Control Resonant Sets High Bar for Path Tracing Hardware

With the release of Control Resonant just two weeks away on September 24, Remedy Entertainment has published the definitive hardware specifications for the game. While minimum and recommended requirements were shared earlier, the new list clarifies exactly what is needed to enable ray tracing and path tracing. The studio has made it clear that achieving the highest visual fidelity requires recent, high-performance graphics hardware, setting a distinct separation between standard rendering and advanced lighting techniques.

According to reporting from GN technics/hardware, all configurations require Windows 10 or 11 and 120 GB of SSD storage. The game supports NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 and AMD FSR 4.1 upscaling technologies, as well as frame generation options. These tools are designed to help players meet frame rate targets on less powerful hardware, though the base requirements remain steep for those seeking the full visual experience without relying heavily on upscalers.

Standard modes demand mid-range hardware

For players who do not use ray tracing, the requirements align with typical mid-range gaming standards. To play at 1080p and 30 frames per second, an Intel Core i5-8500 or AMD Ryzen 5 3500 processor is sufficient, paired with a GPU like the GTX 1070 or RX 5600 XT. The recommended setting for 1440p at 60 frames per second steps up to an RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6700 XT. These configurations suggest that the core game engine is accessible to a broad audience, provided the graphics settings are kept in the medium range.

Path tracing requires top-tier GPUs

The requirements for advanced lighting effects are significantly higher. To run ray tracing at 1080p and 30 frames per second, players need an RTX 2060 Super or RX 6600 with 8 GB of VRAM. However, the jump to path tracing at 4K resolution demands an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080. This card is a current-generation flagship, indicating that Remedy is targeting the absolute peak of consumer hardware for its most demanding visual mode. The distinction between ray and path tracing is not just a toggle but a massive leap in computational load.

Optimization concerns linger for launch

While the specifications are detailed, the community remains cautious. Recent trends in PC gaming have seen many titles launch with suboptimal performance, and Remedy’s previous title, Alan Wake 2, faced similar scrutiny. The provided requirements were tested without frame generation technologies, suggesting that the base performance might be tight on lower-end cards. Players may need to rely on upscaling and frame generation tools to achieve stable frame rates, which could affect visual sharpness. The high VRAM requirements for path tracing also mean that older cards, even if they have similar raw power, may struggle due to memory limitations.