
Stellaris
PC requirements, performance and Steam Deck status
- Minimum
- AMD Radeon Vega 11 Graphics
- Recommended
- Radeon R7 370 · Core i5-3570K
- 60 fps 1080p high
- Radeon RX 6400 (~92 fps, est.)
- Steam Deck
- Steam Deck Playable · ~85 fps ultra (est.)
- Genres
- Simulation, Strategy
- Release
- May 9, 2016
- Developer
- Paradox Development Studio
- Publisher
- Paradox Interactive
Explore a galaxy full of wonders in this sci-fi grand strategy game from Paradox Development Studios. Interact with diverse alien races, discover strange new worlds with unexpected events and expand the reach of your empire. Each new adventure holds almost limitless possibilities.
SpaceStrategyGrand StrategySci-fi4XExplorationSandboxSimulationMultiplayerReal-Time with Pause
View on Steam →Will Stellaris run on your PC?
What you need for Stellaris
Stellaris needs about a Radeon RX 6400 for 60 fps at 1080p high and a Radeon RX 6400 at 1440p (pcgaming.io estimate, medium confidence, ±20%, model v0, data updated 2026-09-24).
| Target | Graphics card (at least) | Processor (at least) |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p · 60 fps · High | Radeon RX 6400 | Core i3-9100F |
| 1080p · 144 fps · Medium | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | Ryzen 3 3100 |
| 1440p · 60 fps · High | Radeon RX 6400 | Core i3-9100F |
| 1440p · 120 fps · High | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Core i3-9100F |
| 4K · 60 fps · High | Radeon RX 9050 4GB | Core i3-9100F |
Slowest current desktop parts (2020+ GPUs, 2019+ CPUs) our model expects to reach each target. Best GPUs for Stellaris →
Estimated FPS on popular graphics cards (high preset)
| Graphics card | 1080p | 1440p | 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce GTX 1650 | 92 | 65 | 39 |
| GeForce GTX 1060 6GB | 129 | 90 | 54 |
| GeForce RTX 2060 6GB | 194 | 136 | 81 |
| Radeon RX 6600 | 212 | 149 | 89 |
| GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | 231 | 162 | 97 |
| GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU | 240 | 168 | 101 |
| Radeon RX 7600 | 268 | 187 | 112 |
| GeForce RTX 4060 | 272 | 191 | 114 |
| GeForce RTX 3070 | 300+ | 223 | 134 |
| GeForce RTX 4070 | 300+ | 281 | 169 |
| Radeon RX 7800 XT | 300+ | 300+ | 188 |
| GeForce RTX 5070 | 300+ | 300+ | 194 |
| Radeon RX 9070 XT | 300+ | 300+ | 252 |
| GeForce RTX 4080 | 300+ | 300+ | 262 |
| GeForce RTX 5090 | 300+ | 300+ | 300+ |
Estimated FPS from our model (v0), based on the game's published requirements and relative GPU/CPU performance. Not measured. Real results vary with drivers, patches, and scenes. Values above 300 fps show as 300+. Data updated 2026-09-24.
Stellaris system requirements
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows® 10 Home 64 Bit | Windows® 10 Home 64 Bit |
| Processor | Intel® iCore™ i3-530 or AMD® FX-6350 No specific model named. Estimated from the legacy requirement. | Intel® iCore™ i5-3570K or AMD® Ryzen™ 5 2400G |
| Graphics | Nvidia® GeForce™ GTX 460 or AMD® ATI Radeon™ HD 5870 (1GB VRAM), or AMD® Radeon™ RX Vega 11 or Intel® HD Graphics 4600 | Nvidia® GeForce™ GTX 560 Ti (1GB VRAM) or AMD® Radeon™ R7 370 (2 GB VRAM) |
| Memory | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Video memory | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Storage | 10 GB | 10 GB |
| DirectX | Version 9.0c | Version 12 |
| Notes | Controller support: 3-button mouse, keyboard and speakers. Special multiplayer requirements: Internet Connection | Controller support: 3-button mouse, keyboard and speakers. Special multiplayer requirements: Internet Connection |
Source: Steam.
