Oct 18, 2024

Best Gaming PC for Baldur's Gate 3 + Recommended Specs

Baldur's Gate 3 is a bit of a hardware intensive game on PC. If you're looking to dive into the Sword Coast and realm of Faerun for the first time, it's important to make sure your gaming PC meets the minimum specs to get the most out of your experience.

While you might want your settings finalized immediately, it is best to experiment and optimize a custom gaming PC based on the other games you play and the level of play you are at. You will want to use a combination of settings based on your hardware and various components you currently have installed. It is imperative that when making changes, especially when it comes to overclocking or advanced BIOS settings, you are cautious and thoughtful, so not to damage your system.

It is an unwritten rule that hardware upgrades will enhance an immersive gaming experience. But, with strategic, well thought out optimizations, you will be able to significantly improve performance without testing the monetary budget you set.

This guide outlines the minimum and recommended Baldur’s Gate 3 PC requirements and what you can do to optimize your gameplay experience.

A Break Down of Baldur’s Gate 3’s System Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core i5-4670K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon RX 480
DirectX: Version 11
Storage: 70 GB available space
Recommended Requirements:
Processor: Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti or AMD Radeon RX Vega 64
DirectX: Version 12

Recommended System Requirements

This definitely depends on your budget and the level of performance you want from your PC. However, here's a suggested build that should provide a truly smooth gaming experience for Baldur’s Gate 3:

Processor: Intel Core i7-13700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
Motherboard: Z790 or B650 chipset motherboard
RAM: 16GB DDR5-4800MHz RAM
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
Power Supply: 750W or higher
Cooling: High-performance CPU and GPU coolers
Case: Mid-tower or full-tower case with good airflow

Best Prebuilt Gaming PCs for Baldur’s Gate 3

APEX ALPHA

The Apex Alpha comes standard with an Intel i5-12600KF, 16GB of RAM, and an RTX 4060 Ti to create the perfect mid-level PC with a high-powered CPU.

Intel® Core™ i5-12600KF 10 Core 4.9 GHz

Apex 240MM AIO Liquid Cooler

AsRock B660M Pro RS

16GB DDR4-3600 (Non-RGB) (2 Sticks)

NVidia GeForce RTX™ 4060 Ti

1TB Gen4 NVMe SSD (Up to 5,000 MB/S)

750W Power Supply (Apex, Cooler Master, SilverStone, Manik, and Seasonic)

Apex Black Fans

WiFi and Bluetooth Capability (Up To 1200 MB/s)

Windows 11 Home

No Sag Bracket Included

PC Shipped In 2-4 Weeks (Average Lead Time Is 12 Business Days)

Apex Standard 2 Year Parts and Lifetime Labor Warranty

APEX CARBON

The Apex Carbon comes standard with an Intel i5-14600KF, 16GB of RAM, and a RTX 4070 Super which creates a ready-to-stream PC and the perfect base for this high-tier gaming PC designed to handle up to an Intel i9-14900KF and RTX 4090.

Intel® Core™ i5-14600K 14-Core 5.7 GHz

Apex 240MM AIO Liquid Cooler

AsRock Z790 Phantom Gaming

16GB DDR5-5200

NVidia GeForce RTX™ 4070 Super

1TB Gen4 NVMe SSD (Up to 5,000 MB/S)

750W Power Supply (Apex, Cooler Master, SilverStone, Manik, and Seasonic)

Apex Black Fans

WiFi and Bluetooth Capability (Up To 1200 MB/s)

Windows 11 Home

No Sag Bracket Included

PC Shipped In 2-4 Weeks (Average Lead Time Is 12 Business Days)

Apex Standard 2 Year Parts and Lifetime Labor Warranty

High-Performance Gaming Laptops for Baldur’s Gate 3

Apex RTS X3-4070

The Apex RTS X3-4070 is a powerful gaming laptop is ready to ship and built for the most complex games like Baldur’s Gate 3.

