ARK 2 System Requirements
Last updated: May 2026 · 6 min read
Official PC System Requirements
ARK 2 is built on Unreal Engine 5 with Nanite, Lumen, and World Partition. These requirements are estimated based on UE5 benchmarks and ARK: Survival Ascended performance data. Official specs will be confirmed by Studio Wildcard closer to launch.
Minimum (1080p / 30 FPS / Low Settings)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit (version 22H2 or newer) |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-10600K / AMD Ryzen 5 5600X |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (12 GB) / AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT (12 GB) |
| DirectX | Version 12 |
| Storage | 150 GB SSD (NVMe required) |
Recommended (1440p / 60 FPS / High Settings)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|
| OS | Windows 11 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-13700K / AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D |
| RAM | 32 GB |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti (12 GB) / AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT (20 GB) |
| DirectX | Version 12 Ultimate |
| Storage | 150 GB NVMe SSD (PCIe 4.0+) |
Ultra (4K / 60 FPS / Epic Settings)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|
| OS | Windows 11 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel Core i9-14900K / AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D |
| RAM | 64 GB |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 (32 GB) / AMD Radeon RX 9090 XT (32 GB) |
| DirectX | Version 12 Ultimate |
| Storage | 200+ GB NVMe SSD (PCIe 5.0+) |
Xbox Performance Targets
| Platform | Resolution | Target FPS | Features |
|---|
| Xbox Series X (Performance) | Dynamic 1440p | 60 FPS | VRR support, reduced Lumen |
| Xbox Series X (Quality) | Dynamic 4K | 30 FPS | Full Lumen GI, Nanite on |
| Xbox Series S | Dynamic 1080p | 30 FPS | Reduced draw distance, no Lumen |
Why ARK 2 Is So Demanding
ARK 2 uses five demanding UE5 features simultaneously: Nanite virtualized geometry for high-detail creatures, Lumen dynamic global illumination (real-time lighting in dense forests and caves), World Partition for seamless open-world streaming, Chaos physics for destruction, and MetaHuman-quality character models. The combination of massive creature counts (100+ wild dinos visible at once), fully dynamic lighting across day-night cycles, and persistent world simulation (creatures continue to exist and behave even when you're far away) makes ARK 2 one of the most demanding games announced.
Storage Tips
- 150 GB base: Expect the base install to be 120-150 GB. With DLC maps and mods, 300+ GB is realistic within the first year — ARK 1 with all DLCs exceeded 400 GB.
- NVMe mandatory: Unlike ARK 1, an NVMe SSD is required. UE5's World Partition streams data constantly, and HDD stutter would make the game unplayable.
- Mod storage: ARK mods are notoriously large (some maps exceed 50 GB). Reserve an additional 100-200 GB if you plan to use mods heavily.
- Server hosting: Running a dedicated server requires similar specs to the client, plus an additional 20-50 GB for world saves and player data.