System Requirements for Top 5 PC Games: What You Need to Know
Not sure your current gaming hardware can handle the latest and greatest titles? Checking game system requirements before you buy can save a lot of headaches. It's also helpful when you're looking for guidance as you're buying a new PC or upgrading your current gaming rig.
In this comprehensive guide, we've included the "minimum" and "recommended" requirements for many of the top PC games out there, which are crucial to know as you shop and set your expectations. While you can technically play games at the minimum requirements, it's typically better to meet or exceed the developer's recommended requirements to future-proof your gaming setup and enjoy a smoother experience.
Understanding System Requirements
Before diving into specific games, it's important to understand what these requirements mean:
- Minimum Requirements: The absolute baseline hardware needed to run the game, often at lower settings and potentially lower frame rates
- Recommended Requirements: The hardware that will provide an optimal gaming experience with higher settings and smoother frame rates
- OS: Operating system compatibility
- CPU: Processor model and speed
- RAM: System memory
- GPU: Graphics card model
- Storage: Available hard drive or SSD space needed
Let's explore the requirements for 10 of today's most popular PC games:
1. GTA 5 System Requirements
GTA 5 is the latest installment in the Grand Theft Auto series, following the hilarious adventures of three protagonists in a fictionalized version of Southern California called San Andreas. This open-world game features a lengthy single-player campaign and seemingly endless other tasks and objectives to pursue when you get tired of the main story.
Minimum GTA 5 System Requirements
- OS: Windows 8.1 64-Bit, Windows 8 64-Bit, Windows 7 64-Bit Service Pack 1
- Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Quad CPU Q6600 2.40 GHz (4 CPUs) or AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs) 2.5 GHz
- RAM: 4GB
- Video card: NVIDIA® 9800 GT (1GB), AMD HD 4870 (1GB)
- DirectX: 10, 11
- Sound card: 100% DirectX 10 compatible
- HDD space: 65GB
Recommended GTA 5 System Requirements
- OS: Windows 8.1 64-Bit, Windows 8 64-Bit, Windows 7 64-Bit Service Pack 1
- Processor: Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.2 GHz (4 CPUs) or AMD X8 FX-8350 @ 4 GHz (8 CPUs)
- RAM: 8GB
- Video card: NVIDIA GTX 660 (2GB) or AMD HD7870 (2GB)
- DirectX: 10, 11
- Sound card: 100% DirectX 10 compatible
- HDD space: 65GB
HP Gaming PC Recommendation
For a smooth GTA 5 experience with high settings, consider these HP gaming systems:
- Windows 11 Home
- Intel® Core™ i5-14450HX processor
- NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3050 Laptop GPU (6 GB)
- 16 GB DDR5-5600 MHz RAM
- 512 GB PCIe® NVMe™ TLC M.2 SSD
GTA 5's gameplay mixes third-person shooting, driving, and cinematic storytelling in detailed environments ranging from cityscapes to desert paths. The multiplayer component, GTA Online, has become massively popular with its own missions and story beats.
2. Valorant System Requirements
Valorant is a free-to-play competitive first-person shooter (FPS). Set in the relatively near future, the game's narrative is based on a "First Light" event and a new element called "Radianite." Humans exposed to the element begin developing special abilities, and a variety of new factions arise as a consequence.
Minimum Valorant System Requirements
- OS: Windows 7/8/10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 or AMD Athlon 200GE
- RAM: 4GB
- VRAM: 1GB
- Video card: Intel HD 4000 (Shader Model 5.0) or AMD Radeon R5 200
- HDD space: 10GB
Recommended Valorant System Requirements
- OS: Windows 7/8/10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel i3-4150 or AMD Ryzen™ 1200
- RAM: 4GB
- VRAM: 1GB
- Video card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 or AMD Radeon™ R7 240
- HDD space: 10GB
HP Gaming PC Recommendation
Valorant is optimized to run on a wide range of hardware, making this HP system an ideal choice:
Victus by HP Gaming Laptop 16t-s100
An affordable gaming laptop that delivers excellent performance for competitive games like Valorant.
- Windows 11 Home
- AMD Ryzen™ 5 8645HS processor
- NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3050 Laptop GPU (6 GB)
- 16 GB DDR5-5600 SDRAM
- 512 GB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 SSD
Valorant gameplay emphasizes teamwork as it blends some retro shooter elements with specialist hero characters that each express different abilities. The matches typically take place on a single map, which makes the game's hardware requirements less demanding than many other modern titles.
3. Call of Duty: Warzone System Requirements
With roots in 2019's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, the free-to-play Call of Duty: Warzone is a standalone addition that serves as a battle royale experience. While there are story elements connected to other games in the series, the focus is primarily on last-man-standing FPS combat.
Minimum Warzone System Requirements
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit (v.1709 or higher)
- Processor: Intel Core i3-4340 or AMD FX-6300
- RAM: 8GB RAM
- Video card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670, GeForce GTX 1650, or AMD Radeon HD 7950
- DirectX: Version 12
- Sound card: DirectX Compatible
- HDD space: 175GB
Recommended Warzone System Requirements
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit latest update
- Processor: Intel Core i5-2500K or AMD Ryzen R5 1600X processor
- RAM: 12GB
- Video card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 / GTX 1660, or AMD Radeon R9 390 / AMD RX 580
- DirectX: Version 12
- Sound card: DirectX Compatible
- HDD space: 175GB
HP Gaming PC Recommendation
Warzone's large maps and player counts benefit from powerful hardware with ample storage:
OMEN Transcend Gaming Laptop 16t-u100
This premium gaming laptop delivers exceptional performance for demanding games like Warzone.
