Doom system requirements and unlock times announced

The oddly familiar Doom launch trailer debuted earlier today, and I still think it looks very nice, and certainly far more interesting than all the multiplayer-focused pre-release PR we've been treated to up to this point. And now we've got some more practical information for you, in the form of system requirements and preload timing. 

First things first: 

The Pistol:

  • OS: Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit versions)
  • CPU: Intel Core i5-2400/AMD FX-8320 or better
  • GPU: NVIDIA GTX 670 2GB/AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB or better
  • RAM: 8 GB
  • HDD: 55 GB free

The BFG 9016:

  • OS: Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit versions)
  • CPU: Intel Core i7-3770/AMD FX-8350 or better
  • GPU: NVIDIA GTX 970 4GB/AMD Radeon R9 290 4GB or better
  • RAM: 8 GB
  • HDD: 55 GB free

The retail release of Doom will come with “a single disc,” and like Fallout 4 will require a fairly hefty 45GB download from Steam. Links to officially supported AMD and Nvidia video drivers will be provided next week. Which is also when preloading will begin, specifically at 12 am ET on May 11. The actual “launch unlock and server launch” will take place at the following geographically-dependent times: 

  • Australia/New Zealand @ 12 am AEST
  • North America @ 12 am ET
  • Europe @ 12 am GMT +1
  • Japan/South Korea/Rest of Asia – 12 am Japan

Full details (although there's not much more to it, unless you're interested in the console releases) are up at Bethesda.net. Doom comes out on May 13.

Andy Chalk

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.