iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To find out whether a new Soulslike will run well, compare your PC with that game’s current system-requirements listing—not with another Soulslike’s specs. Check the operating system, CPU, graphics card and video memory, RAM, DirectX, storage capacity and storage type. A match to the minimum configuration only means your computer is in the publisher’s baseline range; it does not promise your preferred resolution, graphics settings, frame rate or consistent frame pacing.
Use the recommended configuration as the more useful target, then read every note about upscaling, SSDs, resolution and test conditions. The process below lets you identify an exact mismatch before spending money on an upgrade.
Why a genre-wide rule cannot answer the question
“Soulslike” describes a design tradition, not a performance profile. Two games with stamina-based combat, checkpoints and difficult boss fights can have very different engines, lighting systems, texture sizes, ray-tracing features and loading behavior. Their published requirements can therefore differ in CPU generation, graphics memory, DirectX version, RAM and disk space.
For that reason, do not infer compatibility from a game you already play, a console specification or a generic “gaming PC” label. Valve’s Steam Support guidance is to open the individual game’s Store page and check both its compatible operating systems and its system requirements. Requirements can change after launch, so use the live listing for the specific edition and platform you intend to buy.
#1 Best Overall
- Powerful Turbo Fan:CAGIWIRU Electric Air Duster have reached speed up to 130000RPM,Can efficient remove dust and debris.With LED light and Three Adjustable Speed to meet with different cleaning tasks.
- With Attached USB C Fasting Charging cable.Charing 3 hours,Enjoy up to 240 minutes of use on the lowest setting, For third speed can use for 25mins.with four charging options to meet with your needs.
- Wide Application: attached 5 different nozzles,making it suitable for a variety of scenes, such as car,pet, pc, keyboards, and other electronic devices. It also serves for office and home clean duster.
- Handy Design & Portable:Cordless air duster electric nozzle is Light weight and small size, design and comfortable to hold and space saving, convenient to carry around. You can put it in your room or inside the car without taking up space.
- Economical &Reusable: Built durable materials with a long-lasting battery,our CAGIWIRU air duster it's a sustainable alternative to disposable air cans.
The practical test is a comparison, not a single pass/fail number:
- Below a stated minimum: mark the component as a concrete mismatch. The published specification does not establish that the game will work acceptably with that part.
- At the minimum: treat the PC as a baseline candidate. The listing does not promise a particular frame rate, resolution or settings preset.
- At or above recommended: you have a stronger reference point, but still need to honor the listing’s notes about upscaling, storage and test conditions.
This approach avoids the most common mistake: treating “minimum” as a guarantee of smooth play.
Step 1: Find the current requirements for the exact game
Use the game’s Store page
On Steam, scroll down the game’s Store page to the system-requirements section. Confirm that you are looking at the Windows, macOS or Linux entry that matches your installation, rather than a console description or a different edition. Record both the minimum and recommended rows, including footnotes below them.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteLook for separate entries when a publisher lists multiple operating systems, graphics APIs or editions. A Windows requirement cannot be assumed to apply unchanged to a Linux compatibility layer, handheld mode or a future remaster. If the page has been updated, use the current values and note the date shown by the publisher or platform.
Capture the qualifiers, not just the component names
Write down wording such as “SSD required,” “SSD recommended,” a specified resolution, or “tested with DLSS/FSR/XeSS enabled.” Those phrases change what the numbers mean. A graphics card that meets a listed model may still be expected to use an upscaler or a particular internal resolution in the publisher’s test.
Step 2: Inventory your PC accurately
Collect the same categories the listing uses. Do this before comparing model names; a partial inventory can hide the part that actually limits the game.
Operating system and architecture
In Windows, open Settings > System > About and record the Windows edition, version and “System type” (for example, 64-bit operating system). If the game specifies a particular Windows release or architecture, compare those details directly. An otherwise suitable CPU and GPU cannot compensate for an unsupported operating system.
Processor
Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, choose Performance > CPU, and copy the full processor model. The model suffix and generation matter: “Core i5” or “Ryzen 5” alone is not enough. You can also run msinfo32 from the Start menu and read the processor field.
