Dakar Desert Rally System Requirements
Minimum and recommended PC specs, platform support and performance tips — check before you buy.
Written by Marcus Reed
Lead Editor — Rally & Off-Road Games
PC requirements
Dakar Desert Rally is an open-world rally-raid sim with large desert stages. Meeting minimum specs lets you play at lower settings; recommended specs target 1080p with higher detail.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10/11 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-4590 / AMD FX-8350 | Intel Core i7-8700 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| GPU | NVIDIA GTX 960 4 GB / AMD R9 280 | NVIDIA GTX 1080 / AMD RX 5700 XT |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 55 GB HDD | 55 GB SSD |
Platforms
Available on PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 4/5, and Xbox One / Series X|S. Console versions are tuned for fixed hardware; PC offers the most graphics flexibility.
Performance tips
- Lower shadows and terrain detail first — biggest FPS gain on open maps.
- Use an SSD to cut stage load times.
- Cap frame rate if you see stutter on minimum-spec machines.
- On laptops, force the dedicated GPU in Windows graphics settings.
Looking for a deal? See how to get Dakar Desert Rally free or return to the Dakar Desert Rally hub.
FAQ
Can Dakar Desert Rally run on a laptop?+
Yes, if it meets minimum specs. Use the dedicated GPU, plug in power and lower shadow and terrain settings on open desert stages.
Do I need an SSD?+
Not required, but strongly recommended. Stage loads are noticeably faster on SSD, especially on longer career events.
What about PlayStation and Xbox?+
The game runs on PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Console players do not need to worry about manual spec tuning.