ArmorSim requires at least an Intel Core i5-4460 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 or AMD Radeon RX 560 graphics card. While the official base installation footprint is modest at 4 GB, running the game's intensive physics continuum solvers requires significantly stronger multi-core CPU power and additional disk storage for simulation replays.
Official ArmorSim PC System Requirements
The specifications below represent the official hardware baseline provided on the Steam store page for ArmorSim.
| Hardware Component | Minimum Requirement | Recommended Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Existing data unconfirmed |
| Processor (CPU) | Intel Core i5-4460 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | 64-bit processor (Specific models unstated) |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB RAM | 64-bit OS / memory architecture |
| Graphics (GPU) | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 / AMD Radeon RX 560 (2 GB VRAM) | Existing data unconfirmed |
| DirectX Version | Version 11 | DirectX 11 compatible |
| Storage Space | 4 GB available space | Existing data unconfirmed |
| Architecture | 64-bit processor and operating system | 64-bit processor and operating system |
The developer has not published detailed hardware model recommendations for the recommended tier beyond specifying a 64-bit processor and operating system.
Understanding CPU Demands: Normal vs. Ultra Solvers
ArmorSim operates on terminal ballistics calculations rather than scripted hit-point animations. Because of this architectural design, your CPU workload varies drastically depending on the calculation mode you select:
- Normal and Advanced Modes: These modes run fast, analytic terminal-ballistics models (such as Alekseevskii–Tate erosion integration and Recht–Ipson residual velocity). Impacts solve in fractions of a second and run easily on entry-level quad-core CPUs.
- Ultra / Super Simulation Mode: This continuum solver processes axisymmetric Lagrangian meshes using Johnson–Cook plasticity, Mie-Grüneisen equations of state, and element erosion.
According to the official developer notes on Steam, ULTRA mode is completely CPU-bound. Having more physical CPU cores directly reduces the calculation time (solvetime) required to process an impact rather than simply improving display framerates. On lower-spec quad-core chips, complex impacts can take several minutes to generate a single shot sequence.
Storage Requirements and Replay File Growth
The Steam store specifies 4 GB of available space for the core game installation. However, community testing and player reports reveal that active simulation files require substantially more disk capacity:
- Base Game: The base download size is relatively small (between 138.19 MB and 187.4 MB compressed, expanding to under 4 GB installed).
- Simulation Files: High-fidelity Super Simulation replays generate large data caches. Individual detailed simulation playbacks can take between 1 GB and 26 GB each, depending on how many active armor modules, reactive layers, or fragmentation particles are being tracked.
- Cache Management: Players testing multiple high-end shots have reported accumulating upwards of 200 GB of temporary shot data. To avoid drive exhaustion, players must regularly clear out old saved simulations from the game files.
Performance Across Different Game Modes
Developer updates have altered how hardware resources are distributed:
- 2D Playground Mode: Introduced in Update 4.0.0, this mode is explicitly optimized for weaker PCs and large testing scenes that struggle with heavy 3D mesh rendering.
- GPU Acceleration: Starting in Update 4.0.0, the simulation engine shifted additional computation onto the GPU, achieving roughly 1.3× to 2.4× faster processing speeds under accelerated playback rates.
- Steam Deck & Handhelds: Player feedback confirms the game runs smoothly on Steam Deck hardware, though custom controller mapping is required to navigate the desktop-oriented simulation user interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ArmorSim run on low-end or budget PCs?
Yes. The 2D Playground mode is specifically tailored to run on modest systems without experiencing lag. Additionally, running the standard Normal analytic solver requires minimal processing power compared to the continuum-based Ultra mode.
What GPU do I need for ArmorSim?
The official minimum graphics card requirement is an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 or an AMD Radeon RX 560 with at least 2 GB of VRAM and DirectX 11 support.
Why is Ultra mode running slowly on my computer?
Ultra mode does not play pre-rendered animations; it calculates material deformation, erosion, and shock physics step-by-step. This calculation relies heavily on physical CPU cores. If your system has an older quad-core CPU, the simulation will take several minutes to finish computing before playback begins.
Why is ArmorSim filling up my hard drive?
While the base game takes less than 4 GB, running complex Ultra simulations saves detailed frame-by-frame mechanical stress and displacement data. These replay files can rapidly consume dozens of gigabytes if not deleted after testing.
