The Best Builds To Play Palworld On PC

Palworld has taken the gaming world by storm since it was released on the 19th of Jan 2024 on Steam Early Access, breaking records for the number of concurrent players and making for some of the most entertaining Twitch streams in the past week. At the same time, it seems to have sparked a massive online debate about whether it is a Pokemon-based survival game clone.

Regardless of the answer, the primary reason why Palworld tends to resonate so well with its audience is a simple one: it is overwhelmingly fun to play, combining a lot of elements of survival games with the developer's prior experience with Craftopia to deliver a nuanced, yet polished experience for gamers looking for a new game to play in 2024. Its leveraging of Unreal Engine 5 allows it to deliver a beautiful, well-scaled game experience across various PC builds.

This is even more important given that many users looking to play a game like Palworld can only turn to the Xbox Series S|X or PC, with the latter delivering an arguably better experience across the board.

Palworld: The PC Hardware Requirements Broken Down

Palworld at first glance has relatively low hardware requirements, save for its relatively demanding RAM needs for most gaming PCs and laptops. It allows users with relatively old CPUs and GPUs to run it with ease, despite mandating a minimum OS requirement of Windows 10 or higher and recommending an SSD for both the minimum and the recommended specs. Even though the game only requires a 16GB download for most users, at least 40GB of available space is necessary for Palworld.

MINIMUM:
- OS: Windows 10 or later (64-bit)
- Processor: i5-3570K 3.4 GHz 4 Core
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: GeForce GTX 1050 (2GB)
- DirectX: Version 11
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 40 GB SSD Space Required
RECOMMENDED:
- OS: Windows 10 or later (64-bit)
- Processor: i9-9900K 3.6 GHz 8 Core
- Memory: 32 GB RAM
- Graphics: GeForce RTX 2070
- DirectX: Version 11
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 40 GB SSD Space Required

As-is, most gaming PCs purchased this decade should be able to play Palworld more often than not with ease, but many new, first-time PC owners and builders looking to get into the game might want to build their gaming PC to run Palworld well at not only the lowest settings but also in higher fidelity with ease. This, coupled with the fact that Palworld seems to be relatively well-optimized out of the box for both games in that genre and as a new title in Early Access, indicates that users can scale their experience using hardware to target specific game resolution and quality presets.

To make things easier, the team at Game ZXC is publishing three hand-picked PC builds aimed at different price brackets and performance tiers, aimed at getting the most out of player's experiences as they discover the open-world game currently being described by many on social media as 'Pokemon with guns', for the lack of a better mainstream moniker.

The Minimum Spec Palworld Gaming PC Build

AMD Ryzen 5 8600G 6-Core, 12-Thread CPU
The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G 6-Core, 12-Thread CPU is a powerful entry-level gaming APU that combines AMD's efficient and performant mobile Zen 4 cores with a capable iGPU in the shape of the AMD Radeon 760M.

It packs in acceptable gaming performance at a price point that decimates most of its comparable discrete GPU and CPU combinations even as it is one of the first CPUs or APUs that pack AMD's Ryzen AI tech to support on-chip AI acceleration.

See at Amazon $229 at Newegg $229 at Best Buy
GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX
$220 $230 Save $10
The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX is a high-end motherboard featuring the B650 chipset that allows it to command a much lower price point, closer to AMD's more budget-oriented motherboard lineups. It is a capable entry that also offers a PCI-E Gen 5 M2 slot that should allow access to faster PCI-E 5.0 storage down the line.

See at Amazon $220 at Newegg
G.Skill Flare X5 Series (AMD Expo) 6000MHz 32GB (CL36)
The G.Skill Flare X5 Series RAM kits are DDR5 RAMs that operate at an overclocked 6000MHz sweet spot for AMD AM5 processors with a lower latency EXPO profile available to allow users to overclock their memory with a push of a button while costing significantly lower than the competition.

$105 at Amazon $107 at Newegg $104 at Walmart
Kingston NV2 500G M.2 2280 NVMe Internal SSD
The Kingston NV2 500G SSD uses Gen 4x4 NVMe PCIe technology. This drive delivers read speeds up to 3,500 MB/s and write speeds up to 2,800 MB/s. It's designed for systems requiring fast performance, in both laptop and desktop builds. It is suitable for most applications thanks to the compact, single-sided M.2 2280 design. And the low power requirements mean that it produces minimal heat.

