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For an open-world Star Wars game such as Star Wars Outlaws, spend the largest share of your PC budget on the graphics card. A modern six-core processor, 16GB of dual-channel memory, and a 65GB SSD complete the practical baseline. Ubisoft’s 2024 targets pair specific GPU classes with 1080p/30, 1080p/60, 1440p/60, and 4K/60 presets, all using a Quality upscaler. For a controller, prioritize accurate sticks, predictable triggers, a low-latency PC connection, comfortable grip, and reliable remapping rather than a particular logo.
Use Star Wars Outlaws as the performance reference
The most useful concrete reference for an open-world Star Wars RPG-style experience is Star Wars Outlaws. Ubisoft describes an open-world galaxy adventure starring scoundrel Kay Vess and her companion Nix, while Steam classifies it as a single-player, third-person action-adventure. Its systems explain why both hardware and controller choices matter: you shoot, sneak, deploy gadgets, traverse environments, ride a speeder, take on crime-syndicate missions, make reputation choices, and fight from a starship.
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That combination is heavier and less predictable than a linear corridor shooter. A busy settlement can stress the processor with simulation and streaming, while volumetric effects, lighting, foliage, explosions, and a wide view distance load the GPU. Your target resolution and frame rate therefore determine the right parts more than a generic “gaming PC” label does.
Pick a resolution and frame-rate target before buying parts
Ubisoft’s published PC specifications (2024) provide four useful performance bands. They are targets, not a guarantee for every scene or future patch, and each assumes the Quality upscaler setting shown below.
#1 Best Overall
![Star Wars Outlaws Standard Edition - PC [Digital Delivery]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/516EoTF6QzL._SL160_.jpg)
- Experience the first-ever open world Star Wars action-adventure game and explore distinct locations across the galaxy, both iconic and new.
- Risk it all as scoundrel Kay Vess, seeking freedom and the means to start a new life.
- Fight, steal, and outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted.
- Ubisoft Connect account required to download and install.
| Target | Preset and upscaler | Graphics card | Processor | Memory | Operating system and storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p at 30 FPS | Low, Quality upscaler | GeForce GTX 1660 6GB, Radeon RX 5600 XT 6GB, or Arc A750 8GB with Resizable BAR | Core i7-8700K or Ryzen 5 3600 | 16GB dual-channel | Windows 10/11, DirectX 12, 65GB SSD |
| 1080p at 60 FPS | High, Quality upscaler | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB or Radeon RX 6700 XT 12GB | Core i5-10400 or Ryzen 5 5600X | 16GB | Windows 10/11, DirectX 12, 65GB SSD |
| 1440p at 60 FPS | High, Quality upscaler | GeForce RTX 4070 12GB or Radeon RX 6800 XT 16GB | Core i5-11600K or Ryzen 7 5800X | 16GB | Windows 10/11, DirectX 12, 65GB SSD |
| 4K at 60 FPS | Ultra, Quality upscaler | GeForce RTX 4080 16GB or Radeon RX 7900 XTX 24GB | Core i7-12700K or Ryzen 7 5800X3D | 16GB | Windows 10/11, DirectX 12, 65GB SSD |
The table shows an important buying rule: moving from 1080p/30 to 1080p/60 or 1440p/60 changes the graphics-card class substantially, while memory remains 16GB in every tier. If your monitor is 1440p, buying for the 1080p row is likely to leave the GPU as the limiting component.
Why the GPU deserves the biggest budget
Open-world rendering creates sustained GPU work
Unlike a small indoor level, an open-world map keeps distant geometry, weather, lighting, characters, vehicles, and effects in view while the camera moves quickly. Speeder travel and ship combat can expose performance dips that a simple benchmark scene misses. A faster graphics card provides rasterization headroom for higher settings and helps maintain frame-time consistency when the scene becomes dense.
Use VRAM as a headroom check
The official tiers range from 6GB cards at the entry target to 24GB at the Ultra target. VRAM is not a substitute for GPU speed, but insufficient capacity can force texture reductions, cause asset streaming problems, or produce stutter when a high-resolution preset is selected. Treat the VRAM figures in the table as a floor for the corresponding target, not as a promise that any card with the same capacity performs identically.
Upscaling is part of the target, not an optional afterthought
Every Ubisoft tier specifies a Quality upscaler. The PC release lists support for DLSS 3.5, XeSS 1.3, and FSR 3.0. These technologies render internally below the output resolution and reconstruct the final image, allowing the GPU to spend less time drawing full-resolution pixels. Select the option your graphics card supports, then inspect fine geometry such as wires, foliage, and distant signage for shimmering or softness. Native rendering can look cleaner but may require lowering other settings or accepting a lower frame rate.
Do not compare a “4K” label without noting the upscaler mode: Ubisoft’s 4K/60 target is explicitly paired with Quality upscaling. If you disable it, you are changing the workload from the published target.
Rank #2
![Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition - PC [Digital Delivery]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51XoIXImdVL._SL160_.jpg)
- With the Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition get the game, the Season Pass.
