PC requirements: how to tell if a game will run on your computer

On a console, the question doesn't exist: if the game came out for your device, it runs. On a computer, every machine is different, which is why every store shows a requirements list before you buy. It usually comes in two columns, minimum and recommended, with processor and graphics card names and memory figures that aren't always easy to compare with what you have at home.

This guide shows how to read that list, how to find your PC's specs in Windows itself, using the paths given by Microsoft support, and what to do when your computer is on the edge. Sources are at the end.

Minimum and recommended: what each one means

The minimum requirement is the setup on which the game opens and works, usually with graphics on low and a lower resolution. Being at the minimum means you'll play, but probably without every effect and perhaps with frame drops in the heaviest scenes. Recommended is what the studio suggests for a more balanced experience, with better graphics and smoother play. Some games add extra tiers for high resolutions or features such as ray tracing.

In practice, the closer you are to recommended, the smoother the experience. Below the minimum, the game may even open, but there's no guarantee at all.

The parts on the list

• Operating system: the required Windows version and, almost always, the 64-bit version.
• Processor (CPU): the computer's brain. The list cites an Intel model and an AMD model as references.
• RAM: measured in gigabytes. Having less than required usually causes stutters and long loading times.
• Graphics card (GPU): the most important part for most games. An NVIDIA model and an AMD model also appear, sometimes with the amount of video memory.
• DirectX: the version of Windows' graphics feature set the game uses.
• Storage: the free space needed. Many recent games ask for an SSD, which loads much faster than a traditional hard drive.

How to find your PC's specs

Windows shows almost everything in a few clicks. According to Microsoft support, these are the paths:

• Processor, installed RAM and whether the system is 32- or 64-bit: right-click the Start button, open Settings and go to System and then About. The details are under Device specifications.
• Windows edition and version: in the same place, under Windows specifications.
• Disk space: in Settings, System and Storage. If you have more than one drive, check Advanced storage settings.
• DirectX version: type dxdiag in the taskbar search box, open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool and check the version on the System tab.
• Graphics card: in the same tool, the Display tab shows the card's name. Another option is to right-click Start, open Device Manager and expand Display adapters.

On computers with more than one display adapter, like many laptops, each one appears separately in the list. For gaming, what counts is the stronger card, and it's worth checking in the driver settings that the game is using it.

How to compare your PC with the list

RAM, disk space and Windows and DirectX versions are easy: just check that your number is equal or higher. Processor and graphics card take more work, because the model name doesn't tell the whole story. A few tips help:

• Don't compare by model number alone. A higher number doesn't always mean a stronger part, especially across generations or between entry-level and high-end lines.
• Look for benchmarks from specialized sites that compare parts side by side in several games.
• Be wary of graphics built into the processor when the game asks for a dedicated card. They've improved, but usually fall short of what demanding games need.
• Remember the list applies to the resolution and quality the studio had in mind. A higher-resolution monitor demands more from the card.

On the edge? Tweaks that help

• Update your graphics driver. Manufacturers often release versions with improvements for new games.
• Start with graphics on low or medium and work up until you find the balance between image and smoothness.
• Lower the resolution or use the upscaling features many games offer, which render a smaller image and enlarge it afterwards.
• Close the browser, video apps and other heavy programs before playing.
• Install the game on the SSD, if you have one, and leave free space on the drive.
• On a laptop, play with the charger plugged in and check that the power mode is set to performance.

Before you buy

Check the requirements on the official store or game page, which is updated when the studio changes something. If your machine is on the edge, see whether the store offers refunds and what the rules are: some have a deadline and a playtime limit, so test right after buying. We have a separate article on the refund rules of the main stores.

With your specs noted somewhere easy to find, checking the next requirements list takes less than a minute.