⥠The Short Answer
Here's the short version. The Last of Us Part I needs at least a Intel Core i5-6600K / AMD Ryzen 5 1400, a NVIDIA GTX 970 4GB / AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB, 16GB of RAM and 100GB SSD of free space just to run. If you want steady 60fps at higher settings, plan around the Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X / NVIDIA RTX 3060 / AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT / 32GB combo instead. One honest warning: the minimum spec gets you a playable game with everything turned down â treat it as the floor, not the goal.
đģ The Last of Us Part I Official System Requirements
The minimum and recommended specs published for The Last of Us Part I â not guesses, the actual listed figures.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5-6600K / AMD Ryzen 5 1400 | Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X |
| GPU | NVIDIA GTX 970 4GB / AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB | NVIDIA RTX 3060 / AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT |
| RAM | 16GB | 32GB |
| Storage | 100GB SSD | 100GB NVMe SSD |
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
âšī¸ "Minimum" means the game launches and is playable â expect low settings. "Recommended" is the safe target for high settings at 1080p with smooth framerates. The detailed tables further down break down what each tier feels like in practice.
Best Graphics Settings for The Last of Us Part I (Max FPS + Balanced Visuals 2026)
Now that you know the hardware you need, grab the exact in-game settings to hit your target FPS. Our graphics guide covers 1080p / 1440p / 4K presets, DLSS & FSR mode selection, ray tracing recommendations, and low-end laptop tweaks for The Last of Us Part I.
View Graphics Settings Guide âđ¯ Context Before the Numbers
The Last of Us Part I is a Action Adventure game from Naughty Dog, released in 2023 (post-apocalyptic realistic, Action genre). On PC it's available on PC, PS5.
The numbers below come from the official listing, so they're the ones worth trusting over forum chatter. Keep in mind that minimum specs mean "the game launches and is playable" â not "it looks good." The recommended spec is the safer target if you want high settings and smooth framerates.
TLOU Part I benefits from a high-end GPU setup. Enable DLSS/FSR for optimal performance at 1440p+. SSD is strongly recommended to reduce load times and stuttering.
đŽ Game Information
đ The Numbers
Values below are community-reported reference estimates â always confirm in-game, as numbers shift with every patch.
Official Minimum Requirements
Published minimum specs for The Last of Us Part I. This is the floor: the game runs, but expect low settings and modest framerates.
| Parameter | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5-6600K / AMD Ryzen 5 1400 | Minimum processor |
| GPU | NVIDIA GTX 970 4GB / AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB | Minimum graphics card |
| RAM | 16GB | Minimum memory |
| Storage | 100GB SSD | Free space needed |
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Minimum system |
Official Recommended Requirements
The specs the developer suggests for a smooth experience â high settings at 1080p with comfortable framerates.
| Parameter | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X | Recommended processor |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 3060 / AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT | Recommended graphics card |
| RAM | 32GB | Recommended memory |
| Storage | 100GB NVMe SSD | SSD strongly advised |
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Recommended system |
What These Specs Mean in Practice
How the official tiers translate to real gameplay in 2026.
| Parameter | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| At minimum specs | 1080p, low/medium settings | Playable but visually modest |
| At recommended specs | 1080p, high settings, 60fps | The sweet spot for most players |
| For 1440p/4K | One GPU tier above recommended | Plus a capable CPU and SSD |
| Storage note | 100GB NVMe SSD | SSD reduces load times and stutter |
â ī¸ Common Misconceptions, Cleared Up
A few ideas about this game that don't hold up â and why.
MYTH: The Last of Us Part I needs a high-end GPU to run at all
â REALITY: Not really. The official minimum is a NVIDIA GTX 970 4GB / AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB, which is a modest card. You won't be cranking settings, but it runs. The high-end cards are only worth it if you want 1440p/4K or very high framerates.
đ DATA PROOF: Official minimum GPU: NVIDIA GTX 970 4GB / AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB
MYTH: You need way more RAM than the listed spec
â REALITY: The official minimum is 16GB and the recommended is 32GB. More RAM helps if you keep a browser and Discord open while playing, but it won't fix a GPU that's too weak.
đ DATA PROOF: 16GB minimum / 32GB recommended
MYTH: An HDD is fine for The Last of Us Part I
â REALITY: It will run, but loading screens and texture pop-in get noticeably worse on an HDD. The official listing calls for 100GB SSD, and putting the game on an SSD is the cheapest upgrade you can make.
