How much RAM does XCOM: Enemy Unknown need?

XCOM: Enemy Unknown lists 4 GB of system memory. 16 GB is a safe modern baseline.

Is a Intel HD Graphics 3000 still enough for XCOM: Enemy Unknown?

It matches the game's stated target, so it will run, but it is an older part. A current card in the budget tier above gives you driver support and better efficiency for a similar outlay.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown System Requirements

Oct 8, 2012Strategy

XCOM: Enemy Unknown, released Oct 8, 2012, is a strategy game from Firaxis Games, Feral Interactive (Linux). Its recommended spec points at Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics with an AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+-class CPU; below we translate that into parts you can actually buy today.

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Official System Requirements

The minimum specs for XCOM: Enemy Unknown call for 2 GB of RAM and 20 GB of storage.

The recommended specs for XCOM: Enemy Unknown call for Intel HD Graphics 3000-class graphics, AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+-class processor, 4 GB of RAM and 20 GB of storage.

Component	Minimum	Recommended
CPU	2 GHz Dual Core	AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT	Intel HD Graphics 3000
RAM	2 GB	4 GB
Storage	20 GB	20 GB

Original published requirement text

Minimum: Minimum:

OS *:Windows Vista
Processor:2 GHz Dual Core
Memory:2 GB RAM
Graphics:NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT / ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT or greater
DirectX®:9.0
Hard Drive:20 GB HD space
Sound:DirectX Compatible
Other Requirements:Broadband Internet connection
Additional:Initial installation requires one-time internet connection for Steam authentication; software installations required (included with the game) include Steam Client, Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable, DirectX and Microsoft .NET 4.

Recommended: Recommended:

OS *:Windows 7
Processor:2 GHz Dual Core (Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz or Athlon X2 2.7 GHz)
Memory:4 GB RAM
Graphics:NVIDIA GeForce 9000 series / ATI Radeon HD 3000 series or greater
DirectX®:9.0
Hard Drive:20 GB HD space
Sound:DirectX Compatible
Other Requirements:Broadband Internet connection
Additional:Initial installation requires one-time internet connection for Steam authentication; software installations required (included with the game) include Steam Client, Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable, DirectX and Microsoft .NET 4.

Best GPU for XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Full GPU guide →

XCOM: Enemy Unknown's stated graphics card is roughly Intel HD Graphics 3000 level. The current sweet spot is the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT, with cheaper and faster options either side.

Budget

Intel Arc B570

~$220

score 21010 GB VRAMBattlemage

Intel Arc B570 is the cheapest current card that clears this game's recommended bar with 10GB VRAM. Fine for 1080p.

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Other options at this level

Intel Arc B580 · 12GB~$250Buy
AMD Radeon RX 7600 · 8GB~$260Buy
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 · 8GB~$290Buy
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 · 8GB~$310Buy

Prices are approximate, not live Amazon prices — the link opens the current listing on your regional Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Recommended

AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT

~$350

score 24016 GB VRAMRDNA 4

AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT adds headroom with 16GB VRAM - a safe pick for 1080p high or 1440p depending on the game.

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Other options at this level

AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT · 16GB~$320Buy
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti · 8GB~$370Buy
AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT · 12GB~$400Find
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 · 12GB~$520Buy

Prices are approximate, not live Amazon prices — the link opens the current listing on your regional Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Performance

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti

~$430

score 27516 GB VRAMBlackwell

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti leaves plenty of margin with 16GB VRAM for higher resolutions and frame rates.

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Other options at this level

AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT · 16GB~$480Buy
AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE · 16GB~$550Find
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 · 12GB~$560Buy
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Super · 12GB~$590Buy

Prices are approximate, not live Amazon prices — the link opens the current listing on your regional Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Best CPU for XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Full CPU guide →

XCOM: Enemy Unknown's stated processor is roughly AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ level. The current sweet spot is the AMD Ryzen 5 5500, with cheaper and faster options either side.

Budget

Intel Core i3-14100F

~$110

score 130Raptor Lake Refresh

Intel Core i3-14100F is the cheapest current chip that clears this game's recommended bar. Fine for 1080p.

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Other options at this level

Intel Core i3-13100F ~$100Buy
Intel Core i5-12400F ~$130Buy

Prices are approximate, not live Amazon prices — the link opens the current listing on your regional Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Recommended

AMD Ryzen 5 5500

~$80

score 140Zen 3

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 adds headroom - a safe pick for 1080p high or 1440p depending on the game.

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Other options at this level

AMD Ryzen 5 5600 ~$110Buy
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X ~$130Buy
Intel Core i5-13400F ~$180Find

Prices are approximate, not live Amazon prices — the link opens the current listing on your regional Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Performance

AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT

~$125

score 170Zen 3

AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT leaves plenty of margin for higher resolutions and frame rates.

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Other options at this level

AMD Ryzen 7 5700X ~$160Buy
Intel Core i5-14400F ~$190Buy
Intel Core i5-13500 ~$210Buy

Prices are approximate, not live Amazon prices — the link opens the current listing on your regional Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Recommended PC build for XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Full build guide →

Want the whole tower speced out? Our XCOM: Enemy Unknown build guide pairs these CPU and GPU picks with RAM, motherboard, SSD, PSU and case at budget, recommended and performance tiers, with an approximate total.

Can these parts run XCOM: Enemy Unknown?

Can the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT run XCOM: Enemy Unknown?: Yes. The AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT is well ahead of XCOM: Enemy Unknown's Intel HD Graphics 3000 target, so expect a comfortable 1080p experience with headroom to spare.
Can the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 run XCOM: Enemy Unknown?: Yes. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is well ahead of XCOM: Enemy Unknown's AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ target, so expect a comfortable 1080p experience with headroom to spare.

FAQ

What is the cheapest GPU for XCOM: Enemy Unknown?: Intel Arc B570 - Intel Arc B570 is the cheapest current card that clears this game's recommended bar with 10GB VRAM. Fine for 1080p.
Which CPU should I get for XCOM: Enemy Unknown?: AMD Ryzen 5 5500 - AMD Ryzen 5 5500 adds headroom - a safe pick for 1080p high or 1440p depending on the game.
How much RAM does XCOM: Enemy Unknown need?: XCOM: Enemy Unknown lists 4 GB of system memory. 16 GB is a safe modern baseline.
Is a Intel HD Graphics 3000 still enough for XCOM: Enemy Unknown?: It matches the game's stated target, so it will run, but it is an older part. A current card in the budget tier above gives you driver support and better efficiency for a similar outlay.