Battlefield 6’s updated PC specs make one thing clear: you can play the game on a surprisingly wide range of hardware, but maxing it out will still demand modern, high-end components — and you’ll need to meet new security requirements that affect compatibility and system configuration.
DICE and Electronic Arts have published refreshed PC system requirements for Battlefield 6 as the game heads toward its October 10 launch. The new list breaks performance targets into three practical tiers — Minimum, Recommended, and Ultra — and lays out explicit hardware and security prerequisites that every PC player needs to know. The Minimum tier aims for playable 1080p/30fps at Low settings on older mid-range silicon, the Recommended tier targets 1440p/60fps at High, and the Ultra tier defines hardware for 4K/60fps or high-refresh competitive targets. These published requirements appear in EA’s official system requirements and support pages, and they were highlighted and analyzed in outlets covering the Open Beta and launch preparations.
Why that matters:
For most Windows PC players with modern mid-range hardware, Battlefield 6 will be playable and enjoyable at reasonable settings. Competitive and ultra-visual fidelity seekers should budget for a high-end GPU and a fast CPU with ample RAM. All players should prepare for Secure Boot and TPM checks, and keep an eye on early hotfixes for anti-cheat stability issues in the days following launch. (store.steampowered.com, pcgamer.com)
Battlefield 6 aims to be a comeback for the franchise on PC: accessible at modest settings, ambitious at the high end, and uncompromising on anti-cheat — a combination that will please many and challenge some.
Source: Windows Central Battlefield 6 just updated its PC system requirements — here are the specs you'll need
Background
DICE and Electronic Arts have published refreshed PC system requirements for Battlefield 6 as the game heads toward its October 10 launch. The new list breaks performance targets into three practical tiers — Minimum, Recommended, and Ultra — and lays out explicit hardware and security prerequisites that every PC player needs to know. The Minimum tier aims for playable 1080p/30fps at Low settings on older mid-range silicon, the Recommended tier targets 1440p/60fps at High, and the Ultra tier defines hardware for 4K/60fps or high-refresh competitive targets. These published requirements appear in EA’s official system requirements and support pages, and they were highlighted and analyzed in outlets covering the Open Beta and launch preparations. What the official requirements say — the numbers you actually need
Below are the key, developer-published specs condensed into practical language. Where multiple official EA entries differ (beta vs. store page vs. help article), those conflicts are flagged and explained afterward.Minimum (playable)
- Graphics target: 1080p @ 30 FPS, Low settings.
- GPUs cited: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, or Intel Arc A380 (6 GB VRAM).
- CPU: Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600.
- RAM: 16 GB (dual-channel, 2133 MHz).
- OS: Windows 10 (64-bit).
- Storage headline: EA lists ~55 GB on HDD for the Minimum tier, but other EA pages for beta/launch have reported slightly different figures (see storage section).
- Security: TPM 2.0 enabled, UEFI Secure Boot enabled, HVCI capable, VBS capable.
Recommended (comfortable)
- Graphics target: 1440p @ 60 FPS (High, Balanced) or 1080p @ 80+ FPS (Performance).
- GPUs cited: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT, or Intel Arc B580 (8 GB VRAM).
- CPU: Intel Core i7-10700 or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X.
- RAM: 16 GB (dual-channel, 3200 MHz).
- OS: Windows 11 (64-bit).
- Storage: EA lists ~80–90 GB on SSD for recommended at various points — see the storage caveat below.
- Security: same TPM/UEFI/HVCI/VBS requirements.
Ultra (max visual fidelity / high-refresh)
- Graphics target: 4K @ 60 FPS (Ultra Balanced) or 1440p @ 144 FPS (High Performance).
- GPUs cited: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX (16 GB VRAM recommended).
- CPU: Intel Core i9-12900K or AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
- RAM: 32 GB (dual-channel, 4800 MHz).
- OS: Windows 11 (64-bit).
- Storage: EA lists ~90 GB SSD at launch for the Ultra tier on some pages.
- Security: same TPM/UEFI/HVCI/VBS requirements.
Storage, version differences, and why the numbers don’t always match
EA’s official pages and storefronts have shown slightly different storage numbers across documents and beta-era posts. That matters because many players budget upgrades or choose which drive to install the game on.- EA’s product page and Steam store entries show 55 GB minimum and ~80 GB recommended in some sections, consistent with a smaller final install than the Open Beta.
