Introduction

The anticipation surrounding the release of DOOM: The Dark Ages has reached a fever pitch. As the latest installment in the iconic DOOM franchise, this prequel promises to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience. To ensure players are well-prepared, Bethesda and id Software have released the official PC system requirements, highlighting the technological advancements and hardware demands of modern gaming.

System Requirements Breakdown

Minimum Requirements (1080p/60 FPS/Low Video Settings)

  • Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit / Windows 11 64-bit
  • Processor: AMD Zen 2 or Intel 10th Generation @ 3.2GHz with 8 cores / 16 threads or better (e.g., AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, Intel Core i7 10700K)
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA or AMD hardware ray tracing-capable GPU with 8GB dedicated VRAM or better (e.g., NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super, AMD RX 6600)
  • System RAM: 16GB
  • Storage: 512GB or higher NVMe SSD (100GB available space)

Recommended Requirements (1440p/60 FPS/High Video Settings)

  • Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit / Windows 11 64-bit
  • Processor: AMD Zen 3 or Intel 12th Generation @ 3.2GHz with 8 cores / 16 threads or better (e.g., AMD Ryzen 7 5700X, Intel Core i7 12700K)
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA or AMD hardware ray tracing-capable GPU with 10GB dedicated VRAM or better (e.g., NVIDIA RTX 3080, AMD RX 6800)
  • System RAM: 32GB
  • Storage: 512GB or higher NVMe SSD (100GB available space)

Ultra 4K Requirements (2160p/60 FPS/Ultra Video Settings)

  • Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit / Windows 11 64-bit
  • Processor: AMD Zen 3 or Intel 12th Generation @ 3.2GHz with 8 cores / 16 threads or better (e.g., AMD Ryzen 7 5700X, Intel Core i7 12700K)
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA or AMD hardware ray tracing-capable GPU with 16GB dedicated VRAM or better (e.g., NVIDIA RTX 4080, AMD RX 7900XT)
  • System RAM: 32GB
  • Storage: 512GB or higher NVMe SSD (100GB available space)
Note: A hardware ray tracing-compatible GPU is mandatory across all configurations.

Technological Advancements in DOOM: The Dark Ages

idTech8 Engine

DOOM: The Dark Ages is built on the cutting-edge idTech8 engine, representing a significant leap in game development technology. This engine introduces:
  • Dynamic Interactive Ray-Traced Lighting and Shadows: Enhances realism by simulating the physical behavior of light.
  • Higher-Fidelity Image Quality: Delivers sharper textures and more detailed environments.
  • Increased Gore and Destruction: Elevates the visceral experience synonymous with the DOOM series.

These features collectively contribute to the most immersive and graphically impressive DOOM game to date.

Implications for PC Gamers

The elevated system requirements reflect the game's ambition to push the boundaries of visual fidelity and performance. Key considerations for gamers include:

  • Ray Tracing Compatibility: Ensures realistic lighting and shadow effects, necessitating modern GPUs.
  • Increased RAM Requirements: With 32GB recommended for higher settings, upgrading system memory may be essential.
  • NVMe SSD Storage: Guarantees faster load times and smoother gameplay, highlighting the shift towards SSDs in gaming.

Performance Benchmarks and Optimization

Early performance tests have showcased the game's optimization across various hardware configurations. Notably:

  • RTX 5090 Performance: Achieved 155 FPS at 4K Ultra settings without DLSS, and up to 344 FPS with DLSS 4 x4 enabled.
  • RTX 5070 Ti Performance: Reached 52 FPS at 4K without DLSS, and 185 FPS with DLSS 4 enabled.

These benchmarks underscore the game's scalability and the effectiveness of NVIDIA's DLSS technology in enhancing performance without compromising visual quality.

Conclusion

DOOM: The Dark Ages sets a new standard for PC gaming in 2025, both in terms of gameplay and technical requirements. By understanding and meeting these system specifications, players can fully immerse themselves in the latest chapter of the DOOM saga, experiencing the game as intended by the developers.