Destiny PC System Requirements

Destiny 2 is a continuation of the original Destiny released in 2017 when Bungie decided to iterate on the platform and give players a more traversable experience across the multiple maps and dungeons brought on by subsequent expansions.

Destiny recommended running on at least a 2-core processor and 2 GB of VRAM to meet the minimum requirements. After meeting those requirements, there are multiple settings you can take advantage of to get the most out of Destiny 2. 

Over the past three years especially, the game has undergone a major renaissance. It has consequently shelved much of its PvE and PvP content due to refocusing on making events more available to newer and senior players. 

This guide covers everything required for Destiny 2 for PC, and what you can do to get the best performance in the game.

Destiny 2 PC Requirements

The threshold for a PC that can run Destiny 2 is not very high compared to most triple-A games today. However, the configurations needed for competitive play may vary slightly from the minimum specs.

Overview of Destiny as a Game 

Over the course of Destiny 1 & 2, the game has changed its outlook significantly when focusing on the content it provides players. Since the massive change back in 2020, multiple changes were made to streamline content. 

Importance of Knowing PC System Requirements

The minimum system requirements for Destiny 2 are specifically for people playing on 1080p monitors expecting to get near or at 60 FPS. While it's okay to have FPS lower than 60, it's not doing any favors when it comes to competitive PvP like the crucible or long-winded PvE missions like strikes. 

Destiny 2 Minimum System Requirements

Here are the minimum requirements for Destiny 2 outlined by Bungie.

Operating System

Windows 7, 8.1, 10, or 11 will be able to launch Destiny 2. While there is no restriction for using Windows 7 or 8.1, Microsoft has stopped releasing security updates for those operating systems making them susceptible to hacking. Ensure you know that whatever operating system you use for gaming is still being updated. 

Processor

The minimum processor for Destiny 2 is the Intel® Core™ i3 3250 3.5 GHz or Intel Pentium G4560 3.5 GHz, which is a fairly hearty two-core four-thread processor released back in 2013 and 2017, respectively. While two cores will work for Destiny 2, at least four cores are recommended for multitasking.

Memory

While not entirely specific on speed, the minimum amount for Destiny 2 is at least 6 GB of system memory. While this is likely just for the game, we suggest at least 16GB for any entry-level gaming PC. 

Graphics    

The threshold for graphics in Destiny 2 is fairly accommodating, with 2GB of VRAM needed. This is over the threshold of some APUs' included VRAM capacity, so a dedicated GPU for Destiny 2 will be necessary. 

DirectX

DirectX 11 is used in Destiny 2’s launch. Direct X is getting to be around 14 years old at this point and is soon to be replaced with Direct X 12 going forward. Destiny 2 still uses DirectX 11, but we shall see if that changes.

Storage

The necessary space to store Destiny 2 and all expansions is 105GB on any storage medium. It is encouraged, if you play Destiny 2 more often than not, to keep it on an SSD instead of a hard drive due to its relative speed increase.

Destiny Recommended System Requirements

Here are the recommended settings lined out by Bungie for Destiny 2.

Operating System

Windows 7, 8.1, 10, or 11 will be able to launch Destiny 2. While there is no restriction for using Windows 7 or 8.1, Microsoft has stopped releasing security updates for those operating systems making them susceptible to hacking. Ensure you know that whatever operating system you use for gaming is still being updated.  

Processor

The recommended processor for Destiny 2 is an Intel® Core™ i5 2400 @ 3.4 GHz or i5 7400 @ 3.5 GHz or an AMD Ryzen R5 1600X @ 3.6 GHz released around the game's debut in 2017. These more dependable four-core configurations are great for 1080p gaming at 60 FPS.

Memory

While not entirely specific on speed, the recommended amount of memory for Destiny 2 is at least 8 GB of system memory. While this is likely just for the game, we suggest at least 16GB for any entry-level gaming PC. 

