Written by Chen Xi, PC & Console Requirements Specialist at Game Launch Hub
Subnautica 2 System Requirements: PC Specs, Xbox Series X|S & Steam Deck Early Access Performance Guide
Subnautica 2 entered Early Access on 14 May 2026 for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, as well as Xbox Series X|S through the Xbox Game Preview program, with day-one availability on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Performance-wise, this is a genuinely demanding Unreal Engine 5 title: the official minimum asks for a GTX 1660 and 12 GB of RAM, while the Ultra++ tier for 4K 60 fps requires an RTX 5070 Ti and 32 GB of RAM. The game carries a Steam Deck Verified badge, and the Xbox Series X version has been praised for its stable 60 fps performance.
System Requirements
Minimum (Windows, 1080p at 30 FPS, Low Preset)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 |
| Memory (RAM) | 12 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 (6 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT (6 GB) |
| VRAM | 6 GB |
| DirectX | Version 12 |
| Storage | 50 GB available space on SSD (developer recommends SSD) |
| Network | Broadband internet connection required for online co-op |
| Additional Notes | Targets 1080p at 30 FPS on Low preset. Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system. Steam Deck Verified. Online co-op for up to 4 players supported. |
Source: Game8’s system requirements breakdown, IXBT Games, Gfinity Esports, and Unknown Worlds’ official support page. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The minimum tier targets 1080p at 30 fps on Low settings, and the GTX 1660 is a 2019 mid-range card. The 6 GB VRAM floor is the detail that matters most: a 4 GB card will not meet this specification. The 12 GB system RAM requirement is unusually high for a survival game, and it reflects the game’s Unreal Engine 5 rendering pipeline with Nanite virtualized geometry and Lumen global illumination, which are memory-hungry by design. The 50 GB SSD requirement has no HDD fallback listed. If you have a gaming PC from the last five to six years with a 6 GB GPU and 12 GB of RAM, you will clear this bar, but you are at the bottom of the visual ladder.
Recommended (Windows, 1440p at 60 FPS, Medium Preset)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-13700 or AMD Ryzen 7 7700X |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (8 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT (8 GB) |
| VRAM | 8 GB |
| DirectX | Version 12 |
| Storage | 50 GB available space on SSD |
| Network | Broadband internet connection required for online co-op |
| Additional Notes | Targets 1440p at 60 FPS on Medium preset. |
Source: Game8’s system requirements breakdown, Gfinity Esports, and IXBT Games. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The recommended tier targets 1440p at 60 fps on Medium settings, and the RTX 3070 is a 2020 upper-mid-range card. The jump from 12 GB to 16 GB of RAM is the most meaningful change between tiers, and the 8 GB VRAM on both recommended GPUs is the practical target for 1440p rendering. If you have a gaming PC from the last four to five years with an RTX 3070 or better and 16 GB of RAM, you will meet this tier comfortably. Note that even the recommended tier does not include ray tracing, and the higher Ultra and Ultra++ tiers are where Lumen hardware ray tracing features become the target.
Ultra (Windows, 1440p at 60 FPS, High Preset)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-13700 or AMD Ryzen 7 7700X |
| Memory (RAM) | 32 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (12 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT (16 GB) |
| VRAM | 12 GB |
| DirectX | Version 12 |
| Storage | 50 GB available space on SSD |
| Additional Notes | Targets 1440p at 60 FPS on High preset. |
Source: Game8’s system requirements breakdown and Gfinity Esports. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The Ultra tier targets 1440p at 60 fps on High settings, and the jump from 16 GB to 32 GB of RAM is a significant increase. The 12 GB VRAM on the RTX 4070 is the practical target for 1440p High with Lumen lighting active. This tier is the first to benefit from the game’s full visual feature set, including more aggressive Lumen global illumination and higher-quality Nanite geometry.
Ultra++ (Windows, 4K at 60 FPS, High Preset)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel Core i9-14900K or AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D |
| Memory (RAM) | 32 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti (16 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX (24 GB) |
| VRAM | 16 GB |
| DirectX | Version 12 |
| Storage | 50 GB available space on SSD |
| Additional Notes | Targets 4K at 60 FPS on High preset. |
Source: Game8’s system requirements breakdown and Gfinity Esports. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The Ultra++ tier targets 4K at 60 fps on High settings, and the RTX 5070 Ti is a 2025 flagship-tier card. The 16 GB VRAM requirement is the highest of any tier, reflecting the memory demands of 4K rendering with full Lumen global illumination and Nanite geometry streaming. If you own a high-end gaming PC from the last two years with an RTX 5070 Ti or better and 32 GB of RAM, you will meet this tier.
