Key takeaways
- Ys X: Nordics PC requirements and the best GPU, CPU, RAM and SSD to run it — recommended hardware by resolution plus complete 1080p, 1440p and 4K build guides.
Thinking about playing Ys X: Nordics on PC and wondering what hardware you actually need? Ys X: Nordics is the action RPG that launched on Steam on October 25, 2024, and it is one of the friendlier PC releases in the genre: the official requirements start at a GeForce GTX 1050 and just 7 GB of storage space. That doesn’t mean every PC can run it, but it does mean you don’t need a flagship build to explore uncharted islands and fight through the high-seas adventure of Adol and Karja. This guide breaks down the official PC system requirements for Ys X: Nordics, the best GPU for each resolution, and complete build recommendations to hit your target resolution and frame rate.
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How Demanding Is Ys X: Nordics?
Ys X: Nordics is a light game on PC hardware. The official minimum spec asks for a GeForce GTX 1050 and an AMD Ryzen 5 1600 to hit 1080p at 60 FPS on the Performance graphics profile, and the recommended spec only raises that to a GeForce GTX 1650, an Intel Core i5-10400 and 16 GB of RAM for 1440p at 60 FPS on the High graphics profile. That is hardware many budget and mainstream PCs have had for years. In practical terms, older budget cards, modern entry-level cards and even recent integrated graphics can handle 1080p at sensible settings, while a modest mid-range GPU is more than enough for 1440p and comfortably capable of 4K. Ys X: Nordics is also not a CPU-bound game — it is a single-player action RPG with fast-paced combat and island exploration, not a simulation, strategy title or large-scale multiplayer game, so a mid-range processor from the last several years is plenty. The official figures below are the numbers to plan around.
Ys X: Nordics Official PC System Requirements
| Component | Minimum (official) | Recommended (official) |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10/11 | Windows 10/11 |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 1600 | Intel Core i5-10400 |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 7 GB available space | 7 GB available space |
Source: the official Ys X: Nordics Steam store listing (app 2731870), checked October 2026. Publishers can update these specs after patches.
Best GPU for Ys X: Nordics by Resolution
1080p
At 1080p the bar is genuinely low. The official minimum for 1080p at 60 FPS is a GeForce GTX 1050, and the recommended spec only steps that up to a GTX 1650, so cards such as the GTX 1060 or RX 580 already sit comfortably above the requirement. If you want a modern card with plenty of headroom for high-refresh 1080p, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 is far beyond what the game asks for, and current-generation options such as the GeForce RTX 5060 or Radeon RX 9060 XT are similarly more than enough.
1440p
1440p is the resolution the official recommended spec targets: a GTX 1650, an i5-10400 and 16 GB of RAM for 60 FPS on the High graphics profile. Because that ceiling is so reachable, anything from a GTX 1660 Super or RTX 2060 upward will run 1440p comfortably, and a modern mid-range card like the RTX 5060, RTX 5070 or RX 9060 XT will do it with a large margin to spare. Step up to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER and you are well past this game’s needs, with the extra power mainly useful for other titles.
4K
4K is achievable in Ys X: Nordics without a flagship GPU. Since the recommended spec already reaches 1440p at 60 FPS on a GTX 1650, a current-generation mid-range card such as the RTX 5060, RTX 5070, RX 9060 XT or RX 9070 has the headroom to push to 4K. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER is far more than this game requires and will run it at 4K with room to spare. Unlike a heavy open-world release, there is no need for a top-tier card here — the only reason to buy one is headroom for more demanding games.
CPU, RAM and Storage for Ys X: Nordics
The official processor requirement is modest: an AMD Ryzen 5 1600 for minimum and an Intel Core i5-10400 for recommended. Any modern six-core chip clears that easily. The AMD Ryzen 5 7600 is far beyond what Ys X: Nordics needs and gives you headroom for years of other games, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is well past the point of diminishing returns for this title — it is a general-purpose gaming upgrade rather than a Ys X: Nordics necessity. Intel fans can opt for the Intel Core i5-14600K, again far more than the i5-10400 the game recommends. For memory, the official minimum is 8 GB and the recommended figure is 16 GB, so 16 GB is the comfortable target and leaves room for background apps; a 32 GB kit such as the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 32GB is a general-purpose choice rather than a requirement. Storage is the lightest part of all: the game needs only 7 GB of available space and does not list an SSD as a requirement, though installing it on a drive like the Samsung 990 Pro 2TB NVMe SSD will keep load times short and leave plenty of room for the rest of your library.
