Minecraft's system requirements are being raised for the first time in 17 years.
Microsoft subsidiary Mojang Studios has raised the minimum and recommended system requirements for Minecraft: Java Edition. This is the first major system requirements update in approximately 17 years, with the recommended memory increasing from 4GB to 16GB.
Minecraft Java Edition System Requirements | Minecraft
More than 17 years have passed since the release of 'Minecraft: Java Edition,' and it has undergone numerous improvements, including larger worlds, the addition of new features, and technical enhancements. However, Mojang Studios explains that the previous system requirements were based on older hardware and graphics technologies and no longer accurately reflect what is needed to run the game smoothly today.
The new minimum requirements assume operation at Full HD resolution and 30fps with graphics settings set to 'Fast'. A CPU with 4 or more cores and a GPU supporting Vulkan 1.3 with 2GB or more of VRAM are required. Memory capacity is 8GB if using a dedicated GPU, and 12GB if using an integrated GPU.
The recommended requirements aim for the game to run at Full HD resolution and 60fps with graphics settings set to 'Fancy'. Standard GPUs include 16GB of RAM and 6GB or more of VRAM, such as the GeForce RTX 2060, Radeon RX 5600 XT, or Intel Arc A580.
| Old requirements | new requirements | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| minimum | Recommended | minimum | Recommended | |
| OS | Windows 7 macOS 10.14.5 or later | Windows 10 macOS 10.14.5 or later | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 11 64-bit macOS 14 or later 64bit version of Linux |
| CPU | Intel Core i3-3210 | Intel Core i5-4690 AMD A10-7800 Apple M1 | Intel Core i3-10100 AMD Ryzen 3 3100 Qualcomm Arraydragon X Apple M1 | Intel Core i5-12400 AMD Ryzen 5 5600 Apple M2 Pro |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics 4000 AMD Radeon R5 | NVIDIA GeForce 700 series AMD Radeon RX 200 series | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 |
| memory | 2GB | 4GB | 8GB when using a standalone GPU | 16GB |
Comparing the old and new requirements, the minimum memory has increased significantly from 2GB to a maximum of 12GB, and the recommended memory from 4GB to 16GB. The recommended CPU has also been changed from the Intel Core i5-4690, which appeared in 2014, to the Core i5-12400, which appeared in 2022, indicating that the standards for CPUs and GPUs have also been raised to relatively newer generations.
However, PCs that do not meet the new minimum requirements will not immediately be unable to run Minecraft: Java Edition. According to Mojang Studios, while it may currently run on PCs that do not meet the requirements, performance in terms of frame rate, image quality, loading times, etc., is not guaranteed, and it may become impossible to run in the future.
This change is also related to the plan to gradually transition the rendering technology for 'Minecraft: Java Edition' from OpenGL to Vulkan. Mojang Studios explains that continuing to support older hardware limits the modernization of the game's internal workings, so clarifying the requirements will make it easier to improve the functionality and performance of Java Edition in the future.
Mojang Studios emphasizes that the new requirements are 'still low compared to the latest AAA games and do not require a top-of-the-line gaming PC or the latest GPU.' Users who are already playing without problems will not notice any immediate changes, but those purchasing a new PC should refer to the new recommended requirements based on Full HD and 60fps.
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