- EA Help and Open Beta notices listed the beta's install at ~75 GB, and news coverage from various outlets reported 75 GB during beta windows.
- The beta used an estimated set of assets and temporary debugging files that can be larger or smaller than the final launch build.
- Compression changes and platform-specific packaging adjust final retail install sizes.
- Optional components and day-one patches also change the number between a pre-release and final launch.
The security and anti-cheat pivot: what TPM, Secure Boot, HVCI and VBS mean for players
One of the biggest non-performance headlines in Battlefield 6’s PC requirements is the explicit requirement of platform security features: TPM 2.0, UEFI Secure Boot, Windows Hypervisor Code Integrity (HVCI) capability, and Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) capability. EA has stated that these are necessary to support their kernel-level anti-cheat system — EA Javelin — and to keep cheat developers from using low-level techniques like kernel drivers, rootkits, or VM-based tricks. EA’s Secure Boot information page and developer messaging make this linkage explicit.Why that matters:
- Secure Boot ensures only signed, trusted boot components run on a PC; it’s a foundational check that helps anti-cheat systems ensure the OS wasn’t compromised before the game runs. EA has confirmed Secure Boot is a requirement to play Battlefield 6.
- EA Javelin (EA’s anti-cheat stack) is a kernel-level system — it installs components with deep system privileges and relies on Secure Boot and related features to function reliably. This gives the anti-cheat better visibility to detect and remove advanced cheats, but it also raises compatibility and privacy conversations that surfaced during the beta.
- Because Javelin and other kernel anti-cheats operate at low levels, they can conflict with other kernel-level software such as Riot’s Vanguard or older anti-cheat drivers, occasionally producing stability and compatibility headaches. Several post-beta reports and community threads documented driver conflicts and even BSODs that pointed to anti-cheat drivers.
Compatibility consequences: Steam Deck, Linux, and third-party conflicts
The requirement for Secure Boot and a kernel-level anti-cheat has clear downstream effects:- Steam Deck / Linux compatibility: Proton and Proton’s compatibility layer cannot emulate Secure Boot for the kernel-mode anti-cheat, so Battlefield 6 is effectively unsupported on Valve’s Steam Deck and most Linux-native environments unless Valve and EA find a workable solution. This limitation was discussed widely in technical coverage of the beta.
- Conflicts with other anti-cheats: Players who have Riot Vanguard (Valorant) or other deep anti-cheat drivers installed reported being blocked from the Open Beta until those drivers were removed or disabled. That’s because two kernel-level anti-cheats monitoring similar memory regions and kernel events can clash. EA and other publishers have been forced to clarify messaging during the beta about how the conflict surfaces and how to resolve it. (pcgamer.com, forums.ea.com)
What you’ll realistically need for the experience you want
Pick targets based on the display and framerate you value. These are practical recommendations mapping EA’s tiers to real-world choices.- If you want to just play the game at launch (sensible budget):
- Keep 16 GB RAM, an RTX 2060 / RX 5600 XT or newer, and a CPU like the i5-8400 / Ryzen 5 2600. You’ll run 1080p at lower fidelity but with the full live-service content available. Make sure Secure Boot is enabled.
- If you want solid visuals and smooth play at 1440p/60:
- Aim for a RTX 3060 Ti / RX 6700 XT, i7-10700 / Ryzen 7 3700X, and a fast 1TB SSD if you can, with 16 GB RAM at 3200 MHz. This aligns with EA’s Recommended tier and balances cost-to-performance very well.
- If you want competitive high-refresh 1440p or 4K/60 at Ultra:
- Expect to invest in an RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XTX, a top-tier CPU (i9-12900K or Ryzen 7 7800X3D), and 32 GB of fast DDR5 memory. This is a steep jump in cost but mirrors what EA suggests for “Ultra” fidelity and high-refresh competitive play.
The Ultra cliff: why that tier costs so much
The Ultra tier is where the CPU/GPU/RAM requirements jump dramatically. There are three reasons:- GPU RT performance: Ray tracing, RT global illumination, and high-res ray-traced shadows are computationally heavy. Achieving high-quality RT effects at 4K requires substantial RT core throughput and memory bandwidth — hence RTX 4080/7900 XTX class recommendations.
- Frame-rate targets: Pushing 1440p at 144 FPS or 4K at 60 FPS with ultra settings is extremely demanding on GPU and CPU. Competitive framerates amplify CPU threading and latency constraints, so EA recommends modern high-core CPUs and faster memory for consistent frame delivery.
