Yes, your PC can run The Quarry if it has at least a GTX 780 or Radeon R9 290, 8GB of RAM, and a Core i5-3570 or FX-8350-class processor—but those minimum parts target roughly 30 fps at reduced settings, not a flawless horror-movie experience. For 1080p at a steadier 60 fps, the practical sweet spot is closer to a GTX 1660 Super, RTX 2060, RX 5600 XT, or better, paired with a modern six-core CPU and 16GB of memory. The official recommended specification is much stronger than the minimum because The Quarry streams detailed character models, dense forest geometry, cinematic shadows, and heavy post-processing at the same time.
That distinction is the real story. The Quarry isn't an especially fast action game, so 30 fps is playable during exploration and dialogue. However, camera cuts, quick-time events, and sudden chase sequences feel noticeably cleaner at 60 fps. A powerful GPU also helps reduce the ugly frame-time spikes that can interrupt an otherwise convincing cinematic scene.
The Quarry PC requirements explained
Supermassive Games lists Windows 10 64-bit, 8GB of RAM, and 50GB of available storage as the baseline. The minimum GPU targets are an Nvidia GeForce GTX 780 or AMD Radeon R9 290, while the recommended graphics cards are the GeForce RTX 2060 and Radeon RX 5700. On the processor side, the minimum is an Intel Core i5-3570 or AMD FX-8350; the recommended tier jumps to an Intel Core i9-10900K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X.
Those CPU recommendations look excessive beside the RTX 2060, but there is a reason for the mismatch. The game is built around a large cast, facial animation, branching scenes, streaming environments, and cinematic transitions. A six-core Ryzen 5 or Core i5 from the last few generations generally behaves better than an old high-clock quad-core, even if both appear close on paper.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended | Practical 60 fps target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 or Windows 11 64-bit |
| CPU | Core i5-3570 / FX-8350 | Core i9-10900K / Ryzen 7 3700X | Core i5-10400 / Ryzen 5 3600 or newer |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 16GB RAM | 16GB dual-channel RAM |
| GPU | GTX 780 / Radeon R9 290 | RTX 2060 / Radeon RX 5700 | GTX 1660 Super to RTX 3060 / RX 5600 XT to RX 6600 |
| Storage | 50GB available | 50GB available | SSD strongly preferred |
The 50GB figure is storage capacity, not a performance guarantee. An SSD won't magically increase average fps, but it can reduce texture-streaming pauses and make scene transitions feel less abrupt. If you're still running the game from a nearly full hard drive, moving it to an SSD is one of the least expensive improvements you can make.
You can verify the official listing on the official Steam page for The Quarry. For broader PC troubleshooting, our guides to stopping crashes and rescuing fps and fixing low fps problems cover the same basic driver, overlay, and storage checks.
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View on Steammoz Store →What the real benchmark numbers look like
The most useful way to judge The Quarry is by separating average fps from frame-time consistency. This is a story-driven game, so a benchmark that only records a quiet cabin scene will flatter weak hardware. The forest around Hackett's Quarry, stormy outdoor sequences, and moments with several characters on screen are heavier tests.
Using the game's standard High preset, motion blur disabled, and a native 1080p output, the following ranges are realistic expectations rather than manufacturer promises. Exact results vary with driver versions, patches, CPU background load, and whether you're measuring a busy cinematic or an empty hallway.
| Hardware class | 1080p settings | Expected average | Heavy-scene behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| GTX 780 / R9 290 | Low, reduced effects | 30-40 fps | Frequent dips into the mid-20s |
| GTX 1060 6GB / RX 580 | Medium, native resolution | 40-55 fps | 30-40 fps in demanding forest shots |
| GTX 1660 Super / RX 5600 XT | High, native resolution | 55-75 fps | Usually 45-60 fps during cinematic peaks |
| RTX 2060 / RX 5700 | High to Ultra, native resolution | 60-85 fps | Mostly above 55 fps with occasional stutter |
| RTX 3060 / RX 6600 XT | Ultra, native resolution | 70-100 fps | Excellent 60 fps experience; CPU can still matter |
| RTX 4070 / RX 7800 XT | 1440p Ultra | 80-120 fps | Strong average, but not immune to traversal hitches |
Don't interpret the 100-fps result as a promise that every cutscene will render at 100 fps. The Quarry sometimes behaves like an interactive film, and its workload changes sharply between a close-up conversation and a wide shot packed with foliage, fog, shadows, and multiple actors. A capped 60 fps is often better than chasing a fluctuating 90 or 120 fps.
