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Check the game’s current official PC requirements, then compare them with an exact inventory of your own Windows PC. On Windows, dxdiag supplies the key operating-system, CPU, RAM, DirectX, graphics-adapter and driver details. Compare the exact processor and graphics-card models, VRAM, memory, Windows architecture, required features, free storage and drive type. Meeting the minimum row means your configuration is within the publisher’s supported floor for a stated target; it does not promise a smooth frame rate. Confirm the real bottleneck after installation with an FPS and utilization overlay.
What “can run” actually means
A requirements match answers a compatibility question, not a universal performance question. Publishers define a minimum configuration for a particular resolution, quality preset and sometimes frame-rate target. A recommended, high or very-high row describes a stronger target. If your PC falls below one item, the game may fail to launch, refuse a feature, load slowly or perform poorly even when every other part exceeds the list.
Use the requirement page for the exact game, edition and current version. A generic label such as “gaming PC,” an Intel Core i5 badge or a graphics card’s product family is not precise enough. Two processors with the same tier name can have different generations, core counts and performance; two graphics cards with similar names can have different VRAM and feature support.
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The reliable answer has two stages:
- Before purchase: compare the publisher’s stated fields with your measured hardware and software.
- After installation: observe frame rate, CPU/GPU load, system-memory use and video-memory pressure in the game’s real scenes.
“Can run” can also mean different things to different players. One person may accept 720p at 30 FPS on a low preset, while another expects 1440p at 60 FPS or more. Select the publisher row that resembles your intended experience before judging whether a pass is meaningful. A minimum match is not evidence that your PC will drive a high-refresh monitor at its native resolution.
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1. Find the authoritative requirements
Start with the game publisher’s current PC requirements page or the exact storefront listing for the version you intend to install. Record every row, not just the processor and graphics card.
- Minimum and recommended operating system, including 64-bit or other architecture wording.
- Exact CPU model or processor class.
- Exact GPU model and required VRAM.
- System RAM capacity.
- DirectX or other graphics API version.
- Feature conditions such as shader support, Secure Boot or a named upscaling or ray-tracing capability.
- Required free space and whether an SSD is specified.
- The resolution, preset and frame-rate target attached to each tier.
Requirements are game-specific. A newly patched release can change storage, operating-system or feature requirements, so use the page that applies to the current build rather than an old screenshot or a forum post. If a page separates 1080p, 1440p and 4K configurations, treat those as different targets rather than as one broad “recommended” level.
Check whether the listing applies to the base game, a remaster, an expansion or a particular launcher edition. Different editions can include higher-resolution textures or additional features. Save or print the table if you are comparing parts, because the target can be easy to lose when a page presents several resolutions and presets in separate tabs.
2. Collect your PC’s exact facts with DxDiag
Windows includes Microsoft’s DirectX Diagnostic Tool. Microsoft’s documented procedure is to enter dxdiag, open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool and read the System tab for the DirectX version; the Display tab contains graphics details.
- Press the Windows key or open the Start menu and type
dxdiag. - Select DirectX Diagnostic Tool. Allow it to finish collecting information.
- On the System tab, copy the Windows edition, system type or architecture, processor model, installed memory and DirectX version.
- Open each Display tab if the computer has more than one graphics adapter. Record the adapter name, display memory or VRAM, driver version and driver date.
- Select Save All Information and save the text report when you are troubleshooting or asking a game’s support team for help.
Do not substitute a brand family for the model shown in DxDiag. “Core i7,” “Ryzen 7” or “GeForce RTX” is incomplete without the generation and model number. Likewise, the amount of system memory is separate from graphics VRAM: a PC can have adequate RAM while its GPU lacks the required video memory.
On a desktop or laptop with integrated and discrete graphics, inspect every Display tab and identify which adapter the game is expected to use. Comparing the requirements with an unused integrated adapter can make a capable system appear to fail. Conversely, seeing a discrete adapter in the report does not prove that its driver, feature set or available VRAM meets the game’s row.
3. Check storage outside DxDiag
Open File Explorer, select the drive where you will install the game and check its free capacity. Compare the free space—not the drive’s advertised total—with the requirement. Leave room for the launcher, patches, shader caches and Windows updates instead of planning to fill the drive to its last gigabyte.