Graphics    

The recommended amount of VRAM is 4 to 6GB for Destiny 2. With VRAM sizes this large, displaying at higher resolution and FPS rate along with greater texture detail. Destiny 2 provides a lot of aesthetically pleasing graphics to those systems that take advantage but are not necessary to get the same experience. 

DirectX

Direct X 11 is the only version used in Destiny 2 since its launch. Direct X is getting to be around 14 years old at this point and is soon to be replaced with Direct X 12 going forward. Destiny 2 still uses DirectX 11, but we shall see if that changes. 

Storage

The necessary space to store Destiny 2 and all expansions is 105GB on any storage medium. SATA SSDs or newer NVMe SSDs are encouraged for those who want responsive loads times.

Understanding Destiny 2's Demands

With all these requirements, here are the most important things to consider when using your PC to play Destiny 2.

Do You Need a Good PC for Destiny?

No, most of the time, a system from 10 years ago will be more than able to handle the demands of Destiny 2. As for what you can do to get a system on a fairly small budget, going with a refurbished gaming PC isn’t that bad of an option.

Is Destiny 2 a CPU Heavy Game?

Destiny 2 is a GPU-dependent game as opposed to being CPU dependent. Destiny 2’s large landscapes and set dressing put a lot of stress on the GPU. If your system is exclusively for games like Destiny 2, having a better GPU than CPU would be preferable. 

Is Destiny 2 a High Demanding Game?

Yes, Destiny 2 is a highly demanding game in terms of needing a comparable CPU and GPU combination. In addition to added performance and accessibility, having a better GPU increases FPS and the ability to have a 1440p or 4k monitor. 

Destiny FAQs

Here are some frequent questions for those wanting to get into Destiny 2 for the first time or are looking to confirm if their system should run the game in most capacities. 

Can I Run Destiny on a Laptop?

Laptops are an affordable way to Run Destiny 2, if they have the proper requirements. Typically integrated laptops with an iGPU(integrated GPU) will not be able to run Destiny 2; however, those with a dedicated graphics card and cooling design will run passable frame rates.

What Happens if My PC Doesn’t Meet the Requirements?

Nothing stops you from attempting to run Destiny 2 on a PC that does not meet the requirements. Most developers will detect the software you are running the game on and apply “auto settings,” typically on the first start-up of the game. 

Taking this a step further, the game will run unplayable or refuse to boot, depending on the safeguards the developers took.

Where Can I Get Help with Upgrades?

Whether upgrading by yourself or looking at getting a new prebuilt PC to run Destiny 2, you can always read up on how to best upgrade your system.

Typically if you want a more reactive Destiny 2 experience,  the best thing to upgrade is the GPU and or power supply within a system.

Upgrading Your PC for Destiny

As for what types of upgrades you should do to play Destiny 2, that depends on your current set of peripherals. Here are some tips regarding the upgrade of your system.

Tips for Upgrading

If want to increase your frame rate and detail in Destiny 2, getting a new GPU is a sensible option. However, depending on how old your system is, you may need to upgrade the CPU, memory, and power supply.

But sticking with our GPU-upgrade-only scenario, I suggest a GTX 1660 Super for the entry market. For the intermediary, I suggest the RTX 3070 or RTX 4060 if you can acquire them. For the best results for high-end gamers, getting an RTX 4070ti or RTX 4080 is the best choice in the current market. Just make sure your power supply can handle it!

Summary of Key Requirements

Overall, Destiny 2 is a game that can be enjoyed on a desktop or laptop with dedicated graphics and fast storage. While systems as old as ten years can run it, it's better to have a system built within the last five years to run Destiny 2 at recommended settings effectively.

At Apex Gaming PCs, we have multiple gaming PCs and laptops that can run games like Destiny 2 at or beyond the recommended settings. In addition, we also have multiple peripherals at different resolutions depending on your system's capabilities. Whatever your Destiny 2 experience needs, we hope to be of service at Apex!


Written By William Wilson

Photo Credits: BUNGIE