FPS on high settings (with DLSS 3) |
| RTX 4070 | Optimal tier | 80-100+ FPS at 1440p |
| RX 5600 XT | Meets minimum | 25-35 FPS on low settings |
| RX 6600 XT | Meets recommended | 50-65 FPS on high settings (with FSR) |
| RX 6700 XT | Above recommended | 65-80 FPS on high settings |
| RX 7800 XT | Optimal tier | 80-100+ FPS at 1440p |
GPU Upgrade Recommendations
If your GPU is below the GTX 1660 minimum, you need an upgrade to play DragonSword: Awakening at all. The most cost-effective upgrade paths are:
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Budget upgrade ($200-250): RTX 3060 12GB — meets recommended specs and supports DLSS. The 12GB VRAM model is preferred over the 8GB model for UE5 games.
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Mid-range upgrade ($300-400): RTX 4060 or RX 7600 XT — exceeds recommended specs with modern architecture. The RTX 4060 supports DLSS 3 Frame Generation.
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High-end upgrade ($450-550): RTX 4070 or RX 7800 XT — optimal tier performance for 1440p gaming.
Avoid buying a new GPU below the RTX 3060 level — anything below recommended specs will struggle with UE5 open-world performance even at reduced settings.
CPU Comparison: Processor Performance for UE5
UE5 games are moderately CPU-intensive, particularly during open-world traversal with streaming assets. The CPU handles game logic, draw call submission, and asset loading management. A weak CPU can bottleneck even a powerful GPU.
| CPU | vs. Minimum (i5-8400) | Expected Performance |
|---|---|---|
| i5-7400 / Ryzen 5 1600 | Below minimum | CPU bottleneck likely — stuttering during area transitions |
| i5-8400 | Meets minimum | Adequate for 30 FPS, may stutter during streaming |
| i5-10400 / Ryzen 5 3600 | Above minimum | Good for 50-60 FPS with minimal stuttering |
| i7-10700 / Ryzen 5 5600X | Meets recommended | Smooth 60 FPS with proper GPU |
| i7-12700K / Ryzen 7 5800X | Above recommended | Excellent — no CPU bottleneck |
| i7-13700K / Ryzen 7 7800X3D | Optimal tier | Best CPU for UE5 gaming |
CPU Upgrade Recommendations
If your CPU is at or below the minimum i5-8400 level, consider upgrading if you also plan to play other modern UE5 games. The most cost-effective CPU upgrade is the Ryzen 5 5600, which provides excellent single-threaded performance for UE5 at approximately $130-150. If you are on the Intel platform, the i5-12400F is a comparable option at a similar price.
For a more substantial upgrade, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the best gaming CPU currently available. Its 3D V-Cache technology significantly improves UE5 performance and is particularly effective at eliminating open-world stuttering. This CPU requires an AM5 motherboard, which means a platform upgrade if you are currently on AM4 or an older Intel socket.
RAM Assessment: The 8 GB Problem
RAM is the most commonly underestimated requirement for UE5 games. DragonSword: Awakening specifies 8 GB minimum and 16 GB recommended, but the real-world gap between these amounts is enormous.
8 GB RAM: What to Expect
With 8 GB of RAM, DragonSword: Awakening will run but with frequent stuttering. The UE5 streaming system requires significant memory to buffer assets as you move through the open world. With only 8 GB, the operating system, background processes, and the game itself compete for limited memory, causing the system to page assets to storage. Even with an SSD, this paging causes visible micro-stuttering every few seconds during open-world traversal.
16 GB RAM: The Practical Minimum
16 GB provides enough headroom for the game, operating system, and basic background applications. Stuttering is largely eliminated, and loading times are reasonable. If you have 8 GB, upgrading to 16 GB is the single most cost-effective improvement you can make. A 16 GB DDR4 kit costs approximately $30-50 and takes 5 minutes to install.
32 GB RAM: The Comfortable Option
32 GB provides additional headroom for multitasking (streaming, browser tabs, Discord) while playing. It does not meaningfully improve DragonSword: Awakening performance over 16 GB if you close background applications, but it eliminates the need to manage memory during long gaming sessions.