CPU - Intel i9-14900HX

RAM - 32GB DDR5-5200

SSD - 1TB Gen4 NVMe SSD

GPU - Nvidia RTX 4070

WiFi + Bluetooth - Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 M.2 AX+BT

Screen - 17.3" 1440p 240Hz (Glossy)

Webcam - 2.0M FHD Windows Hello World Digital Video Camera

Choosing the Right Gaming PC for Baldur’s Gate 3

Evaluating Your Budget

Budget: Decide how much you can afford to spend on your gaming PC. Consider budget and the importance of high-end performance versus cost-effectiveness.

Research: Get an idea of the current market prices for the PC you want and the level of game play you need – which means cost – research how much PCs cost and go for the best within your budget framework. Don’t forget that many times a year there will be seasonal discounts on certain gaming systems.

Components: Decide which components are most important to you. If you prioritize high-end graphics, you may want to spend more on a powerful GPU and sacrifice a bit on other components.

Future Upgrades: Always think about potential upgrades to your PC. Consider a system with room to accommodate future components.

Prioritizing Performance Components

For an immersive gaming experience in Baldur's Gate 3, investing in a higher performing gaming PC is going to be important. Prioritizing components like a powerful graphics card, a strong processor, generous RAM, and a high-speed SSD, should be top of mind. A graphics card with significant processing power, such as an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, will almost guarantee stunning visuals and smooth frame rates. Being a more CPU intensive game, a multi-core CPU with high clock speeds, like an Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, can handle the Baldur’s Gate 3's complex logic and AI without too much effort. For RAM, at least 16GB, is crucial for reducing loading times and preventing stuttering in this game due to the complexity of it. And installing an SSD will significantly enhance overall system responsiveness and load times, allowing you to dive into the game without delay.

Future-Proofing Your Build

First and foremost, choose components that are compatible with the games that you are playing. The more contemporary or modern the game is, the chances are it will need stronger components to keep up with its complexity.

Choose a motherboard that has expansion slots to accommodate future upgrades.

Select a good CPU and motherboard with overclocking features can provide flexibility.

Ensure adequate airflow when choosing your case and consider using high-performance cooling solutions to prevent overheating to maintain stable and smooth performance.

Choose a power supply with a higher wattage rating than your current system requires to accommodate future upgrades.

Keep your operating system, drivers, and BIOS up-to-date to benefit from performance optimizations and security patches.

Consider components with a longer lifespan and upgrade paths. For example, a high-end graphics card can last several years before needing replacement.

FAQs About Gaming PCs for Baldur’s Gate 3

What is the best graphics card for Baldur's Gate 3?

A high-end graphics card like an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT is recommended for playing Baldur's Gate 3 at maximum settings.

How much RAM do I need for Baldur's Gate 3?

At least 16GB of RAM is recommended for Baldur's Gate 3 on PC.

Can I upgrade my existing PC to play Baldur's Gate 3?

Yes, you may be able to upgrade your existing PC to play Baldur's Gate 3. Assess the compatibility of your current components and determine which upgrades are necessary.

How much does a gaming PC for Baldur's Gate 3 cost?

The cost of a gaming PC for Baldur's Gate 3 will vary depending on the specific components you choose and the desired level of performance. You can expect to spend anywhere from $1000 to $3000 or more for a high-end gaming PC.

What are some tips for optimizing my gaming PC for Baldur's Gate 3?

Keep your drivers and software up-to-date.
Close unnecessary background applications.
Adjust in-game settings to find the best balance between visual quality and performance.
Consider overclocking your CPU or GPU for a performance boost.

Can I play Baldur's Gate 3 on a Mac?

Yes, you can play Baldur's Gate 3 on a Mac using Bootcamp or Parallels to run Windows. Performance can be affected compared to a native Windows installation.

Is an SSD Required for Baldur’s Gate 3?

A solid-state drive (SSD) is highly recommended for faster loading times and overall system responsiveness.

Can I Play Baldur’s Gate 3 on a Laptop?

Yes, you can play Baldur's Gate 3 on a laptop. You will need a powerful laptop with a dedicated graphics card to achieve optimal performance.

Conclusion

By carefully budgeting, researching components, and considering your specific needs, you can create a powerful rig that delivers great performance in Baldur’s Gate 3. The key lies in striking the right balance between performance and affordability. With careful planning and research, you can purchase a gaming PC that not only meets but exceeds your expectations.