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Apevia ATX-PM650W Premier 650W 80+ Gold Certified PSU
The Apevia ATX-PM650W Premier is a 650W semi-modular power supply with 80+ Gold certification, ensuring efficient energy usage. Its modular design supports cable management, making it easy to organize cables inside your PC case. The unit comes with a variety of connectors, including a 20/24pin main power, 2 x P8(4+4P) ESP 12V, 4 x SATA + 4 x 8(6+2)pin PCI-E, 4 x peripheral, and 1 x floppy.

Featuring a single 12V output for high power usage, the power supply has an auto-thermally controlled 135 mm RGB fan. Output specifications include +3.3V@20A, +5V@20A, +12V@54.1A, -12V@0.3A, and +5Vsb@3A.
Zalman T7 ATX Mid Tower PC Case
$50 $60 Save $10
The Zalman T7 ATX Mid-Tower PC Case features a front mesh panel for maximum airflow and a transparent side viewing window. The case includes 2 pre-installed 120 mm fans and accommodates ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX motherboards.

$50 at Amazon

This build targets a steady or high framerate on Palworld at low/medium settings at an FHD/1080P resolution

The entry-level PC build for Palworld covers all the basics when it comes to Palworld, throwing in a significant amount of power into the mix when it comes to the CPU end, even as it offers middling GPU power thanks to the newly-released AMD Ryzen 5 8600G APU equipped as the brains of the PC. This leverages its 6 Zen 4 cores for impressive efficiency and a stable frame rate at low/medium settings while leaving the door open for a beefier GPU down the line for users even as it meets the title's CPU needs with ease in 2024.

The build uses RAM from G.Skill that has an AMD EXPO-spec timing pattern ingrained, making it easy for users to get things up and running without much tweaking required. The PC also uses 500GB of NVMe storage that clocks in at the entry-level end of the PCI-E 4.0 spectrum, which should keep things running smoothly for gamers. The motherboard is one of the most well-balanced B650 models on the market that offers decent power delivery, plenty of I/O options, and PCI-E 5.0 support for the M2 drive if needed down the line even as it throws in Wi-Fi 6 support into the mix.

To cap it all off, an inexpensive gold-rated 650W Apevia PSU is thrown into the mix which is housed by the value-for-money, but no-nonsense Zalman T7 case making for an excellent entry-level gaming PC that can do much more than play Palworld through 2024.

It can also help to read Game ZXC's dedicated AMD Ryzen 5 8600G review where the APU was tested across multiple titles including Palworld in a similar performance preset, albeit with higher graphics settings.

Estimated Build Cost: $709

The Recommended Spec Palworld Gaming PC Build

Intel Core i5 14600KF 14-Core, 20-Thread CPU
$290 $304 Save $14
The Intel Core i5 14600KF 14-Core, 20-Thread CPU is a powerful mid-range CPU that replaces the last generation Intel Core i5 13600KF with higher clocks on both its performance and efficiency cores.

Like all its siblings, it does offer better performance out-of-the-box versus its predecessors but replaces them at the same price points they sold last year. Unlike the Intel Core i5 14600K, this model trades at a small discount thanks to it skipping out on integrated graphics.

See at Amazon $290 at Newegg $304 at Walmart
EK AIO Nucleus CR360 Lux D-RGB
EK AIO Nucleus CR360 Lux D-RGB stands as one of the most popular 360mm AIOs for providing excellent value for the money. Its big 360mm radiator is capable of keeping thermal throttling in intensive overclocking sessions and the digital RGB lighting on the fans and CPU block lightens up the chassis from inside.

See at Amazon $164 at Newegg $163 at Walmart
GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX
Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX Ice comes with plenty of connectivity options and a clean aesthetic. The white PCB and grey accents make it compete in style with higher-end motherboards, even as the well-placed heatsinks and the built-in I/O plates make for a polished, yet functional look. The motherboard provides great value for money for gamers and professionals alike thanks to its pricing, feature set and excellent VRMs on offer.

See at Amazon $240 at Newegg $240 at Walmart
CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB DDR5 6400MHz 32GB
Corsair's Vengeance RGB DDR5 RAM kit features dual RAM modules, each having 16GB memory capacity. It has built-in XMP 3.0 profiles, offering a blend of a high-rated frequency, low latency, and a reasonable price tag in tow.

For aesthetics, the RAM sticks look gorgeous as a result of the RGB LEDs on top of its dedicated aluminum heat spreaders.

$110 at Amazon $115 at Newegg $116 at Walmart
Samsung 980 PRO SSD
Whether it is for a boost in speed or just some extra storage for more games, the Samsung 980 Pro is a great way to do it. The 980 has read/write speeds of up to 7000MB/s and 5100 MB/s respectively, making it one of the fastest PCI-E 4.0 SSDs available in consumer markets, even as it proves to be one of the most reliable.