Rank #2
- Screen Cleaner is Your Screen’s New Bestfriend! - EVEO is proud to present a screen cleaner that’s perfectly suited for your TV. Meet your new screen cleaner, computer screen cleaner, laptop cleaner, iPad cleaner, Macbook,tv cleaner or any other electronic device. Our screen cleaner spray and wipe along with the included plush microfiber cloth, easily removes dust, fingerprints & other smudges on the screen’s surface. Clean effectively for a streak-free screen
- Gentle on your Screens - Our screen cleaner spray and wipes is compatible to be used even for the most sensitive LCD, LED, CRT, and OLED screens in proper use. Be at ease knowing that this product is compatible with all the major brands: LG, SONY, Samsung, Sharp, iPad, iPhone, Android screens, Kindle, PC monitors - we’ve got you covered! Can be used as LCD screen cleaner, tv cleaner, smart tv screen cleaner, and more
- Premium Super Soft Plush Microfiber Cloth - Included in this efficient screen cleaning kit. This screen cleaner spray and wipe has our signature plush microfiber cloth specially designed to comply with screens and monitors and leave them streak-free. Has been shown to effectively absorbs stubborn stains, zero streaks, and no fiber shedding. Always use this together with our screen cleaner for the best results
- Easy-to-Use Screen Cleaner Kit + microfiber cleaning cloth - The EVEO Screen Cleaning Kit will easily be your new favorite tool when it comes to taking care of the things you love most, quick and easy solution for a streak-free screen. Simply screw on the sprayer gun on the screen cleaner bottle. Spray the cleaning liquid onto the microfiber cloth, then wipe the screen until desired cleanliness & shine is achieved.
- Quality Screen Care Kit Worth Purchasing - Enjoy a convenient Screen Cleaner anytime, anywhere you need it. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We stand behind the quality of our products and that’s why, you shouldn’t be worrying at all. We manufacture the Best Screen Cleaner. and can be used for laptop cleaning kit, laptop screen cleaner, tv screen cleaner for smart tv. MacBook screen cleaner, monitor cleaner or screen cleaner spray for electronic devices with microfiber cleaning cloth
Compare the exact model family named by the game’s listing. Do not substitute a newer-sounding tier without checking its actual performance; a product name’s number is not a universal speed rating across generations.
Graphics processor and video memory
In Task Manager, select Performance > GPU and record the model and dedicated GPU memory. dxdiag (opened from the Start menu) provides another way to confirm the display adapter and DirectX information. If a desktop has more than one GPU, identify which adapter the game will use.
Match both the GPU model and any stated video-memory capacity. “A graphics card from the same series” is not a specification match when the listing names a particular model or memory size.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteSystem RAM
Task Manager’s Performance > Memory panel shows installed RAM. Record the total in gigabytes and leave headroom for Windows and background applications; installed memory is not the same as memory available to the game at every moment.
DirectX and graphics API
Run dxdiag and note the DirectX version. Check whether the listing calls for DirectX 11 or DirectX 12. A card can support a feature level while its driver, operating-system version or game API path still differs from the requirement, so compare the listing’s wording rather than relying on the GPU’s marketing name.
Storage capacity and type
Open Settings > System > Storage (or File Explorer) and check free space on the drive where you will install the game. Compare the free space—not merely the drive’s advertised capacity—with the stated requirement. Keep additional room for downloads, patches and the operating system.
Identify whether the target drive is an HDD or SSD. When a listing says an SSD is recommended or required, capacity alone is not enough: the same free-space figure on an HDD does not satisfy that storage condition.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Step 3: Compare each category side by side
Make a small worksheet with one row for minimum and one for recommended. Put your PC’s value beside every category and mark an exact match, a higher value, or a mismatch. Use the game’s own labels; do not average categories into one score.
Rank #3
- 【Large size】：Measuring 800 x 300 mm/ 31. 5×12 inches, which is wider and taller than others. Large mouse pad can perfectly fit your keyboard and mouse of any size, and there is also ample space for peripherals such as phones, tablets, etc.
- 【LED backlight mouse pad】：Blade Hawks RGB mouse pad provides 7 static modes and 7 dynamic modes will give you the options you are looking for. Power-off memory function remembers the last lighting mode you selected. The super glow fiber Chroma will give you a colorful gaming setup that you want.
