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The requirements below reflect Ubisoft’s published Windows specifications as of August 18, 2026. Ubisoft’s targets use dynamic resolution and upscaling, so they should not be interpreted as guarantees of native-resolution performance.
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Assassin’s Creed Shadows minimum PC requirements
Ubisoft’s lowest official performance tier targets 1080p at 30fps on Low settings with selective ray tracing, dynamic resolution and upscaling enabled.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute| Component | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11 with DirectX 12 |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB, AMD Radeon RX 5700 8GB, or Intel Arc A580 8GB with Resizable BAR enabled |
| Memory | 16GB dual-channel RAM |
| Storage | 106GB SSD |
| Target | 1080p, 30fps, Low settings, selective ray tracing |
| Rendering conditions | Dynamic resolution and upscaling |
These are not native 1080p/30 specifications. The game may render internally below 1920×1080 and reconstruct the image to the display resolution. The minimum tier is therefore best understood as the hardware Ubisoft identifies for an entry-level 30fps experience under its specified settings.
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Ubisoft’s detailed specifications are available in its official PC requirements announcement and its official store listing.
Recommended PC requirements
Ubisoft’s regular recommended tier targets 1080p at 60fps on High settings with selective ray tracing, dynamic resolution and upscaling.
| Component | Recommended requirement |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5-11600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 8GB, AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT 12GB, or Intel Arc B580 12GB with Resizable BAR enabled |
| Memory | 16GB dual-channel RAM |
| Storage | 106GB SSD |
| Target | 1080p, 60fps, High settings, selective ray tracing |
| Rendering conditions | Dynamic resolution and upscaling |
“Recommended” does not mean Ultra settings, 1440p, 4K or extended ray tracing. Players with those goals should use Ubisoft’s separate enthusiast and ray-tracing tiers rather than the standard recommended row.
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Ubisoft separates its specifications into selective, standard and extended ray tracing. Each tier also specifies a resolution, frame rate and graphics preset.
Selective ray tracing
| Target | Settings | CPU | GPU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p/30 | Low | Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | GeForce GTX 1070 8GB, Radeon RX 5700 8GB, or Intel Arc A580 8GB with Resizable BAR |
| 1080p/60 | High | Intel Core i5-11600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 8GB, Radeon RX 6700 XT 12GB, or Intel Arc B580 12GB with Resizable BAR |
| 1440p/60 | High | Intel Core i5-11600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | GeForce RTX 2070 8GB, Radeon RX 6700 XT 12GB, or Intel Arc B580 12GB with Resizable BAR |
| 4K/60 | High | Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D | GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super 16GB or Radeon RX 7900 XT 20GB |
All of these scenarios use dynamic resolution and upscaling. The selective mode limits ray tracing to the Hideout rather than applying it throughout gameplay.
Standard ray tracing
| Target | Settings | CPU | GPU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p/30 | High | Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | GeForce RTX 2070 8GB or Intel Arc B580 12GB with Resizable BAR |
| 1440p/60 | High | Intel Core i5-11600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | GeForce RTX 4070 Super 12GB or Radeon RX 7800 XT 16GB |
Standard ray tracing uses hardware ray tracing for real-time global illumination. Its minimum GPU is therefore substantially more demanding than the general minimum, which supports Ubisoft’s selective, software-based approach on older graphics cards.
Extended ray tracing
| Target | Settings | CPU | GPU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1440p/60 | Ultra | Intel Core i7-13700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D | GeForce RTX 4080 16GB |
| 4K/60 | Ultra | Intel Core i7-13700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D | GeForce RTX 4090 24GB |
Extended ray tracing applies hardware ray tracing to global illumination and reflections. Even Ubisoft’s RTX 4090 4K/60 Ultra target assumes dynamic resolution and upscaling; it is not a promise of native 4K rendering at 60fps.
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What PC do you need for 1080p, 1440p and 4K?
1080p at 30fps
For the lowest official target, look for at least an i7-8700K or Ryzen 5 3600 and a GTX 1070, RX 5700 or Arc A580-class GPU. The target is Low settings with selective ray tracing and upscaling. This is the baseline for playing, not a guarantee of native 1080p, maximum image quality or perfectly locked performance in every scene.
1080p at 60fps
Ubisoft’s standard recommended target requires an i5-11600K or Ryzen 5 5600X and an RTX 3060 Ti, RX 6700 XT or Arc B580-class GPU. The target is High settings with selective ray tracing and upscaling.