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Asus Dual Geforce RTX 4060 OC Edition
The Asus Dual RTX 4060 OC is selling like hotcakes due to its competitive pricing in the budget GPU category. Providing excellent performance at 1080p resolutions and unmatched Ray Tracing potential for around $300, the RTX 4060 sits as the best and most selling latest Nvidia GPU. The Asus Dual OC edition brings a dual fan design and a factory overclocked board that enhances the performance even further

See at Amazon $305 at Newegg $310 at Walmart
Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 750W
$90 $110 Save $20
The Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 750W power supply is a fully modular offering in the long-running Toughpower series. It is an 80-Plus Gold-rated PSU with peak power of 750W, which is sufficient even for most high-end PCs. It features a PCIe Gen 5.0 connector to power GPUs with the new 12VHPWR cable. It also follows the ATX 3.0 standard for better power excursion and low-load efficiency. The 120mm fan has a Smart Zero Fan mode for silent operation.

$90 at Amazon $90 at Walmart $90 at Newegg
MSI MAG Forge 112R Case
The MSI MAG Forge 112R is an excellent affordable case for both gamers and content creators. Featuring 4 ARGB fans and an included controller box, the case lights up with some spectacular preset effects. A 4 mm tempered glass panel showcases the best components and is easily removed without tools. The case accommodates liquid cooling radiators and promotes efficient cooling through its mesh front panel.

$90 at Amazon $70 at Walmart

This build targets a steady or high framerate on Palworld at medium/high settings at a 2K/QHD/1440P resolution. Users may also want to use the RTX 4060's DLSS performance options with built-in game support to possibly pursue the 'Epic' graphics preset.

The mid-range recommended spec build leverages a powerful 14th-generation Intel Core i5 14600K CPU that comes unlocked out of the box with a tri-slot AIO CPU cooler to match its thermal needs. It leverages a white-themed Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX for its overclocking and I/O needs which also offers competitive networking in tow. With 6400MHz CL36 RAM from Corsair in tow in addition to 1TB of fast PCI-E 4.0 storage in the shape of the Samsung 980 Pro SSD, this build is both, balanced and powerful for playing Palworld or any other title in the near future.

The ASUS Dual RTX 4060 is equivalent in performance to the suggested RTX 2070 in most cases. Still, its higher efficiency and larger DLSS edge versus the older GPU make it a relative no-brainer go-to option in 2024. With a 750W gold-rated, modular Thermaltake PSU in tow alongside an excellent MSI MAG Force 112R case, the PC is built for easy future upgrades and has reliable power, even as the cooling is complimented by a capable AIO cooler for the 14600K.

Gamers can also check out Game ZXC's review of the MSI Mag Forge 112R Case to better understand whether it meets their needs going into 2024.

Estimated Build Cost: $1,273

The Overkill Palworld Gaming PC Build

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
$352 $449 Save $97
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is AMD's latest and greatest CPU when it comes to gaming. With an excellent and highly efficient gaming performance that tops the charts currently, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is here to stay and has a crown to claim thanks to its 3D V-Cache-enabled prowess when it comes to gaming on a PC.

The octa-core CPU currently happens to be the fastest in the business for gaming even as it leads efficiency charts at the top, making it a very sought-after gaming upgrade.

$352 at Amazon $369 at Newegg $369 at Walmart
MSI MAG Coreliquid E360 AIO Liquid Cooler
$136 $140 Save $4
The MSI MAG CoreLiquid E360 AIO is a value-packed liquid cooler with a rotating water blockhead and three 120 mm ARGB fans. This cooling system benefits from an enlarged copper base which maximizes contact with CPUs for amplified heat exchange. The radiator also utilizes a split pathway design to distribute warm and cold liquid more effectively. Thanks to a water pump with a three-phase motor, the MAG CoreLiquid E360 can balance its cooling power with noise levels and avoid excess vibrations.

$136 at Walmart See at Amazon
Gigabyte X670E Aorus Pro X
$300 $330 Save $30
Boasting a fully white PCB and white heatsinks, the Gigabyte X670E Aorus Pro X looks dashing. It features an excellent 16+2+2 power phase delivery and doesn't lag behind in component compatibility or connectivity. Four M.2 slots for fast storage and impressive memory support allow the board to push the system's full potential.

