Good news for players with older rigs: Subnautica 2's official PC system requirements are out, and the minimum spec is a GeForce GTX 1660 — a seven-year-old GPU. The full requirements were posted to the official Steam page ahead of the May 14, 2026 Early Access launch.
Minimum Requirements
- OS: Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit)
- CPU: Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 / AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 50 GB available space
Recommended Requirements
- OS: Windows 11 (64-bit)
- CPU: Intel Core i7-13700 / AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8GB / AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT 8GB
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 50 GB available space (SSD strongly recommended)
What This Means
The minimum bar is genuinely accessible. The GTX 1660 launched in March 2019, which means anyone with a mid-range PC from the past seven years should be able to boot Subnautica 2 at low or medium settings. The CPU requirement (i5-8400 / Ryzen 5 2600) is similarly forgiving — both chips are six to seven years old.
That said, the recommended spec is noticeably more demanding than the original Subnautica. The jump to RTX 3070 / RX 6700 XT reflects the move to Unreal Engine 5, which uses Lumen for global illumination and Nanite for geometry — both GPU-intensive features that scale with hardware.
Storage and Pre-Load
50 GB is the confirmed install size for the Early Access build. There is no pre-load period — the game becomes available to download starting May 14, 2026 at 8:00 AM PDT. Players on slower connections should plan accordingly.
What About Xbox Series X|S?
Subnautica 2 launches simultaneously on Xbox Series X|S, with no additional spec gating beyond owning the console. Both Series X and Series S are supported, though the Series S version is expected to run at lower resolution and effects settings.
Steam Deck and Linux
Steam Deck verification status has not yet been announced. Unknown Worlds has indicated that Steam Deck and Linux compatibility will be evaluated during the Early Access period. The original Subnautica was Verified on Steam Deck, so prospects are reasonable, but there's no guarantee at launch.