PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchProbably, if your desktop or laptop meets the complete minimum list: a Core i7-8700K or Ryzen 5 3600, 16 GB of RAM, a GTX 1660 with 6 GB or RX 5500 XT with 8 GB, 64-bit Windows 10/11, DirectX 12, and an SSD. Steam describes that configuration as a 1080p, 30-FPS target with upscaling enabled. Its recommended tier raises the target to 1440p at 60 FPS with upscaling enabled and lists a Core i5-10600K or Ryzen 5 5600X plus an RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6700 XT.
Those are official example configurations, not a benchmark of your exact PC. You need to identify every major component, check the operating-system and storage requirements, and then compare your whole system with one tier rather than judging it from a single GPU name.
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Official Phantom Blade Zero PC requirements
The current Steam system-requirements listing specifies Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit), DirectX 12, 16 GB of system memory and an SSD installation. It publishes two example hardware tiers:
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 (6 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT (8 GB) | 16 GB | 1080p at 30 FPS with upscaling enabled |
| Recommended | Intel Core i5-10600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti (8 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT (12 GB) | 16 GB | 1440p at 60 FPS with upscaling enabled |
Steam is the source of both the component examples and the performance targets; the figures are identified there as the store’s 2026 requirements. Epic’s official listing independently shows the same processor, graphics, memory, operating-system and DirectX tiers. Neither listing says that every equivalent desktop, laptop or custom combination has been tested.
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What “minimum” means here
Minimum is the lowest official example, paired with a specific target rather than a promise that every game scene will hold a fixed frame rate. The target includes upscaling, so it should not be read as native 1080p rendering at an unqualified 30 FPS. A system below one or more listed parts has no published target to rely on.
What “recommended” means here
Recommended is a higher example intended for the listed 1440p/60-FPS target with upscaling. It is not a requirement for starting the game. A computer that matches the recommended processor and graphics tier may still need sensible in-game settings, current drivers and enough thermal headroom to maintain a stable result.
Find your exact PC specifications before comparing
Use the exact model numbers, not the marketing name of a product family. A “Core i7” or “RTX” label covers many generations with very different performance, and a laptop version can behave differently from a desktop card with a similar name.
- Record the processor. In Windows, open Settings > System > About and read the full processor name. You can also press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, choose Performance, and select CPU. Write down the model, such as “Core i7-8700K,” rather than only “Intel Core i7.”
- Record the graphics processor and memory. Open Task Manager > Performance > GPU. Note the complete GPU model and the Dedicated GPU memory value. On a system with more than one GPU, check which adapter is the discrete gaming GPU and which is integrated graphics. The model printed on a laptop specification page may include a mobile designation or a different power limit.
- Check installed RAM. In Settings > System > About, read Installed RAM. Task Manager’s Performance > Memory view also shows the amount currently available and whether another application is using it. The two official tiers both specify 16 GB, so having more than 16 GB does not by itself move a system from minimum to recommended.
- Verify Windows edition and architecture. In Settings > System > About, check Windows specifications and System type. The listing calls for Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit. A 32-bit installation is not the listed configuration.
- Verify DirectX. Press Windows+R, type
dxdiag, and press Enter. The System tab reports the DirectX version. The requirement is DirectX 12; having a newer Windows build does not remove the need for compatible graphics drivers. - Confirm an SSD is available for installation. Open Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Disks & volumes to identify the drive type, or check the drive’s model in Task Manager > Performance. Steam says SSD installation is required, but it does not specify NVMe versus SATA, a capacity, or a particular model.
Save the results in a note before comparing. If Windows shows an integrated GPU and a discrete GPU, use the discrete model for the comparison and make sure the game is configured to use it when you test.
Compare the complete system, not one component
Place your recorded specifications beside the official tier. The comparison should look like this:
| Check | Minimum comparison | Recommended comparison | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Core i7-8700K or Ryzen 5 3600 example | Core i5-10600K or Ryzen 5 5600X example | Processor model and sustained clocks affect game simulation and frame-time consistency. |
| GPU | GTX 1660 (6 GB) or RX 5500 XT (8 GB) example | RTX 3060 Ti (8 GB) or RX 6700 XT (12 GB) example | The GPU performs most rendering work; model, memory size and laptop power limit all matter. |
| VRAM | 6 GB or 8 GB in the listed examples | 8 GB or 12 GB in the listed examples | Insufficient graphics memory can force texture or streaming compromises even when the GPU core is fast enough. |
| System RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | Capacity is the same in both tiers; background applications can reduce what is available to the game. |
| Operating system | Windows 10/11, 64-bit | Windows 10/11, 64-bit | The listed operating-system and architecture combination is part of the requirement. |
| Graphics API | DirectX 12 | DirectX 12 | The adapter and its driver must support the required API. |
| Storage | SSD installation | SSD installation | The store listing marks an SSD as required for installation and use. |
“Comparable” is not the same as “guaranteed.” The official pages do not publish results for every processor paired with every graphics card, for laptop variants, or for integrated graphics. If your PC falls between the examples, describe it as an unverified combination rather than assigning it a precise frame rate.
How to interpret your result
Your PC meets or exceeds the minimum examples
You have the strongest official basis for attempting the game when all of the minimum checks pass: the processor is at least comparable to one of the listed CPUs, the graphics card and VRAM are comparable to one of the listed GPUs, 16 GB of RAM is installed, Windows is a supported 64-bit version, DirectX 12 is available, and the installation drive is an SSD. The published expectation for this tier is 1080p/30 FPS with upscaling enabled. It remains a target from Steam, not an individualized test of your machine.
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Your PC meets the recommended examples
Matching the recommended processor and graphics examples, along with the same software, memory and storage checks, aligns your system with the higher published target: 1440p/60 FPS with upscaling enabled. That target still depends on settings, drivers, thermals and the particular scene, and it should not be converted into a guarantee for a custom build.
