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Short answer: Ashes of the Singularity II should start on a Windows 10 or 11 64-bit PC with an older six-core-class processor, 8GB of memory and a graphics card around the Radeon RX 580 8GB or GeForce GTX 1660 6GB level. For a better chance of consistent performance in its large battles, aim for the recommended tier: a Ryzen 5 5600X or Core i5-11600K, 16GB of RAM and a Radeon RX 6750 XT 8GB or GeForce RTX 3070 8GB. You also need DirectX 12, broadband internet and 50GB of free storage; an SSD is recommended.
The game is scheduled to launch on November 10, 2026. No official frame-rate, resolution, graphics-preset or frame-time benchmarks have been published, so “smoothly” cannot yet be translated into a guaranteed FPS target. The upgrade order below is therefore based on the published minimum-versus-recommended gap, not on a benchmark test.
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What you need to run Ashes of the Singularity II
Steam’s current listing separates a minimum configuration from a recommended one. The minimum is the threshold for launching and playing with settings that may need to be reduced. The recommended specification is the sensible target for a modern desktop intended to handle the game’s larger battles, but it is not a promise of a particular frame rate or resolution.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit | Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 2400G or Intel Core i5-8500 | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X or Intel Core i5-11600K |
| Graphics card | AMD Radeon RX 580 with 8GB VRAM or Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 with 6GB VRAM | AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT with 8GB VRAM or Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 with 8GB VRAM |
| System memory | 8GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Graphics API | DirectX 12 | DirectX 12 |
| Storage | 50GB free space | 50GB free space |
| Internet | Broadband internet connection | Broadband internet connection |
| Drive type | Not specified; SSD recommended | Not specified; SSD recommended |
These are the published requirements for the PC version, current in 2026. They do not state a target resolution, quality preset, minimum FPS or recommended monitor refresh rate. Treat the “recommended” column as a hardware class, not as a measured performance guarantee.
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Why the recommended tier matters for this particular RTS
Oxide Games is developing the sequel and Stardock Entertainment is publishing it. The announced game includes a campaign, skirmish, competitive multiplayer and cooperative multiplayer. Stardock describes a 2031 near-future setting, larger battles and advanced units, with the human faction joining the Substrate and Post-Human Coalition.
Marketing materials refer to thousands of units and continent-scale battlefields. Those descriptions explain why the recommended processor and graphics card are substantially newer than the minimum parts. They do not constitute an independently measured unit-count or FPS benchmark. Until reproducible tests are available after launch, the safest interpretation is that the recommended class gives the game more headroom for crowded scenes, higher visual settings and longer sessions.
How to check your current PC before buying
Check Windows and DirectX
- Press Windows key + R, type
winver, and press Enter. Confirm that Windows 10 or Windows 11 is installed and that your edition is 64-bit. - Press Windows key + R, type
dxdiag, and press Enter. The System tab shows the Windows and DirectX versions; the Display tabs identify your graphics adapter and dedicated video memory. - Open Settings > System > About to verify the processor model and installed RAM. In Windows 11, the same information appears under Settings > System > About > Device specifications.
Check the graphics card and memory
In Task Manager > Performance, select Memory to see total RAM and select GPU to identify the installed card and its dedicated memory. Compare the exact model, not just the family name: a card with the right series number but less VRAM may not match the listed requirement.
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Open Settings > System > Storage or File Explorer > This PC and confirm at least 50GB is free on the target drive. In Task Manager’s Performance tab, select each disk to see whether Windows identifies it as an SSD or HDD. Leave additional working room rather than filling a 50GB drive to its limit; the requirement is free space for installation, not a statement that the game will never need more after updates.
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Which upgrade should you make first?
The order below follows the gap between the published minimum and recommended configurations. It is a practical planning sequence, not a laboratory ranking of frame-rate gains.
1. Move to the recommended graphics class if your GPU is below it
Graphics hardware is the first priority when the current card is below the recommended Radeon RX 6750 XT 8GB or GeForce RTX 3070 8GB class. A minimum-tier RX 580 or GTX 1660 may satisfy the launch requirement, but the published specification does not promise high settings or a fixed FPS on those cards.
When choosing a replacement, match the card’s physical length, power connectors, power-supply capacity and case airflow. Confirm that your monitor cable is connected to the new card rather than the motherboard output. An “RTX 3070 8GB graphics card” is a useful reference point for the recommended class, but actual availability, condition and pricing vary and should be checked at purchase time.
2. Increase system memory from 8GB to 16GB
The recommended configuration doubles RAM from 8GB to 16GB. On a desktop, install a matched 16GB kit in the motherboard’s supported slots and enable the memory profile offered by the firmware if appropriate. Check the motherboard manual for supported capacity, generation and slot order; DDR4 and DDR5 modules are not interchangeable.
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Close browsers, launchers and recording tools while testing an 8GB machine, but treat that as a temporary workaround rather than an equivalent to 16GB. A compatible “16GB gaming RAM kit” is the straightforward target when the motherboard and processor support it.
3. Check whether the processor is near the recommended class
The recommended CPUs, Ryzen 5 5600X and Core i5-11600K, are newer than the minimum Ryzen 5 2400G and Core i5-8500. If your processor is below the minimum, the game may not meet its basic requirement. If it is around the minimum but your graphics card and RAM already meet the recommended tier, a CPU and platform upgrade becomes the next sensible step for large, simulation-heavy battles.
