How has The Last of Us Part I PC port improved since launch?

The Last of Us Part I launched in March 2023 with one of the most troubled PC ports in recent memory — widespread shader compilation stutters, VRAM overallocation crashes, and CPU bottleneck issues affected the vast majority of players regardless of hardware tier. Naughty Dog and Iron Galaxy released over a dozen patches in the months following launch that significantly improved shader pre-compilation, reduced VRAM usage, and fixed NPC streaming hitches. As of late 2023 the game was in a substantially better state, though it remains more demanding than its quality tier would suggest — the recommended GPU score of 88 is high relative to the graphical output. Installing the latest patch before playing is essential.

What are the minimum specs to run The Last of Us Part I without crashes?

Post-patch, the minimum PC requirements for stable play in The Last of Us Part I are: CPU — Intel Core i7-8700 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600; GPU — GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB or RX 5700 XT; RAM — 16 GB (the game is notably RAM-hungry, and 8 GB systems see more hitches); Storage — 100 GB SSD. The game's shader pre-compilation screen at launch must be allowed to complete fully — interrupting it causes in-game stutter on first load. If crashes persist after patching, verifying game files via Steam and clearing the shader cache folder (`%localappdata%\Naughty Dog\TheLasOfUs`) resolves most post-patch instability reports.

Can I Run The Last of Us Part I on RX 7700 XT?

The Last of Us Part I FPS Benchmark and Performance Analysis

GPU: AMD Radeon RX 7700 XTGame: The Last of Us Part IUpdated: Mar 30, 2026

Yes, AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT can run The Last of Us Part I. Expect roughly 70 FPS at 1080p high — smooth for most players. The Last of Us Part I can behave very differently depending on settings and GPU headroom. This estimate shows where AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT lands and how to tune it for smoother gameplay.

The Last of Us Part I FPS Benchmarks on RX 7700 XT

Resolution	Settings Preset	Avg FPS	1% Low FPS	Verdict
1080p	Competitive (Low)	88 FPS	59 FPS	Good
1080p	High	70 FPS	47 FPS	Playable
1440p	High	52 FPS	33 FPS	Playable
1440p	Ultra	39 FPS	25 FPS	Low
4K	High	30 FPS	18 FPS	Low

Benchmarks are estimated by our performance engine. Actual results may vary.

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Best Settings for The Last of Us Part I on RX 7700 XT

70+FPS1080p Competitive

Display Mode: Fullscreen
Resolution: 1920×1080
V-Sync: Disabled
Texture Quality: Medium
Shadow Quality: Medium
Anti-Aliasing: FXAA
Effects Quality: Medium
Post-Processing: Medium
Ambient Occlusion: Disabled

Performance Analysis

At 1080p high, our model places AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT near 70 FPS in The Last of Us Part I. At 1440p, that typically translates to around 52 FPS with similar quality targets. This places the card in the mid tier for this title, with a playable experience profile. AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT can run The Last of Us Part I reliably, but smart setting choices matter for consistency.

The Last of Us Part I beautifully remakes a classic narrative journey with stunning post-apocalyptic environments and incredibly lifelike character animations. To meet the minimum system demands, your PC should have a AMD Radeon RX 470 / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970. For optimal performance and smooth rendering, it’s recommended to play with a AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT / NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER.

AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT supports FSR 3 with Fluid Motion Frames in compatible titles. When The Last of Us Part I supports FSR 3, Fluid Motion Frames can significantly boost the perceived frame rate on top of the base estimate shown above.

Use a medium/high mix and prioritize stable frame times over peak FPS spikes.
Use selective ray tracing (shadows/reflections) and avoid ultra RT presets.
Prioritize texture quality and reduce volumetrics/shadows first

AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT lands in a playable position for The Last of Us Part I. Dialing in the right preset makes a noticeable difference at this performance level.

Frequently Asked Questions

How has The Last of Us Part I PC port improved since launch?: The Last of Us Part I launched in March 2023 with one of the most troubled PC ports in recent memory — widespread shader compilation stutters, VRAM overallocation crashes, and CPU bottleneck issues affected the vast majority of players regardless of hardware tier. Naughty Dog and Iron Galaxy released over a dozen patches in the months following launch that significantly improved shader pre-compilation, reduced VRAM usage, and fixed NPC streaming hitches. As of late 2023 the game was in a substantially better state, though it remains more demanding than its quality tier would suggest — the recommended GPU score of 88 is high relative to the graphical output. Installing the latest patch before playing is essential.
What are the minimum specs to run The Last of Us Part I without crashes?: Post-patch, the minimum PC requirements for stable play in The Last of Us Part I are: CPU — Intel Core i7-8700 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600; GPU — GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB or RX 5700 XT; RAM — 16 GB (the game is notably RAM-hungry, and 8 GB systems see more hitches); Storage — 100 GB SSD. The game's shader pre-compilation screen at launch must be allowed to complete fully — interrupting it causes in-game stutter on first load. If crashes persist after patching, verifying game files via Steam and clearing the shader cache folder (`%localappdata%\Naughty Dog\TheLasOfUs`) resolves most post-patch instability reports.