Bungie’s Marathon has entered its final stretch to launch, and the early technical picture makes one thing clear: this is not a lightweight multiplayer experiment. The official PC system requirements—published on Marathon’s Steam store and reiterated by Bungie’s developer communications—set a firm baseline that will push older laptops and budget rigs, while rewarding current‑generation mainstream hardware with a much smoother experience. If you plan to run Marathon on March 5, 2026, this breakdown explains exactly what Bungie is asking of PCs, why those numbers matter in practice, and how to prepare or upgrade without wasting time or money.
Background / Overview
Marathon is a modern reboot of Bungie’s classic sci‑fi IP, reimagined as a PvPvE extraction shooter. Rather than a single‑player narrative relic, this Marathon places bio‑cybernetic “Runners” into tense runs on the derelict colony of Tau Ceti IV, scavenging gear, fighting environmental hazards and rival players, then attempting to exfil with loot that can power future runs. Bungie delayed the original 2025 launch after alpha feedback and an art‑asset controversy, rebuilt parts of the project, and has now locked a March 5, 2026 release date with a $39.99 standard price and a roadmap of free seasonal updates.
On PC the game’s public store entry lists both a
minimum and
recommended hardware profile. Those lists are the single best authoritative source for what Bungie expects on day one, and they’re the baseline we’ll use to analyze performance expectations and upgrade guidance.
What Bungie lists: the official Marathon PC system requirements
Bungie’s Steam store lists the following PC specs as of the final pre‑launch notes:
- Minimum
- OS: Windows 10 64‑bit (latest Service Pack)
- CPU: Intel Core i5‑6600 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (4 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT (4 GB) or Intel Arc A580 (8 GB, with ReBAR on)
- DirectX: Version 12
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Recommended
- OS: Windows 10 64‑bit (latest Service Pack)
- CPU: Intel Core i5‑10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3500
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 2060 (6 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT (8 GB) or Intel Arc A770 (16 GB, with ReBAR on)
- DirectX: Version 12
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
Bungie’s store page also flags a kernel‑level anti‑cheat (BattlEye) requirement, and it warns that
hard drive storage requirements are subject to increase—the official page does not publish a confirmed install size at time of writing.
What those numbers mean in practice
CPU: old silicon still works, but multithreading matters
- The minimum Intel Core i5‑6600 is a 4‑core/4‑thread Skylake chip, while the listed AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is a 6‑core/12‑thread part. The recommended Intel i5‑10400 is a modern 6‑core/12‑thread CPU.
- Practically, this means Marathon’s engine uses both single‑thread performance and parallelism. A quad‑core Skylake CPU will run the game, but expect more CPU‑bound bottlenecks (AI, physics, network handling) and lower framerates in busy scenarios. A 6c/12t CPU (or better) will give a more stable experience, especially in tri‑squad fights, rated/ranked matches, and end‑game scenarios where many systems interact simultaneously.
GPU: low‑end cards supported, but compromises required
- The minimum GPUs (GTX 1050 Ti / RX 5500 XT) are entry‑level dedicated cards from prior GPU generations. Expect these cards to achieve playable frame rates only at 1080p with low to medium settings—resolution scaling, lowered shadows, and reduced postprocess will be necessary.
- The recommended range (GTX 2060 / RX 5700 XT / Arc A770) are true 1080p high performers and will deliver a far more comfortable 60 fps experience at higher detail. If you want to target 1440p or higher framerates, plan on stepping up into the current‑generation RTX 30/40 or AMD RX 6000/7000 tiers; Bungie’s recommendations do not list those GPUs specifically but they follow historical performance parity.
Memory: 8 GB minimum is the floor—16 GB is the real world minimum
- 8 GB RAM is the technical minimum listed, but modern Windows 10 systems and background apps will consume a sizable portion of that. For a decently smooth multiplayer session, 16 GB is the practical starting point. If you plan to stream, run Discord + overlays, or keep many background services, 32 GB is a safer long‑term choice.
DirectX 12 and platform features
- Marathon requires DirectX 12. That implies the engine expects modern shader models and driver optimizations. On integrated or legacy GPUs, DirectX 12 support and driver maturity can impact performance and stability.
