Half-Life 2: Episode One — Settings, Requirements & Optimization

2006 · Shooter, Action · Valve Software · ESRB Mature · Metacritic 87

Half-Life 2: Episode One cover art
Why this page is useful: AI search can describe Half-Life 2: Episode One, but it can't turn your specific GPU, CPU, resolution and refresh rate into a printable settings card. Run the generator below to build yours — it stays in your browser, nothing is uploaded.

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Pick your GPU, CPU, resolution and target refresh rate, then generate a printable settings card with per-preset expectations and upscaler guidance.

Optimize Half-Life 2: Episode One for your PC

This is a planning estimate derived from the game's demand tier, not a benchmark.

My Half-Life 2: Episode One Settings Card

Preset: High · Est. 5678 FPS @ 1080p
Preset recommendationHigh
Expected FPS band5678 FPS
Target refresh60 Hz
UpscalerDLSS/FSR not needed at this resolution
Ray tracingRT optional — raster first
Frame capYour estimated range (56–78 FPS) partially meets 60 Hz — drop one preset step or enable the upscaler to hold it.

Generated at GameFigs on 2026-08-21. Game demand tier: 3/9.

Official system requirements

Publisher-published Minimum / Recommended values via RAWG. Real-world performance varies with drivers, resolution and your full build.

SpecMinimumRecommended
OSMinimum: 1.7 GHz Processor, 512MB RAM, DirectX® 8.1 level Graphics Card (Requires support for SSE), Windows® 7 (32/64-bit)/Vista/XP, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection
ProcessorRecommended: Pentium 4 processor (3.0GHz, or better), 1GB RAM, DirectX® 9 level Graphics Card, Windows® 7 (32/64-bit)/Vista/XP, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection
Memory
Graphics

About Half-Life 2: Episode One

Direct continuation of the Half-Life 2, Episode One serves as a direct sequel to the story. After the mystically assisted escape from the citadel, Gordon and Alyx are reunited outside, but the Citadel core became unstable and will imminently self-destruct. And the only way to save citizens of City 17 is to re-enter the decaying building and slow down the destruction for long enough, to evacuate the civilians and families. Continuation of the story uses the same Source engine, and players will have to traverse linear stages, disposing of enemies and solving physics puzzles. This time Gordon will be accompanied and assisted by Alyx. Her AI will attempt to adjust to the player choices. While purchasing Episode One, players will receive a copy of Half-Life: Deathmatch with it. Game mechanics and puzzles will center around Gravity Gun, which will be the first weapon in players possession from the beginning.

SingleplayerSteam AchievementsAtmosphericGreat Soundtrack

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Sources & attribution

  • Game data (release year, genres, platforms, system requirements, description, cover art) via RAWG.io, retrieved 2026-08-21.
  • FPS bands, presets and upscaler advice on this page are GameFigs planning estimates from the game's demand tier — not benchmark results.
How the Half-Life 2: Episode One optimization card is computed

Each game is scored on a 0–9 demand tier from its published PC requirements (and a year/genre fallback when requirements are absent). Your GPU and CPU selections map to comparable-class scores. The generator compares your hardware score against the game's demand to pick a starting preset, estimate an FPS band at 1080p/1440p/4K, and recommend an upscaler (DLSS / FSR 3) and ray-tracing posture. The output is a planning guide — always verify in-game with the built-in benchmark when available.