Best PC for Half-Life 2: Deathmatch (2026)

Half-Life 2: Deathmatch captures the essence of chaotic, physics-powered multiplayer action within the dystopian Half-Life 2 universe. Dive into classic deathmatch arenas or structured Combine versus Resistance teamplay, where the gravity gun lets you chuck toilets, propane tanks, and foes at breakneck speeds, turning every map into a dynamic battlefield. The Source engine's sophisticated physics interactions, from ragdoll effects to projectile trajectories, require solid single-thread performance to keep combat fluid, especially in heated multiplayer sessions with rapid object manipulation and precise hit registration. Our minimum spec build uses the Ryzen 5 5500 AM4 CPU, which delivers efficient core speeds to manage physics simulations and netcode without stuttering during frantic respawns or team pushes. Paired with a budget Radeon RX 9060 XT GPU, it crushes DirectX-era rendering demands at playable frame rates in 1080p, perfect for casual fraggers on a tight budget. For recommended specs, the Ryzen 5 7600X stands out as the value leader, with strong clock stability handling extended physics computations and multiplayer queues effortlessly. The Radeon RX 9060 XT GPU maximizes frames per dollar, ensuring high-refresh 1080p or 1440p deathmatches run silky smooth, complete with ample VRAM for texture-heavy environments. This setup balances cost and capability for Half-Life 2: Deathmatch's timeless multiplayer mayhem.