- Higher VRAM and asset streaming: Ultra textures, large-scale maps with 64-player matches, destructible environments, and large volumetric effects increase VRAM and system RAM adoption — the Ultra tier’s call for 16 GB VRAM and 32 GB system RAM reflects that.
Practical setup and troubleshooting checklist before launch
- Verify Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 in your UEFI/BIOS if you haven’t already. EA requires both to run Battlefield 6. Follow manufacturer documentation to enable them safely.
- Update Windows 10/11 to the latest cumulative updates and ensure firmware (UEFI) has the latest vendor BIOS. Many anti-cheat issues during beta were resolved by BIOS and OS patches.
- Install the EA App (or use Steam if you prefer), ensure the anti-cheat installer runs without errors, and reboot when prompted. The game requires an EA account regardless of the storefront. (store.steampowered.com, ea.com)
- If you run other kernel-level anti-cheats (e.g., Vanguard), be prepared to close or uninstall them if you encounter conflicts during the beta or at launch. Verify vendor guidance rather than assuming automatic compatibility.
- Use an NVMe/SSD for better load times and asset streaming, and reserve extra disk space beyond the listed minimum to accommodate patches.
Strengths, risks and the verdict for PC players
Strengths
- Accessibility: The Minimum and Recommended tiers let a wide range of older hardware run Battlefield 6 — something not guaranteed for a major AAA release with advanced visuals. 16 GB baseline RAM and mid-range GPUs remain relevant.
- Modern PC features: Full 21:9 and 32:9 ultrawide support, HDR options, uncapped framerates, and 600+ customization settings give PC players a lot of control over visuals and performance. These are concrete gains for the platform-focused audience.
- Anti-cheat commitment: EA’s investment in a kernel-level solution like Javelin indicates a stronger posture against cheating, which benefits fair play and the longevity of multiplayer ecosystems if the implementation is stable.
Risks and trade-offs
- Kernel-level anti-cheat friction: Deep anti-cheat systems increase the risk of system conflicts, driver issues, and compatibility problems for multi-boot or Linux users. Some beta reports pointed to crashes and driver install errors tied to the anti-cheat. Expect some friction at launch for edge-case configurations.
- Platform lockouts: Steam Deck and many Linux setups are effectively excluded at release because Secure Boot and kernel anti-cheat mechanics are non-trivial to satisfy in a Proton environment. That removes a small but vocal segment of players.
- Ultra-tier cost: Getting the “best” visual fidelity and high-refresh competitive targets still requires top-tier hardware, so players who want Ultra/4K/144+ competitive settings will face significant upgrade bills.
Quick checklist: will your PC run Battlefield 6?
- GPU: Does your card equal or exceed an RTX 2060 or RX 5600 XT? If yes, you meet the minimum GPU requirement.
- CPU: Do you have a CPU comparable to i5-8400 / Ryzen 5 2600 or better? If yes, you meet the minimum CPU requirement.
- RAM: 16 GB is the baseline — confirm dual-channel operation for best performance.
- Security: Is Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 turned on in UEFI? If not, be prepared to enable them.
- Storage: Do you have at least 100 GB free on an SSD/HDD to be safe for install + updates? Allow extra space beyond the published minimum. (ea.com, help.ea.com)
Final assessment
Battlefield 6’s updated PC system requirements are pragmatic: they keep minimum hardware within reach for many gamers while defining a clear, performance-driven path to higher visual and refresh-rate goals. The real story isn’t the raw numbers — it’s the security and anti-cheat measures EA demands. Those choices improve cheat detection and the competitive integrity of the live service, but they bring real compatibility and stability trade-offs for certain users and platforms.For most Windows PC players with modern mid-range hardware, Battlefield 6 will be playable and enjoyable at reasonable settings. Competitive and ultra-visual fidelity seekers should budget for a high-end GPU and a fast CPU with ample RAM. All players should prepare for Secure Boot and TPM checks, and keep an eye on early hotfixes for anti-cheat stability issues in the days following launch. (store.steampowered.com, pcgamer.com)
Battlefield 6 aims to be a comeback for the franchise on PC: accessible at modest settings, ambitious at the high end, and uncompromising on anti-cheat — a combination that will please many and challenge some.
Source: Windows Central Battlefield 6 just updated its PC system requirements — here are the specs you'll need