The Rust system requirements aren't particularly stressful, unlike its PVP aspect, but they're certainly quite high for a game that was originally released in 2018. That said, Rust has received innumerable updates since its original launch, which has subsequently and slowly raised the hardware demands.
As of the latest update, Rust doesn't call for anything high-tier from our buying guides, such as our best graphics card guide, but you will need an unusual amount of RAM to meet the minimum requirements. You'll also want a decent internet connection if you want to dive into Rust, as latency can be a real progress-killer if you're lagging during a raid.
Here are the Rust system requirements for 2025:
Minimum | Recommended | |
OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 11 |
GPU | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 AMD Radeon 520 |
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 AMD Radeon RX 570 |
VRAM | 2GB | 4GB |
CPU | Intel Core i5-8250U AMD Ryzen 5 5500 |
Intel Core i7-4790K AMD Ryzen 5 2600 |
RAM | 10GB | 16GB |
Storage | 40GB | 40GB SSD |
The Rust minimum requirements aren't daunting in the slightest for most modern gaming rigs and laptops, calling for an old - if high-tier when they released - Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 or AMD Radeon 520 GPU, and an Intel Core i5-8250U or AMD Ryzen 5 5500 CPU. Neither of these components are particularly expensive, and most players should be able to exceed the 10GB of RAM that the game requires, oddly specific as 10GB is.
Frame rates are extremely important in an open-world PVP game like Rust, so you'll probably want to aim for the Rust recommended specs to improve your chances at survival. To this end, you'll need an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 570 or better, paired with an Intel Core i7-4790K or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 CPU, and 16GB of RAM. Overall, these requirements are significantly higher than the original Rust requirements, but nothing out of reach for your average modern gaming PC or laptop.
Of course, you might be able to optimize the game by tweaking some of the in-game settings if you don't quite meet the recommended specs, but you might want to consider an upgrade to one of our best gaming PC picks on our buyers' guide.
Finally, we arrive at the Rust download size, which only requires 40GB of storage space. You don't need any of the best gaming SSD picks from our buying guide to get the game running, but the developer Facepunch Studios does state that an SSD is required to meet the recommended specs.
Struggling to land on your feet, or just find enemy raids annoying? Check out our latest guides, including a full list of Rust commands, friendly Rust servers, and more, right here on PCGamesN.
Take our Rust system requirements PC benchmark test to answer the question… "Can I run Rust?"
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