I recently inherited a better gaming PC with a Ryzen 3 3200G. I want to play DOOM: The Dark Ages, but the minimum CPU requirement lists an AMD Zen 2 processor, while the 3200G is based on the older Zen+ architecture. I have an RTX 2080 Ti for graphics, and the rest of my hardware meets or exceeds the recommended requirements. Will the older four-core CPU be a major problem, or should the game still be playable?
3 Answers
The RTX 2080 Ti should be more than capable on the GPU side, and the game does not require ray tracing to be enabled. The Ryzen 3 3200G is the weaker part of the system, though, since it only has four cores and four threads. It may run, but expect possible CPU-related dips and probably around 30–60 FPS depending on the scene and settings. A Ryzen 5 3600 or newer would be a worthwhile upgrade if your motherboard supports it.
With an RTX 2080 Ti, you are in a much better position than someone trying to use the 3200G's integrated Vega graphics. The CPU requirement is a guideline rather than a hard cutoff, so the game should launch, but the older processor could limit minimum FPS and cause stuttering in busy areas. Make sure you have at least 16 GB of RAM running in dual-channel mode.
The easiest way to find out is to test it and monitor your frame rate, CPU usage, and stuttering. If the game is not performing acceptably, most digital PC stores offer a refund window as long as you stay within their playtime limit. That lets you test your actual system without committing to the purchase.
Good to know. I was mainly worried that missing the Zen 2 requirement meant the game would refuse to run, but an upgrade may make sense later if performance is inconsistent.