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Note the drive type. A requirement that says SSD is not equivalent to any hard disk. Identify whether the target is a mechanical HDD, a SATA SSD or an NVMe SSD. If a game lists an SSD explicitly, installing it on an HDD can produce much longer loading and streaming delays even when the CPU and GPU pass the table.
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If several drives are installed, check the actual installation location rather than the drive containing Windows. A launcher may default to a nearly full disk or place parts of a game, such as downloadable content, on a different volume. Confirm the free capacity on that volume before starting a large download, and recheck it after patches are installed.
The figures can be substantial. Ubisoft’s current Rainbow Six Siege listing calls for 65 GB of available SSD space, while PlayStation’s Horizon Forbidden West PC page lists 150 GB on an SSD across its performance tiers. Those numbers are capacity requirements, not guarantees about loading speed or frame rate.
4. Compare one requirement at a time
Make a written comparison so a single failed field is visible. The following order catches both hard compatibility failures and common performance limits.
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| Check | Your value | What to compare | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating system and architecture | Windows edition and system type from DxDiag | Publisher’s supported Windows edition and 64-bit or other architecture requirement | An unsupported edition or architecture can prevent installation or launch. |
| CPU | Exact processor model from the System tab | Exact model or the publisher’s stated equivalent | CPU limits affect simulation, draw calls and frame-time consistency. |
| GPU | Exact adapter model from the Display tab | Exact model, not merely a product family | GPU capability determines rendering performance and feature support. |
| VRAM | Display-tab video-memory value | Publisher’s VRAM requirement | Insufficient VRAM can force texture reductions, swapping or stutter. |
| System RAM | Installed memory on the System tab | Minimum or recommended RAM row | Low available memory can cause paging and hitching. |
| DirectX/API and features | DirectX version plus the GPU’s supported features | Required API, shader model, Secure Boot or other named condition | A matching DirectX number alone does not prove every required feature is present. |
| Storage | Free space and HDD, SATA SSD or NVMe SSD | Capacity and drive type in the game listing | Space is a prerequisite; the drive type affects loading and asset streaming. |
Compare the values literally. Do not infer that a newer-looking model automatically meets a requirement, or that an i5/i7 label establishes performance. If the publisher names a specific feature, verify that feature as well as the DirectX number.
Architecture is easy to overlook because two PCs can show the same processor and RAM while running different Windows editions or system types. A 32-bit operating system, unsupported Windows release or missing platform condition can be a hard stop even when the hardware is otherwise strong. Record the wording exactly instead of reducing it to “Windows installed.”
5. Read minimum and recommended rows as performance targets
Minimum normally describes the lowest supported configuration at a stated low resolution, preset or frame-rate goal. Recommended, high and very-high rows move that target upward. A “pass” on the minimum row therefore means “within the publisher’s supported floor for that target,” not “guaranteed to feel smooth at your monitor’s native resolution.”
PlayStation’s PC requirements page for Horizon Forbidden West, checked in 2026, demonstrates why the target matters:
| Tier | Published target | RAM | Storage | What changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | 720p at 30 FPS, very low | 16 GB | 150 GB SSD | CPU and GPU are specified for this entry-level target. |
| Recommended | 1080p at 60 FPS, medium | 16 GB | 150 GB SSD | A stronger CPU and GPU are specified for the higher frame-rate and quality target. |
| High | Higher-quality target listed by the publisher | 16 GB | 150 GB SSD | CPU and GPU requirements rise with the preset. |
| Very high | Up to 4K at 60 FPS, very high | 16 GB | 150 GB SSD | The highest listed CPU and GPU target supports the most demanding preset. |
The constant 16 GB RAM and 150 GB SSD figures do not make the tiers equivalent: the processor, graphics card, resolution and preset change. Use the row that matches the experience you want, not the easiest row to satisfy.
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A target also explains why a game may appear acceptable in a short test but struggle later. A quiet indoor area can produce a higher frame rate than traversal, combat or a crowded outdoor scene. Requirements are a starting compatibility screen; they do not replace testing the demanding scenes that the target is intended to cover.
