Despite high memory prices, 007 First Light system requirements recommend 32GB RAM for 1080p

Facing intimidating memory prices, some gamers are reluctant to upgrade their PC specs. That becomes an issue when an anticipated AAA game demands more performance. IO Interactive has revealed the 007 First Light system requirements, with the recommended settings raising concerns. While the minimum threshold isn’t unreasonable, players will need 32GB of RAM to maintain 60fps at 1080p.

For FHD visuals, a gaming PC should include at least an Intel Core i5 9500K or AMD Ryzen 5 3500 CPU. A lower-end GPU like the Nvidia GTX 1660, combined with 16GB of memory, promises to be sufficient. This configuration will only net 30fps, but it’s acceptable for a title with open-world elements.

What’s drawing more criticism is the jump in hardware necessary to meet the recommended 007 First Light system requirements. Most notably, only builds with 32GB of memory qualify for 60fps graphics. The problem is that without having a suitable system, another 16GB of DDR5 RAM can cost north of $200. Assembling a new PC from scratch becomes even more of a financial burden.

First Light system requirements have some contradictions

Another troubling aspect of the recommended specs is the quoted 12GB of VRAM. Curiously, an Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti ships with only 8GB of GDDR6. Gamers with the newer RTX 5060 could also encounter stuttering during gameplay.

If players are content guiding James Bond through missions at 30fps, there isn’t much reason to worry. Still, the developers haven’t addressed the horsepower required for higher resolutions. First Light may need to rely on DLSS upscaling to achieve acceptable performance at 1440p or 4K.

Opinions based on the State of Play trailer vary on whether the graphics justify paying exorbitant memory prices. Opulent mansions are detailed, but excessive blurriness is one common complaint. After IO Interactive delayed the 007 First Light release date to May 27th, fans hope the result will be crisper images.