$300 at Newegg $300 at Walmart
G.Skill Trident Z5 NEO Series (AMD Expo) 64GB Kit CL30
The G. Skill Trident Z5 NEO sticks are a pair of 32GB RAM sticks that conform to AMD's more stringent EXPO memory requirements for overclocking. With tight timings and a CAS latency of just 30-40-40-96.

With a subtle RGB effect and a premium feel, the Trident Z Neo is one of the best premium RGB RAM sticks money can buy that is designed for AMD-based systems.

See at Amazon $215 at Newegg $215 at Walmart
Teamgroup T-Force Z540 M2 PCI-E SSD 1TB
$160 $190 Save $30
The Teamgroup T-Force Cardea Z540 SSD offers some of the fastest PCI-E Gen 5 SSD speeds money can buy in 2024 while throwing in a thin, patented graphene-based heatsink to keep things low-profile by design.

It offers a whopping 11,700 MB/s sequential read and 9,500 MB/s sequential write speeds with decent random read/write speeds in tow,

With a 3,000,000-hour MBTF and 700 TBW rating along with a comprehensive 5-year warranty in tow, the Teamgroup T-Force Cardea Z540 SSD delivers on its promise as a premium PCI-E 5.0 SSD in 2024.

See at Amazon $160 at Newegg
Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER
The Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER is a stock-clocked alternative to the Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super Founder's Edition that offers RGB lighting, better thermals, and a die-cast metal backplate in tow.

It also features an Idle fan stop, which is built into its fan curve as well as an increased amount of customization thanks to it featuring 5 zones of RGB lighting and a slight power limit increase in tow at MSRP.

See at Amazon $800 at Newegg
MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 PSU
$160 $200 Save $40
The MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 PSU is built from the ground up to support the ATX 3.0 spec while also being PCI-E 5.0 compatible in a fully modular design without costing an arm and a leg unlike some of its nearest competitors, making it a viable contender for a gaming PC.

See at Amazon $160 at Newegg
MSI MEG Prospect 700R Case
$360 $380 Save $20
The MSI MEG Prospect 700R is a high-end PC case for gamers demanding the best options for advanced cooling and monitoring of rigs. The highlight of the MEG Prospect 700R is its 4.3-inch touchscreen LCD panel, which can display anything from system temps to weather and control the RGB effects of the four 140 mm fans. Another unique feature of the case is its side panels which open on hinges, including the tempered glass on the left side. The MEG Prospect 700R supports most motherboards up to E-ATX size and graphics cards up to 400 mm long, which can also be vertically mounted.

$340 at Walmart $360 at Newegg See at Amazon

This build targets a steady or high framerate on Palworld at High/Epic settings at a 4K/UHD/2160P resolution. Users may also want to use the RTX 4070 Ti's DLSS performance options with built-in game support to get a smoother gameplay experience.

The Overkill Palworld PC build, as stated, is built around exceeding any potential needs users may have while playing the title. It utilizes the best gaming CPU currently available, the AMD Rzyen 7 7800X3D, cooled by a mid-range tri-slot liquid cooler in the shape of the MSI MAG Coreliquid E360. It leverages a value-centric Gigabyte X670E Aorus Pro X motherboard that offers Wi-Fi 7, PCI-E 5.0 connectivity, and excellent power delivery in tow.

The build switches to a newer entry-level RTX 4070 Ti Super SKU from Zotac that delivers aesthetics, better performance, and reliability versus previous generations while considerably exceeding the hardware requirements for Palworld, making it an excellent contender for any high-end PC recommendation in general. This, coupled with 64GB of low latency G.Skill NEO RAM that is clocked at the 6000 MHz sweet spot for AMD, should allow users to easily host a dedicated server and play simultaneously without their PC breaking a sweat.

On the storage front, one of the fastest, yet relatively reasonably priced SSDs on offer comes into play in the shape of the Teamgroup T-Force Z540 SSD. Meanwhile, an excellent PCI-E 5.0 and ATX 3.0 compliant gold-rated MSI MPG 1000W PSU pairs well with the touch screen touting MSI MEG Prospect 700R, making for a powerful, yet aesthetic PC build that should hold its own during Palworld exploration, as well as with most games at high graphics preset and resolutions in 2024.

The team at Game ZXC recommends checking out the reviews of the MSI MEG Prospect 700R and the midrange but adequate MSI MAG Coreliquid E360 AIO Cooler to see if they fit user-specific needs as a prospective PC owner.

Estimated Build Cost: $2,615

FAQ

Q: Is Palworld Available On PC?

Palworld is available on PC on both Steam and the Xbox Store. It is also part of the Xbox Game Pass for PC, allowing existing subscribers to play for free.