◆ Specs · Steam Deck · Performance

Can it run? Will it run well?

✓ Specs official · tweaks community

Official system requirements from the Steam store, plus the community's read on Steam Deck and squeezing out frames. Specs are verified; performance tweaks are player workarounds for an Early Access build that's still being optimized.

Minimum~1080p / low

OSWindows 10 64-bit

CPUCore i5 8th Gen / Ryzen 5 2000

RAM16 GB

GPUGTX 1650 / RX 570 / Arc A380

DirectXVersion 11

NetworkBroadband

Storage11 GB

Recommendedhigher settings

OSWindows 11 64-bit

CPUCore i5 13th Gen / Ryzen 5 7000

RAM32 GB

GPURTX 3080 / RX 6800 XT

DirectXVersion 11

NetworkBroadband

Storage11 GB

Steam Deck & Linux

Playable via Proton

SAND runs on Steam Deck and Linux through Proton, but it is not officially "Verified" at launch — there's one required setup step most players miss:

Install the Proton BattlEye Runtime

Find Proton BattlEye Runtime in your Steam library (Tools) and install it. The anti-cheat won't let you into a match on Linux/Deck without it.

Deck status verified 2026-06-26 · official Verified rating may change as the game leaves Early Access.

Performance & troubleshooting

◆ Community workarounds for an Early Access build — verify against your own hardware.

[ UPSCALER ]

Force DLSS over FSR

There's no in-game upscaler selector yet. Nvidia users report better image quality forcing DLSS via a community workaround — search the Steam guides for the current method.

[ GPU GAP ]

Mind the recommended jump

Recommended leaps from a GTX 1650 to an RTX 3080. If you're between them, expect to drop settings for stable frames in busy city fights.

[ RAM ]

16 GB is the floor, 32 GB is comfort

Minimum is 16 GB but recommended doubles it. If you alt-tab a lot or stream, 32 GB makes a real difference here.

[ NETCODE ]

Expect rough edges online

This is an always-online EA title and players have flagged network issues. A wired broadband connection helps; some desync is server-side and on the devs to fix.

FAQ

◆Can my PC run it?

Minimum: Windows 10 64-bit, a Core i5 8th Gen / Ryzen 5 2000, 16 GB RAM and a GTX 1650 / RX 570 / Arc A380. Only 11 GB storage. Recommended jumps to an RTX 3080 / RX 6800 XT and 32 GB.

◆Does it work on Steam Deck?

Playable through Proton — you must install the Proton BattlEye Runtime from your library. Not officially Verified at launch, so treat Deck support as "works with setup, verify".

◆Is there a console version or crossplay?

PC-only (Windows) at Early Access launch. Press reports mention consoles and crossplay as planned, but nothing is confirmed for the EA window — verify before buying for console.

◆The game won't launch / I got kicked online.

On Linux/Deck this is almost always the missing Proton BattlEye Runtime. On Windows, verify game files via Steam and check the official Discord and Steam discussions for active server incidents.

◆Where are my saves stored?

SAND is always-online — your progress and stash live server-side, not in a local save file you can back up.

◆Why does my loot sometimes vanish at extract?

Extraction is high-risk: other players can take your trampler at the worst moment, and EA bugs have caused "TRAMPLER LOST" reports. Until fixed, don't overcommit a run you can't afford to lose.