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Best PC to play The Last of Us Part I
What build makes sense for The Last of Us Part I without overspending.
The Last of Us Part I on PC: hardware guide and performance
The Last of Us Part I is a major action title on PC in 2026. This PC4Games page explains what the game actually needs from your CPU, GPU, RAM and storage — beyond the minimum lines shown on Steam.
The Last of Us Part I is among the more demanding titles in the PC4Games catalogue. Ultra settings and advanced post-processing need a recent mid-to-high-end GPU.
For a good experience we recommend a budget around $1,425 (PC4Games “comfort” tier). A $975 build handles 1080p on reduced to medium settings; for 1440p, high effects or streaming headroom, target $1,950 and above.
The official requirements table (minimum / recommended) and Amazon picks by budget tier are below. Use them as a baseline, then refine with the PC4Games comparator if you are unsure between desktop and laptop.
Suggested upgrade order: NVMe SSD first (loads and micro-stutters), then 16 GB RAM in dual-channel, then GPU and CPU. Update GPU drivers and enable Windows Game Mode before buying new hardware.
Direct answer: which PC to play The Last of Us Part I?
- ▸Minimum budget to run the game : $650 – $975
- ▸Recommended budget (comfortable 1080p–1440p) : $975 – $1425
- ▸Optimal budget (1440p ultra or 4K) : $1425 – $1950
PC4Games estimates — see full configuration below.
PC4Games resources for buying a PC
Guides, methodology and data beyond this game page.
Estimated PC requirements for The Last of Us Part I
| Processor | Minimum | Recommended | Ultra / 1440p |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-13400F / AMD Ryzen 5 7600 | Intel Core i7-14700K / AMD Ryzen 9 7900X | Intel Core i9-14900K / AMD Ryzen 9 9900X |
| Graphics card | NVIDIA RTX 3060 / AMD RX 6700 | NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super / AMD RX 7900 GRE | NVIDIA RTX 4080 Super / AMD RX 7900 XTX |
| RAM | 16 Go DDR4/DDR5 | 32 Go DDR5 | 32 Go DDR5 |
| Storage | SSD NVMe 1 To | SSD NVMe 2 To | SSD NVMe 2 To |
Swipe horizontally to view the full table.
* Estimates based on community-recommended budgets. Check official Steam requirements for exact specs.
Which PC to buy for The Last of Us Part I?
Depending on your budget, here are the PC4Games budget pages suited for playing The Last of Us Part I. Each page lists the best configurations available on Amazon in that price range.
Why is The Last of Us Part I demanding for a PC?
The Last of Us Part I is one of the more resource-intensive PC games, justifying a budget of at least €900 for a smooth experience. Dense graphical rendering combined with advanced post-processing effects (ambient occlusion, HDR, anti-aliasing) consumes significant memory bandwidth. For a recommended 1080p experience, a €1300 budget (RTX 4060 Ti / RX 7700 XT + Ryzen 7) is needed. Moving to 1440p or ultra settings requires an additional €300–500. Prioritize an NVMe SSD to avoid streaming-related stutters.
Frequently asked questions about The Last of Us Part I
What PC do I need to play The Last of Us Part I in 2026?
To play The Last of Us Part I properly in 2026, a PC with NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super / AMD RX 7900 GRE and 32 Go DDR5 is recommended — a budget of around $1300. For a minimum experience, NVIDIA RTX 3060 / AMD RX 6700 is enough (budget $900). For 1440p or ultra settings, budget $1800+ (NVIDIA RTX 4080 Super / AMD RX 7900 XTX).
What budget do I need for The Last of Us Part I on PC?
The recommended budget for a good The Last of Us Part I experience is around $1300. For entry-level (30–60 FPS, reduced quality), $900 is sufficient. For smooth 1440p or maximum settings, budget $1800 or more.
Does The Last of Us Part I run on a $900 PC?
Yes, The Last of Us Part I is playable on a $900 budget with Intel Core i5-13400F / AMD Ryzen 5 7600 and NVIDIA RTX 3060 / AMD RX 6700. You'll play at 1080p with reduced to medium graphical settings. For a more comfortable experience, investing up to $1300 is advisable.
16 GB or 32 GB RAM for The Last of Us Part I?
16 GB of dual-channel RAM is sufficient to play The Last of Us Part I properly in 2026. 32 GB becomes useful if you stream simultaneously, use heavy mods, or keep many apps open. For pure gaming, 16 GB remains the recommended standard at a $1300 budget.
Best affordable GPU for The Last of Us Part I?
The best value GPU for The Last of Us Part I without breaking the bank is the NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super / AMD RX 7900 GRE. It delivers solid 1080p performance. The NVIDIA RTX 3060 / AMD RX 6700 remains playable on medium settings. The NVIDIA RTX 4080 Super / AMD RX 7900 XTX opens up 1440p and advanced visual effects.
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