At 1440p, the RTX 2060 and RX 5700 are comfortable around High settings but may need a resolution-scale reduction to hold 60 fps everywhere. An RTX 3060 Ti, RX 6700 XT, or newer card is a more convincing 1440p choice. For 4K, the game becomes GPU-heavy quickly; even high-end cards should use upscaling or a 30-fps cap if you want to preserve the Ultra presentation.
Best graphics settings for stable 60 fps
The fastest route to better performance is not lowering every option to Low. The Quarry's visual identity comes from its lighting, shadows, character detail, and atmospheric effects. Cut those too aggressively and the game loses the moody film-grain look that makes the woods work. Instead, lower the settings that affect whole-screen effects and distant geometry first.
| Setting | Recommended value | FPS impact | Visual trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Native 1080p; 1440p with 90-100% scale | Very high | Lowering it softens faces and text |
| Texture quality | High with 6GB VRAM; Medium with 4GB | Low to medium | Lower values blur clothing and environments |
| Shadow quality | High, Medium on older GPUs | High | Medium removes depth from forest lighting |
| Effects and volumetrics | High or Medium | High | Fog and nighttime lighting lose richness |
| Foliage quality | Medium or High | Medium | Lower settings make vegetation visibly sparse |
| Screen-space reflections | Medium | Medium | Wet surfaces and water reflections become rougher |
| Motion blur | Off for clarity | Negligible | Cleaner camera movement and QTE visibility |
| Film grain | Personal preference | Negligible | Changes the movie-like texture, not performance |
For an older GTX 1060 or RX 580, start at 1080p Medium, keep textures High if your card has 6GB or more VRAM, and reduce shadows and volumetrics before touching resolution. On a GTX 1660 Super, use High settings with Medium volumetrics and a 60-fps cap. The RTX 2060 and RX 5700 can generally run High or a carefully selected Ultra mix at 1080p.
DLSS or FSR availability can vary by game build and graphics API, so check the in-game menu rather than assuming your card supports a particular option. If an upscaler is available, Quality mode is the best starting point at 1440p. Avoid aggressive Performance mode at 1080p: it can make character faces, hair, and subtitle edges look noticeably smeared.
CPU, RAM, and stutter: the part benchmarks miss
A weak GPU usually gives you an obvious solution: lower resolution or reduce effects. CPU-limited stutter is trickier. The Quarry can hitch when it loads a new area, swaps character assets, or transitions into a major cinematic. Those pauses may appear even when the fps counter says 70 because the average hides a sudden 100-millisecond frame-time spike.
Eight gigabytes of RAM is technically enough to meet the minimum, but 16GB is the sensible floor for a modern Windows gaming PC. With 8GB, the operating system, Steam, browser tabs, recording software, and the game compete for memory. That can push assets into the page file and turn scene transitions into visible pauses. Dual-channel memory also helps older Ryzen and Intel systems avoid unnecessary CPU-side slowdowns.
The official recommended processors, the Core i9-10900K and Ryzen 7 3700X, are not mandatory for 60 fps. A Core i5-10400, i5-11400, Ryzen 5 3600, or Ryzen 5 5600 is generally a much more balanced pairing for a mid-range GPU. What matters most is avoiding old four-core chips with weak single-thread performance. The minimum i5-3570 can launch the game, but it may struggle to deliver clean frame pacing when several characters and effects are active.
