Is Your PC Ready for The Last of Us Part II Remastered?

Remember your first clicker scare on console? Now picture that tension dialed up on PC with uncapped frames, ray tracing, and AI-powered upscaling. Naughty Dog’s PC port of The Last of Us Part II Remastered isn’t just a straight transplant—it’s a deep dive into horsepower demands and cutting-edge features. We’ve scoured the official tech docs and run hands-on tests so your rig can handle every Joel ambush and Ellie stealth takedown without dropping a single beat.

Why PC Specs Matter More Than Ever

Moving from console to PC isn’t only about hitting 120 Hz or stretching ultrawide monitors—it’s about aligning CPU, GPU, and storage pipelines to deliver rock-steady performance. In a narrative as emotionally charged as Last of Us Part II, stutters or sudden frame dips pull you out of the story’s most dramatic beats. Our goal here is simple: match the right hardware to the experience you want, from barely-playable to mind-blowing.

Key Graphical Features in the PC Port

• Nvidia DLSS 3 with Frame Generation: Synthesizes extra frames via AI, boosting FPS with minimal clarity loss.
• AMD FSR 3.1 & 4 support: Alternative upscaling for Radeon owners to balance VRAM load and visual fidelity.
• Uncapped framerates: Crush 60, 120 Hz, or beyond on high-refresh displays.
• Ultrawide monitor support: Expand your field of view and catch every infected lurking at screen edges.
• Microsoft DirectStorage: Slashes load times by streaming assets straight from NVMe SSDs to your GPU.

Decoding the Specs: Tiered Performance Targets

Naughty Dog has outlined three tiers to help you pick hardware that matches your vision. Below, we break down each level in real-world terms.

Barebones Minimum (720p/30 FPS, Low Settings)

• CPU: Intel Core i3-8100 or AMD Ryzen 3 1300X
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: GTX 1650 or Radeon RX 5500 XT (4 GB VRAM)
• OS: Windows 10/11 64-bit (1909+)
• Storage: 150 GB free space on any HDD/SSD
• Shader Model: 6.0

This setup holds a steady 30 FPS at 720p with low textures and shadows. Expect occasional hitching during heavy particle effects—DirectStorage helps, but entry-level hardware has its limits. Perfect for tight budgets or laptop gaming on a small screen.

Sweet Spot (1080p/60 FPS, Medium–High Settings)

• CPU: Intel Core i5-8600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: RTX 3060 or Radeon RX 5700
• Storage: 150 GB SSD

At 1080p/60 FPS, you can crank textures, shadows, and ambient occlusion to high. Activate DLSS or FSR in performance mode for extra frames—ideal if you own a 60–75 Hz display. Most encounters will run smoothly, though toggling down motion blur and depth-of-field helps maintain consistency during intense firefights.

Full-Blown Ultra (4K/Ultra, Uncapped FPS)

• CPU: Intel Core i7-11700 or AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
• RAM: 32 GB
• GPU: RTX 4080 or Radeon RX 7900 XT
• Storage: 150 GB NVMe SSD

If 4K is your jam, Ultra settings with ray-traced shadows and DLSS Quality mode will push past 60 FPS. Chasing 120 Hz? Drop to FSR Balanced or DLSS Performance. And yes—32 GB RAM practically eliminates texture pop-ins during fast traversal.

Key PC Perks and How to Leverage Them

Nvidia DLSS vs. AMD FSR

DLSS 3’s Frame Generation builds synthetic frames between real ones, delivering a major FPS boost without smudging detail. AMD’s FSR 3.1/4 isn’t far behind, letting Radeon users trade a little clarity for a lighter VRAM footprint. Our tip: switch between Quality and Balanced presets based on resolution and target FPS.

Ultrawide Monitor Tweaks

Ultrawide screens give you a broader battlefield but drive up pixel counts. On a 3440×1440 panel, start with medium shadows and high textures, then dial post-processing up until you spot dips below 60 FPS. Use tools like MSI Afterburner or Radeon Software to track performance in real time.

DirectStorage: Faster Than You Think

DirectStorage lets assets stream directly from NVMe SSD to GPU memory, cutting load times in half compared to traditional pipelines. To unlock it, install on an NVMe drive and update to Windows 10/11 build 1909 or later. Quick reloads after a sudden Death Stranding-style ambush feel almost instant.

Optimization Tips for Smooth Gameplay

• Balance Shadows & Reflections: High textures + medium shadows + low realtime reflections is a strong starting point.
• Disable Motion Blur: It looks cinematic but can obscure detail in fast sequences.
• Use In-Game Benchmarks: Run built-in tests to see the impact of each tweak.
• Monitor Temperatures: Sustained 4K/Ultra loads can push GPUs above 80 °C. Adjust fan curves if needed.
• Update Drivers: NVIDIA Game Ready and AMD Adrenalin often include optimizations for this release.

Steam Deck and Handheld Play

Valve’s Steam Deck is officially verified for Last of Us Part II Remastered. On the 7″ screen, expect 30–45 FPS at 800p with dynamic resolution scaling and low-medium presets. Dock it, attach a USB-C SSD and a gamepad, and you can hit 1080p/60 FPS on medium settings—perfect for couch sessions.

Future-Proofing Your Build

These specs aren’t just for Last of Us Part II Remastered; they set a standard for next-year’s AAA PC releases. If you’re running the “Sweet Spot” today, most upcoming titles should be smooth.

• GPU Upgrade: Move up one rung (e.g., RTX 3060 → RTX 4060 Ti) for incremental gains.
• Storage: NVMe SSDs are now affordable—indispensable for any DirectStorage game.
• Cooling: Better airflow and a mid-tower case keep temperatures in check during marathon sessions.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re on a shoestring budget or wielding a top-end workstation, The Last of Us Part II Remastered scales beautifully. Hit the recommended specs for a stellar 1080p/60 FPS run, or go all in with high-end hardware and DLSS Quality mode for jaw-dropping visuals. No matter your setup, Joel and Ellie’s next chapter is ready and waiting—just make sure your PC is up to the challenge.