Storage Assessment: SSD vs HDD
The storage type is critical for DragonSword: Awakening. UE5's streaming system loads assets continuously as you move through the open world, and the speed of your storage device determines how smooth this loading process feels.
HDD: Not Recommended
A traditional HDD provides approximately 100-200 MB/s read speed, which is insufficient for UE5 streaming. On an HDD, DragonSword: Awakening will have severe pop-in (textures and geometry appearing suddenly), extended loading screens (60+ seconds), and frequent stuttering during area transitions. The game may technically run on an HDD, but the experience is significantly compromised.
SATA SSD: Acceptable
A SATA SSD provides approximately 500-550 MB/s read speed, which is adequate for UE5 streaming. Pop-in is minimal, loading screens are 10-15 seconds, and stuttering is rare. Any SATA SSD from a reputable brand is sufficient. A 1 TB SATA SSD costs approximately $50-70.
NVMe SSD: Ideal
An NVMe SSD provides 3,500-7,000+ MB/s read speed, which exceeds UE5's streaming requirements. Loading is near-instant, and asset pop-in is invisible. NVMe SSDs have become affordable — a 1 TB NVMe drive costs approximately $60-90. If you are buying a new SSD for DragonSword: Awakening, choose NVMe over SATA.
Common PC Configurations: Verdict Table
The following table provides quick verdicts for common PC configurations.
| Configuration | Verdict | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|
| GTX 1060 + i5-8400 + 8GB + HDD | Cannot run well | GPU, RAM, SSD upgrade |
| GTX 1660 + i5-8400 + 8GB + SSD | Barely playable | RAM upgrade critical |
| RTX 2060 + i5-10400 + 16GB + SSD | Playable at medium | No upgrade needed |
| RTX 3060 + i7-10700 + 16GB + SSD | Meets recommended | No upgrade needed — enable DLSS |
| RTX 3060 + Ryzen 5 5600X + 16GB + NVMe | Exceeds recommended | Good experience at high settings |
| RTX 4070 + i7-13700K + 32GB + NVMe | Optimal | Maximum quality experience |
FAQ
Can I run DragonSword Awakening on integrated graphics?
No. DragonSword: Awakening requires a dedicated GPU to run. Integrated graphics solutions like Intel UHD 630 or AMD Vega 8 do not meet the minimum requirement of a GTX 1660. The game will not launch or will run at unplayable frame rates on integrated graphics. A dedicated GPU is mandatory.
How much VRAM do I need?
The minimum VRAM requirement is 6 GB (matching the GTX 1660). For comfortable gameplay at 1080p with high textures, 8 GB is recommended. At 1440p, 12 GB provides additional headroom. The RTX 3060 12GB model is preferred over the 8GB model for UE5 games because the additional VRAM prevents texture streaming stuttering. For more on performance optimization, see our PC performance guide.
Will more RAM fix stuttering if I have 8 GB?
Yes, upgrading from 8 GB to 16 GB dramatically reduces stuttering in DragonSword: Awakening. The improvement is immediate and noticeable — most players report that stuttering during open-world traversal is reduced by 80-90% after upgrading RAM. This is the most cost-effective upgrade for players experiencing stuttering. Combined with an SSD, 16 GB of RAM eliminates the majority of UE5 streaming issues.
Do I need Windows 11 to play DragonSword Awakening?
No, Windows 10 64-bit meets the minimum operating system requirement. However, Windows 11 provides slightly better performance for UE5 games due to improved scheduler optimizations for hybrid CPUs (Intel 12th+ gen) and better DirectStorage support. If you are on Windows 10 and everything works, there is no urgent need to upgrade, but Windows 11 is recommended for new installations.
Can I test my PC performance before buying the game?
DragonSword: Awakening had a demo available prior to launch, but the demo may no longer be available on the Steam store page. The demo was a good benchmark because it included an open-world area and a combat encounter representative of the full game. If the demo is unavailable, you can compare your hardware to the tables in this guide to estimate performance. Alternatively, check our DLSS/FSR guide for upscaling options that may bring borderline hardware up to playable frame rates.