Buying a new game only to realize your computer cannot handle it is one of the most frustrating experiences for a gamer. Whether you are looking to play the latest AAA RPG or a competitive shooter, knowing the answer to "Will my PC run it?" is crucial before you hit that purchase button.
Our database compiles official developer specifications to help you match your hardware against the game's demands. We track CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, and operating system requirements for thousands of titles, updated continuously as new games release and existing games receive patches.
Understanding Minimum vs. Recommended Specs
Developers provide two sets of requirements, and understanding the difference is key to managing your expectations. Minimum Requirements represent the absolute floor. If your PC meets these, the game will launch, but you will likely need to play on Low settings with a resolution of 720p or 1080p. Frame rates may hover around 30FPS, which is playable but not ideal for competitive gaming.
Recommended Requirements are the sweet spot. Meeting these specs ensures you can run the game as the developers intended, usually at High settings with a stable 60FPS or higher at 1080p resolution. For 1440p or 4K gaming, you will typically need hardware that exceeds the recommended specifications.
What If My PC Falls Short?
If your hardware is slightly below minimum requirements, all hope is not lost. Start by lowering the resolution scale, disabling shadows and ambient occlusion, and turning off anti-aliasing. These settings have the highest performance impact with minimal visual degradation when done correctly.
Background applications can also tank your FPS. Browser tabs, Discord, and system bloatware all consume resources that could be going to your game. Closing unnecessary processes before launching a demanding title can provide a noticeable boost.
Meeting requirements but still lagging?
Your PC might be running unoptimized. Hone cleans background processes and optimizes system settings automatically.
Storage Considerations
Modern games are massive. Call of Duty installations regularly exceed 150GB, and open-world RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 require 100GB or more. Beyond raw capacity, storage speed matters. An NVMe SSD dramatically reduces load times and can eliminate texture streaming issues that plague slower drives. If you are still running games off an HDD, upgrading to an SSD is often the single best performance improvement you can make.
Future-Proofing Your Build
When evaluating whether to upgrade, look at upcoming releases. If several games you want to play share similar requirements that exceed your current hardware, investing in an upgrade makes sense. Pay attention to trends in API requirements as well. DirectX 12 Ultimate and ray tracing support are becoming more common, and older GPUs lacking these features may struggle with next-generation titles.
Browse our complete index below to find specific requirements, optimization guides, and hardware recommendations for your favorite titles.
