Minimum PC specs for Minecraft and mods

Minecraft Java Edition needs at least a 64-bit system, a 4-core processor, 8 GB of RAM and a graphics card that supports Vulkan 1.3 with 2 GB of video memory. Mojang raised these requirements on 21 July 2026; the tables below copy its official figures. Bedrock Edition on Windows asks for much less.

The minimum targets 1080p at 30 FPS with the Fast preset; the recommended setup targets 1080p at 60 FPS with the Fancy preset.

Integrated graphics need more RAM because the graphics chip uses part of the system memory. Older graphics cards, some older integrated chips and older Intel-based Macs may fall below the new minimum.

• Windows: press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager, then Performance. CPU shows the cores, Memory the RAM, and the GPU entry shows "Dedicated GPU memory" for the video memory.
• macOS: Apple menu, About This Mac. It shows the chip (M1, M2…) and the memory.
• Linux: run lscpu for the processor and free -h for the RAM.

Already in game? Press F3: the right side of the debug screen lists Java, CPU, Display and your graphics card, marked iGPU for integrated graphics or dGPU for a dedicated card. If those lines are hidden, F3 + F6 opens Debug Options.

Java Edition is moving from OpenGL to Vulkan. In 26.3, Options, Video Settings has a Graphics API setting with three choices:

• Default: tries OpenGL first, then Vulkan. Leave it there unless you have a reason to change it.
• Prefer OpenGL: OpenGL first. The game asks for OpenGL 3.3.
• Prefer Vulkan (Experimental): Vulkan first. The game warns that it might reduce performance or cause instability on some systems.

Changing it needs a restart. If the game fails to start after a change, update your graphics driver from NVIDIA, AMD or Intel before anything else.

On a modest laptop, Bedrock Edition runs where Java Edition struggles.

Mojang gives no requirements for mods. What changes in practice:

• RAM: the game gets 4 GB by default since 26.1. Large modpacks list their own amount, often 6 to 8 GB. Never give Minecraft more than about half of your PC's memory: see how to allocate more RAM.
• Graphics: shader packs load the graphics card much more than the vanilla game. Aim for the recommended graphics card before you install them (how to install shaders with Iris and Sodium).
• Processor: mods that add machines, many mobs or bigger worlds load the processor. A recommended-class CPU keeps the game smooth.
• Java: 26.3 needs Java 25. The Minecraft Launcher installs it for you, so keep the bundled one.

The game still launches on weaker hardware, but Mojang no longer guarantees performance or visual quality there. To get playable FPS:

1. In Video Settings, set Preset to Fast.
2. Lower Render Distance and Simulation Distance.
3. Install the Sodium performance mod with Fabric.
4. Close the browser and other apps while you play.

The official minimum is a 64-bit system. On a 32-bit system the game warns that it will soon stop running there, Realms included, and that you have to cancel any Realms subscription yourself.