- Risk it all as scoundrel Kay Vess, seeking freedom and the means to start a new life.
- Fight, steal, and outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted.
- Ubisoft Connect account required to download and install.
CPU: a current six-core baseline is the practical choice
Ubisoft’s minimum processor choices are the Core i7-8700K and Ryzen 5 3600; its recommended 1080p/60 choices are the Core i5-10400 and Ryzen 5 5600X. That makes a modern six-core CPU the sensible baseline for an upgrade, even though the model names span different generations. Open-world streaming, non-player-character behavior, traffic, physics, and mission logic can all affect frame times independently of the GPU.
At 60 FPS, the processor has roughly 16.7 milliseconds to prepare each frame. A CPU that can average a high frame rate in a quiet room may still produce hitching when the game streams a new district or a crowded market. Favor a newer architecture with strong sustained clocks and adequate cooling over an older processor with a larger advertised core count but weaker per-core performance.
The 1440p/60 and 4K/60 tiers move to higher-end chips, including the Ryzen 7 5800X and Ryzen 7 5800X3D. This does not mean resolution makes the CPU render pixels; it reflects the desire to keep simulation and frame preparation ahead of a substantially faster GPU. If a performance overlay shows the GPU well below full utilization while frame rate falls in populated areas, the CPU or background activity is a more likely constraint.
Memory: install 16GB in dual-channel mode
All four official tiers specify 16GB, and the minimum row explicitly says “16GB (dual-channel mode).” Use two matched modules in the motherboard’s recommended paired slots rather than one module. Dual-channel operation increases memory bandwidth and avoids a common self-inflicted performance penalty.
Sixteen gigabytes is the documented requirement for these targets. Moving to 32GB can provide extra room for a browser, recording software, mods, or other applications, but it is a comfort upgrade rather than a replacement for the listed GPU or CPU. Before adding memory, confirm that modules run in dual-channel mode and that the system is not reserving an unusual amount for integrated graphics.
Rank #3
![Star Wars Outlaws Season Pass - PC [Digital Delivery]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41tjqq+0CFL._SL160_.jpg)
- With the Season Pass, get access to two narrative expansions
- In addition, receive the Day 1 exclusive mission Jabba's Gambit, available at launch.
- Ubisoft Connect account required to download and install.
Storage and platform requirements
An SSD is required
Both Ubisoft and Steam specify 65GB of SSD storage, and Steam states that an SSD is required. Install the game on an SSD with substantially more free space than the stated footprint so the operating system, shader caches, updates, and temporary files are not competing for the last few gigabytes. An SSD improves asset access and reduces the risk that a mechanical drive becomes the bottleneck during rapid traversal; it cannot compensate for an underpowered GPU.
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Use a supported Windows and graphics API setup
The official specifications call for Windows 10 or Windows 11 with DirectX 12. Keep the operating system, motherboard firmware, and graphics driver current enough for the game’s DirectX 12 path. The Arc A750 entry option specifically requires Resizable BAR (ReBAR); check that it is enabled in firmware and visible in the graphics driver before choosing that configuration.
Match your build to the way you play
| If you want… | Prioritize | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p at 30 FPS on a tight budget | The minimum-tier GPU, a six-core-class CPU, dual-channel 16GB RAM, and an SSD | Spending on a premium monitor while using a slower graphics card than the target requires |
| 1080p at 60 FPS | The recommended GPU class and a CPU equivalent to the listed 10400/5600X level | Pairing a fast GPU with a very old processor that causes frame-time spikes |
| 1440p at 60 FPS | The enthusiast GPU class, 12GB-or-more VRAM in the listed examples, and good CPU cooling | Assuming a 1080p/60 card will deliver the same settings at 1440p |
| 4K at 60 FPS | The Ultra GPU class, a high-end CPU, and a display that supports 4K/60 | Disabling the Quality upscaler without accepting lower settings or frame rate |
When upgrading an existing PC, identify the current limiter first. If the GPU is at 95–100% utilization and frame rate rises when you lower resolution, upgrade the GPU. If GPU utilization is low while one or more CPU threads are saturated during traversal, the processor is the better target. If neither is saturated, investigate memory configuration, storage space, drivers, thermals, or background software.
Controller features that matter for this game
There is no single officially endorsed controller. Choose based on the demands of third-person aiming, stealth movement, gadget use, driving, traversal, and ship dogfights.
Accurate, consistent analog sticks
Stick precision matters more than extra cosmetic features. You need a small, predictable movement range for stealth and camera control, followed by enough travel for aiming and driving. Look for adjustable dead zones or software that lets you calibrate them. A stick that drifts, spikes, or reaches maximum input too early makes both gunfights and speeder steering harder.
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Rank #4
![Star Wars Outlaws Ultimate Edition - PC [Digital Delivery]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/417Ljx01l4L._SL160_.jpg)
- With the Star Wars Outlaws Ultimate Edition get the game, the Season Pass, the Sabacc Shark and Rogue Infiltrator Bundles, a digital art book.
