- The Witcher 3 remastered system requirements now demand a GTX 1660 / RX 5500 XT minimum with 12 GB RAM.
- SSD is required: 70 GB of solid-state storage replaces the old hard drive support.
- Windows 11 is the new baseline OS after Microsoft ended Windows 10 support in October 2025.
- Ultra + ray tracing targets an RTX 3080 or RX 6800 XT for 4K gameplay.
- Updated specs cover the base game, both DLCs, and the upcoming expansion content.
The Witcher 3 Remastered System Requirements Overview
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered has received a significant overhaul to its official PC requirements. CD Projekt Red updated the specifications to reflect the next-gen version of the game, its two expansions (Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine), and the additional content planned for the future. If you last checked the specs years ago, the numbers have moved upward — noticeably.
The updated minimum configuration targets smooth 1080p play on the remastered build:
| Component | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 / Intel Core i5-8400 |
| GPU | Nvidia GTX 1660 / Radeon RX 5500 XT (8 GB) |
| VRAM | 6 GB |
| RAM | 12 GB |
| Storage | 70 GB SSD (HDD no longer officially supported) |
Following Microsoft's end of Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025, CD Projekt Red no longer tests its games on Windows 10. The game may still run, but patches and fixes will target Windows 11 only.
For reference, the older next-gen update requirements published on the official CD Projekt Red support page listed lower entry hardware — a good indicator of how much the remaster has raised the bar.
Preset-by-Preset Comparison: High vs Ultra vs Ultra + RT
The remastered build scales across three official presets, each tied to a resolution and ray tracing configuration. Compare them side by side before upgrading your hardware:
| Preset | Resolution | CPU | GPU | RAM | Ray Tracing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 1080p | i5-7400 / Ryzen 5 1600 | GTX 970 / RX 480 | 8 GB | Off |
| Ultra | 1440p (DLSS/FSR) | i7-8700K / Ryzen 5 3600 | RTX 3070 / RX 6700 XT | 16 GB | RTAO/RTGI |
| Ultra + Full RT | 4K (DLSS/FSR) | i7-9700K / Ryzen 7 3700X | RTX 3080 / RX 6800 XT | 16 GB | All RT features |
All presets run DirectX 12 and require roughly 50 GB of disk space for the base next-gen version — though the full remastered package with all expansions pushes the official figure to about 70 GB.
1080p Budget Build
- GTX 1660 class GPU
- 12 GB RAM
- High settings, no RT
- Best value for most players
1440p Balanced Build
- RTX 3070 / RX 6700 XT
- 16 GB RAM
- RTAO + RTGI with DLSS/FSR
- Sweet spot for visuals
4K Enthusiast Build
- RTX 3080 / RX 6800 XT
- 16 GB RAM
- Full ray tracing
- Maximum immersion
The Ultra presets are rated with DLSS or FSR enabled. On AMD and Nvidia cards alike, enabling upscaling is the single biggest free performance gain at 1440p and 4K.
Storage, RAM, and the SSD Requirement
Two of the biggest changes in the remastered requirements involve storage and memory:
| Resource | Old Standard | Remastered Standard | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage type | HDD supported | SSD required | Faster streaming, fewer stutters |
| Install size | ~50 GB | ~70 GB | Larger textures and new content |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB minimum | Smoother in dense areas like Novigrad |
| VRAM | 4 GB | 6 GB | Higher-resolution assets |
The jump from roughly 52–60 GB (the current GOTY next-gen install) to 70 GB reflects new textures, music, and content additions. For comparison, Hearts of Stone added around 45 GB of total package weight while Blood and Wine contributed roughly 8–9 GB — so the new headroom signals substantial incoming content.
You can technically still install on a hard drive, but CD Projekt Red no longer officially supports it. Expect longer load times and potential texture pop-in on older spinning drives.
Step-by-Step: Preparing Your PC for the Remaster
Follow this sequence to confirm your system is ready before installing:
Verify Your OS Version
Check that you are on 64-bit Windows 11. Windows 10 may work today, but future patches will not target it, so plan your upgrade accordingly.
Confirm CPU and RAM
Compare your processor against the Ryzen 5 2600 / i5-8400 baseline and ensure at least 12 GB of system RAM is installed.
Check GPU and VRAM
Verify your graphics card is a GTX 1660, RX 5500 XT (8 GB), or better, with at least 6 GB of available VRAM.
Free Up SSD Space
Reserve at least 70 GB on a solid-state drive. Clear old installs or migrate the game from an HDD if needed.
Update Drivers and DirectX
Install the latest GPU drivers and confirm DirectX 12 support before first launch to avoid day-one performance issues.
Players who finish all five steps consistently report fewer crashes and dramatically shorter load times in Novigrad and Toussaint.
Performance Goals Checklist
Hit These Targets:
- Achieve stable 60 FPS at 1080p on High preset
- Enable DLSS or FSR at 1440p and above
- Install the game on an SSD with 70 GB free
- Update to Windows 11 and latest GPU drivers
- Test ray tracing (RTAO/RTGI) for the visual upgrade
FAQ
Q: What are the minimum The Witcher 3 remastered system requirements?
The updated minimum calls for a Ryzen 5 2600 or Intel Core i5-8400 CPU, a GTX 1660 or Radeon RX 5500 XT (8 GB) GPU, 12 GB of RAM, 6 GB of VRAM, a 70 GB SSD, and 64-bit Windows 11.
Q: Will the game still run on Windows 10?
Yes, in most cases it will launch and play, but CD Projekt Red stopped testing on Windows 10 after Microsoft ended support on October 14, 2025. Bug fixes and patches will target Windows 11 only.
Q: Can I install the remaster on a hard drive?
You can attempt it, but hard drives are no longer officially supported. An SSD is required for the intended experience, with 70 GB of space reserved for the full package.
Q: Which GPU do I need for 4K with full ray tracing?
For 4K with all ray tracing features enabled, the official spec lists an Nvidia RTX 3080 or AMD RX 6800 XT, paired with 16 GB of RAM and DLSS or FSR upscaling.