About Half-Life
Half-Life was released on November 19, 1998. Steam files it under Action.
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Half-Life system requirements
Can your PC run it? Pick your hardware below for a verdict and estimated fps.
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Half-Life needs at least a basic graphics card and a basic processor. For 60 fps on High at 1080p, aim for a Radeon R7 240 or better.
Updated October 3, 2026
What it takes to run Half-Life
| Target | Graphics card | Processor | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | – | – | – |
| Recommended | – | – | – |
| 60 fps, 1080p High | Radeon R7 240 or better | Intel Pentium G4560 or better | 16 GB |
| 60 fps, 1440p High | GeForce GT 730 or better | Intel Pentium G4560 or better | 16 GB |
| 60 fps, 4K High | GeForce GT 1030 or better | Intel Pentium G4560 or better | 16 GB |
The first two rows are the publisher's numbers. The rows below are our own estimates from the scoring model.
How to get the best frame rate in Half-Life
The publisher's minimum for Half-Life is a basic graphics card with a basic processor, and the recommended hardware is not stated. Because the publisher lists no recommended tier, we assume hardware about 50 percent faster than the minimum for our estimates.
In our estimates a Radeon R7 240 is about the weakest card that holds 60 fps on High at 1080p, a GeForce GT 730 does the same at 1440p, and a GeForce GT 1030 at 4K. Cards below that can still play the game, at Medium or Low.
In competitive games frame rate and low latency matter more than looks. Use Low or Medium shadows and effects, keep textures as high as your video memory allows, and aim to stay above your monitor's refresh rate.
Best graphics card for Half-Life
Estimated fps at 1080p on High by graphics card, and the best 60 fps preset at each resolution.
90+ great60+ smooth40+ playable30+ low settingsbelow 30
| Graphics card | 1080p | 1440p | 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce RTX 5090 | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps |
| GeForce RTX 5070 | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps |
| GeForce RTX 4090 | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps |
| GeForce RTX 4070 Super | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps |
| GeForce RTX 4060 | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps |
| GeForce RTX 3080 | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps |
| GeForce RTX 3060 | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps |
| GeForce RTX 3050 | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 243 fps |
| GeForce RTX 2060 | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 256 fps |
| GeForce GTX 1660 Super | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 191 fps |
| GeForce GTX 1650 | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 222 fps | Ultra 123 fps |
| GeForce GTX 1060 6GB | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 259 fps | Ultra 144 fps |
| Radeon RX 9070 XT | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps |
| Radeon RX 7800 XT | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps |
| Radeon RX 6600 | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps |
| Radeon RX 580 | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 247 fps | Ultra 137 fps |
| Arc B580 | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps | Ultra 300+ fps |
The highest quality preset that still holds 60 fps. Estimates with a processor that does not limit the card.
Memory and processor
Memory
Not stated. 16 GB is the comfortable amount for current games.
Processor
A processor like the Intel Pentium G4560 meets the recommended CPU level. For many fps in fast games, a quick CPU matters as much as the graphics card. Check your pairing.
Questions about Half-Life
What are the minimum system requirements for Half-Life?
Minimum: a basic processor, a basic graphics card.
What are the recommended system requirements for Half-Life?
The publisher does not list a recommended tier. We assume hardware about 50% faster than the minimum for our estimates.
What graphics card do I need to run Half-Life at 60 fps?
In our estimate a Radeon R7 240 is about the weakest card that holds 60 fps on High at 1080p, and a GeForce GT 730 for 1440p.
How much RAM does Half-Life need?
The publisher does not state a memory requirement. 8 GB is a safe floor for any current game; 16 GB is comfortable.
How much storage does Half-Life need?
The publisher does not state an install size.
Can an RTX 3060 run Half-Life?
Our estimate for the GeForce RTX 3060 is about 300+ fps on High at 1080p. Verdict: Yes, runs great.
More Action games
Requirements from the game's Steam page. Powered by Steam. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Valve or the publisher.