Stellaris on handheld PCs
Valve rating: Steam Deck Playable
Steam Deck · playable
- !Launcher interaction issues
- !Default controller configuration not fully functional
- !Controller glyphs do not match Steam Deck device
- !Text input does not automatically invokes keyboard
- ✓Interface text is legible
- ✓Default configuration is performant
Steam Machine · playable
- !Launcher interaction issues
- !Default controller configuration not fully functional
- !Controller glyphs do not match device
- !Text input does not automatically invokes keyboard
- ✓Default configuration is performant
SteamOS · playable
- !Game startup functional
- ✗Launcher interaction issues
- ✗Default controller configuration not fully functional
- ✗Text input does not automatically invokes keyboard
| Handheld | Native resolution | Estimated FPS | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Deck OLED | 1280×800 | 85 ultra | Steam Deck Playable |
| ROG Ally X | 1920×1080 | 70 ultra | Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU |
| ROG Xbox Ally X | 1920×1080 | 81 ultra | Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU |
| Legion Go 2 | 1920×1200 | 73 ultra | Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU |
| MSI Claw 8 AI+ | 1920×1200 | 73 ultra | Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU |
Each handheld at its own screen resolution, on the best preset that holds 30 fps. Steam Deck verdicts are Valve's rating.
Details
- Controller support
- Keyboard & mouse
- DLC
- 32
- Steam achievements
- 219
- Metacritic
- 78
- Engine
- Clausewitz Engine
- Features
- Single-playerMulti-playerCross-Platform MultiplayerSteam AchievementsSteam Trading CardsSteam WorkshopSteam CloudFamily Sharing
- Languages (10)
- English, French, German, Spanish - Spain, Polish, Portuguese - Brazil, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean
Latest news & patches
- Stellaris 4.5 "Cygnus" now available!2026-09-22
- Stellaris Dev Diary #433 - 4.5 'Cygnus' Preliminary Release Notes2026-09-17
- Mammalian Science Ship Brickset and Bubbles Cantina Puzzle now available!2026-09-15
- Stellaris Dev Diary #432 - Yet More About 4.5 'Cygnus'2026-09-10
- Stellaris Dev Diary #431 - 4.5 'Cygnus' Development Continues to Continue2026-09-03
- Stellaris Dev Diary #430 - 4.5 ‘Cygnus’ Development Continues2026-08-27
Official announcements via Steam.
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FAQ
Can Stellaris run on a GTX 1650?
Yes. The GeForce GTX 1650 is well above Stellaris's recommended spec. We estimate ~92 fps at 1080p high (range 74–111, medium confidence, ±20%), GPU-limited. For 60 fps at 1440p, use the high preset (~65 fps on high). Its 4 GB of video memory covers the 1 GB the game recommends. Every preset on the GTX 1650.
Can Stellaris run on Steam Deck?
Yes, with issues. Valve rates Stellaris Steam Deck Playable. At the Steam Deck OLED's native 1280×800 we estimate ~85 fps on the ultra preset (range 68–102, medium confidence, ±20%). 60 fps is reachable on the ultra preset. Presets for 30/40/60 fps on Steam Deck OLED.
What graphics card do I need for Stellaris at 1440p?
For 60 fps at 1440p high, our model points to a Radeon RX 6400 or faster: ~65 fps (range 52–78, medium confidence, ±20%). At 1080p high a Radeon RX 6400 is enough. 4K at 60 fps needs a Radeon RX 9050 4GB. All are the slowest current desktop cards per target. Best GPUs for Stellaris by brand.
Can I run Stellaris on a laptop?
Yes, with a fast enough GPU. Of the 30 laptop GPUs we list, the GeForce GTX 1650 Laptop GPU is the slowest expected to reach 60 fps at 1080p high: ~74 fps (range 59–89, medium confidence, ±20%). Stellaris on the GeForce GTX 1650 Laptop GPU.
How much RAM does Stellaris need?
The publisher's Steam listing asks for 4 GB of RAM minimum and 4 GB recommended for Stellaris. For the graphics card it lists video memory of 1 GB at minimum and 1 GB recommended.
How much storage does Stellaris take?
Stellaris needs 10 GB of free storage according to the publisher's recommended spec on Steam. The minimum operating system is Windows® 10 Home 64 Bit.