Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
To find out whether your PC meets a game’s requirements, identify your Windows version, processor, graphics card, memory and available storage, then compare each item with the requirements for that exact game. In Windows, Settings > System > About shows basic device details; the built-in DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag) provides a fuller system and display report.
1. Find your Windows version, processor and memory
- Open Settings > System > About.
- Note the Windows edition and version, processor model, and installed RAM. These are the basic details Windows displays there.
For a broader system summary, open System Information from the Start menu. Microsoft’s Windows requirements pages describe categories such as processor, memory, storage and graphics, but Windows requirements are not a substitute for a particular game’s requirements. Check the app or hardware publisher for game-specific needs. Microsoft: Windows 11 system requirements and Microsoft: Windows 11 requirements.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
2. Use DxDiag to check graphics and DirectX details
- Press Windows key + R to open Run.
- Type
dxdiagand press Enter. If prompted to check whether drivers are digitally signed, choose the option to continue. - On the System tab, review system information such as Windows and processor details.
- Open the Display tab and note the graphics device and driver information. If the PC has more than one display tab, check each one.
EA recommends using DxDiag to gather PC specifications and comparing them with a game’s minimum requirements. Steam also describes using DxDiag when checking system information and drivers. EA: Diagnose PC game issues using DxDiag · Steam Support: Updating Drivers.
3. Find the requirements for the exact game
Use the game’s publisher page or its storefront listing, and check the requirements for the same game and edition you intend to play. Record the minimum and recommended requirements separately if both are listed. Requirements can include:
#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
- Operating system and version
- Processor (CPU) model
- Graphics card (GPU) model and any stated graphics feature or API, such as DirectX
- Installed memory (RAM)
- Required storage space
Compare the game’s list—not a general Windows hardware checklist—with what Windows and DxDiag report. Microsoft explicitly advises checking the relevant app or hardware publisher for additional requirements. Microsoft: Windows 11 system requirements.
4. Compare each requirement individually
Use a checklist or table so a shortfall in one part is not hidden by stronger hardware elsewhere. For example:
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.
| Category | Your PC | Game minimum | Game recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows edition and version | As listed by the publisher | As listed, if provided |
| CPU | Exact processor model | As listed by the publisher | As listed, if provided |
| GPU | Exact graphics device and stated features | As listed by the publisher | As listed, if provided |
| RAM | Installed memory | As listed by the publisher | As listed, if provided |
| Storage | Available space on the intended drive | As listed by the publisher | As listed, if provided |
| API or other features | Details reported by DxDiag or Windows, where available | As listed by the publisher | As listed, if provided |
Mark each category as meeting or falling short of the minimum and recommended levels. If a game names a different CPU or GPU model from yours, do not infer equivalence from the model names alone: the available guidance provides no universal conversion rule. Look for benchmarks or compatibility guidance specific to that game and those components.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →5. Interpret a match without overpromising performance
Meeting minimum requirements is not a guarantee of a particular frame rate, resolution, graphics preset or consistently smooth play. Recommended requirements are a more useful comparison when you are aiming for the higher experience described by the publisher, but the game’s own notes determine what “recommended” means. Requirements can also specify details beyond broad component labels: Steam’s Counter-Strike 2 listing, for example, names CPU-thread and DirectX expectations. Steam Support: Counter-Strike 2.
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.
6. If the game runs poorly, check drivers and conditions first
A PC can meet a listed hardware requirement and still perform poorly. Steam notes that outdated graphics drivers can affect performance, and its troubleshooting guidance also points to software and memory availability as possible factors. Before deciding a component must be replaced:
- Check that the graphics driver is current using the graphics-device maker’s or PC maker’s official support instructions. Steam’s driver guidance explains how to inspect system information with DxDiag. Steam Support: Updating Drivers.
- Close unnecessary background programs and check whether the game’s performance changes. Steam discusses software-related troubleshooting at Steam Support: Troubleshooting Game Performance Issues – Software.
- Confirm the exact CPU and GPU models and identify the specific requirement that is not met. Steam’s hardware troubleshooting discusses memory and performance factors at Steam Support: Troubleshooting Game Performance Issues – Hardware.
Only consider an upgrade after confirming the actual shortfall and checking that a potential replacement is compatible with your particular PC.
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.
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.