- 【Anti-slip rubber base】：Made from Natural rubber, this gaming mousepad will firmly grip your desktop, allowing you to enjoy the ultimate precision in the games you are most passionate about. It also comes with a texture that enhances this ability even further.
- 【Smooth and waterproof surface】: Micro-textured cloth surface, for extremely precise mouse control and a smooth movement. When liquid splashes on the gaming mouse pad, it forms water droplets and slides down. Will not delay your work or gameplay.
- 【Plug and play】: This mouse and keyboard pad is powered by USB, plug and play, no driver required. One button control light modes. Press one time to change the lighting mode, press twice to change the brightness, press and hold about 3 seconds turn ON/OFF.
| Category to compare | What to record from your PC | What to read on the game listing |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system and architecture | Edition, version and 64-bit/32-bit type | Supported operating systems and any architecture note |
| CPU | Full processor model | Minimum and recommended processor models |
| GPU | Full graphics-card model | Minimum and recommended GPU models |
| Video memory | Dedicated VRAM reported by Windows | Any VRAM amount attached to the GPU requirement |
| RAM | Installed system memory | Minimum and recommended RAM |
| DirectX | DirectX version and driver status | Required API version |
| Storage | Free space and drive type | Capacity plus HDD/SSD requirement or recommendation |
A “higher” component in one row does not cancel a shortfall in another. For example, extra RAM does not make a graphics card with insufficient video memory meet the GPU requirement.
What three official listings reveal
The following figures are examples of why every new title needs its own comparison. They are publisher/platform listings from the years shown, not a universal Soulslike standard.
| Game and listing year | Minimum configuration | Recommended configuration | Important notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELDEN RING (Steam listing, 2022) | Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 3 3300X; 12 GB RAM; GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB or Radeon RX 580 4 GB; DirectX 12; 60 GB storage | Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600X; 16 GB RAM; GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB or Radeon RX Vega 56 8 GB; DirectX 12; 60 GB storage | The minimum and recommended rows differ in CPU, RAM and GPU while storage and DirectX remain the same. |
| Lies of P, Windows listing (Steam listing, 2023) | AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or Intel Core i3-6300; 8 GB RAM; Radeon RX 560 4 GB or GeForce GTX 960 4 GB; DirectX 12; 50 GB storage | The same CPU listing; 16 GB RAM; Radeon RX 6500 XT 4 GB or GeForce GTX 1660 6 GB; DirectX 12; 50 GB storage | The recommended row doubles the stated RAM and raises the GPU requirement without changing the listed CPU, API or capacity. |
| Black Myth: Wukong (Steam listing, 2024) | Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600; 16 GB RAM; GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB or Radeon RX 580 8 GB; DirectX 11; 130 GB storage | Intel Core i7-9700 or AMD Ryzen 5 5500; 16 GB RAM; GeForce RTX 2060, Radeon RX 5700 XT or Intel Arc A750; DirectX 12; 130 GB storage | HDD is supported and SSD recommended at minimum; SSD required at recommended. The listing says its specifications were tested with DLSS, FSR or XeSS enabled. |
Notice the spread: one game lists 8 GB minimum RAM, another 12 GB, and another 16 GB. GPU generations and DirectX versions also differ. Those differences are enough to reject any claim that one “Soulslike PC requirement” predicts every release.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →How to interpret minimum versus recommended
Minimum is a floor, not a performance contract
A minimum row is a reference configuration chosen by the publisher. It may target a lower resolution, a lower preset, an upscaler or a particular test scene, and the listing may not state all of those conditions. Meeting it does not establish 60 frames per second, stable frame pacing, high settings or even the resolution you prefer.
If your PC is just above minimum, plan to start with the game’s lower preset, native resolution scaling or an available upscaler, then adjust one setting at a time. The listing alone cannot tell you the frame rate you will see in every area or during a boss fight.
Recommended is a stronger planning target
Recommended hardware is generally the safer starting point for the publisher’s intended experience, but it remains a reference configuration. It is not a guarantee because actual performance depends on resolution, settings, drivers, patches, background load and the game’s most demanding scenes.