Recommended PC Builds for Ys X: Nordics
1080p budget build: AMD Radeon RX 7600 + AMD Ryzen 5 7600 + 16 GB DDR5 — this sits well above the official 1080p requirement, and even a GTX 1650 with an i5-10400-class CPU would meet the recommended spec for this game.
1440p sweet-spot build: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER + AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D + 32 GB DDR5 + 2TB NVMe SSD — far more than Ys X: Nordics requires, and a sensible all-round platform if you also play heavier games.
4K build: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER + AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D + 32 GB DDR5 + fast NVMe SSD — comfortably handles Ys X: Nordics at 4K, with the extra headroom going toward other titles rather than this one.
Is It Worth Upgrading Your PC for Ys X: Nordics?
Because Ys X: Nordics is a light game, it is rarely a reason to rebuild a PC on its own. If your system already meets the official minimum — a GTX 1050-class GPU, a Ryzen 5 1600-class CPU and 8 GB of RAM — you can play it at 1080p on the Performance graphics profile, and a GTX 1650-class card with 16 GB of RAM covers the recommended 1440p experience. If you are upgrading anyway, the graphics card still delivers the biggest jump in gaming performance, so prioritise the GPU. A mid-range CPU from the last few years will not hold you back in this game, so it can usually stay. Going from 8 GB to 16 GB of RAM is a worthwhile, inexpensive step, and moving the game to an SSD shortens load times even though the 7 GB install does not require one. Target the weakest link in your build rather than replacing everything at once.
Can You Play Ys X: Nordics on a Laptop or Handheld?
Yes, and this is one of the better games for it. Because the official minimum is a GTX 1050 with 8 GB of RAM, gaming laptops with an entry-level discrete GPU — or a modern integrated GPU in a recent thin-and-light — can run Ys X: Nordics at 1080p with sensible settings, while anything with a GTX 1650-class mobile GPU or better clears the recommended 1440p target with ease. On handhelds like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, the game’s light requirements make it a strong portable pick. Expect the usual trade-offs on battery-powered hardware: shorter battery life and more heat under load. Storage is a non-issue given the 7 GB install size, but keeping it on the internal SSD is still the tidiest option if you have the space.
How to Boost FPS in Ys X: Nordics
Start with the graphics profile. The official requirements reference the Performance profile for 1080p/60 FPS and the High profile for 1440p/60 FPS, so switching between those two presets is the quickest way to match the game to your hardware. If you are still short of your target, lower the resolution or the internal render resolution first, then trim the heaviest individual effects such as shadows and post-processing. If your GPU and the game offer an upscaling option, enabling it is usually the single biggest performance gain available. Beyond the graphics menu, keep your GPU drivers up to date, close background applications, and make sure the game is installed on an SSD rather than a mechanical drive. A stable frame rate with slightly lower settings almost always feels better than maxed-out visuals with stutter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my PC run Ys X: Nordics?
If your PC has at least a GeForce GTX 1050-class GPU, an AMD Ryzen 5 1600-class processor and 8 GB of RAM, it meets the official minimum and can run Ys X: Nordics at 1080p and 60 FPS on the Performance graphics profile. For the recommended 1440p/60 FPS experience on the High profile, aim for a GTX 1650-class card, an Intel Core i5-10400-class CPU and 16 GB of RAM.
Is Ys X: Nordics demanding on PC?
No. Ys X: Nordics is a light game. Its official minimum is a GTX 1050 with 8 GB of RAM and only 7 GB of storage, and even the recommended spec tops out at a GTX 1650 for 1440p at 60 FPS.
What GPU do I need for Ys X: Nordics at 1440p 60fps?
The official recommended GPU for 1440p at 60 FPS on the High graphics profile is a GeForce GTX 1650, paired with an i5-10400 and 16 GB of RAM. Anything above that — a GTX 1660 Super, RTX 2060, or a current-generation card — simply adds headroom, and a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER-class card is far more than this game needs.
How much RAM does Ys X: Nordics need?
The official minimum is 8 GB of RAM and the recommended figure is 16 GB. In practice 8 GB will run the game at the minimum settings, while 16 GB is the comfortable target for the recommended 1440p experience and for leaving a few background apps open.
Do I need an SSD for Ys X: Nordics?
No. The official requirements list 7 GB of available storage space and do not specify an SSD. That said, installing the game on a solid-state drive — an NVMe model like the Samsung 990 Pro or any SATA SSD — will shorten load times compared with a mechanical hard drive.
