Clair Obscur Expedition 33 PC Requirements & Settings

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG with Unreal Engine 5 visuals, so its PC requirements are moderately demanding. This article details the official minimum and recommended specs, explains what each component means for your experience, and provides concrete in-game settings to hit 60 FPS at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K.

Formula

The calculator above gives a rough estimate of VRAM usage and expected FPS based on your GPU tier, resolution scale, and quality preset. The formula is:

Estimated VRAM (GB) = GPU tier × 2.5 + Preset × 0.5

Expected FPS (1080p) = 60 − (Preset − 2) × 5 + (GPU tier − 1) × 10

Where GPU tier is 1 (RTX 2060-class), 2 (RTX 3060-class), or 3 (RTX 4070-class); Preset is 1 (Low), 2 (Medium), or 3 (High). This is a simplified model—actual performance varies with CPU, resolution, and scene complexity.

Worked Example

Using the default values (GPU tier = 1, Resolution scale = 100%, Preset = Medium):

• VRAM = 1 × 2.5 + 2 × 0.5 = 2.5 + 1.0 = 3.5 GB
• FPS = 60 − (2 − 2) × 5 + (1 − 1) × 10 = 60 − 0 + 0 = 60 FPS

So an RTX 2060 at Medium settings should average around 60 FPS at 1080p, matching the official recommended spec.

Official System Requirements

Developer Sandfall Interactive and publisher Kepler Interactive have published the following PC requirements (as of early 2025):

• Minimum (1080p / 30 FPS, Low settings): Windows 10 64-bit, Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600, 16 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or AMD Radeon RX 580, 30 GB SSD storage, DirectX 12.
• Recommended (1080p / 60 FPS, High settings): Windows 10/11 64-bit, Intel Core i7-10700 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600, 16 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Super or AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT, 30 GB NVMe SSD, DirectX 12.
• Ultra (4K / 60 FPS, Ultra settings): Intel Core i7-12700 or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, 32 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, 30 GB NVMe SSD.

These are official numbers from the developer; note that the “Ultra� tier is sometimes listed as “High� in different storefronts. Always check the specific store page for the most current version.

What Each Component Means for Your Experience

• CPU: The game uses Unreal Engine 5’s Lumen and Nanite, which are GPU-heavy, but the turn-based combat and world streaming still rely on a decent CPU. A 6-core/12-thread processor from the last 5 years is sufficient.
• GPU: This is the main bottleneck. The game’s painterly art style uses high-resolution textures and ray-traced reflections. An RTX 2060-class card handles 1080p High, while an RTX 3080-class is needed for 4K Ultra.
• RAM: 16 GB is the minimum for Windows 10/11 with the game running. 32 GB is recommended if you keep a browser or Discord open in the background.
• Storage: The game requires an SSD; an NVMe drive is recommended for faster loading of the large, seamless world. A 30 GB install size is modest by modern standards.

Recommended In-Game Settings for 60 FPS

Based on the official specs and typical Unreal Engine 5 performance, here are settings to target 60 FPS at different resolutions:

• 1080p / 60 FPS (RTX 2060 or RX 6600): Set Quality to High, Resolution Scale to 100%, turn off Ray Tracing (or set to Low), and disable Motion Blur. This matches the official recommended spec.
• 1440p / 60 FPS (RTX 3070 or RX 6800): Set Quality to High, Resolution Scale to 100%, enable Ray Tracing on Medium, and keep DLSS/FSR on Quality mode if available.
• 4K / 60 FPS (RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XT): Set Quality to Ultra, Resolution Scale to 100%, Ray Tracing on High, and use DLSS/FSR on Balanced or Performance mode to maintain 60 FPS.

If your GPU is below the recommended tier, lower the Resolution Scale to 75% or 50%—this is often the most effective way to gain FPS without sacrificing visual quality drastically.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

• Shader compilation stutter: The first time you launch the game, it will compile shaders. This can take a few minutes and may cause stutters. Let it finish before playing.
• Low FPS despite meeting requirements: Check if your graphics drivers are updated. Also, verify that the game is using your dedicated GPU (not integrated graphics) in Windows Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
• Game crashes on startup: Verify the game files on Steam/Epic, disable any overclocking software, and make sure Windows is updated. If using an AMD GPU, try disabling the “Anti-Lag� feature in Adrenalin.
• VRAM usage warning: If you have 4 GB or less VRAM, lower texture quality to Medium. The game can use over 6 GB at High settings.

Comparing to Similar Games

Clair Obscur’s requirements are similar to other Unreal Engine 5 turn-based RPGs like Black Myth: Wukong (though that is action) and Final Fantasy XVI (also UE4). Compared to Baldur’s Gate 3, which runs on a modified Divinity engine, Expedition 33 is slightly more demanding due to real-time lighting and ray tracing. The recommended GPU (RTX 2060 Super) is one tier above BG3’s recommended (GTX 2060).

Cost and Platform Considerations

The game is available on Steam, Epic Games Store, and Xbox Game Pass (PC) at launch. The standard edition is priced around $49.99 USD, with a Deluxe Edition at $59.99 that includes a digital artbook and soundtrack. Game Pass subscribers can play it at no additional cost. There is no DRM beyond Steam/Epic’s standard protections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an RTX GPU to play Clair Obscur Expedition 33?

No. The minimum specs list GTX 1070 and RX 580, which do not support ray tracing. You can play with ray tracing disabled. However, the game’s visuals are designed with UE5’s Lumen, which works on non-RTX cards but at a performance cost. A GTX 1070 will run the game at 1080p/30 FPS on Low.

Will the game run on a laptop with a GTX 1650?

It will run, but likely below 30 FPS at 1080p Low. The GTX 1650 has only 4 GB VRAM, which is below the minimum. You can try lowering resolution to 720p and setting Resolution Scale to 50%, but expect stutters. An RTX 3050 laptop GPU is a better entry point.

Does the game support DLSS or FSR?

Yes, the PC version supports both NVIDIA DLSS 3 (including frame generation) and AMD FSR 3. These upscaling technologies are available in the graphics settings. Using DLSS/FSR on Quality mode can boost FPS by 20-30% with minimal visual loss.

Is 16 GB RAM enough for the game?

Yes, 16 GB is the official minimum and recommended. The game itself uses about 8-10 GB, so 16 GB leaves room for Windows and background apps. If you encounter stutters, close browser tabs or upgrade to 32 GB.

How large is the download?

The install size is approximately 30 GB. This is relatively small for a UE5 game, likely because the art style uses stylized textures rather than photorealistic 4K assets. No additional day-one patch has been announced, but that could change.

Can I play at 60 FPS on a GTX 1070?

At 1080p with Low settings and Resolution Scale at 75%, you might achieve 45-60 FPS in most areas. The game is turn-based, so 30 FPS is playable, but 60 FPS is smoother for exploration. Consider upgrading to an RTX 2060 or RX 6600 for a consistent 60 FPS.

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in gpu | GPU tier | 1=RTX 2060, 2=RTX 3060, 3=RTX 4070 | 1 | 1 | 3
in res | Resolution scale | % | 100 | 50 | 100
in preset | Quality preset | 1=Low, 2=Medium, 3=High | 2 | 1 | 3
out vram | Estimated VRAM | GB | gpu * 2.5 + preset * 0.5 | 1
out fps | Expected FPS (1080p) | FPS | 60 - (preset - 2) * 5 + (gpu - 1) * 10 | 0