- Risk it all as scoundrel Kay Vess, seeking freedom and the means to start a new life.
- Fight, steal, and outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted.
- Ubisoft Connect account required to download and install.
Triggers with controllable travel
Analog triggers let you modulate acceleration and braking while driving and vary pressure during weapon use. Smooth resistance and identical behavior on both sides are more useful than an unusually heavy spring. Trigger-stop switches can shorten the pull for fast shooting, but retain full travel when precise vehicle control is more important.
Low-latency wired or wireless connection
A wired USB connection removes battery management and avoids radio interference. A quality wireless connection can be just as convenient if the receiver is close to the controller and the battery is charged. Bluetooth is convenient but adds another variable—adapter quality, interference, and operating-system behavior—so test it in an actual firefight rather than judging by a specification sheet. No independent controller-latency figure is established here; consistency is the practical test.
Remapping and extra buttons
Remapping lets you place dodge, crouch, gadget, scan, or camera functions where your thumb can reach them without releasing the right stick. Rear buttons can keep movement and aiming active while you trigger a gadget or reload. Verify that remapping works on Windows and in the game, not only on a console or through a proprietary app you do not plan to install.
Ergonomics and platform support
Long open-world sessions expose pressure points quickly. Check the shape, grip texture, stick offset, button spacing, and weight. Confirm Windows compatibility, the connection mode you intend to use, rumble support, and whether the controller presents the button prompts you expect. A comfortable, reliable controller with fewer extras is preferable to one that requires frequent reconnects or causes hand fatigue.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Configure the PC and controller in a repeatable order
- Verify the target. Decide whether you are building for 1080p/30, 1080p/60, 1440p/60, or 4K/60, then compare your CPU and GPU with the matching Ubisoft row.
- Check the foundation. Confirm Windows 10 or 11, DirectX 12 support, 16GB in dual-channel mode, and at least 65GB available on an SSD. Enable ReBAR when using the Arc A750 option.
- Install current drivers. Update the graphics driver and motherboard chipset package, reboot, and close overlays or recording tools while establishing a baseline.
- Start with the published profile. Select the preset for your target and leave the Quality upscaler enabled. Change one setting at a time so you can identify its effect.
- Test a demanding route. Walk through a crowded settlement, accelerate on the speeder, and enter a combat encounter. These scenarios reveal frame-time problems more reliably than an empty interior.
- Connect and calibrate the controller. Test wired first, check for drift, set a comfortable dead zone, confirm both triggers reach their full range, and save a remap profile for the game.
- Recheck after updates. Game patches and graphics-driver releases can alter shader compilation and performance. Revisit your target after an update instead of assuming an old setting remains optimal.
Common problems and the most useful fixes
Frame rate is low everywhere
Lower the output resolution temporarily. If performance improves substantially, the GPU is limiting you; reduce demanding graphics options or use the supported Quality upscaler. If it barely changes, check CPU utilization, temperatures, background tasks, and memory channel mode.
Best Value
![Star Wars Outlaws Deluxe Edition - PC Ubisoft Connect [Direct Fulfillment]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51oegsaAuTL._SL160_.jpg)
- With Star Wars Outlaws Deluxe edition, get the game, a digital art book, and the Ultimate Pack
- Risk it all as scoundrel Kay Vess, seeking freedom and the means to start a new life.
- Fight, steal, and outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted.
- Ubisoft Connect account required to download and install.
Stutter appears during traversal
Confirm the installation is on an SSD with free capacity, allow shader compilation to finish when the game provides that process, and avoid running heavy downloads or scans at the same time. Persistent hitching with low GPU utilization points toward CPU, storage, driver, or streaming issues rather than simply lowering image quality.
The picture looks soft or shimmers
Verify that the upscaler is set to Quality rather than a more aggressive mode, then compare sharpening and anti-aliasing options one at a time. Fine foliage and distant cables are useful test subjects because reconstruction artifacts are easiest to see there.
The controller is not detected
Reconnect it by USB, confirm Windows sees it, and close remapping utilities that may create a duplicate virtual device. Then select the intended input device in the game and reconnect wirelessly only after the wired path works. If prompts do not match the buttons, check the controller’s PC mode and the game’s input setting.
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Charge the controller, move its receiver closer, remove sources of interference, and compare against a wired session. If wired play is stable and wireless play is not, the issue is the connection environment rather than stick calibration.
The practical buying verdict
Build around the GPU tier that matches your monitor and desired frame rate, then choose a modern six-core CPU, 16GB of dual-channel RAM, and an SSD. Treat Quality upscaling as part of the intended workload. For controls, buy the controller that gives you stable sticks, smooth triggers, dependable low-latency connectivity, useful remapping, and a grip you can use for several hours. Those choices address the actual demands of an open-world Star Wars adventure more directly than chasing a premium badge or unnecessary accessories.
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