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Sometimes—but there is no single answer for every “low-end PC” or every Soulslike. Compare your exact processor, graphics card and video memory, RAM, Windows and DirectX support, and free storage with the requirements for the specific game. Even a PC that meets a listed minimum is not guaranteed a particular frame rate or stutter-free play.
What “low-end PC” means for Soulslike games
A broad label such as “low-end” is not enough to predict whether a game will run. A PC may have enough RAM but an unsupported graphics card, or a suitable GPU paired with a processor or operating system that falls short. Check each component against the exact game’s requirements rather than judging by a general label such as “Core i5.”
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Minimum requirements are a compatibility reference, not a performance benchmark. The official listings below do not provide comparable measurements for frame rate, resolution, or smoothness on hardware at or below minimum specifications.
Compare the listed requirements by game
| Game and source | Published minimum examples | What to note |
|---|---|---|
| DARK SOULS III — Steam listing (2016 release) | Intel Core i3-2100 or AMD FX-6300; 4 GB RAM; NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti or ATI Radeon HD 7950; DirectX 11; 25 GB storage. Steam lists 64-bit Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10. The listing specifies 8 GB RAM as recommended. | It has the lowest minimum RAM figure in this comparison, but RAM alone does not determine compatibility. |
| Lies of P — AMD Gaming page (requirement block publication year not stated) | Windows 10 64-bit; AMD Ryzen 3 1200; 8 GB RAM; Radeon RX 560 4GB; DirectX 12; 50 GB storage. The page lists 16 GB RAM, Radeon RX 6500 XT 4GB, and Ryzen 3 1200 as recommended. | This is AMD’s listing and its CPU and GPU examples are AMD models. Its minimum is not a promise of a particular frame rate. |
| ELDEN RING — Bandai Namco Entertainment (2022) | Windows 10; Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 3 3300X; 12 GB RAM; NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB or AMD Radeon RX 580 4 GB; DirectX 12 Feature Level 12.0; 60 GB storage. The publisher lists 16 GB RAM as recommended. | Its minimum RAM and named GPU generation are notably higher than DARK SOULS III’s. Check the required DirectX feature level, not just the GPU name. |
How to check whether your PC meets a game’s requirements
- Choose the exact game. Open its current official or store requirements listing; requirements differ even among games in the same genre.
- Identify your full CPU model. A family name such as “Core i5” covers many generations and does not establish that your processor matches a listed model.
- Check the exact GPU and video memory. Do not assume an integrated GPU or a similarly named older card is equivalent to a model in the listing.
- Check RAM, Windows, and graphics API support. Match the listed Windows version and DirectX version or feature level as well as the memory figures.
- Confirm free storage. Make sure the drive has at least the space specified by the game listing.
- Consider your goal separately. Desired resolution and frame rate matter to your experience, but the requirement lists above do not guarantee either one.
Performance tips supported by the available guidance
Turn off ray tracing in ELDEN RING if it is enabled
Bandai Namco warns that ray tracing can affect frame rate and resolution. Its version 1.09 patch notes explain that ray tracing can be disabled from the title menu or in-game: System → Graphics → Set Ray Tracing Quality → OFF. The publisher lists a separate, substantially higher ray-tracing requirement tier, with an RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6700 XT at the stated minimum tier. See the version 1.09 patch notes for the publisher’s guidance.
#1 Best Overall
- System: AMD Ryzen 5 5500 3.6GHz 6 Cores | AMD B550 Chipset | 8GB DDR4 | 500GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD | Windows 11 Home
- Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT 4GB Graphics | 1x HDMI | 1x DisplayPort
- Connectivity: 4 x USB-A 3.2 | 4 x USB-A 2.0 | 1 x LAN | WiFi 5 | Bluetooth 5.0 | 7.1 Channel Audio
- Tempered Side Case Panel | Custom RGB Lighting | Keyboard and Mouse
- 1 Year Parts & Labor Warranty, Free Lifetime Tech Support
Experiment carefully with other settings
The sources cited here do not quantify the performance effect of lowering other graphics settings, changing resolution, or upgrading a component. If you try adjustments, change one setting at a time and check the result on your own PC; no specific frame-rate gain can be promised from these sources.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you make a low-end PC run every Soulslike?
