Quantum Break system requirements out, Windows 10 required

Quantum Break

Update: Remedy has sent out an email clarifying that the announced requirements weren't entirely correct. The "Recommended" hardware initially listed is actually for the "Ultra" specification, while the proper "Recommended" spec is considerably lower. I've updated the requirements accordingly.

Original story: A PC release of Remedy's upcoming Quantum Break was confirmed earlier today, but the question of whether it would be exclusive to Windows 10, or available to owners of Win7/8 as well, was not immediately answered. Now it has been, and as a Windows 7 stalwart I'm sorry to say it looks like I can't hold out much longer.

The system requirements, as posted on quantumbreak.com:

Minimum:

  • OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
  • CPU: Intel Core i5-4460, 2.70GHz or AMD FX-6300
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 or AMD Radeon R7 260x
  • RAM: 8 GB
  • VRAM: 2 GB
  • HDD: 55 GB available space
  • DX: DirectX 12

Recommended:

  • OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
  • CPU: Intel Core i5 4690, 3.9GHz or AMD equivalent
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon R9 390
  • RAM: 16 GB
  • VRAM: 4 GB
  • HDD: 55 GB available space
  • DX: DirectX 12

Ultra:

  • OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
  • CPU: Intel Core i7 4790, 4GHz or AMD equivalent
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 980 Ti or AMD Radeon R9 Fury X
  • RAM: 16 GB
  • VRAM: 6 GB
  • HDD: 55 GB available space
  • DX: DirectX 12

That "Ultra" spec is seriously high-end and even the "Recommended" hardware is up there, although I'm guessing you'll probably be alright if you're willing to settle for playing it at “only” 1080p, with maybe a few of the bleeding edge effects dialed back. We'll analyze the performance when we have it in to tell you whether or not that 980 Ti is really so important. The real knock is the DX12 requirement, so there's no choice in whether or not to upgrade to Windows 10 if you want to play.

Microsoft also said that the Windows 10 and Xbox One versions of Quantum Break will support shared saves but not actual cross-play, because it is “a single player action-adventure experience.”

Quantum Break for Windows 10 will be out on April 15.

Andy Chalk
US News Lead

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.

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