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Your PC is below one listed component
A weaker CPU, GPU, graphics-memory configuration or unsupported operating environment places the machine outside the published examples. Do not compensate by looking only at a stronger part elsewhere in the system. For example, a fast graphics card cannot make an unsupported 32-bit Windows installation satisfy the listed requirements, and 32 GB of RAM does not make an underpowered GPU equivalent to the recommended graphics tier.
Why the upscaling condition matters
Both official targets explicitly include upscaling. Upscaling renders the game internally at a lower resolution and reconstructs an image for the selected output resolution. That can reduce GPU workload, but image quality and frame-time behavior depend on the game’s implementation and settings. The requirements do not identify a particular upscaling technology, internal resolution, quality preset or reconstruction mode.
Consequently, read “1080p / 30 FPS with upscaling enabled — Steam, 2026” and “1440p / 60 FPS with upscaling enabled — Steam, 2026” as conditional targets. They are not claims of native-resolution performance, and they are not independent benchmark measurements. If you disable upscaling, select a higher quality preset or use a more demanding effect, the published target may no longer describe that configuration.
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Laptop, integrated-graphics and mixed-component cases
Laptop GPUs
A laptop GPU can share a product name with a desktop card while using different power, cooling and clock limits. Check the exact mobile model and the laptop’s power configuration instead of assuming that a desktop GTX 1660, RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6700 XT equivalent is present. The official listings do not provide laptop-specific results, so a nominally similar mobile part cannot be assigned a guaranteed frame rate from the desktop example.
Integrated graphics
The published minimum and recommended examples are discrete NVIDIA and AMD GPUs with dedicated VRAM. The listings provide no result for integrated graphics. If your computer has only an integrated adapter, there is no official target that confirms it will run the game; system RAM used as shared graphics memory should not be treated as the dedicated VRAM shown in the table.
Different-generation hardware
Hardware from a newer or older generation cannot be judged reliably by the number in its name alone. Compare the full model, graphics-memory capacity, driver support and the rest of the system. The official lists are examples of configurations, not an exhaustive catalog of every compatible processor or graphics card.
SSD, Windows and DirectX checks that can block installation
Some apparent hardware matches fail because of the platform requirements. Before troubleshooting frame rate, check these prerequisites:
- Drive type: Install to an SSD. The store listing does not state a required capacity, so check the game’s current store page for the space it requests when that information is published.
- Available free space: Leave room for the installation and updates. A drive that is technically an SSD but nearly full can prevent installation or patching.
- 64-bit Windows: Confirm the architecture in Settings > System > About, not just the Windows version number.
- DirectX 12 support: Use
dxdiagand install the graphics driver’s current version from the GPU manufacturer. A DirectX 12 entry alone does not prove that an old or unsupported adapter meets the listed GPU tier. - Power and thermals: On a laptop, connect the charger and use the manufacturer’s performance mode when testing. Thermal throttling can make a system that matches a listed model behave below its nominal capability; the official requirements do not quantify this effect.
When an upgrade is sensible
Upgrade only after identifying the limiting part and checking the computer’s compatibility. A graphics-card upgrade may require a stronger power supply, a larger case, additional connectors or a newer motherboard firmware. A CPU upgrade can require a different socket, BIOS support or faster cooling. Laptop CPUs and GPUs are often not replaceable at all.
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If storage is the only gap
Adding a compatible SSD addresses the explicit storage requirement. Choose the interface and form factor supported by your motherboard or laptop, and make sure the drive has enough free space for the game and updates. The official listing does not require a particular SSD technology or brand.
If the GPU is the only gap
Compare your exact graphics model and VRAM with the minimum example first. Do not buy a card solely because it carries an RTX, GTX or Radeon label. Check case clearance, power delivery, connector requirements and whether the rest of the system can support the card.
If the CPU is the only gap
Confirm the motherboard socket, chipset and BIOS support before selecting a processor. A CPU that appears faster in a generic product hierarchy may not be compatible with your board. The published tiers do not identify a universal upgrade path.
If RAM is the only gap
The official tiers both specify 16 GB, so moving from 16 GB to a larger capacity is not a requirement for matching either tier. Additional memory may help a multitasking system, but the listings provide no evidence that it changes the game’s target performance.
What the official requirements do not tell you
They do not establish a guaranteed frame rate for every combination, minimum graphics preset, internal upscaling resolution, loading-time result, laptop variant, integrated GPU, ray-tracing mode or future driver version. They also do not say that the named models are the only hardware that works. Treat the table as a reference boundary and the stated targets as conditional expectations.
A sensible test after launch is to begin at the tier that best matches your hardware, enable the upscaling option used by the target, watch frame rate and frame-time stability in a demanding area, and then adjust one setting at a time. That process measures your particular system; it does not turn the store’s examples into a universal benchmark.
Release-date context
As of October 16, 2026, the game had not reached its listed release date. Steam and Epic display October 28, 2026, while the official S-GAME website displays October 29, 2026. The official pages differ by one day and do not explain why. Check the storefront you intend to use for the date and any subsequent requirement changes.
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Final pre-purchase checklist
- Write down the exact CPU model.
- Write down the exact discrete GPU model and dedicated VRAM; identify any mobile variant.
- Confirm at least 16 GB of system RAM.
- Confirm 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11.
- Confirm DirectX 12 support with
dxdiag. - Confirm that the installation location is an SSD with adequate free space.
- Compare every item with the minimum or recommended row, rather than judging from one component.
- Keep the upscaling condition attached to either published performance target.
- Describe any unmatched or laptop-specific configuration as unverified instead of promising a frame rate.
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