Do not mix rows selectively
Comparing your CPU with the recommended row while comparing your GPU with the minimum row can produce a misleading conclusion. Keep two complete comparisons: one against every minimum field and one against every recommended field. Report the weakest match explicitly.
Read upscaling and storage notes as part of the requirement
Upscaling changes the test conditions
DLSS, FSR and XeSS render internally at a lower resolution and reconstruct the output. If a listing says its figures were tested with one of these technologies enabled, its GPU numbers do not describe the same workload as native-resolution rendering. A PC that matches the listed card may need the upscaler to reproduce the publisher’s test condition.
Rank #4
- 【Softer and More Comfortable】Vaydeer wrist rest has unique diamond pattern, which is the combination of softness and aesthetics. The materials of wrist rest are improved into higher quality memory foam and covered with silky smooth lycra. The computer wrist rest makes you as comfortable and cushiony as like rest your wrists on clouds.
- 【Ergonomic Wrist Saver】The wrist rests for keyboard and mouse comes with a 17.32×3.15×0.83 inch keyboard wrist pad and a 5.94×3.15×0.83 inch mouse wrist support. Based on ergonomic design, the unique concave shape is the perfect fit for your wrist joints. The wrist rest pad fits most computer keyboards and laptops, improve hand and wrist posture, release your wrist and arm stress.
- 【Non-Slip Rubber Bottom】Featuring an anti-skid silicone base on the bottom, this wrist keyboard support stays firmly in place on your desk, preventing the padding from sliding around, ensuring stable and consistent wrist support during extended computer sessions.
- 【Better Experience & Pain Relief】Our keyboard arm rest is beneficial to alleviate the soreness caused by direct contact and friction between your arm and a hard desk surface, reducing the risk of wrist fatigue or carpal tunnel. The soft texture of memory foam can evenly distribute the pressure around your wrists and provide good support with just enough give.
- 【Helpful in Multiple Scenarios】Whether you're working, studying, writing, typing, gaming, this keyboard and mouse rest combo is an essential accessory to add comfort and support to your hands and wrists. It’s also a great gift for men, women, family, friend, coworker, gamer, teacher, etc.
Check whether the game offers the technology your GPU supports and whether the listing names a quality mode or output resolution. If no mode is specified, do not promise a particular visual result; treat the note as a condition to verify after installation.
SSD language is operational, not cosmetic
“SSD recommended” means an HDD may be supported but can produce a different loading experience. “SSD required” is a compatibility condition for that configuration, not an optional quality improvement. Black Myth: Wukong’s listing illustrates both cases: HDD support with an SSD recommendation at minimum, then an SSD requirement for recommended hardware.
Decide what your result means
All minimum fields meet or exceed
Classify the PC as minimum-level compatible on paper. Install only when you accept that the listing does not promise your target frame rate or settings. Check for a current driver, close unnecessary background programs and use the game’s built-in settings or benchmark if it provides one.
Recommended Free Tools
Recommended fields meet or exceed
Classify it as recommended-level on paper. Begin with the recommended preset, verify the game’s resolution and upscaling defaults, and watch frame-time consistency during normal play rather than judging only the opening area.
One or more minimum fields fall short
Write down the exact mismatch: for example, “12 GB RAM required, 8 GB installed,” “SSD required, game drive is HDD,” or a GPU below the named model. Do not hide it behind a stronger component elsewhere. The available requirements do not establish one universal upgrade that fixes every PC, so choose the upgrade only after identifying which field is limiting.
The listing is ambiguous or has changed
Save the current Store-page wording and recheck it near launch. Publishers sometimes revise requirements as optimization, content and driver support change. If a store page lists separate API paths, operating systems or editions, compare the path you will actually use.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Upgrade decisions after you find a mismatch
Prioritize the mismatch that is explicitly required and hardest to work around:
- Operating system or architecture: resolve compatibility first; a faster component cannot make an unsupported OS valid.
- Storage type and free space: satisfy an SSD requirement and create enough free capacity for installation and updates.
- GPU and VRAM: address a graphics-card or video-memory shortfall before expecting higher settings.