A Note on VRAM and System RAM
The 6 GB VRAM minimum and 32 GB system RAM recommendation tell a consistent story: this is an Unreal Engine 5 game that is genuinely resource-hungry. GameGPU’s benchmarking found that even an RTX 5090 averages only 40 fps at native 1080p without DLSS, and that the RTX 5080 and RX 9070 XT deliver 66 fps and 63 fps respectively at 1080p maximum settings without upscaling. This means that the official minimum specification of a GTX 1660 for 1080p 30 fps on Low is extremely conservative, and that upscaling technologies like DLSS, FSR, and XeSS are effectively mandatory for higher frame rates on most hardware. The 32 GB RAM requirement at the Ultra and Ultra++ tiers reflects the game’s memory footprint holding the planet’s biomes, creature AI, base-building state, and multiplayer synchronization data simultaneously. Do not underestimate the RAM requirement: if you are running 16 GB, you meet the recommended tier, but the Ultra tiers demand 32 GB.
PC Performance Reality: Read Before Buying
The official specifications describe a four-tier system, but independent testing reveals that the game is extremely resource-hungry even on high-end hardware. GameGPU’s benchmarks found that the RTX 5090 averages only 40 fps at native 1080p, with a minimum of 36 fps, while the RTX 4090 barely maintains 30 fps average. The RX 9070 XT and RTX 5080 both hover around 63 to 66 fps at 1080p maximum settings without upscaling. These results demonstrate that upscaling is not optional for most players: without DLSS, FSR, or XeSS, even flagship GPUs struggle to maintain comfortable frame rates at standard resolutions. Destructoid’s testing found that on an RTX 3060 12 GB with a Ryzen 5600G and 16 GB of DDR5 RAM, the game “felt pretty smooth” after applying a 60 fps limit. The game was described by Notebookcheck as being in “unusually good shape for an Early Access launch,” with “hardly any major bugs or performance issues” according to GameStar, though “there still seems to be room for optimization.”
Xbox Series X|S
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Firmware | Latest Xbox system software |
| Storage | 14.3 GB (digital download) |
| Performance (Series X) | 60 fps stable with high graphical quality even in Performance mode, per IXBT Games. Fuzion Xbox Testing confirmed stable 60 fps. |
| Performance (Series S) | 30 to 40 fps, with room for optimisation as Early Access progresses |
| Additional Notes | Available via Xbox Game Preview. Day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Online co-op for up to 4 players. ROG Xbox Ally optimised. |
Source: IXBT Games, Game8’s file size data, and Xbox Wire. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The Xbox Series X version has been praised for its stable 60 fps performance and high graphical quality even in Performance mode, with journalists noting that they “expected serious image degradation and a significant resolution drop at 60 fps, but the result was completely different.” Subnautica 2 was described as “one of the most beautiful and stable Unreal Engine 5 games among console releases.” The Xbox Series S runs at 30 to 40 fps, which is a significant compromise, though the developers have stated that the game’s two-year Early Access period leaves room for further optimisation. The 14.3 GB download size is notably smaller than the PC version’s 50 GB requirement, reflecting more aggressive asset compression on console. The game is available day one on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, making the Xbox version a low-risk option for subscribers.
Steam Deck
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Verified (Valve’s highest rating). Confirmed by Unknown Worlds’ official support page and TechPowerUp. |
| Performance | Runs natively on SteamOS. The game has been optimised for handheld PC gaming devices including the ROG Ally. Actual gameplay experience and performance may vary depending on hardware specifications and system settings. |
| Additional Notes | The 50 GB install size will consume a significant portion of the Deck’s internal storage. Online co-op for up to 4 players supported. |
Source: Unknown Worlds’ official support page, TechPowerUp, and Vandal. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: Subnautica 2 carries a Steam Deck Verified badge, Valve’s highest compatibility rating, confirmed ahead of the Early Access launch. Unknown Worlds’ official support page states: “Subnautica 2 has obtained Steam Deck Verified status, and has been optimised for some handheld PC gaming devices, including the ROG Ally. However, actual gameplay experience and performance may vary depending on each device’s hardware specifications and system settings.” The game’s 50 GB install size will consume a significant portion of the Deck’s internal storage, so a microSD card may be necessary. If you own a Steam Deck and enjoy survival games, this is a functional portable experience, though the game’s Unreal Engine 5 foundation means performance will be more demanding than the original Subnautica.
macOS and Linux: Not Available
Subnautica 2 is a Windows-only release on PC. There is no macOS or native Linux version available. Steam Deck users play through SteamOS, and the Verified badge confirms that this compatibility layer works. Desktop Linux users can attempt to run the game through Proton, though this is not officially supported by Unknown Worlds Entertainment.
PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2: Not Available
Subnautica 2 has no PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch 2 version. The game launched on PC and Xbox Series X|S only, and Unknown Worlds Entertainment has not announced plans for any additional platforms. If you play primarily on PlayStation or Nintendo hardware, you cannot access Subnautica 2.
Price, Early Access, and Content
Subnautica 2 is priced at $29.99 on Steam, the Epic Games Store, and Xbox, with free access via Xbox Game Preview for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. The Early Access period is expected to last approximately two years, during which the developers will add new biomes, vehicles, creatures, and craftables. The Early Access version includes multiplayer support for up to four players, a new gene modification upgrade progression system, and a new planet with multiple biomes. A captivating story with an AI companion has been praised as one of the game’s strongest additions. The game takes roughly 30 to 40 hours to complete the current Early Access content, according to VGtimes’ preview.
Reception and Review Scores
Subnautica 2 has received strong early access impressions across outlets. ScreenRant called it “familiar and fantastic on day one,” noting that “the murky Early Access depths call out with the release of Subnautica 2, and it’s been hard to tear myself away from it.” Rock Paper Shotgun described it as “a familiar but engrossing meditation on ocean exploration, with a backstory that inclines towards the abyssal dread of SOMA.” TheGamer noted that “Subnautica 2 shows promise, but it will need to do more than build on Subnautica’s foundational elements to stand out on its own.” IGN’s video review stated that “Subnautica 2 is well on its way to being an awesome evolution of one of my favorite survival games.” Yahoo Tech praised the co-op multiplayer as a “game-changing addition” that “makes the depths a little less lonesome.” The most common criticism is that the Early Access version feels more like a refined remake of the original Subnautica than a fully distinct sequel, with room for more unique content as development continues.
Final Verdict: Can Your Setup Run Subnautica 2?
Subnautica 2 is a demanding Unreal Engine 5 title with a four-tier PC specification system. The minimum spec asks for a Core i5-8400, 12 GB of RAM, and a GTX 1660 with 6 GB of VRAM, which is hardware from 2017-2019. The 6 GB VRAM floor is the hard threshold: a 4 GB card will not meet the specification. The 50 GB SSD requirement has no HDD fallback. If you have a gaming PC from the last five to six years with a 6 GB GPU and 12 GB of RAM, you can run the game at 1080p and 30 fps on Low settings.
The recommended tier asks for an RTX 3070 and 16 GB of RAM for 1440p at 60 fps on Medium settings. The Ultra tier requires 32 GB of RAM and an RTX 4070, and the Ultra++ tier requires an RTX 5070 Ti and 32 GB of RAM for 4K at 60 fps. The jump from 16 GB to 32 GB of RAM between the recommended and Ultra tiers is significant, and it reflects the game’s memory footprint when Lumen global illumination and Nanite geometry are fully active.
The PC performance reality is more demanding than the spec sheet suggests. GameGPU’s benchmarks found that even an RTX 5090 averages only 40 fps at native 1080p without upscaling, and the RTX 4090 barely maintains 30 fps. This means that upscaling technologies like DLSS, FSR, and XeSS are effectively mandatory for most players to achieve comfortable frame rates, even on high-end hardware.
On console, the Xbox Series X runs at a stable 60 fps with high graphical quality, and has been praised as “one of the most beautiful and stable Unreal Engine 5 games among console releases.” The Xbox Series S runs at 30 to 40 fps, with room for optimisation as Early Access progresses. The game is available day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, making the Xbox version a low-risk option for subscribers. The 14.3 GB Xbox download size is notably smaller than the PC version’s 50 GB requirement. On Steam Deck, the game is Verified and has been optimised for handheld PC gaming devices including the ROG Ally. There is no macOS or Linux version, and no PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch 2 version.
Specs and performance may be revised by Unknown Worlds Entertainment throughout the two-year Early Access period, and the game received its first hotfix on 19 May 2026 addressing startup errors. This article reflects the official Unknown Worlds support page, Game8’s system requirements breakdown, IXBT Games, Gfinity Esports, GameGPU’s benchmark testing, Destructoid’s settings guide, TechPowerUp, Vandal, Xbox Wire, ScreenRant, Rock Paper Shotgun, TheGamer, IGN’s video review, Yahoo Tech, Notebookcheck, and verified outlet reports as of 28 September 2026. Chen Xi verifies all specifications by checking official store pages and dating each table; no numbers in this article are estimated or inferred.