How to know if a game will run on your computer Universal Guide to System Requirements
It's frustrating when you buy a game for several thousand, download 100 gigabytes of data, and only then find out that it doesn't launch or runs with errors.
Fortunately, all decent game stores tell you about system requirements right in the game card, and the paid order can be returned to the store
I will tell you how to find out if your computer can handle the game and where to look at its specifications. In addition, I will recommend services that will help you do it without laborious checking.
How to find out the system requirements of the game
The compatibility of the game and PC is a matter of characteristics. Let's start with the requirements of the game.
Systems in stores. The easiest way to find out how demanding a game will be is to go to the store where you are going to buy it and look at the section with system requirements. They are divided into minimum and recommended, but you can try to run the game even if your PC is slightly weaker than the minimum: the requirements are often calculated with a reserve.
In Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store and Humble they are located right in the game card.
Compare the characteristics of your PC with the requirements of the game. You don't need to understand the nuances of processors and graphics cards - you can just look at the numbers. For example, if the requirements specify RTX 2070 graphics card and you have RTX 3090, everything is fine.
But computer hardware is very diverse: for example, the same video card can provide different performance in PC and laptop versions. Or an outdated but strong processor from a previous generation may be more powerful than a newer but weaker one within its lineup. So before downloading the game, check out the reviews, preferably on YouTube and with your configuration.
Even if you miss the calculations, the game can be quickly returned to the store. On all popular sites, the return is available after a few hours spent in the game. So even if the game launches but doesn't work correctly, no money will be lost.
Services for PC testing. A slightly more accurate way to understand whether the game will run on your PC is special "picker" sites. They are available only for Windows computers and work like this:
- You download a small script to your computer, which collects characteristics from it.
- The site gives a report on the games that will and will not pull PC.
There are only two reliable sites from which it is not terrible to download mini-scripts: Can You Run it and PCGameBenchmark. On the latter, you can also not download anything at all, but just enter the computer characteristics in the questionnaire, and the site itself will calculate the compliance with the "systems".
Where to view computer specs
Regardless of the operating system, we will need to know аbout:
- Processor - it affects the processing of complex scenes and in-game calculations.
- Video card - it is responsible for the image and "draws" graphics on the monitor.
- RAM - it stores the data needed for the game in the near future.
- Drive - the faster it works, the faster the games and levels will load.
- The version of the operating system - if it is very outdated, new games may run with errors or not run at all.
- DirectX version - a special driver that allows games to work better with video and audio on your computer.
Windows. Go to System Preferences: Win + I → System → "About" in the side menu. This will open a list where you can find out your system version, processor, and amount of RAM.
Everything else, down to the specs and version of your webcam, can be seen in Device Manager.
An alternative way is DxDiag, a special tool for gathering specifications.
Press Win + R → type dxdiag and press Enter → press Enter again if the PC gives a confirmation dialog box. A window with a boot line will appear - this is the PC collecting information about itself into a detailed report.
The utility is called "DirectX Diagnostic Tool", and it is very useful not only to find out the specifications for a game, but also to collect all the data about the PC and send a report about some error. For example, if you have a program that does not work, and tech support needs maximum information.
In the window that opens, you can find out about the processor, video card, RAM and system version. The volume, type and name of the drive is available only in the report, it is unloaded with the button "Save all information".
The third way: use any of the third-party programs: AIDA64, Speccy, CPU-Z.
They will provide the same information, but in a more pleasant interface.
The interfaces of all programs are similar and intuitive.
MacOS. Macbooks and desktop computers running MacOS are often easier: the system requirements for a game simply specify the specific processor or computer on which it will run.
Every game from the AppStore definitely has such a clause.
Death Stranding will run on Macbooks with an M1 processor or newer.
But if you still need to know the specs, click on the apple in the corner of the screen → "About this Mac". From the window that opens, jot down information about the processor, operating system, and RAM.
If you click on "More Info," you'll be taken to settings: there you can learn about the monitor and storage. Macbooks with M processors don't have a separate graphics card - it's integrated into the processor chip
.
At the end of the window there will be a button "System Report". There you can find out about all the little nuances, from processor frequency to drive version.
How to find out if a game is compatible with your computer before you buy it
The short answer is to read reviews. And since we're talking about the game, it's not just one number of frames per second that matters - you need to understand how smoothly the game runs and how it will behave at what settings. For such a thing you need a video review, there are many of them on YouTube.
In the request, write "[Your video card] [Your processor] [Game name]". If the project is not niche, it has probably been tested on several builds. In the clips found, pay attention to the number of frames and the overall stability of the game. Take a closer look at the graphics settings: if you planned to play on "ultra", but it turns out only on medium, it may be a reason to refuse to buy.
The demanding Cyberpunk runs on a weak processor and outdated video card. You can squeeze out 60 to 90 frames per second
The same game on a newer RTX 2080 and Ryzen 7 3700X runs at about 150fps
How to return a game if it doesn't start or doesn't work properly
Steam. You need to spend less than two hours in the game. Even if you have spent more than that, but you are sure that the reason for the refund is valid - still write to support..
You can request a refund directly from the Steam client.
GOG has the most generous refund policy among the major sites. You can get a refund for a game within a month of its purchase. To do this on the game page, click "Request a refund", or Ask for a refund. There is no limit on the number of refunds.
Money is returned to your card or balance in the store.
Epic Games Store. Each game in the store has a label: refundable and self-refundable means that refunds are possible. Non-refundable means not possible. Most in-game purchases cannot be refunded.
Refunds are only valid if you have spent less than two hours in the game, you can agree with tech support where the money will be transferred - to your card or to your account in the store.
How to know if a game will work on your computer
To avoid wasting money on games that won't run anyway, check them like this:
- Find out the characteristics of your computer. You can do this in the settings or with the help of external programs.
- Clarify the system requirements of the game. They are always in its card in the digital store.
- Make sure that the game fits the minimum requirements.
- If you are not sure, you can check your computer with a special site that will indicate whether the game will go on PC.
- If there are any problems, make a return for technical reasons.