- System RAM: add memory when the installed total is below the listing, while checking motherboard limits and module compatibility.
- CPU: consider a processor upgrade when it is the field below minimum or when the game is CPU-limited at your chosen settings.
This order is a diagnostic priority, not a universal shopping list. Confirm the exact requirement and your platform’s compatibility before buying hardware.
Best Value
- 【No Drill Mounted】Cable management tray can be assembled in as little as 3 minutes or less-simply. Side clips easily clampe the edge of desk, pass through the holes on the sides, and secure excess cables with baskets. Desk cable management supports inward or outward installation to meet your needs in different scenarios, and provides you with great convenience when collecting and organizing wires.
- 【Rubber Pad Protects Desk】Wire organizer under desk built-in soft rubber pads on the clamp protect your desk from scratches, so you will not damage your furniture or office.
- 【Sturdy and Beautiful】Cord management under desk is made of high-quality carbon steel and holds about 15 lbs. The wire basket has 2 holes on each side of the tray to enable your cables to pass freely. Cable baskets are suitable for desk thickness use from 0.4" to 2.4".
- 【Space Saving & Keep Organized】Desk cable management tray holds all your power cords, outlet strips, USB hubs and computer transformers hidden from your feet, and the data cables will not enter the vacuum cleaner to keep your desk clean and tidy. Desk wire organizer is also suitable for use in the kitchen and outdoors.
- 【Reduce Safety Risks】Cable tray under desk keeps all plugs away from your kids, no more worry about tripping. Using 2 holes wire tray saves extra space, helps you easily cabling and wire protection. The mesh design is not easy to accumulate dust, but avoids safety accidents caused by messy wires.
After installation: verify rather than assume
Requirements predict a reference configuration; they do not measure your particular combination of drivers, cooling, background tasks and display settings. Use a short, repeatable check:
- Set the display resolution and upscaling mode deliberately instead of accepting an unexplained default.
- Play a demanding area, traversal section or boss encounter, not only a quiet menu or tutorial.
- Watch frame-time consistency and visible stutter as well as the average frame-rate counter.
- If performance is poor, lower the settings that affect GPU load first, then retest the same scene.
- Check that the game is using the intended dedicated GPU and that the drive has free space for patches.
- Recheck drivers and the game’s patch notes when behavior changes after an update.
If the PC only met minimum, instability at your preferred settings is not evidence that the listing was a promise; it is a sign that your target exceeds the reference conditions.
A reusable worksheet
Copy this checklist for each new release:
- Record the game’s current Store-page URL, edition, operating system and requirement-list date.
- Copy every minimum and recommended field exactly, including DirectX, VRAM, storage type and footnotes.
- Inventory your OS, architecture, CPU, GPU, VRAM, RAM, DirectX and free drive space.
- Mark each field as above, equal to or below the corresponding row.
- Write down the publisher’s stated resolution, upscaling and SSD test conditions.
- Choose your target resolution, preset and frame-rate expectation separately; do not treat them as supplied by the word “minimum.”
- If a field is below minimum, resolve that mismatch before assuming an upgrade will help.
- After installation, test a demanding repeatable scene and adjust settings based on frame-time behavior.
Questions readers commonly ask
Can I use another Soulslike’s requirements as a proxy?
No. The ELDEN RING, Lies of P and Black Myth: Wukong listings show materially different CPU, GPU, RAM, DirectX and storage requirements. Use the exact title’s current listing.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Does meeting minimum mean 60 frames per second?
No. The cited listings provide reference configurations, not a universal frame-rate promise. Resolution, preset, upscaling and demanding scenes can change the result.
Is an SSD always mandatory?
Only when the listing says so. A game may support an HDD while recommending an SSD, or require an SSD for a particular configuration. Read the storage note rather than assuming.
Why does a listing mention DLSS, FSR or XeSS?
Those technologies were part of the stated test conditions for the listing that names them. They lower internal rendering work and reconstruct the output, so native-resolution performance may differ.
What should I upgrade first?
Start with the exact field below the game’s minimum—especially an explicit OS, SSD or GPU/VRAM requirement—then verify platform compatibility. There is no single upgrade that fixes every Soulslike PC.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Quick Recap
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.