đ DATA PROOF: 100GB SSD minimum, SSD strongly recommended
đ Putting This Into Practice
Things you can actually try next time you play.
Check what you already have
Five minutes now saves you from buying the wrong thing later.
- Press Win + R, type "dxdiag" and hit Enter â it lists your CPU, GPU and RAM on the System and Display tabs
- Compare those against the tables above. If your GPU is a generation behind the minimum, expect low settings
- Check your free storage in File Explorer and make sure you have room for the game's install size
- Confirm your Windows version matches the required OS (32-bit systems will not work with most modern titles)
Close the gap without spending money
A few free tweaks that squeeze out real performance.
- Update GPU drivers from NVIDIA or AMD's site â this alone fixes stutter for a lot of people
- Close background apps (browser tabs, Discord, launchers) before launching the game
- In the game's settings, lower shadows and textures first; they cost the most FPS for the least visual gain
- Cap your framerate near your monitor's refresh rate â it makes frame times feel steadier
- Turn on upscaling (DLSS/FSR) if the game has it; it's the biggest free performance boost available
Decide what to buy, if anything
If you do need hardware, here's where your money counts most.
- For most games the GPU matters most; for strategy and simulation games the CPU matters more
- An SSD upgrade is the cheapest improvement for load times and stutter â even a used one is fine
- If you're below the minimum, a GPU two tiers up from the minimum is usually the sweet spot
- Buy for the games you actually play, not the most demanding game on the internet
đ Version Notes
These specs reflect the current version of The Last of Us Part I. TLOU Part I benefits from a high-end GPU setup. Enable DLSS/FSR for optimal performance at 1440p+. SSD is strongly recommended to reduce load times and stuttering. Requirements can drift with major updates â if a big patch lands, re-check the official requirements page. For competitive multiplayer, aim for the recommended tier or better so frame drops don't cost you matches.
đ Related Data Articles
â ī¸ Compliance Notice
Specs based on official developer/Steam listings where available; hardware estimates are for guidance only. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the respective game developers. All game names and trademarks are property of their respective owners.
đ Keep Exploring
đ Wrap-Up
These specs reflect the current version of The Last of Us Part I. TLOU Part I benefits from a high-end GPU setup. Enable DLSS/FSR for optimal performance at 1440p+. SSD is strongly recommended to reduce load times and stuttering. Requirements can drift with major updates â if a big patch lands, re-check the official requirements page. For competitive multiplayer, aim for the recommended tier or better so frame drops don't cost you matches.
â Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What are the minimum system requirements for The Last of Us Part I?
You need at least a Intel Core i5-6600K / AMD Ryzen 5 1400, a NVIDIA GTX 970 4GB / AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB, 16GB of RAM and 100GB SSD of free space, on Windows 10 64-bit. That setup runs the game at low settings â playable, but not pretty.
Q2Can my PC run The Last of Us Part I?
Compare your CPU, GPU and RAM against the tables above. If you're at or above the minimum, it will run; if you're at or above the recommended, it will run well at 1080p. Below the minimum, expect a rough experience.
Q3How much RAM do I need for The Last of Us Part I?
Officially, 16GB is the minimum and 32GB is recommended. If you usually have a browser and chat apps open while gaming, lean toward the recommended figure.
Q4Does The Last of Us Part I support DLSS or FSR?
It depends on the version and the engine. Most 2023+ releases ship with DLSS and/or FSR, while older titles often don't. The easiest way to check: open the game's graphics options and look for an upscaling toggle.
Q5What GPU do I need for The Last of Us Part I?
The official minimum is a NVIDIA GTX 970 4GB / AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB, which handles 1080p at low settings. The recommended is a NVIDIA RTX 3060 / AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT, good for high settings at 1080p. For 1440p or 4K, step up one tier beyond recommended.
Q6How much storage space does The Last of Us Part I require?
The official listing says 100GB SSD. We recommend putting it on an SSD â load times and stuttering improve dramatically compared to a hard drive.
đ Sources & References
The figures on this page are community-reported reference estimates, cross-checked against the community and official sources below. Where a developer hasn't published exact figures, values are clearly marked as estimates and should be verified in-game, as they change with every patch.