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Start with the game’s official store page, then compare its minimum and recommended requirements with your PC’s actual processor, graphics card, memory, operating system, and storage. That can help you screen for compatibility, but it cannot guarantee a particular frame rate or settings level.
1. Find the game’s published requirements
Open the game’s official store page and note its minimum and recommended system requirements. Steam lists requirements on each game’s Store page, and Epic Games Support likewise advises comparing your PC specifications with the game’s requirements: Steam Support and Epic Games Support.
Use the requirements for the specific game and check the page again near purchase time: publishers can revise them. Record any named hardware features or graphics API requirements along with the component models, operating system, memory, and storage.
2. Check what hardware your Windows PC has
On Windows, DxDiag provides a quick view of system and graphics information. Steam’s driver guidance describes using it to find basic system information, the graphics device, and driver details; Microsoft also points to System Information and Task Manager for additional details.
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- Press Windows key + R, type
dxdiag, and press Enter. - Open the System tab. Note the processor, installed memory, and Windows version.
- Open the Display tab. Note the exact graphics device name and driver information. If there is more than one display tab, check which device is the dedicated graphics card.
- If you need more system details, use Windows key + R, enter
msinfo32, or open Task Manager and check its performance details.
References: Steam Support: driver and system information and Microsoft Windows guidance.
3. Compare each requirement with the matching part
Compare model names and requirements directly rather than treating “gaming PC” or “DirectX installed” as proof of compatibility.
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- Processor: Compare the game’s CPU requirement with your processor model.
- Graphics: Compare the exact GPU model with the listed graphics requirement. Check any required graphics API, shader capability, or other named feature.
- Memory: Compare the listed RAM requirement with installed memory.
- Operating system and storage: Confirm that your OS meets the stated requirement and that the game’s storage requirement can be met.
Steam warns that the DirectX version installed on your PC can be misleading: the graphics hardware itself must support the required DirectX or shader capability. Check the card’s supported features, not just the software version shown in Windows: Steam Support on DirectX and graphics hardware.
4. Decide whether minimum or recommended is the right comparison
Minimum requirements are a baseline, not a promise of smooth play, high settings, or a specific FPS. Recommended requirements are the more useful comparison if you expect stronger performance or higher settings, but they still do not guarantee a particular result. Epic Games Support notes that a PC that just meets minimum requirements may run the game, but probably not at the highest settings: Epic Games Support.
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Steam puts the distinction plainly: “Simply meeting the system requirements does not mean you’ll have high FPS or strong in-game performance.” Steam Support
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.5. Look for game-specific benchmarks when performance matters
If the PC is close to minimum requirements—or you care about a particular resolution, graphics settings, or frame rate—look for benchmark results for the same game on hardware similar to yours. Prefer comparisons that identify the CPU and GPU and report the resolution and settings tested. Requirements labels alone do not provide a universal way to calculate FPS.
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Results may differ with system configuration, game updates, drivers, cooling, and settings. Near-minimum hardware can also encounter performance or launch problems, so treat requirements as a screening aid rather than a guarantee. Steam identifies FPS, CPU, GPU, and system RAM as useful performance metrics to monitor while playing: Steam Support on performance monitoring.
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Quick pre-purchase checklist
- Did you check the game’s official store page for its current minimum and recommended requirements?
- Do you know your exact CPU and GPU models, installed RAM, Windows version, and available storage?
- Does the GPU support any specifically required graphics API or feature?
- Are you comparing against minimum for basic eligibility, or recommended for a better chance at stronger settings?
- If you need a frame-rate estimate, have you found results for the same game at similar settings and on similar hardware?
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