First Light System Requirements: Minimum & Recommended

This article answers the question: what are the minimum and recommended system requirements for the game First Light? You will find the official minimum and recommended PC specs, what they mean in practice, and how to interpret them for your own setup.

Background: What Is First Light?

First Light is a sci-fi survival game set on an alien planet, where you manage resources, build shelter, and explore a procedurally generated world. It uses the Unreal Engine 4, which means its performance depends heavily on your CPU, GPU, and RAM. The game was released in early access in 2021 and has received regular updates since, so the requirements have shifted slightly over time. The specs listed here are the ones the developers currently publish on the official store page.

Official Minimum Requirements

These are the lowest specs the developers say will run the game at a playable frame rate (around 30 FPS) at low settings and 1080p resolution. You may need to lower the resolution scale or disable some effects to stay smooth.

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit
• CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 or AMD FX-6300
• RAM: 8 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7870 (2 GB VRAM)
• DirectX: Version 11
• Storage: 15 GB available space

These parts are from around 2012–2013. If your PC is newer than that, even a budget laptop with integrated graphics might meet the minimum, but don’t expect smooth performance in heavy scenes.

Official Recommended Requirements

The recommended specs target 60 FPS at high settings in 1080p. With these, you can also enable most visual effects like shadows, reflections, and anti-aliasing without major hitches.

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit
• CPU: Intel Core i7-4770 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 580
• DirectX: Version 11
• Storage: 15 GB SSD (recommended)

Notice the CPU jump from a 4-core to a 6-core/8-thread part, and the GPU from 2 GB to 6 GB VRAM. That reflects the game’s need for more memory and parallel processing as the world streams in.

What Do These Specs Mean in Practice?

Minimum specs are not “playable on ultra.� They are the floor for a stable 30 FPS at low settings. If you have a GTX 660, you’ll likely need to turn off shadows, set textures to low, and maybe run at 720p to avoid stutter. Recommended specs give you headroom for 60 FPS at high, but not necessarily ultra with 4K.

Here’s a quick guide to what you can expect:

• Below minimum: The game may crash on startup or run below 20 FPS. Not recommended.
• At minimum: Playable at low settings, 1080p, 30 FPS. Expect occasional drops in dense forests or during storms.
• At recommended: Smooth 60 FPS at high settings, 1080p. You can also try 1440p with some settings turned down.
• Above recommended: You can push for 1440p/4K or higher refresh rates, but the game’s engine may still have bottlenecks.

How to Choose Your Settings

If your PC sits between min and recommended, start with the “Medium� preset and adjust from there. The most demanding settings in First Light are:

• Shadows: High shadows can cut FPS by 10–20%. Set to medium if you need a boost.
• Textures: These use VRAM. If you have 4 GB or less, keep them at medium.
• Anti-aliasing: TAA is less demanding than MSAA. Use TAA or turn it off.
• View distance: This affects how much of the world is loaded. Lower it if you see stutter when moving fast.

Use the in-game benchmark if available, or watch your FPS with a tool like MSI Afterburner (but don’t rely on it for accuracy).

Common Problems and Fixes

Even with the right specs, players report a few issues:

• Low FPS on high-end PCs: Check that your monitor is plugged into the GPU, not the motherboard. Also disable any overlay (Discord, GeForce Experience) that might interfere.
• Stuttering: This often comes from loading new areas. Install the game on an SSD if you have one.
• Crash on startup: Verify game files via Steam, update your GPU drivers, and make sure you have enough RAM free.
• VRAM limit: If you have a 2 GB GPU, set textures to low. The game can use more than 2 GB even at 1080p.

Costs and Upgrades

If you need to upgrade, focus on the GPU first. A used GTX 1060 or RX 580 can be found cheaply and will meet the recommended spec. Next, add RAM if you have 8 GB—going to 16 GB helps with background apps and larger worlds. The CPU matters less, but if you have an old quad-core, a newer 6-core will help with physics and AI.

Do not overspend on a high-end GPU if you only play at 1080p. A mid-range card is enough for this game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run First Light on a laptop?

Yes, if the laptop has a dedicated GPU with at least 2 GB VRAM. Integrated graphics (like Intel UHD) will likely run it only at very low settings and low resolution, and may overheat. Check your laptop’s specs against the minimum list.

Is 8 GB RAM enough?

Barely. The minimum says 8 GB, but Windows and background apps will eat into that. If you have 8 GB, close other programs before playing. 16 GB is safer for longer sessions.

Does the game support AMD FSR or NVIDIA DLSS?

As of the latest updates, the game supports FSR 2.0, which can boost FPS on AMD and NVIDIA cards. DLSS is not officially supported. Check the settings menu for “Upscaling� options.

Will an SSD improve performance?

Yes, especially for loading times and reducing stutter when the world streams in. The recommended spec suggests an SSD, and it’s worth the upgrade if you have a free SATA or M.2 slot.

Can I run it on Windows 11?

Yes, the game runs on Windows 11 64-bit, but the official specs still list Windows 10. If you have Windows 11, you should be fine as long as your hardware meets the min.

What about Mac or Linux?

The game is not officially available for Mac or Linux. Some players use Proton on Linux, but it’s not guaranteed to work perfectly. Check ProtonDB for community reports.

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