1440p at 60fps
The GPU depends on the ray-tracing mode. For High settings with selective ray tracing, Ubisoft lists an RTX 2070, RX 6700 XT or Arc B580. For High settings with standard ray tracing, the requirement rises to an RTX 4070 Super or RX 7800 XT. For Ultra settings with extended ray tracing, Ubisoft lists an RTX 4080 and a much stronger CPU: an i7-13700K or Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
4K at 60fps
For High settings with selective ray tracing, Ubisoft lists an RTX 4070 Ti Super or RX 7900 XT, paired with an i7-12700K or Ryzen 7 5800X3D. For Ultra settings with extended ray tracing, the listed GPU is an RTX 4090, with an i7-13700K or Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Both targets use dynamic resolution and upscaling.
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Is ray tracing required?
No—not in the same form for every PC. Ubisoft describes three modes:
- Selective ray tracing: ray tracing is used in the Hideout, while other gameplay areas do not use ray tracing in this mode.
- Standard ray tracing: hardware ray tracing is used for real-time global illumination.
- Extended ray tracing: hardware ray tracing is used for global illumination and reflections.
Ubisoft says older GPUs without dedicated hardware ray-tracing support can use a proprietary software-based ray-tracing solution for the dynamic Hideout. That is why the general minimum can include a GTX 1070. Standard and extended modes are different: they require substantially stronger hardware-ray-tracing GPUs.
Does Assassin’s Creed Shadows require an SSD?
Yes. Ubisoft lists a 106GB SSD as a requirement. An HDD with 106GB of free space should not be treated as meeting the official specification.
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The 106GB figure is the listed game-storage requirement, not a recommended amount of free space for every future patch, temporary installation file, shader cache or downloadable update. Leave additional capacity available, particularly if the SSD is also used for Windows and other games.
RAM, Windows and DirectX requirements
The official memory requirement is 16GB of dual-channel RAM. That is a requirement, not a guarantee that every background-software setup will behave identically. Browsers, recording tools, overlays and other applications reduce the memory available to the game, so closing unnecessary programs can help avoid avoidable stutter or paging.
The game requires Windows 10 or Windows 11 with DirectX 12. The published requirements do not list integrated graphics such as Intel UHD, Intel Iris Xe or AMD integrated graphics as supported configurations. Such systems are outside Ubisoft’s stated GPU list and cannot responsibly be classified as compatible from the official requirements alone.
DLSS, FSR, XeSS and frame generation
Ubisoft lists support for:
- NVIDIA DLSS 3.7
- AMD FSR 3.1
- Intel XeSS 2
- Temporal anti-aliasing
- Dynamic resolution
- Frame generation
Ubisoft also says upscaling and frame-generation technologies can be mixed and matched. Upscaling is central to the official performance scenarios, but frame generation should not be treated as a replacement for adequate base performance. It creates additional displayed frames; it does not remove the need for a capable CPU, GPU, sufficient VRAM and a stable underlying frame rate. It can also add latency or produce visual artifacts in some situations.
The game includes an in-game benchmark, which can help you compare settings on your own system after installation. Results can vary with drivers, patches, cooling, background applications and the particular scene being rendered.
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Ubisoft specifically lists Resizable BAR enabled for its Intel Arc A580 and B580 configurations. Check that your motherboard, processor platform and firmware support the feature, then confirm it is enabled in the BIOS and graphics-driver environment.
This note is attached to the Intel Arc entries. It should not be interpreted as a requirement for every NVIDIA or AMD GPU.
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Laptop GPU owners need extra caution
Ubisoft’s table names desktop-class GPU products. A laptop RTX 3060 Ti, RTX 3070, RX 6700M or similar mobile part should not automatically be treated as equivalent to the desktop model.
Laptop graphics performance varies with power limit, cooling, chassis design, memory configuration and sustained boost clocks. The same GPU family can perform very differently across laptops. Compare the complete system—including the CPU, GPU wattage, VRAM, RAM and cooling—rather than relying on the product name alone.
Does it run on Steam Deck?
Ubisoft stated in its launch Q&A that Assassin’s Creed Shadows was not compatible with Steam Deck at launch because the device fell below the minimum PC specifications.
