Stellaris cover art

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.)
Check your PC →Estimate · medium confidence, ±20%
Very Positive · 85% of 139,8978,958 playing nowSteam Deck Playable$14.99Windows · macOS · Linux
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.
From the Steam store page

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).

TargetGraphics card (at least)Processor (at least)
1080p · 60 fps · HighRadeon RX 6400Core i3-9100F
1080p · 144 fps · MediumGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRyzen 3 3100
1440p · 60 fps · HighRadeon RX 6400Core i3-9100F
1440p · 120 fps · HighGeForce RTX 3050 8GBCore i3-9100F
4K · 60 fps · HighRadeon RX 9050 4GBCore 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)

Estimate · medium confidence, ±20%

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

MinimumRecommended
OSWindows® 10 Home 64 BitWindows® 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

Core i5-3570KRyzen 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

AMD Radeon Vega 11 Graphics

Nvidia® GeForce™ GTX 560 Ti (1GB VRAM) or AMD® Radeon™ R7 370 (2 GB VRAM)

Radeon R7 370

Memory4 GB4 GB
Video memory1 GB1 GB
Storage10 GB10 GB
DirectXVersion 9.0cVersion 12
NotesController support: 3-button mouse, keyboard and speakers. Special multiplayer requirements: Internet ConnectionController 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
HandheldNative resolutionEstimated FPSVerdict
Steam Deck OLED1280×80085 ultraSteam Deck Playable
ROG Ally X1920×108070 ultraSteam Deck Playable · faster GPU
ROG Xbox Ally X1920×108081 ultraSteam Deck Playable · faster GPU
Legion Go 21920×120073 ultraSteam Deck Playable · faster GPU
MSI Claw 8 AI+1920×120073 ultraSteam 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

Official announcements via Steam.

Games like Stellaris

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.