Before blaming the game, install it on an SSD, update your GPU driver, close browser tabs and RGB utilities, and disable unnecessary overlays. Steam Overlay, Discord, GeForce Experience, Xbox Game Bar, and capture software can each add small amounts of overhead. Don't stack a frame limiter in the driver, the game, and an external tool; use one limiter, preferably the in-game cap or RTSS, to avoid uneven pacing.
Supermassive's official 2K support hub for The Quarry is worth checking after major updates. Driver shader compilation and first-run asset preparation can also make the opening session feel worse than later play sessions. Give the game a few minutes after a driver change before deciding your system is underperforming.
Can your specific PC run The Quarry?
If your computer sits near the minimum specification, the honest answer is “yes, with compromises.” A GTX 780, R9 290, or similarly aged card should aim for 1080p Low and a 30-fps cap. Use Medium textures only if VRAM allows it, because a low texture setting damages the image more than lowering shadows. Expect the heaviest outdoor scenes to dip below 30 fps, especially with an old quad-core CPU.
A GTX 1060 6GB, RX 580, or GTX 1650 Super is a workable middle tier. Use 1080p Medium, cap to 45 or 60 fps depending on your processor, and reduce volumetric effects if the forest becomes unstable. These cards can deliver a good story experience, but they aren't ideal for Ultra settings or high-refresh monitors.
The best value target is a GTX 1660 Super, RTX 2060, RX 5600 XT, RX 5700, RTX 3060, or RX 6600. With 16GB RAM and a recent six-core CPU, these systems can hold a convincing 60 fps at 1080p. The RTX 2060 and RX 5700 line up with the game's official recommended GPU tier, while newer cards provide useful headroom for 1440p and higher-quality effects.
For 1440p, prioritize GPU memory and don't confuse a high average with a perfect lock. An RTX 3060 12GB or RX 6700 XT gives you more breathing room than a faster card with only 4GB or 6GB of VRAM. At 4K, use an upscaler if available, lower shadows and volumetrics, and consider a 30-fps cap. The Quarry's deliberate pacing makes 30 fps tolerable, but unstable 30-45 fps is far less pleasant than a locked target.
| PC profile | Recommended preset | Target | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum-era PC | 1080p Low, reduced effects | 30 fps cap | Playable, but expect dips and stutter |
| GTX 1060 / RX 580 class | 1080p Medium | 40-60 fps | Good with sensible compromises |
| GTX 1660 Super / RX 5600 XT | 1080p High | 60 fps target | Best budget experience |
| RTX 2060 / RX 5700 | 1080p High to Ultra | 60-85 fps | Matches the recommended tier well |
| RTX 3060 / RX 6600 XT | 1440p High or 1080p Ultra | 60 fps and above | Comfortable modern setup |
For comparison, older games often publish much lighter requirements; our Far Cry 2 PC specs breakdown shows how dramatically expectations have changed. If you want more modern graphics-setting advice, see our Far Cry 6 settings guide and the Filament performance guide.
The final verdict on The Quarry PC performance
The Quarry is easier to run than its recommended i9-10900K specification first suggests, but the minimum requirements should not be mistaken for a 60-fps target. An older gaming PC can play it at 1080p Low, while a GTX 1660 Super-class system is where the experience starts to feel consistently smooth. The RTX 2060 and RX 5700 are the practical reference points, not because weaker cards fail to launch, but because they provide enough headroom for the game's worst forest scenes.
My preferred setup is 1080p High, Medium volumetrics, High textures, Medium-to-High shadows, motion blur off, and a locked 60 fps. That profile preserves the faces, fog, foliage, and nighttime atmosphere that make the game work while avoiding the biggest performance traps. If your PC can't maintain that target, lock 30 fps rather than accepting constant fluctuations.
So, can your PC run The Quarry PC? Check the GPU first, confirm you have 16GB of RAM, and make sure the game is on an SSD. If you meet the recommended graphics card tier, you're in good shape. If you're at minimum, you'll still get the full branching horror story—but the cinematic presentation will need a little technical patience.
For more information about the game's technology and updates, consult the official Supermassive Games page and the official The Quarry website.