IO Interactive finally posted 007: First Light PC specs — and that 32GB RAM request is weird

What IO Interactive’s 007: First Light PC specs actually mean for gamers

This caught my attention because IO Interactive doesn’t announce lightweight recommendations lightly – they built the modern Hitman engine and know how to tax a rig. The studio just posted official PC requirements for 007: First Light (launching May 27, 2026), and the headline is simple: minimum hardware is reasonable for 1080p/30, but the recommended bar for smooth 1080p/60 play asks for some surprisingly heavy memory and VRAM headroom – and Nvidia DLSS 4 support is baked in.

• Minimum (1080p/30): Intel i5-9500K, GTX 1660 (8GB), 16GB RAM, 80GB storage.
• Recommended (1080p/60): Intel i5-13500, RTX 3060 Ti, 32GB RAM, 80GB storage – and IO flags a 12GB VRAM target.
• DLSS 4 support: IO worked with Nvidia to include multi-frame generation upscaling, which could shift real-world performance in Nvidia’s favor.

Breaking down the specs — hype vs. substance

On paper the minimum is straightforward: a 2019-era mid-range CPU and a GTX 1660 will get you through Bond’s origin story at 1080p/30 with compromises. Where things get interesting is the recommended column. IO lists an i5-13500 and an RTX 3060 Ti for 60 FPS target, but they also call out 32GB of system RAM and lean toward a 12GB VRAM target. That’s unusual for a 1080p recommendation.

Why might IO ask for 32GB? My read: the game appears to stream expansive levels, lots of NPCs, weather and gadget data simultaneously — all things that chew memory. IO’s Hitman work already shows they prefer streaming-heavy scenes over small, heavily-instanced levels, so the RAM call likely reflects real-world peaks, not marketing showboating.

DLSS 4 and why “Nvidia collaboration” matters

DLSS 4’s multi-frame generation isn’t just another checkbox — it can materially raise frame rates and reduce VRAM pressure via smarter upscaling. That’s good news if you own a recent RTX card: IO’s explicit DLSS 4 support means Nvidia users may hit the recommended FPS with less rendering power. But it also highlights a platform split: AMD and Intel upscalers exist, but DLSS 4’s frame-gen advantage could make Nvidia the better purchase if you’re building for this game specifically.

Can your PC run it? Quick checklist

• Open Task Manager > Performance to check CPU/GPU/RAM. If you’re at or above i5-9500K + GTX 1660 + 16GB, you meet minimum.
• If you want 60 FPS aim: i5-13500-class CPU + GPU with 10-12GB VRAM and 32GB RAM. Many RTX 30-series cards are borderline because of VRAM limits.
• Update drivers: Nvidia owners should be on the current Game Ready driver with DLSS 4 support at launch.
• Storage: have ~80GB free on an SSD. HDD installs will feel slow in open-world transitions.

Practical upgrade advice (short and honest)

If you’ve got a 2020-2022 mid-range box (Ryzen 5 3600 / RTX 2060), you’ll probably need a GPU bump to feel comfortable — expect to spend a couple hundred dollars to land something with 8-12GB VRAM. If you’re on a 16GB system, plan to upgrade to 32GB only if you want to avoid occasional stutters; otherwise, lower texture streams and close background apps can tide you over until reviews and real-world VRAM stats appear.

For people building new: focus GPU VRAM and sane CPU single-thread performance. DLSS 4 can help frame counts, but you can’t upscale away from running out of RAM or VRAM.

Why this matters — and what to watch at launch

IO Interactive’s track record with the Hitman games suggests they’ll ship a polished single-player experience, but the 32GB recommendation and mixed VRAM guidance are the kind of details that change purchase decisions. Watch for third-party benchmark runs and early patch notes that adjust memory use. If you’re on the fence, wait for launch-day performance tests — or bank on DLSS 4 if you already own an RTX card.

TL;DR

007: First Light’s minimum requirements are reasonable for 1080p/30, but IO’s recommended spec — especially 32GB RAM and the VRAM notes — is stricter than you’d expect for 1080p. DLSS 4 could close the gap for Nvidia owners, but many mid-range 2020-era rigs will need a GPU or memory upgrade to hit steady 60 FPS. Wait for launch benchmarks if you’re budget-conscious; if you love Bond and want smooth play, prioritize GPU VRAM and 32GB RAM where possible.