- Some Intel Arc GPUs are listed with an explicit requirement for Resizable BAR (ReBAR) enabled. ReBAR (Resizable BAR) is a motherboard/BIOS feature that allows the CPU to access the GPU frame buffer more flexibly; certain Arc cards see measurable gains or functional requirements when ReBAR is active, so you’ll need a compatible BIOS and motherboard setting enabled if you use Arc hardware.
Anti‑cheat: kernel‑level BattlEye
- Marathon uses kernel‑level anti‑cheat (BattlEye). Kernel‑level drivers have deeper system access and historically produce the best cheat‑blocking results, but they also raise concerns around system stability, driver conflicts, and privacy for some users. Expect mandatory BattlEye components to be installed and retain a small level of system‑integration risk (as with any kernel driver).
Storage: unspecified, plan for an SSD
- Bungie’s store entry does not list a final install size on Steam; it only warns that storage needs may increase. Given the genre, Bungie’s live‑service ambitions, and Destiny 2’s large install footprint, plan for tens of gigabytes at minimum and reserve an SSD for the best experience. If you have a 250–500 GB SSD and room to spare, that is the sensible baseline.
Strengths baked into the requirements (and why they matter)
- Aggressive but reasonable minimums. Bungie lets older cards run the game, which broadens install base early on. This is important for matchmaking and community survival during launch.
- Realistic recommended hardware. The recommended stack maps to mainstream gaming PCs from the last three years; players with mid‑range rigs should get a smooth 1080p experience without a major upgrade.
- Modern feature set (DX12, ReBAR awareness). That signals Bungie developed Marathon with contemporary platform optimizations in mind, which helps multi‑threading, streaming assets, and GPU utilization on modern rigs.
- Cross‑platform design plus a modest price. Marathon is positioned as an accessible live service; the sub‑$60 price and free updates roadmap reduce the friction to trial and will help populate PC lobbies at launch.
Key risks and caveats every PC player should consider
- Install size uncertainty. Bungie’s “subject to increase” warning means you cannot plan a tight SSD allocation yet. If your system is storage‑constrained, free up space before preloads become available.
- 8 GB minimum is misleading for modern Windows users. In practice the 8 GB label is a compatibility floor—not a recommended target. Expect to need 16 GB for stability.
- Kernel anti‑cheat tradeoffs. BattlEye at kernel level is effective but introduces a non‑zero risk of driver conflicts, especially on heavily‑modified systems or with unstable third‑party drivers.
- Plagiarism and development turbulence. Marathon’s alpha cycle included an art‑asset controversy that prompted an internal audit and a delay. While that appears resolved, it’s a reminder that live‑service launches can be turbulent; post‑launch patches could still be heavy.
- Live‑service feature creep. Bungie’s roadmap of free updates is attractive, but live‑service games can expand rapidly in install size and CPU/GPU demands over time—expect a slow drift upward in resource use as seasons add content.
Preparing your PC: step‑by‑step checklist
- Confirm your OS and updates:
- Run Windows Update and install the latest Service Pack for Windows 10 (64‑bit).
- If you use Windows 11, you’re fine—Bungie lists Windows 10 but modern Windows 11 systems meet requirements and may benefit from driver maturity.
- Update GPU drivers:
- Install the latest GPU drivers from NVIDIA / AMD / Intel. New drivers often ship game‑specific fixes and performance improvements.
- Reserve storage:
- Clear at least 50–80 GB of free space on an SSD if possible. Be ready to free more if pre‑load or initial install requires it.
- Enable ReBAR if you use Intel Arc GPUs:
- Enter your UEFI/BIOS and enable “Resizable BAR” (may be under PCI settings). Ensure your system BIOS and GPU firmware are up to date.
- Plan for anti‑cheat:
- Be prepared for BattlEye installation and a required system reboot. If you heavily customize kernel modules (virtualization tools, etc.), test for conflicts.
- Adjust Windows settings:
- Set a High Performance power plan for gaming sessions.
- Disable aggressive background apps and overlays that eat CPU or memory when playtesting.
- Memory audit:
- If you have only 8 GB, prioritize a RAM upgrade to 16 GB. Dual‑channel kits are preferable for bandwidth.
