Sanctuary Shattered Sun System Requirements
PC system requirements for Sanctuary Shattered Sun demo and Early Access: 16 GB RAM and GTX 1050 Ti minimum, 32 GB and GTX 1080 recommended. Linux not supported yet.
System Requirements
Sanctuary: Shattered Sun by Enhearten Media simulates battles involving thousands of units across the inner surface of a Dyson Sphere. That scale demands modern PC hardware, especially when factories, shields, and projectile physics all run simultaneously. This page documents official and demo-tested requirements for the July 21, 2026 Steam demo (app 2375120) and the upcoming Early Access build.
Use these specs to decide whether your machine can handle the demo comfortably before you commit to a 25 GB download. If you are borderline, start at Medium settings and consult our demo guide for optimization tips during your first scenarios.
Minimum Requirements
These specs target 1080p at Medium settings in early demo scenarios with moderate unit counts. Expect occasional stutter in the largest scripted battles.
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Quad-core CPU (Intel i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 class) |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti (4 GB VRAM) or equivalent |
| Storage | 25 GB available space (SSD strongly recommended) |
| DirectX | Version 12 |
Linux is not supported yet. Enhearten Media states the demo does not run properly on Linux at this development stage. Do not assume Proton compatibility until the developers announce official support.
Recommended Requirements
Recommended hardware targets 1080p High or 1440p Medium with larger unit counts and longer play sessions without thermal throttling.
| Component | Recommended |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Six-core CPU (Intel i7 / AMD Ryzen 5 5600 class or better) |
| Memory | 32 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 1080 (8 GB VRAM) or equivalent |
| Storage | 25 GB SSD space (NVMe preferred) |
| DirectX | Version 12 |
The jump from 16 GB to 32 GB RAM matters because Sanctuary streams Flux income and expenditure while keeping large unit groups pathfinding. Memory pressure shows up as hitching when you zoom across the map during combined-arms fights. The GTX 1080 tier provides headroom for higher shadow quality and draw distances on Dyson Sphere vistas.
Platform Notes
Windows PC is the only supported demo platform as of July 2026. Steam Deck performance varies: some players report playable frame rates at low settings, but battery drain is steep and late-scenario unit counts may overwhelm the handheld. Treat Deck play as experimental.
Linux and SteamOS lack official support. Community Proton reports are inconsistent and not endorsed by Enhearten Media. Wait for a developer announcement before relying on Linux for multiplayer or campaign content.
Mac is not listed among supported platforms for the demo.
Storage and Install Tips
The demo download is approximately 25 GB, with additional space used during shader compilation and future patches. Install on an SSD to reduce first-launch wait times and texture streaming hitches when panning the camera across long sightlines.
After installing via Steam app 2375120, verify game files through Steam if you encounter crashes on boot. Outdated GPU drivers are a common culprit — update NVIDIA or AMD drivers before blaming the pre-alpha build.
Performance Optimization
If you meet minimum specs but still see stutter:
- Set graphics preset to Medium and disable optional motion blur or depth-of-field if exposed in settings.
- Close background browsers and capture tools — Sanctuary is CPU-sensitive during simulation spikes.
- Cap frame rate slightly below your monitor refresh to reduce heat throttling on laptops.
- Learn efficient camera control from the controls guide so you spend less time zooming across unnecessary terrain.
- Pause factory queues during massive explosions to reduce simultaneous physics load — see Flux Economy.
Large battles are the stress test. The first mission walkthrough explains how to limit unit clumping and unnecessary production spikes that amplify frame drops.
Hardware vs Gameplay Expectations
Meeting minimum specs lets you learn core mechanics: EDA, Guard, and Chosen factions, wreck reclamation, attack-move, and commander safety. Meeting recommended specs makes practicing Attack Move and multi-front macro feel closer to the intended experience Enhearten Media showcased in public demos.
Use our interactive system checker tool for a quick pass/fail against your reported hardware. Pair results with the demo guide install checklist.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
What are the minimum RAM and GPU requirements?
Minimum specs require 16 GB RAM and an NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti or equivalent GPU on 64-bit Windows 10 or 11.
What are the recommended specs?
Enhearten Media recommends 32 GB RAM and a GTX 1080 or equivalent for smoother performance in large battles.
Does Sanctuary support Linux?
Not yet. The developers state the demo does not run properly on Linux as of July 2026.
How much storage does the demo need?
Roughly 25 GB. An SSD is strongly recommended for load times and shader compilation.
Can I play on Steam Deck?
Unofficially with mixed results at low settings. It is not a supported target; expect frame drops in dense scenarios.
Will requirements change after Early Access?
Specs may shift as optimization continues. Follow our demo updates page and official Steam news for revisions.