No general ranked list of Soulslikes suitable for old PCs is established by these three requirement listings. They show why checking games individually matters: the minimum RAM figures alone are 4 GB for DARK SOULS III, 8 GB for Lies of P, and 12 GB for ELDEN RING, and the GPU, CPU, operating-system, and API requirements differ too.
Rank #2
- 8-Core 16-Thread Processing Power – Powered by the Ryzen 7 4700LE processor with Zen 2 architecture, delivering 8 cores and 16 threads with a boost clock up to 4.2GHz. Effortlessly handle multitasking, streaming, content creation, and demanding applications simultaneously without slowdowns.
- GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Graphics – Equipped with 8GB GDDR6 dedicated VRAM and real-time ray tracing support. Experience smooth 1080p gaming at 55-60 FPS in AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077, 70+ FPS in Fortnite, and 90-100 FPS in Apex Legends with DLSS enabled. The 8GB buffer handles modern game textures comfortably – a step above 6GB variants
- High-Speed Memory & Storage – Paired with 16GB of DDR4 3200MHz dual-channel RAM (16GB), the PC ensures responsive multitasking—whether streaming while gaming or editing videos. It also includes a 512 GB NVMe M.2 SSD for lightning-fast boot times, quick game loads, and ample storage for your game library, creative projects, and files.
- Next-Gen WiFi 6 Connectivity – Stay connected with the latest WiFi 6 technology for faster speeds, lower latency, and improved network efficiency. Whether you're gaming online, streaming 4K content, or joining video conferences, enjoy stable, high-speed wireless connectivity.
- Ready-to-Use Value Desktop – Pre-built and ready to go right out of the box. Perfect for gamers, students, content creators, and home office users seeking reliable performance without the hassle of building a PC themselves. The mature AM4 platform with DDR4 memory offers excellent value and proven stability.
If you are considering an upgrade, first identify which component fails the requirements for the game you want. Any choice depends on that component, whether the PC is a desktop or laptop, physical and power compatibility, and your budget. For example, the GTX 1060 3GB appears in ELDEN RING’s minimum requirements, but that does not make it the best-value upgrade or mean it fits every PC; it is a legacy card and may not be available new. Check the motherboard, case, power supply, and the condition of a used card before buying.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- POWERED BY RTX 5070 12GB + RYZEN 7 9700X - The GeForce RTX 5070 12GB GDDR7 graphics card pairs with an 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 9700X processor to drive smooth 1440p and 4K gameplay, giving this gaming PC the headroom for modern titles, streaming, and creative work.
- 32GB DDR5 6000MHz MEMORY & 1TB NVMe SSD - 32GB of high-speed DDR5 memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid state drive deliver quick load times, smooth multitasking, and generous storage, keeping this prebuilt gaming desktop responsive under heavy workloads.
- BUILT-IN 11.3-INCH Smart DISPLAY - An integrated smart screen shows real-time CPU and GPU temperatures, usage, and weather while you play, adding a distinctive and functional touch to your battlestation.
- 850W 80+ GOLD POWER SUPPLY, 360MM LIQUID COOLING & WiFi 7 - An 850W 80 Plus Gold certified power supply provides stable, efficient power with headroom for future upgrades, while a 360mm AIO liquid cooler, WiFi 7, and an ARGB mid-tower case keep the Ryzen 7 CPU cool and connected in a clean build.
- READY TO PLAY OUT OF THE BOX - Arrives fully assembled and tested with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, so your prebuilt gaming computer is ready to set up in minutes. Assembled in the USA, and backed by a one-year limited warranty and lifetime free technical support.
Rank #3
- POWERHOUSE 8-CORE GAMING PERFORMANCE — Driven by the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F with 8 cores and 16 threads, boosting up to 5.0 GHz for smooth, responsive gameplay and the ability to handle AAA titles, streaming, and background tasks all at once
- NEXT-GEN BLACKWELL ARCHITECTURE — The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is powered by NVIDIA's cutting-edge Blackwell GPU architecture, delivering a massive generational leap in rasterization and ray tracing performance so you can experience your games the way they were meant to be played.
- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. *MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Cool While Gaming: In conjunction with an ARGB fan Air Cooler, the Codex R2 features four system cooling fans; three in the front and one in the rear to pull in cool air and push heat out of the PC.
- Turn on the Bright Lights: With the built-in RGB lighting, take your gaming experience to the next level by pressing the MSI LED button to cycle through lighting options. Customize lighting even further with MSI Center software.
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