Want to run Overwatch on your PC? Here’s what you’ll need

By Gabe Carey Published October 28, 2015

With closed beta keys for Overwatch finally out in the open, Blizzard has revealed the minimum and recommended spec requirements to get your PC running the game as soon as possible. They are as follows, according to PC Gamer:

Minimum (at 30fps):

Operating system: Windows Vista/7/ 8/10 64-bit (with the most recent Service Pack update)
Processor: Intel Core i3 or AMD Phenom X3 865
Video: Nvidia GeForce GTX 460, ATI Radeon HD 4850, or Intel HD Graphics 4400
Memory: 768 MB VRAM, 4 GB System RAM
Storage: 7200 RPM with 5 GB available HD space

Recommended (at 60fps, Medium settings):

Operating system: Windows Vista/7/ 8/10 64-bit (latest Service Pack)
Processor: Intel Core i5 or AMD Phenom II X3, 2.8 GHz
Video: Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 or ATI Radeon HD 7950
Memory: 2 GB VRAM, 6 GB System RAM
Storage: 7200 RPM with 5 GB available HD space

Recommended Videos

For those not in the know, Overwatch is described as a squad-based first-person shooter that sets teams of six players up against each other in a sequence of competitive arena matches. In the game, there are a number of playable characters to choose from, with each character equipped with distinctive weapons and abilities designed to assist the team as a whole.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Though Blizzard has yet to confirm a release window for the final product, the publisher plans to accept more players into its closed beta as time goes on. And, while many will apply for the closed beta, Blizzard says a number of players will only be accepted into Beta Test Weekends, a similar promotion designed as a series of stress tests during certain weekends selected by the developer. The first Beta Test Weekend will take place next month, after BlizzCon 2015 comes to a halt.

Regardless of which pool of gamers you’re thrown into, be it the closed beta testers or Beta Test Weekend-ers, Blizzard says you’ll be able to “discuss and dissect every hero, map, ability, and other aspect of the game on our upcoming beta forums.”

If you’d like to opt in to the beta, you can attempt to do so using the guide on Battle.net, although as we reported earlier this month, Blizzard stresses that closed beta spots are “extremely limited.”

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

A freelancer for Digital Trends, Gabe Carey has been covering the intersection of video games and technology since he was 16…

Computing

AMD 9070 XT is a good upgrade over the 7800 XT

AMD's RX 7700 XT in a test bench.

The AMD RX 9070 XT has been hailed as the best graphics card to launch in 2025 -- although that's a low bar to meet. Still, it's great to have a powerful, somewhat-affordable new card, especially since AMD's last-generation RX 7000-series GPUs are getting a little long in the tooth. But how does the newly-iconic 9070 XT compare against one of the best last-generation cards (and one of the only still available), the RX 7800 XT?

Here's how they match up.
Pricing and availability

Computing

Need a budget-friendly gaming monitor? Get this LG for less than $200

LG UltraGear 32-inch QHD Monitor 32GN600-B with gameplay onscreen.

Affordable prices from monitor deals usually don't last long, so we're pretty surprised that Walmart's $161 discount for the 32-inch LG UltraGear QHD gaming monitor remains available after we first spotted it earlier this month. It's still down to only $188 from its original price of $349, but likely not for much longer now. If you're on the lookout for a budget-friendly screen for your PC gaming setup, you should take advantage of this offer while you can, because we're not sure when you'll get another chance at it once it disappears.

Why you should buy the 32-inch LG UltraGear QHD gaming monitor
Upgrading a gaming PC is expensive, and while switching to one of the best gaming monitors is the ideal scenario, budget limitations may force you to hold off on making such a purchase. Fortunately, there are budget-friendly options like the 32-inch LG UltraGear QHD gaming monitor that still deliver decent performance. HDR10 technology with QHD resolution promises sharp details and vivid colors while you play the best PC games, while the virtually borderless design eliminates distractions and the adjustable base will keep you in a comfortable position while you're immersed in the worlds that you're exploring.

Computing

The powerful Dell XPS 16 is on sale with a $600 discount

The XPS 16 open on a table.

If you're searching for a powerful device from today's laptop deals, you can't go wrong with the Dell XPS 16. This particular configuration, which usually sells for $3,050, is available from Dell with a $600 discount that drops its price to $2,450. We're not sure how much time you have to take advantage of these savings, so if you want to make sure that you purchase this top-of-the-line device for a lower price than usual, you should complete your transaction for it as soon as possible.

Why you should buy the Dell XPS 16
Following the Dell XPS reset last year, the Dell XPS 16 took the mantle of the Dell XPS 17 as the largest model in the popular line of laptops. We gave it a score of 3.5 out of 5 stars in our review, with its expensive price tag as one of its downsides -- but with this discount, the focus will shift towards all the good things about the Dell XPS 16, which starts with its ultramodern design and its gorgeous 16.3-inch UHD+ touchscreen with OLED technology.