6. Verify DirectX and feature requirements
Microsoft warns that if a PC does not have the right DirectX version, a game might not work properly. DxDiag shows the installed DirectX version, but the game can also require a particular shader model, graphics feature, boot-security setting or other API capability. Check the GPU feature notes in the Display tab and the publisher’s wording.
For example, Ubisoft’s current Rainbow Six Siege requirements specify DirectX 12 and 65 GB of available SSD storage. The page separates 1080p, 1440p and 4K configurations and changes CPU, GPU and VRAM targets by tier. A PC that has DirectX 12 and enough disk space still needs to meet the CPU, GPU and VRAM row for its chosen resolution.
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Drivers are worth checking when troubleshooting, but a current driver cannot turn an unsupported graphics feature into a supported one. Likewise, a DirectX number is an operating-system/runtime indicator, not a performance grade. Keep the API check separate from the model, VRAM and feature checks.
7. Decide what a near miss means
When one comparison fails, identify that field before buying hardware. The remedy depends on the failing component and on whether the machine is upgradeable.
Storage is short or too slow
Free space can often be solved by installing to a compatible SSD or clearing space on an existing one. Verify M.2 versus SATA, capacity, motherboard support and physical fit. If the game explicitly requires an SSD, do not treat a larger HDD as an equivalent replacement.
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System RAM is below the row
Use a compatible desktop or laptop memory kit. Match capacity, DDR generation, speed and form factor, and check the system’s maximum supported memory. If the game launches but memory pressure causes swapping and stutter, close background applications and confirm available memory during play before ordering parts.
GPU or VRAM is below the target
A graphics-card upgrade is relevant only after checking the actual power supply, case clearance, connector requirements, motherboard interface and the GPU’s API and feature support. VRAM capacity is part of the comparison; a card that is fast enough in general but has less VRAM than the target can still struggle with high-resolution textures.
CPU is below the target
Confirm the motherboard socket, supported generations, firmware and cooling before considering a processor change. On a laptop, the CPU and GPU may be soldered and not upgradeable.
Several major parts fail
Compare the cost and practical limits of a replacement PC with the same requirement table. A machine that needs a CPU, GPU, power supply and storage is not a one-part upgrade, and mixing an expensive graphics card with an unsuitable platform can create new bottlenecks.
Do not buy a component solely because it appears on a “best gaming parts” list. The correct upgrade is the one that fixes the failed field while remaining compatible with the motherboard, power supply, case, cooling and the game’s actual target. If no single part can bring the system to the desired row, price a replacement system against the same CPU, GPU, RAM, storage and feature requirements.
8. Test the game after installation
Set the game initially to the publisher’s target resolution and preset. Then use Steam’s in-game performance monitor, or an equivalent trusted overlay, while visiting a demanding scene. Steam Support says the monitor helps show whether CPU utilization or GPU utilization is the bottleneck.
- Observe base and generated FPS if the game reports both.
- Watch CPU utilization and frame-time behavior during traversal, combat and crowded scenes.
- Watch GPU utilization and graphics-memory use.
- Watch system RAM use and whether memory pressure coincides with hitching.
Interpret the result by the component that is constrained. A CPU-limited result calls for CPU-oriented settings or a platform decision; a GPU-limited result calls for lower rendering quality or a graphics-card decision; video-memory pressure calls for texture and resolution changes or a GPU with more VRAM. A high average FPS does not rule out stutter from asset streaming, memory pressure or uneven frame times.
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9. Troubleshoot common outcomes
The game will not launch
- Recheck the operating-system edition and architecture against the current listing.
- Confirm the required DirectX version and named features, not just the DxDiag number.
- Check that the correct graphics adapter and current driver are being used, especially on systems with integrated and discrete graphics.
- Read the publisher’s error-specific support instructions and attach the saved DxDiag report when requested.
The game launches but stutters
- Check system RAM and VRAM pressure in the overlay.
- Confirm the installation is on the required SSD rather than an HDD.
- Lower texture quality when video memory is full, and lower resolution or effects when GPU utilization is saturated.
- Reduce CPU-heavy settings and background workloads when the CPU is the limiting component.
The frame rate is below the advertised target
- Make sure the resolution and preset match the publisher’s tier; a minimum row is not a 4K target.
- Check whether the monitor’s native resolution is higher than the requirement’s test resolution.