Processor upgrades are more complicated than swapping a graphics card. Confirm the motherboard socket, chipset support, BIOS version, cooler mounting hardware and power delivery before ordering. Moving from an older platform may require a new motherboard and DDR generation as well as the CPU, which can make a complete platform replacement better value than a single-chip upgrade.
4. Install the game on an SSD
The listing recommends an SSD but does not make a specific SSD model or interface mandatory. An SSD generally reduces installation, loading and scene-transition waits compared with a mechanical hard drive; it does not guarantee a higher in-game FPS. A 1TB NVMe SSD provides ample room for the 50GB installation plus Windows and other games, but verify that your motherboard has the required M.2 slot and that the drive is compatible with your system.
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Upgrade the existing PC or replace it?
| Situation | Usually the better path | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop already has a modern motherboard, a replaceable GPU and 8GB RAM | Upgrade the GPU, then add a matched 16GB kit | You can address the two clearest differences between minimum and recommended specifications without replacing the whole platform. |
| Desktop has a minimum-tier CPU and an older motherboard | Price a platform bundle: CPU, motherboard and RAM | A newer processor may require a different socket or memory generation, making piecemeal upgrades inefficient. |
| Laptop has soldered RAM or a nonreplaceable GPU | Use the laptop only if it already meets the target; otherwise consider a replacement PC | Most laptops cannot be upgraded to a desktop-class graphics card, and memory options vary by model. |
| System lacks an SSD but otherwise meets the target | Add an SSD and keep the existing components | The SSD recommendation concerns storage responsiveness, while the CPU and GPU determine most rendering and simulation capacity. |
Compare the total cost of compatible parts, installation and a possible power-supply replacement with the price of a complete system. Hardware prices and stock were not established for this release, so check current retailer listings and compatibility rather than relying on an old parts list.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Windows, internet and storage requirements
Operating system and DirectX
A 64-bit installation of Windows 10 or Windows 11 is required in both specification tiers. DirectX 12 is also listed for both. Install current Windows updates and the latest stable graphics driver before launch, then restart so pending driver or system changes are applied.
Broadband connection
Broadband internet is listed for the game. The requirement does not state a minimum download speed, latency target or whether every mode requires a persistent connection. Plan for a reliable connection for multiplayer, cooperative play, patches and authentication, and check the final store wording if your use case depends on offline play.
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Free space and updates
Reserve at least 50GB of free space for the installation. Keeping extra capacity on the same drive helps Windows, shader caches and future patches operate without an emergency cleanup. If the installer reports insufficient space despite apparently meeting the figure, check the drive’s actual free capacity, the recycle bin and any reserved space used by another launcher.
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- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
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- On-the-Go Convenience: With an integrated handle and lightweight design (2.14 lbs), our lap desk is portable for travel or moving around the house, offering flexibility in any space.
What “smoothly” can and cannot mean before launch
There is no official FPS target, tested resolution, graphics preset or frame-time chart in the available announcements and store information. A PC that meets the recommended list may perform very differently at 1080p, 1440p or ultrawide resolutions, and a busy simulation turn may behave differently from a quiet skirmish.
After installation, evaluate several representative situations rather than judging performance from the opening menu: a large campaign engagement, a late-game skirmish, camera movement over a dense battlefield and a multiplayer session. Watch for sustained stutter, long pauses during simulation and GPU memory pressure, not only the highest FPS number. Lowering resolution or visual effects can reduce rendering load, but it cannot compensate for a processor that is struggling with the simulation.
Launch-day preparation and troubleshooting
If the game will not start
- Confirm 64-bit Windows, DirectX 12 support and the installed graphics driver.
- Verify the installation through the game launcher and ensure the drive has more than the stated free-space minimum.
- Remove unstable overclocks temporarily and restart after Windows or driver updates.
If performance is inconsistent
- Use the game’s default preset first, then change one setting at a time so you can identify the expensive option.
- Close unnecessary browser tabs, overlays and recording applications, especially on an 8GB system.
- Check Task Manager for CPU, GPU, RAM and disk saturation during a slow scene. A component pinned at 100 percent identifies the immediate bottleneck, but it does not establish a universal FPS expectation.
- Watch temperatures and clock speeds for throttling, and make sure the case vents and laptop intakes are unobstructed.
If multiplayer is unstable
Use a wired connection or a strong, uncongested Wi-Fi link, pause large downloads and restart the router if other devices are saturating the connection. Because the game has not yet released, there is no post-launch patch history to use as a known fix list; update the game and its launcher before drawing conclusions from an early issue.
Release context and what may change
Stardock announced on October 14, 2026 that Ashes of the Singularity II will launch on November 10, 2026. The announcement says the team continued improving gameplay, balance, performance and multiplayer stability after the Steam Next Fest demo and the September public playtest. Those improvements mean launch behavior can differ from an earlier demo, and future patches can change performance requirements.
The campaign is set in 2031 and includes three playable factions: the Substrate, the Post-Human Coalition and a human faction. The human side was added in response to player requests, according to Stardock. These details explain the game’s scale and feature set, but they are not substitutes for independent hardware testing.
Quick Recap
Practical buying checklist
- Verify your exact CPU, GPU model, VRAM amount and total RAM.
- Confirm Windows 10/11 64-bit and DirectX 12.
- Ensure at least 50GB is free on the installation drive, preferably an SSD.
- If below the recommended graphics class, budget for the GPU first.
- Move from 8GB to a compatible 16GB kit.
- Check motherboard, power-supply, case and BIOS compatibility before any CPU or GPU purchase.
- Do not treat the recommended list as a guaranteed FPS specification; wait for reproducible launch testing if a specific resolution or refresh rate is critical.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
