Permafrost, the frozen post-apocalyptic survival sandbox from SpaceRocket Games and publisher Toplitz Productions, launches in Early Access on October 9, 2026. The release slipped from its original August 21 date so the team could work on performance and content, which is a good sign if you were worried about how it would run. Here is what your PC needs.
Minimum Requirements
- OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
- CPU: Intel Core i5-8600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3500
- RAM: 16 GB
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1060 6GB or AMD Radeon RX 590 8GB
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 30 GB available space
Recommended Requirements
- OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
- CPU: Intel Core i5-12400 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- RAM: 16 GB
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti 8GB or AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT 12GB
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 30 GB available space
What to Expect at Each Tier
The 16 GB of RAM is the same on both lists, so that is the one number to check before anything else. With 8 GB you will likely struggle, and an open-world survival game with a lot of shelter-building and loose objects tends to be hungry for memory.
On the minimum spec, a GTX 1060 or RX 590 should get you playable frame rates at lower settings, but expect to trade away shadows, view distance and effects like snow and storms, which are central to how the game looks. The recommended tier, built around an RTX 3070 Ti or RX 6750 XT, is a much bigger jump in GPU power than the CPU change suggests, so it is aimed at higher settings with smoother frame rates, probably at 1080p or 1440p.
Since this is Early Access, treat the list as a starting point. Optimization often improves between patches, and the developers have said performance was a reason for the delay. An SSD is a smart choice for the 30 GB install, even though the list does not require one.
Release Date, Platforms and Price
Permafrost arrives in Early Access on October 9, 2026 on PC through Steam, GOG and the Epic Games Store. It supports solo play or co-op with up to 3 friends (4 players total). The Steam page did not list a price at the time of writing, so check the store page on launch day. Early Access means features and balance will still change, so it is worth waiting for the first player reviews if you prefer to see how it holds up first.
