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Platform Comparison
March 15, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Accuracy update (2026-03-15)
Crimson Desert launches on March 19, 2026, across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, Mac (Apple Silicon), and GeForce NOW. Pearl Abyss has revealed detailed performance specifications for each platform, with three graphics modes available on most console configurations: Performance, Balanced, and Quality. This article breaks down every confirmed specification to help players choose the best platform and settings for their preferences.
The base PS5 offers three graphics modes. All three modes include ray tracing at varying quality levels.
Mode | Resolution | Framerate | Ray Tracing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Performance | 1080p | 60 FPS (VSync / VRR) | Low | Prioritizes smooth gameplay. Best for fast-paced combat |
Balanced | 1280p upscaled to 4K | 40 FPS (VSync / VRR) | Low | Middle ground between visual fidelity and performance |
Quality | 1440p upscaled to 4K | 30 FPS | High | Best visuals on base PS5 with full ray tracing for lighting and reflections |
The PS5 Pro delivers substantial upgrades over the base PS5 thanks to PSSR 2 (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution). Digital Foundry called the PS5 Pro version "a phenomenal experience," noting that the Performance mode mostly holds 60 FPS even in dense open-world scenes.
Mode | Resolution | Framerate | Ray Tracing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Performance | 1080p upscaled to 4K via PSSR 2 | 60 FPS (VSync) or 60+ (VRR) | High | Best balance of framerate and visuals. PSSR 2 upscaling produces a clean 4K image |
Balanced | 1440p upscaled to 4K via PSSR 2 | 40 FPS (VSync) or 48+ (VRR) | High | Higher base resolution than Performance mode with the same high ray tracing |
Quality | Native 4K (no upscaling) | 30 FPS | Ultra | True native 4K with the highest ray tracing quality. Best for screenshot-quality visuals |
The Xbox Series X shares the same performance profile as the base PS5, offering three identical graphics modes with matching resolutions, framerates, and ray tracing quality levels.
Mode | Resolution | Framerate | Ray Tracing |
|---|---|---|---|
Performance | 1080p | 60 FPS (VSync / VRR) | Low |
Balanced | 1280p upscaled to 4K | 40 FPS (VSync / VRR) | Low |
Quality | 1440p upscaled to 4K | 30 FPS | High |
The Xbox Series S offers two graphics modes, both without ray tracing. Multiple outlets have noted the significant performance gap between Series S and other current-gen platforms, with Windows Central writing that "Series S might have been a mistake" for this title.
Mode | Resolution | Framerate | Ray Tracing |
|---|---|---|---|
Performance | 720p | 40 FPS | None |
Quality | 1080p | 30 FPS | None |
PC offers the widest range of configurations. Pearl Abyss published official system requirements spanning from 1080p/30 FPS at minimum settings to 4K/60 FPS at ultra. DLSS, FSR, and XeSS upscaling technologies are supported.
Tier | Target | GPU | CPU | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Minimum | 1080p / 30 FPS (upscaling) | GTX 1060 / RX 6500 XT | Ryzen 5 2600X / i5-8500 | 16 GB |
Recommended | 1080p / 60 FPS | RTX 2080 / RX 6700 XT | Ryzen 5 5600 / i5-11600K | 16 GB |
Ultra (4K/60) | 4K / 60 FPS | RTX 5070 Ti / RX 9070 XT | High-end modern CPU | 32 GB |
An SSD (preferably NVMe) is strongly recommended for all PC configurations. The game relies on asset streaming for its open world, and mechanical hard drives may cause texture pop-in and long loading times. Storage requirement: 135 to 150 GB.
Crimson Desert supports Mac natively on Apple Silicon processors starting from the M2 Pro. The game uses Apple's Metal graphics framework with MetalFX upscaling and frame interpolation. Performance varies significantly between macOS 15 and the upcoming macOS 26 (Tahoe), which enables advanced frame interpolation to effectively double framerates.
Chip | macOS 15 | macOS 26 (Tahoe) | Ray Tracing |
|---|---|---|---|
M2 Pro / M3 / M4 | 720-900p / 30 FPS (MetalFX upscale) | 720-900p / 60 FPS (MetalFX + frame interp.) | Off (M2 Pro) / On (M3/M4) |
M3 Pro / M4 Pro | 1080p / 30-40 FPS | 1080p / 60 FPS | On |
M3 Max / M4 Max | 1440p / 30-40 FPS | 1440p / 60 FPS | On |
M3 Ultra / M4 Ultra | 4K / 30 FPS | 4K / 60 FPS | On |
Pearl Abyss recommends macOS 26 or newer for optimal stability and performance. Storage requirement: approximately 150 GB. RAM requirement: 16 GB minimum.
Crimson Desert is available on NVIDIA GeForce NOW at launch, allowing players to stream the game on any supported device without local hardware requirements. This includes Macs, Chromebooks, smartphones, and low-spec PCs. Performance depends on internet connection quality and the GeForce NOW subscription tier.
Best overall experience: PS5 Pro in Performance mode (4K/60 via PSSR 2 with high ray tracing) or a high-end PC
Best budget option: Base PS5 or Xbox Series X in Performance mode (1080p/60) for smooth gameplay
Xbox Series S: Playable but compromised. 720p in Performance mode is noticeably blurry on large displays. Consider GeForce NOW as an alternative if your internet supports it
Mac gamers: Wait for macOS 26 (Tahoe) if possible for the frame interpolation boost. M3 Pro or newer is recommended for a comfortable experience
PC on a budget: A GTX 1060 or RX 6500 XT can run the game at 1080p/30 with upscaling. Enable DLSS or FSR for better framerates
