Can You Run Counter-Strike 2?
Minimum and recommended PC requirements, side by side, with a free check against your own hardware.
Quick answer
To run Counter-Strike 2 at minimum settings you need Intel Core i5-4430 or better, 8 GB of memory, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960. For comfortable frame rates aim for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 with 16 GB. Set aside 60 GB of drive space.
Check your own PCCounter-Strike 2 system requirements
Minimum
Bare minimumThe game launches and runs, usually low settings around 30 frames per second
- Operating system
- Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor
- Intel Core i5-4430 / AMD FX-6300
- Memory
- 8 GB RAM
- Graphics
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 / AMD Radeon RX 470
- DirectX
- Version 11
- Storage
- 60 GB available space
Recommended
Smooth playComfortable frame rates at higher settings
- Operating system
- Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor
- Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 7 2700X
- Memory
- 16 GB RAM
- Graphics
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 / AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
- DirectX
- Version 11
- Storage
- 60 GB SSD
What these numbers mean in practice
Minimum requirements are the floor, not a target. Meeting them means Counter-Strike 2 will start and remain playable, typically at low settings and roughly 30 frames per second. If your hardware only just clears the minimum, expect to lower the resolution before you lower anything else, since resolution costs more performance than almost any other setting.
The graphics card matters more than any other component here. In our scoring the GPU carries 40 percent of the compatibility result, the processor 30 percent, and memory and storage speed 15 percent each. A strong processor cannot rescue a card that falls below the minimum, though a weak processor can hold back a strong card at lower resolutions.
Storage speed is the most commonly overlooked requirement. Counter-Strike 2 lists 60 GB of space, and modern titles stream assets from disk while you play. On a mechanical drive you get texture pop in and longer loading even when every other part of your system is comfortably above spec.
Frequently asked questions
Can I run Counter-Strike 2 on my PC?
To run Counter-Strike 2 at minimum settings you need Intel Core i5-4430 or better, 8 GB of memory, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960. For comfortable frame rates aim for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 with 16 GB. Set aside 60 GB of drive space. Enter your own specs in the checker above and you will get a compatibility score with an estimated frame rate rather than a simple yes or no.
What are the minimum requirements for Counter-Strike 2?
Windows 10 64-bit, Intel Core i5-4430 / AMD FX-6300, 8 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 / AMD Radeon RX 470, DirectX 11 and 60 GB available space. Minimum specs mean the game launches and runs, usually at low settings and around 30 frames per second.
What are the recommended requirements for Counter-Strike 2?
Windows 10 64-bit, Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 7 2700X, 16 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 / AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT, DirectX 11 and 60 GB SSD. Recommended specs target a smooth experience at higher settings.
How much storage does Counter-Strike 2 need?
Counter-Strike 2 needs 60 GB of free space. Install it on an SSD if you can. Modern games stream assets while you play, and a mechanical drive causes texture pop in and longer loading even when every other component is strong enough.
Does Counter-Strike 2 run on a laptop?
It can, but compare the actual laptop GPU rather than the desktop card with a similar name. Laptop graphics chips typically run 15 to 30 percent slower than their desktop counterparts because of power and cooling limits, so a laptop card that matches the recommended spec on paper often performs closer to the minimum.