The Witcher 3 PC system requirements (The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt system requirements) went up after the next-gen update from 2022. Below are the official tables and an FPS calculator for your graphics card. This article is only about PC.
If you play next-gen in DX12 today, the High spec from CD Projekt is enough. If you are heading for the Songs of the Past expansion in 2027, look at what changes before the DLC. Windows 11 and a stronger card will be required there.
PC system requirements (Steam, 2026)
The Steam store listing is still old: minimum GTX 660 / HD 7870, recommended GTX 1070 / RX 480. That fits the original DX11 build better. For today’s next-gen game on High (DX12, 1080p, no ray tracing) CD Projekt treats GTX 970 / RX 480, 8 GB RAM, and an SSD as the floor. At Full HD on a medium to high preset the game will run, and in heavier scenes FPS can drop. For a smoother higher preset take the recommended rig below: RTX 2070 SUPER or RX 5700 XT and 16 GB RAM.
The High numbers come from official CDPR support. Check the store listing on the Steam store (as of August 2026).
Minimum requirements (next-gen High, CDPR)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-6600 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 / AMD Radeon RX 480 |
| VRAM | 3 GB (GTX 970) |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 50 GB on SSD |
| DirectX | 12 |
Recommended requirements (smooth higher preset)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-8700 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER / AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Storage | 50 GB on SSD |
| DirectX | 12 |
For 1440p or 4K without compromises you will want a newer GPU. Check it in the FPS calculator.
Requirements by graphics preset (CD Projekt RED)
Besides High, CD Projekt also lists Ultra and RT Ultra for the next-gen version, according to which preset you turn on in the game. Source: official CDPR support.
| Preset | Resolution | GPU (roughly) | RAM | Ray tracing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 1080p | GTX 970 / RX 480 | 8 GB | off |
| Ultra | 1440p (DLSS / FSR) | RTX 3070 / RX 6700 XT | 16 GB | RTAO / RTGI |
| RT Ultra | 4K (DLSS / FSR) | RTX 3080 / RX 6800 XT | 16 GB | all on |
FPS
You will see specific FPS for your graphics card in the calculator below. Pick GPU, resolution, and graphics preset. The numbers come from the FPSHQ database, from measurements or their prediction model, not from a test on your own PC.
On a laptop built-in panel with an RTX 4070 it runs around 144 FPS, on ultrawide 5120×1440 more like 50 FPS on a high preset.
FPSHQ often has no data for older or mobile GPUs. The calculator will show a message and recommend another card from the list.
Real performance always differs. It depends on the detail level and graphics preset in the game, on CPU and RAM load, on driver version, on DLSS or FSR being on, on ray tracing, and on what you are doing in the world right then, whether you are in a city, in a forest, or in a fight. Treat it as a fairly accurate estimate, not as exact FPS measured on your PC.
Ray tracing and upscaling
Ray tracing stays optional in the settings. RT Ultra wants an RTX 3080 or RX 6800 XT and 16 GB RAM. In Novigrad with RT on I dropped under 30 FPS even on a stronger card, and I have played without ray tracing since then. Without DLSS or FSR, RT on a typical rig is more of a showcase than something for long sessions.
Practical order for a weaker PC:
-
Turn ray tracing off, that is the biggest FPS gain.
-
Turn on DLSS or FSR if your card supports it.
-
Lower shadows and grass density, the picture suffers less than if you drop the resolution.
-
Leave HairWorks off, on older cards it can chew through performance.
What changes before Songs of the Past (2027)
The current next-gen game still keeps the High preset around a GTX 970 / RX 480. From the big update before the Songs of the Past expansion (release 2027) CD Projekt RED raises the minimum to Windows 11, GTX 1660 or RX 5500 XT, 12 GB RAM, and 70 GB SSD.
| Now (next-gen High) | After the update (announced 2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 11 64-bit |
| CPU | i5-6600 / R5 1600 | i5-8400 / R5 2600 |
| GPU | GTX 970 / RX 480 | GTX 1660 / RX 5500 XT 8 GB |
| VRAM | 3 GB+ | 6 GB |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage | 50 GB SSD | 70 GB SSD |
| DirectX | 12 | 12 (exclusive) |
If you do not meet the new requirements, you can stay on an older version of the game, but new content and full support will only go to the current build. HDD support ends, and only CPUs and GPUs with active Windows 11 drivers remain.
Sources: Songs of the Past press release (27 May 2026) and the new minimum requirements (CD Projekt RED Support). Follow further news about the game on the Witcher 3 hub.
Summary
The High tables above apply to today’s next-gen. The Steam store listing (GTX 660) is older. FPS by card is in the calculator. If you want to play after the 2027 update as well, count on Windows 11, an SSD, and the newer minimum from CD Projekt.
More about the game overall: The Witcher 3 review and the game hub with guides and tips.
Časté dotazy
Will my PC run The Witcher 3?
For the next-gen version on DX12 High you need around a GTX 970 / RX 480, 8 GB RAM, Windows 10, and an SSD. The Steam store listing is still the older one (minimum GTX 660). Check FPS for your card in the FPS calculator in this article. After the Songs of the Past update (2027) the minimum goes up to a GTX 1660 tier and Windows 11.
Can a GTX 1060 run The Witcher 3?
On next-gen High the official floor is GTX 970 / RX 480, so a GTX 1060 sits above that. At Full HD on a medium to high preset expect playable FPS. Ray tracing and ultra details without upscaling are out of reach. You will find a closer estimate for your card in the FPS calculator in this article.
Do I need Windows 11 for The Witcher 3?
For the current game on Steam, Windows 10 64-bit is enough. CD Projekt RED has announced that with the next big update and the Songs of the Past DLC (2027) the minimum will be Windows 11, an SSD, and a newer CPU and GPU. You can keep the older game build, but you will miss the new content.
Is an HDD enough for The Witcher 3, or do I need an SSD?
Today the game on Steam officially wants 50 GB on an SSD. In practice it still boots from an HDD, but loading and opening the map are much slower. After the planned update an SSD will no longer be a recommendation, it will be in the minimum requirements.
What are the ray tracing requirements in The Witcher 3?
Ray tracing is not in the official minimums. CD Projekt lists a separate rig for RT Ultra, for example RTX 3080 / RX 6800 XT, 16 GB RAM, and Windows 10/11. Without upscaling (DLSS / FSR) expect a large FPS drop versus a high preset with no RT.