- Use the overlay to identify CPU, GPU, RAM or VRAM pressure before changing hardware.
If the overlay does not show a clear limit, repeat the test after closing background programs and confirming the game is using the intended graphics adapter. Compare frame-time behavior, not only the largest FPS number, because hitching can occur even when an average appears acceptable.
10. A repeatable pre-purchase checklist
- Open the publisher’s current requirements for the exact game version.
- Write down each minimum and recommended target, including resolution, preset, frame rate, storage type, DirectX and feature conditions.
- Run
dxdiagand save the System and Display details. - Check free space and identify the target drive as HDD, SATA SSD or NVMe SSD.
- Compare the exact CPU, GPU, VRAM, RAM, Windows architecture, API/features and storage one field at a time.
- Choose the row that matches the experience you want rather than stopping at the minimum row.
- If a field fails, verify upgradeability, power, connectors, clearance and platform support before buying a component.
- After installation, test the publisher’s target settings with an FPS and utilization overlay.
This process gives you a defensible answer for any highly rated PC game without relying on a vague “gaming computer” label. The official requirement table establishes the supported target; your DxDiag inventory establishes compatibility; the live overlay shows what actually limits your system in play.
Frequently Asked Questions
If my PC meets the minimum requirements, will the game run smoothly?
Not necessarily. Minimum requirements describe the lowest supported configuration for a stated target such as 720p, a low preset or 30 FPS. They do not promise smooth play at 1080p, 1440p, 4K or your monitor’s native refresh rate. Use the recommended or higher row for the experience you want, then verify performance in a demanding scene.
Is an Intel Core i7 or Ryzen 7 automatically good enough?
No. The family label omits the generation and exact model. Compare the complete processor name shown in DxDiag with the publisher’s listed model or equivalent. The same rule applies to GPU families such as GeForce RTX: model, VRAM and feature support all matter.
Does having DirectX 12 mean I meet a DirectX 12 game requirement?
It satisfies only the version part of the check. A game can also require a shader model, graphics feature, Secure Boot setting or other API capability. DxDiag reports the DirectX version, but you must compare every named feature on the game’s requirements page.
Can I install an SSD requirement on a hard disk if I have enough space?
You may have enough capacity, but an HDD is not equivalent to an SSD for a listing that specifies SSD storage. Asset streaming and loading can be substantially slower, and the installation would not match the publisher’s stated drive target. Check whether your system supports a SATA or M.2/NVMe SSD before buying one.
How much free space should I leave beyond the listed requirement?
Treat the published number as available space needed for the installation, not as a reason to fill the drive completely. Leave additional room for the launcher, patches, shader caches and Windows updates. For context, Ubisoft lists 65 GB on an SSD for its current Rainbow Six Siege requirements, while PlayStation lists 150 GB on an SSD for Horizon Forbidden West.
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Match the upgrade to the failed field. A storage failure points to a compatible SSD; a RAM failure points to a matching memory kit; and a GPU or VRAM failure points to a graphics-card decision. Check motherboard support, power supply, connectors, case clearance, cooling and API/features before ordering. A laptop’s CPU or GPU may be soldered and non-upgradeable.
How do I find the real bottleneck after the game is installed?
Start at the publisher’s target resolution and preset, then use Steam’s performance monitor or an equivalent overlay in a demanding scene. Watch base and generated FPS, CPU and GPU utilization, frame-time behavior, system RAM and video-memory use. CPU pressure suggests CPU-oriented settings or a platform issue; GPU or VRAM pressure suggests graphics-setting changes or a GPU decision.
What if my PC fails several major requirements?
Price a replacement PC or prebuilt against the same requirement table instead of assuming a single upgrade will solve it. A system that needs a CPU, GPU, power supply and storage may have motherboard, cooling and case constraints as well. Compare the full platform with the desired resolution, preset, RAM, VRAM and SSD target.
The Bottom Line
Use the exact game requirement page as the authority, collect your complete Windows inventory with dxdiag, and compare CPU, GPU, VRAM, RAM, architecture, DirectX/features, free space and drive type one field at a time. Minimum is a supported floor for a named target, not a smooth-play guarantee. After installation, let an FPS and utilization overlay identify the real bottleneck before changing settings or buying hardware.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