Upgrade recommendations by goal
- Budget / entry upgrade (playable 1080p low/medium)
- CPU: Any 6c/12t used CPU (Ryzen 5 2600 series level or i5‑10400 used market)
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1650 SUPER or used GTX 1050 Ti (expect compromises)
- RAM: 16 GB dual‑channel
- Storage: SSD for OS + free HDD for overflow (but keep Marathon on SSD if possible)
- Mainstream / 1080p 60 fps (recommended parity)
- CPU: Intel i5‑10400 or Ryzen 5 3500 / 3600
- GPU: GTX 2060 / RTX 2060 SUPER or AMD RX 5700 XT or modern equivalent
- RAM: 16 GB dual‑channel
- Storage: 500 GB NVMe SSD
- Competitive / 1440p or high‑fps 1080p
- CPU: Ryzen 5 5600X or Intel i5‑12600K and above
- GPU: RTX 3060 Ti / RTX 4070 or AMD RX 6700 XT / RX 7700 XT
- RAM: 32 GB if you stream
- Storage: 1 TB NVMe SSD
These are practical recommendations based on Bungie’s official recommendations and how modern GPU/CPU ladders perform relative to the cards Bungie lists.
Performance tuning and in‑game settings to watch
- Resolution scaling / dynamic resolution. If you have a minimum‑tier GPU, drop internal resolution scaling first; it usually yields the biggest FPS gains for the smallest visual cost.
- Shadows and postprocessing. Shadows, ambient occlusion, and screen‑space effects are GPU heavy; lower them aggressively on GTX 1050 Ti–class hardware.
- Texture quality vs VRAM. If you use a 4 GB GPU, monitor VRAM usage; textures are often the first cause of stutters and hitching. Use lower texture pools on 4 GB cards.
- Unlocked framerate vs V‑sync. For competitive play, cap frame rate to monitor refresh or use adaptive sync with a matching GPU to avoid tearing.
- Background processes. Marathon is a networked multiplayer title; closing CPU‑heavy apps reduces input latency and improves consistency in matches.
The business and community angle: what the requirements tell us
Bungie has positioned Marathon at a mid‑market price with a commitment to free seasonal additions. The hardware requirements reflect a conscious choice: make the game accessible to a wide PC player base while ensuring the recommended experience aligns with mainstream systems sold in recent years. That’s a smart trade for a new live service that needs populated lobbies at launch.
However, some long‑term risks remain:
- If Marathon’s post‑launch content balloons file size and CPU/GPU demands, players on older hardware may feel forced into upgrades. The “subject to increase” storage language is standard but meaningful.
- BattlEye’s kernel integration will be unpalatable to privacy‑conscious users and could fragment the player base if platform restrictions or driver conflicts emerge.
- The studio’s pre‑launch art controversy and the development delay are reminders that live launches are fragile; early public perception can affect matchmaking population and, by extension, server health and the multiplayer experience on lower‑spec machines.
Final verdict: who needs to upgrade, immediately and later
- If you’re sitting on a modern mid‑range PC (6c/12t CPU, GTX 1660 or RTX 2060 class GPU, 16 GB RAM, and an SSD), you’re already aligned with Bungie’s recommended experience. Expect solid 1080p performance and reasonable headroom for seasonal content.
- If you have an older laptop or a pre‑2018 integrated GPU, Marathon will likely run poorly or fail to meet performance expectations without major compromises. Budget upgrades (adding 16 GB RAM, moving to an SSD) will help more than swapping a CPU in many cases.
- Owners of Intel Arc hardware should double‑check motherboard ReBAR support and driver readiness—Bungie explicitly calls out ReBAR for Arc A580/A770 usage.
Closing thoughts
Marathon’s PC system requirements strike a pragmatic middle ground: they keep the door open to older hardware while steering players toward contemporary mainstream rigs for a recommended experience. Bungie’s pedigree, lower price point, and clearly designed roadmap are positives that should help adoption—provided the studio manages post‑launch content size, anti‑cheat stability, and continued technical polish.
For PC players: treat the listed minimums as compatibility markers, not performance promises. Aim for the recommended spec (or better), update drivers, enable ReBAR where relevant, and carve out SSD space now. That’s the fastest path to getting into Tau Ceti IV on day one with sensible framerates and the least amount of troubleshooting.
If you're here for the build guide: pick the highest single‑thread CPU you can afford within the 6‑core/12‑thread range, prioritize a modern GPU above the GTX 1050 Ti era, commit to 16 GB RAM, and keep Marathon on an SSD. Do that, and you’ll be ready to extract in Bungie’s next big experiment without letting system limits dictate your tactics.
Source: The Game Haus
Marathon PC System Requirements Breakdown - The Game Haus