- Windows 11 Home
- Intel® Core™ i7-14700HX processor
- NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4050 Laptop GPU (6 GB)
- 16 GB DDR5-5600 MHz RAM
- 512 GB PCIe® NVMe™ TLC M.2 SSD
Call of Duty: Warzone emphasizes teamplay and large player lobbies, with squads of up to four members and maps that can support up to 150 players – or 200 during special events. The quantity isn't a problem with a strong internet connection, but Warzone includes a lot of content on install, requiring substantial storage space.
4. Minecraft System Requirements
Minecraft has grown into one of the most popular games of all time since its release in 2011. It's beloved for its open-ended nature and customizability, with an emphasis on building, creativity, and exploration. You can truly make your Minecraft world your own, and there are countless mods, shaders, and seeds to change the way you play.
Minimum Minecraft System Requirements
- OS: Windows 10 version 14393.0
- Processor: Intel Celeron J4105 or AMD FX-4100
- RAM: 4GB
- Video card: Intel HD Graphics 4000 or AMD Radeon R5
Recommended Minecraft System Requirements
- OS: Windows 10 version 14393.0
- Processor: Intel i7-6500U or AMD A8-6600K
- RAM: 8GB
- Video card: NVIDIA GeForce 940M or AMD Radeon HD 8570D
HP Gaming PC Recommendation
Minecraft's modest requirements make it accessible on a wide range of hardware:
Victus by HP Gaming Laptop 15t-fa100
This affordable gaming laptop offers plenty of power for Minecraft, even with mods and shaders.
- Windows 11 Home
- Intel® Core™ i5-13500H processor
- NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3050 Laptop GPU (6 GB)
- 8 GB DDR4-3200 SDRAM
- 512 GB PCIe® NVMe™ TLC M.2 SSD
The best part? Minecraft is one of the lightest games around and takes up very little space to install. That means you don't need the beefiest gaming rig to enjoy it, although more powerful systems will allow for higher render distances and better performance with shader mods.
5. Fortnite System Requirements
First released in 2017, Fortnite has actually grown into a trio of titles that each have their own distinctive gameplay style: Fortnite: Save the World, Fortnite Battle Royale, and Fortnite Creative. Arena combat is a big part of all of these, but it's not the only option you have as a player.
Minimum Fortnite System Requirements
- OS: Windows 7/8/10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i3-3225 3.3 GHz
- RAM: 4GB
- Video card: Intel HD 4000
- HDD space: N/A
Recommended Fortnite System Requirements
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i5-7300U 3.5 GHz or AMD Ryzen 3 3300U
- RAM: 8GB
- VRAM: 2GB
- Video card: NVIDIA GTX 960 or AMD R9 280
- HDD space: N/A
HP Gaming PC Recommendations
Fortnite is well-optimized but benefits from capable hardware for competitive play:
Victus by HP Gaming Laptop 15z-fb200
This AMD-powered gaming laptop delivers excellent performance for Fortnite at high settings.
- Windows 11 Home
- AMD Ryzen™ 5 8645HS processor
- NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3050 Laptop GPU (6 GB)
- 8 GB DDR5-5600 MHz RAM
- 512 GB PCIe® NVMe™ TLC M.2 SSD
Save the World is about cooperation, building up your base, and working toward common goals, while Fortnite Battle Royale is a third-person free-for-all. Fortnite Creative is a sandbox version that allows players to create their own arenas and challenges on a private island you can share with up to 16 friends.
Conclusion: Finding the Right Gaming PC for Your Favorite Titles
As you can see, not every set of game system requirements is the same. Some titles need powerful hardware to run smoothly, like Call of Duty: Warzone, while others need barely anything, like Minecraft. Some games take up loads of space (150GB+), while others take up very little.
When shopping for a new gaming PC, consider these factors:
- The types of games you play: AAA titles generally require more powerful hardware than competitive esports games
- Your performance expectations: Higher settings and frame rates demand better components
- Future-proofing: Exceeding the recommended requirements will help your system stay relevant longer
- Storage needs: Modern game libraries can quickly consume available space
HP offers a diverse range of gaming PCs and laptops to suit various gaming needs and budgets. From the powerhouse OMEN 45L Gaming Desktop to the accessible Victus by HP Gaming Laptops, there's an option for every type of gamer.
By understanding system requirements and choosing hardware that meets or exceeds them, you'll ensure a smooth, enjoyable gaming experience for years to come.
The OMEN 35L Gaming Desktop represents HP's latest offering in the mid-to-high-end gaming desktop market, featuring cutting-edge cooling technology and powerful components that easily handle today's most demanding games. Available in both Intel and AMD configurations, with options ranging from the Intel Core i5-14400F to AMD Ryzen 7 8700G processors, and graphics cards including the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti and AMD Radeon RX 7600, the OMEN 35L delivers exceptional performance in a stylish, highly upgradeable chassis.
For those seeking absolute top-tier performance, the OMEN 45L Gaming Desktop with its patented CRYO CHAMBER cooling technology and options for Intel Core Ultra9 285K processors paired with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 graphics represents the pinnacle of gaming hardware, capable of handling any game at maximum settings and resolutions.
Whatever your gaming preferences or budget constraints, HP's current lineup offers options that will deliver an exceptional gaming experience today while remaining relevant for years to come.
