Doom: The Dark Ages Could Ruin 8GB GPU Performance

Doom: The Dark Ages has officially been given a release date during Xbox’s Developer Direct event. Mark your calendars for May 15! The developers at id Software have also shared the PC specifications required to run the game. In line with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which also utilizes the idTech engine, it appears Doom: The Dark Ages will demand some serious graphics power from 8GB video cards.

For a quick look at the system requirements, you’ll need a graphics card with at least 8GB of VRAM just to get the game up and running. This is relatively low for a game set to debut in 2025. However, using an 8GB graphics card will only allow you to achieve 60 frames per second (fps) at 1080p under the Low graphics settings. This is a noteworthy concern, especially when considering that high-performance GPUs like the RTX 4060 Ti and RTX 3070 are stuck with 8GB of VRAM.

If players aim to enhance their graphical settings further, the requirements suggest needing a minimum of 10GB of VRAM. Ideally, a 12GB graphics card, such as the RX 7700 XT, would perform even better. Planning to play in 4K resolution? You’ll need a hefty 16GB card, which limits you to high-end options like the RX 7900 XTX or RTX 4080 Super, as well as the newest RTX 5090 boasting 32GB of memory.

This isn’t entirely unexpected. The recently announced Indiana Jones and the Great Circle hinted at the VRAM requirements tied to the modern idTech engine, as 8GB may not suffice for smooth gameplay. Fortunately, the engine deploys a texture streaming method that can operate within 8GB of VRAM at the Low graphics preset without severely sacrificing image quality. Instead of merely using lower-resolution textures, the game dynamically streams high-res textures, effectively optimizing both visuals and performance.

Aside from the VRAM specifications, Doom: The Dark Ages will also require a graphics card equipped with ray tracing capabilities. According to Nvida’s Jacob Freeman, the game will support path tracing and DLSS 4 technology.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is releasing May 15th with DLSS 4 and Path Tracing support! System requirements are out now, RT hardware required. From what I have seen so far, it looks amazing. Huge DOOM fan, cannot wait! 😃 pic.twitter.com/hCvi8wKh1m

— Jacob Freeman (@GeForce_JacobF) January 23, 2025

While the idTech engine has built a reputation for its remarkable stability thanks to its innovative use of Vulkan, it has also become a focal point in discussions about VRAM. Although Doom: The Dark Ages may face challenges running on 8GB graphics cards at higher settings, we hope it will deliver a seamless gaming experience, as is typically expected from id’s technology.