That statement should not be expanded into a universal verdict about every handheld PC. Windows handhelds with stronger hardware may have different capabilities, but their performance still depends on power mode, resolution, upscaling, drivers and cooling. Community experiments are not the same as official compatibility or certification. The cited Ubisoft statement records the launch position and does not, by itself, verify a later Steam Deck status change.
Do Steam players need Ubisoft Connect?
A Ubisoft account is required, and Steam users must link that account to Steam. Ubisoft has described the Steam installation as including a lightweight embedded Ubisoft Connect component rather than requiring a separate full launcher installation in the normal Steam setup.
In practical terms, do not interpret this as “no Ubisoft involvement.” You still need the Ubisoft account link and the authentication process required by the PC version. Storefront login and installation behavior can change, so check the current Steam and Ubisoft store information if the launcher wording is important to your purchase decision.
How to check whether your PC can run the game
- Identify your CPU. In Windows, open Settings or Task Manager and note the exact processor model. Compare it with the CPU in the relevant Ubisoft tier.
- Identify your GPU and VRAM. Use Task Manager’s Performance tab or DirectX Diagnostic Tool. Match the complete model, not just its generation or release year.
- Check RAM. Confirm that the system has at least 16GB and, where possible, that the memory is operating in a dual-channel configuration.
- Confirm Windows and DirectX. The target system is Windows 10 or 11 with DirectX 12.
- Check the installation drive. Reserve space on an SSD, with more free capacity than the listed 106GB requirement.
- Check Resizable BAR if you use Intel Arc. Ubisoft specifies it for the Arc A580 and B580 entries.
- Choose your target first. Decide whether you want 1080p/30, 1080p/60, 1440p/60 or 4K/60, then select the ray-tracing mode and graphics preset before judging your hardware.
How to interpret hardware that is not listed
A newer product is not automatically faster than every older product named by Ubisoft. GPU performance depends on raster performance, ray-tracing capability, VRAM, memory bandwidth, drivers and power limits. CPU generation and single-thread performance also matter, particularly at higher frame rates.
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For that reason, a “similar” GPU cannot be assigned an exact Ubisoft tier without testing. A laptop GPU, lower-VRAM variant or low-power card may fall short even when its name looks comparable. Game updates and driver changes can also alter results.
The same caution applies to RAM. Sixteen gigabytes is the official requirement, but available memory depends on the rest of the system and the applications running alongside the game.
What about Steam’s different minimum specification?
Steam storefront metadata has shown a different minimum GPU list—GTX 1650, RX 5500 XT or Arc A380—in the retrieved listing, while Ubisoft’s detailed PC requirements list GTX 1070, RX 5700 or Arc A580 for its 1080p/30 selective-ray-tracing target.
These lists should not be silently combined. Use Ubisoft’s scenario-based table as the primary reference for resolution, frame rate, settings and ray-tracing expectations, and treat any Steam minimum as Steam storefront metadata. The retrieved Steam result does not establish the reason for the discrepancy or the update history of that listing, so neither list should be presented as a universal performance guarantee.
Upgrade advice by target
If your system falls below the minimum CPU and GPU classes, compare the cost of a component upgrade with replacing the PC. If your GPU is adequate but you use an HDD, an SSD addresses an official requirement, although it will not turn an underpowered GPU or CPU into a faster one.
If you already meet a GPU tier but have an older CPU, investigate possible CPU limits before buying a graphics card. Also check the power supply, case clearance, cooling, monitor resolution and available VRAM. For Intel Arc, verify Resizable BAR before assuming the listed Arc performance tier applies.
The most demanding targets—1440p/60 Ultra with extended ray tracing and 4K/60 Ultra with extended ray tracing—are high-end configurations. Lowering ray tracing or choosing a 1440p target can be a more practical alternative than upgrading every component solely to pursue the top tier.
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Verdict
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is accessible at its lowest official target to PCs around the GTX 1070/RX 5700 and i7-8700K/Ryzen 5 3600 class, but that target is 1080p/30 on Low with dynamic resolution and upscaling. A modern midrange PC around the RTX 3060 Ti/RX 6700 XT and i5-11600K/Ryzen 5 5600X class is aimed at 1080p/60 High with selective ray tracing.
For 1440p or 4K at 60fps, the correct GPU depends heavily on whether you use selective, standard or extended ray tracing. Ubisoft’s published targets all use dynamic resolution and upscaling, so they should be read as performance scenarios—not native-resolution guarantees.
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