Can I run Defense Grid: The Awakening?
Defense Grid: The Awakening (2008) is an indie and strategy game and a very light game for a PC. It even runs on integrated graphics, so most laptops and office PCs can play it.
Check your PC
Choose the graphics card, processor and memory closest to yours. Not sure? On Windows press Win + R, type dxdiag and look at "Processor", "Memory" and the Display tab.
Defense Grid: The Awakening system requirements
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 1.8GHz CPU or higher | dual core 2.0GHz CPU or higher |
| Memory | 512 MB RAM | 1GB RAM XP, 1.5GB RAM Vista |
| Graphics | Video: DirectX 9 video card with shader 2 support such as the following: | DirectX 9 video card with shader 3 support and 256MB VRAM such as the following: |
| Storage | 1GB available space | 1GB available space |
Source: the official Defense Grid: The Awakening Steam page, checked October 2026.
Which PC runs Defense Grid: The Awakening?
To play it you need at least integrated graphics (Intel UHD / Iris Xe) or any graphics card, an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 class processor and 0.5 GB of RAM. For the recommended (high) settings: integrated graphics (Intel UHD / Iris Xe) or any graphics card, an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 class processor and 1 GB of RAM.
Graphics card: minimum
- Intel UHD / Iris Xe (integrated)
- GeForce GT 1030
- GeForce GTX 750 Ti
Graphics card: high settings
- Intel UHD / Iris Xe (integrated)
- GeForce GT 1030
- GeForce GTX 750 Ti
Processor: minimum
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
- Intel Core i3-6100
- AMD FX-8350
Processor: high settings
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
- Intel Core i3-6100
- AMD FX-8350
How common PCs do: GTX 1650 + Core i5-8400 + 16 GB: 100%, high settings; RTX 3060 + Ryzen 5 5600 + 16 GB: 100%, high settings; Laptop with integrated graphics + 8 GB: 100%, high settings.
Parts with the same speed (and newer, faster ones) work too. Laptop versions of a graphics card are usually a little slower.
Upgrade picks for Defense Grid: The Awakening
Parts from our product guides that reach the recommended specs.
The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is a desktop processor from Intel. See the full specifications and the current price on
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Defense Grid: The Awakening: questions
What are the minimum system requirements for Defense Grid: The Awakening?
What are the recommended requirements for Defense Grid: The Awakening?
What graphics card do I need for Defense Grid: The Awakening?
Can a GTX 1650 run Defense Grid: The Awakening?
Can Defense Grid: The Awakening run without a graphics card (integrated graphics)?
Is 8 GB of RAM enough for Defense Grid: The Awakening?
How much storage does Defense Grid: The Awakening need?
Similar games: can you run them?
Ask ROC, our gaming assistant (the chat button), "can my PC run Defense Grid: The Awakening?" and tell it your parts, or upload your dxdiag file.