To run Baldur’s Gate 3 on PC you need at least Windows 10 64-bit, 8 GB of RAM, a graphics card with 4 GB of VRAM, 150 GB of free space and an SSD, which is mandatory. On Mac it runs from the Apple M1 chip up, and on Steam Deck it’s rated Verified, with a native build that skips Proton since September 2025. Below you’ll find the minimum and recommended specs for Windows and macOS, how much space the game really takes and what to expect on Steam Deck. Everything is checked against Steam and Larian Studios support as of 20 October 2026.
PC system requirements (Windows)
The table is based on the Steam store page and Larian’s system requirements FAQ. Steam has the newer version, which also lists Intel Arc and Qualcomm chips (Snapdragon X Elite with Adreno X1 graphics) in the minimum spec.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel i5-4690 / AMD FX 8350 / Snapdragon X Elite | Intel i7 8700K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| GPU | Nvidia GTX 970 / AMD RX 480 / Intel Arc A380 / Qualcomm Adreno X1 (4 GB+ VRAM) | Nvidia RTX 2060 Super / AMD RX 5700 XT / Intel Arc A580 (8 GB+ VRAM) |
| DirectX | 11 | 11 |
| Storage | 150 GB, SSD required | 150 GB, SSD required |
The SSD is listed as required in both columns, not just recommended. Larian says so on Steam and on its support site, so don’t plan on running the game from a traditional hard drive. The biggest jump between minimum and recommended is memory: the recommended setup asks for 16 GB of RAM and a GPU with 8 GB of VRAM.
DirectX 11 and Vulkan
DirectX 11 is the default graphics API. Vulkan is available too, and Larian lists it as the second option alongside DirectX 11.
Mac system requirements
Mac support arrived with Patch 3 in September 2023. The game needs Apple Silicon, with the M1 as the minimum.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | macOS 14.7.1 or later | latest macOS |
| Chip | Apple M1 | Apple M1 Pro or better |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 150 GB, SSD | 150 GB, SSD |
If you want to play split-screen on a Mac, keep in mind that on the minimum spec it won’t run at acceptable performance, according to Larian. Local and online co-op are covered in our multiplayer and crossplay guide.
Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam Deck
Steam rates BG3 as Verified on Steam Deck. Since Hotfix #34 on 23 September 2025, the game has a native Steam Deck build that runs without the Proton compatibility layer. Larian promises a steadier framerate and shorter loading times.
If the native version gives you trouble, you can switch back to Proton: open the game’s properties, go to Compatibility and pick Proton 8 or newer. Saves from the native build live in /home/deck/.local/share/Larian Studios/Baldur's Gate 3/PlayerProfiles/Public.
A few more things that apply on Deck:
- Since Patch 8, the default upscaling on Steam Deck is FSR 2.2 Quality.
- There’s no split-screen on Steam Deck, so co-op there means playing online.
- Larian doesn’t support Linux. The native build is for Steam Deck only, not for Linux PCs in general.
What else changed after the last big update is summed up in our Patch 8 overview.
How much space the game takes
Larian lists 150 GB on both PC and Mac. On Xbox, the Microsoft Store gives a maximum install size of roughly 156 GB. Patch 7 on PC needed 160 GB of free space to install, so leave yourself some headroom above 150 GB so a big update doesn’t get stuck.
If you want to make your own mods, the official Baldur’s Gate 3 Toolkit is free on Steam but Windows-only. It needs another 160 GB of space, and Larian recommends 32 GB of RAM for it. More on that in our cheats and mods guide.
Controllers and cloud play
BG3 has full controller support, DualShock and DualSense included, so on PC you can play with a gamepad just like on console. If your PC isn’t up to it, the official FAQ lists GeForce NOW among the platforms the game is available on. Which platforms the game launched on and what it costs is in our price and editions guide.
Join our Discord to ask other players how BG3 runs on their rig or on Steam Deck. Come say hi on the GamersTogether Discord.
FAQ
Larian lists 150 GB on PC and Mac, and the Xbox install tops out at roughly 156 GB according to the Microsoft Store. Leave some headroom, as Patch 7 on PC needed 160 GB free to install.
Yes. An SSD is listed as required in both the minimum and recommended specs.
Yes, it’s rated Verified. Since Hotfix #34 on 23 September 2025 it runs natively without Proton, and you can switch back to Proton 8 or newer in the game’s properties if needed.
Yes, an Apple M1 with 8 GB of RAM and macOS 14.7.1 is the minimum. An M1 Pro or better with 16 GB of RAM is recommended, and split-screen won’t run at acceptable performance on the minimum spec.
Larian doesn’t support Linux. The native build is only for Steam Deck.
Information verified on 20 October 2026. More guides are in our BG3 guides section.