System Requirements

System Requirements

Pax Autocratica system requirements — minimum and recommended PC specs, DirectX, storage, performance tips and Steam Deck notes so you can run the colony sim and FPS roguelite smoothly.

40 GB
Storage
11
DirectX
Win 10 64-bit
OS

Introduction

The System Requirements page tells you whether your PC can run Pax Autocratica, and how to get the best performance if it can. The game is a colony sim and FPS roguelite hybrid, so it needs to handle both dense simulation and fast first-person combat. The minimum spec targets 1080p at playable frame rates on older hardware, while the recommended spec targets a smoother experience at higher settings. Pax Autocratica requires 40 GB of free storage, DirectX 11, and Windows 10 64-bit, and it is verified for mouse and keyboard control. This page also covers settings optimization and Steam Deck considerations.

PC Requirements

ComponentMinimumRecommended
OSWindows 10 64-bitWindows 10 64-bit
CPUi5-8600 / Ryzen 5 1600xi7-8700K / Ryzen 5 3600
GPUGTX 1060 6G / RX 480GTX 2060 Super / RX 5700 XT
RAM / Storage16 GB / 40 GB16 GB / 40 GB

Spec Overview

B

Minimum Spec

1080p at playable frame rates — 1080p at playable frame rates

CPUi5-8600 / Ryzen 5 1600x
GPUGTX 1060 6G / RX 480
PlayableLower settings, 1080p
Pro TipBenchmark with the free Prologue demo, lower shadows and anti-aliasing for combat frame rates, and keep colonies manageable if your processor is on the older side.
A

Recommended Spec

badge-active

Smoother, higher settings — smoother performance at higher settings

CPUi7-8700K / Ryzen 5 3600
GPUGTX 2060 Super / RX 5700 XT
PlayableHigh settings, smooth FPS
Pro TipBenchmark with the free Prologue demo, lower shadows and anti-aliasing for combat frame rates, and keep colonies manageable if your processor is on the older side.
A

Storage

40 GB free space required — 40 GB of free space required

Size40 GB of free space
TypeSSD recommended for faster loads
TipFree up space before launch day
Pro TipBenchmark with the free Prologue demo, lower shadows and anti-aliasing for combat frame rates, and keep colonies manageable if your processor is on the older side.
A

Performance Tips

Get the most out of your hardware — get the most from your hardware

CombatLower shadows and anti-aliasing first
ColonyReduce colony size if CPU-bound
DemoBenchmark with the free Prologue
Pro TipBenchmark with the free Prologue demo, lower shadows and anti-aliasing for combat frame rates, and keep colonies manageable if your processor is on the older side.

Core Mechanics

The requirements reflect that Pax Autocratica is both a simulation and a shooter. The colony view is CPU-bound, so large colonies can strain older processors, while the first-person combat sections are GPU-bound and benefit from a stronger graphics card. The minimum spec targets 1080p at playable frame rates with lower settings, and the recommended spec targets smoother performance and higher graphics settings. Both require DirectX 11 and 40 GB of storage. For performance, lowering shadow quality and anti-aliasing gives the biggest combat gains, and keeping colonies a manageable size helps CPU-bound players. The game currently supports mouse and keyboard, with controller support details pending.

Advantages

The requirements are modest for a hybrid of this scope. A GTX 1060 or RX 480 meets the minimum, which means most modern gaming PCs and many older ones can run the game. The 16 GB RAM requirement is reasonable, and the art style is optimized well enough that even mid-range hardware can reach smooth frame rates in combat. The free Prologue demo makes it easy to benchmark your own machine before you commit, and the clear minimum and recommended tiers remove the guesswork from upgrading. The demo makes the decision easy, and the modest bar means most players do not need to upgrade to enjoy the game.

Challenges

The 40 GB storage requirement is on the higher side, and the CPU demands can surprise players who only focus on the GPU spec. The colony simulation is CPU-intensive, so players with older processors may see frame drops in large colonies even if their graphics card meets the recommended tier. Controller support is still pending, which limits couch play and Steam Deck use, and the game has not been benchmarked by the community yet, so real-world performance on mid-range hardware is still unverified. Check real-world reports after launch if your hardware is close to the minimum, since synthetic specs never tell the whole performance story.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my PC run Pax Autocratica?+
Check your CPU, GPU and RAM against the table above. If you meet the minimum spec — an i5-8600 or Ryzen 5 1600x, a GTX 1060 6G or RX 480, and 16 GB of RAM — you can run the game at 1080p with lower settings. The free Prologue demo is the best way to test performance before launch.
Is Pax Autocratica CPU or GPU heavy?+
Both, depending on the view. The colony simulation is CPU-bound, so large colonies can strain older processors, while the first-person combat sections are GPU-bound and benefit from a stronger graphics card. For the best balance, target the recommended CPU and GPU together rather than upgrading just one component.
Does Pax Autocratica work on Steam Deck?+
Mouse and keyboard is the primary control scheme, and controller support details are pending, so Steam Deck play is not fully confirmed yet. The modest GPU requirement is promising, but check official announcements and community reports after Early Access launch for Steam Deck impressions before relying on handheld play.

Quick Tips

💡

Download the free Prologue demo to benchmark your PC before buying. The demo runs the same engine and core systems as the full game, so it is the most accurate way to test whether your hardware meets the minimum spec before you spend money. The demo is the most honest benchmark available.

💡

Lower shadow quality and anti-aliasing for the biggest combat frame rate gains. The first-person sections are GPU-bound, and these two settings cost the most performance for the least visual gain, so turning them down smooths your aiming without ruining the look. These two settings offer the best performance trade-off.

💡

Expect CPU pressure in large colonies — keep your colony manageable if your processor is older. The colony view is CPU-bound, so a sprawling base on an old CPU will drop frames even with a strong graphics card. Expand slowly and monitor performance. Monitor frame rate as your colony grows.

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