Can I Play Ark: Survival Evolved on a Laptop?

Yes, you can play Ark: Survival Evolved on a laptop, but the experience will heavily depend on your laptop’s specifications. While it is possible to run the game, achieving a smooth, enjoyable experience often requires a machine that meets at least the minimum system requirements, and preferably exceeds them. This article delves into what you need to know about playing Ark on a laptop, addressing the common concerns and questions of potential players.

Understanding the Requirements

Minimum System Requirements

Ark: Survival Evolved is a demanding game, and even running it at low settings requires a decent amount of processing power. Here’s a breakdown of the minimum system requirements:

OS: Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit versions)
Processor: Intel Core i5-2400 / AMD FX-8320 or better
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 670 2GB / AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB or better
DirectX: Version 10
Storage: 60 GB available space

If your laptop barely meets these specifications, you can expect to run the game on low to medium settings with a potentially unstable frame rate (FPS). You might encounter lag, stuttering, and reduced visual fidelity.

Recommended System Requirements

For a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience, especially at higher settings, you’ll need a laptop that meets or exceeds the recommended system requirements:

RAM: 16GB
Processor: Intel Core i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7 Processor
Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 3060/3060 Ti or AMD 6600 XT/6700 XT.

Meeting these specifications will allow you to play Ark with better graphics and a more stable FPS. You can expect the game to look significantly better, and performance to be much smoother.

The Reality of Lower-End Laptops

Many gamers attempt to play Ark on lower-end laptops that don’t meet even the minimum specs. While it’s possible as demonstrated by users achieving 10-15 FPS with a 6GB RAM and 1GB GPU, the experience is far from ideal. Expect very low settings, significant performance issues, and potential frustration.

Performance and Expectations

Even with a laptop that just meets the minimum requirements, don’t expect a flawless experience. You’ll likely have to sacrifice visual quality to achieve playable frame rates. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

Low Settings: Expect low-resolution textures, reduced draw distance, and minimal effects. The game may look less impressive but will perform better.
Frame Rates (FPS): Expect 30-60 FPS on lower settings, and potentially lower if your laptop is struggling.
Potential Issues: Lag, stuttering, and pop-in of textures can occur, especially in intense scenes with multiple creatures or structures.

If you are playing on a laptop which is below the minimum specifications, be prepared to experience very low framerates and potential issues with stability and crashes.

Optimizing for Performance

If you’re stuck with a lower-end laptop but determined to play, there are some steps you can take to improve performance:

Lower In-Game Graphics Settings: Set all graphics options to low or off. Reduce resolution and turn off features like shadows, lighting effects, and ambient occlusion.
Update Drivers: Ensure you have the latest graphics drivers installed.
Close Background Applications: Shut down all unnecessary programs to free up system resources.
Game-Specific Settings: Use specific in game performance settings to turn off certain graphics settings which can improve performance such as turning off advanced settings.
Extreme Low Memory Mode: Use this mode for the absolute lowest memory usage. Please note however that this will remove all game sound and is mostly for debug purposes.

These steps can help you squeeze a little more performance from your laptop, but don’t expect miracles. The improvements may not eliminate all performance issues if your laptop is not powerful enough.

The Cost Factor

Finally, it is important to note that the game has recently been upgraded to Ark: Survival Ascended, which is a paid update. This means that the old version will now cost $59.99, across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X. It should also be noted that the new version is even more demanding of resources so will require a much more powerful machine to run at adequate framerates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Ark free on computer?

The original Ark: Survival Evolved was previously offered for free on Steam for a limited period. However, it is no longer free. The updated Ark: Survival Ascended is a paid title.

2. What computer runs Ark best?

The best systems for running Ark include at least 16GB of RAM, an Intel Core i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7 processor, and a NVIDIA RTX 3060/3060 Ti or AMD 6600 XT/6700 XT graphics card.

3. Do you need a good computer to play Ark?

Yes, you need a good computer to play Ark smoothly, especially if you want to play on medium or high graphics settings. The minimum system requirements are relatively demanding, and having a powerful machine can significantly enhance your gaming experience.

4. How big is Ark on laptop?

The base installation size of Ark is about 60-70 GB. However, if you include all the DLCs and expansions, the game can take up around 275GB on your storage drive.

5. Can you play Ark on a regular laptop?

Yes, you can play Ark on a regular laptop if it meets the minimum system requirements. However, don’t expect top-tier performance and be prepared to sacrifice graphical settings.

6. Why is Ark so hard to run?

Ark is hard to run because it’s a very demanding game on both the CPU and GPU. Its complex world, numerous creatures, and advanced visual effects require significant processing power.

7. Is 8GB of RAM enough for Ark?

While the game can technically run on 8GB of RAM, 16GB is recommended for better performance and to avoid potential memory-related issues.

8. What is ARK extremely low memory mode?

Extreme Low Memory Mode is a setting that uses minimal RAM but also removes sound and is generally used for debugging purposes.

9. Can I host an Ark server on my laptop?

Yes, you can host an Ark server on your laptop, but it can be demanding on resources, and you might experience performance issues while playing the game. If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable Ark game server, consider using online server hosting for around $5 a month.

10. Does Ark require internet?

The single-player mode of Ark does not require an internet connection. However, you will need an internet connection to download updates and patches. Multiplayer mode will obviously require a constant internet connection.

11. Is Ark a laggy game?

Yes, Ark can be a laggy game, especially if your computer doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements. The game is also not optimized very well.

12. Why is Ark so big on PC?

Ark is big due to its numerous expansion packs and maps, which can add a large amount of data. The base game is around 60-70 GB, but with expansions can reach around 400GB.

13. Will Ark be free again in 2023?

It is very unlikely that the upgraded version of Ark, Ark: Survival Ascended, will be free. It is now being sold as a separate title.

14. Does Ark have a monthly fee?

Ark does not have a monthly subscription fee in the traditional sense but has DLC content which can incur an extra cost to the user.

15. Should I play Ark single player?

Playing Ark single player is a great way to learn the game and familiarize yourself with the mechanics. It’s also a good option if you have a slower machine and wish to avoid the problems of multiplayer.

Conclusion

Playing Ark: Survival Evolved on a laptop is feasible, but the experience varies widely depending on your machine’s capabilities. If you’re equipped with a powerful laptop that meets or exceeds the recommended system requirements, you’re in for an enjoyable experience. However, if you’re running it on a lower-end laptop, expect compromises in visual quality and performance. By carefully adjusting your in-game settings and optimizing your system, you can still enjoy the vast and challenging world of Ark, but you may need to consider an upgrade for a better experience.

Can I play Ark on a laptop?