Minecraft’s PC system requirements depend on the edition. Since July 21, 2026, Java Edition has required a quad-core processor on the level of a Core i3-10100, 8 GB of RAM (12 GB with integrated graphics) and a graphics card with Vulkan 1.3 and 2 GB of memory. Bedrock Edition for Windows is more modest: 4 GB of RAM and Intel HD 4000-level graphics. Data verified on October 25, 2026 against minecraft.net.
- Java, minimum: 64-bit Windows 10, macOS 12+ or Linux; Core i3-10100 / Ryzen 3 3100 / Apple M1; 8 or 12 GB RAM; GTX 950 / RX 460 / Arc A310 with Vulkan 1.3 and 2 GB.
- Java, recommended: Core i5-12400 / Ryzen 5 5600 / Apple M2 Pro, 16 GB RAM, RTX 2060 / RX 5600 XT / Arc A580 with 6 GB, Windows 11.
- Bedrock, minimum: Windows 10 version 19041.0+, Celeron J4105 / FX-4100, 4 GB RAM, Intel HD Graphics 4000 / Radeon R5 220.
- Storage: Java needs 2 GB or more (4 GB recommended), Bedrock 4 GB or more (8 GB recommended).
Java or Bedrock: which one you have
On PC, Minecraft is sold as Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition and includes both editions. If you have Minecraft for Windows, that’s Bedrock Edition, but you can play Java on the same computer too. The differences Mojang points out:
- Java Edition runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, is the best fit for mods and needs a more powerful computer. Online play is only possible with other Java players, and there’s no built-in controller support.
- Bedrock Edition doesn’t need a powerful PC and, according to Mojang, often runs more smoothly than Java. It has cross-play with Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and phones, plus controller and touch support.
One more detail from Mojang’s FAQ: Minecraft puts more load on the processor than on the graphics card. So on a low-end PC, look at the processor first.
Minecraft: Java Edition system requirements
| Parameter | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Target | 1080p, 30 FPS, Fast preset | 1080p, 60 FPS, Fancy preset |
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit, Windows on ARM, macOS 12+ or Linux 64-bit | Windows 11 64-bit, macOS 14+ or Linux 64-bit |
| Architecture | x64, ARM64 | x64, ARM64 |
| RAM | 8 GB with a discrete graphics card or 12 GB with integrated graphics | 16 GB |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-10100, AMD Ryzen 3 3100, Qualcomm Snapdragon X or Apple M1 (at least 4 physical cores) | Intel Core i5-12400, AMD Ryzen 5 5600 or Apple M2 Pro |
| Graphics card | Vulkan 1.3 support and 2 GB of memory or more: NVIDIA GTX 950, AMD Radeon RX 460, Intel Arc A310 or newer; Intel integrated graphics from i5-6400, Apple M1, Snapdragon X | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, Intel Arc A580 or Apple M2 Pro, 6 GB of VRAM |
| Storage | 2 GB | 4 GB |
What changed for Java in July 2026
On July 21, 2026, Mojang raised both the minimum and recommended requirements for Java Edition. According to the studio, the old ones were designed for old hardware and old graphics technology and no longer reflected what the game needs today. The new requirements call for more memory, more powerful processors and graphics cards with Vulkan 1.3 support.
- Who’s affected. Older graphics cards, some older integrated graphics and older Intel-based Macs may fall below the new minimum.
- Will the game launch. Mojang says Java Edition should still launch on such a PC for now, but performance and visual quality are no longer guaranteed.
- What’s next. Java is moving from OpenGL to Vulkan, and in the future the game may struggle or fail to launch on low-end hardware. Mojang promises to keep players informed about these changes, especially those that will drop support for older hardware.
Minecraft: Bedrock Edition for Windows system requirements
| Parameter | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 version 19041.0 or later | Windows 10 version 19041.0 or later |
| Architecture | ARM, x64 | ARM, x64 |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Processor | Intel Celeron J4105 or AMD FX-4100 | Intel i7-6500U or AMD A8-6600K |
| Graphics card | Intel HD Graphics 4000, AMD Radeon R5 220 or equivalent with Shader Model 5.0 | NVIDIA GeForce 940M or AMD Radeon HD 8570D |
| Storage | 4 GB | 8 GB |
Bedrock has two graphics features with their own requirements. Ray tracing requires a graphics card with DXR support, and content for it is sold on Minecraft Marketplace. The updated Vibrant Visuals graphics are currently available only in Bedrock and, on PC, require Minecraft to run on DirectX 12.
Can your PC run Minecraft? Check it in a minute
An estimate from the specs: graphics cards are compared by compute power (FP32, TFLOPS) and video memory from the Wikipedia tables, adjusted for the architecture (NVIDIA RTX 30–50, AMD RX 7000–9000 and Intel Arc count TFLOPS differently), processors by release year and thread count. The requirements come from our articles (publishers’ data, checked 30 October 2026). Real performance depends on drivers, settings and the game itself.
How to check your PC
You don’t need third-party software. The paths come from Microsoft’s help page on device information.
Find your processor, memory and Windows version
Open Settings → System → About. Under “Device specifications,” you’ll find the processor, RAM amount and system type — Java needs a 64-bit system. Under “Windows specifications,” you’ll see the edition, version and OS build.
Result: You can see the processor, RAM amount, system bitness and Windows version.
Identify your graphics card
Press Win + R, type dxdiag and confirm. The Display tab shows the graphics card name and its memory. If you only have integrated graphics, Java will need 12 GB of RAM instead of 8.
Result: You know whether your graphics are discrete or integrated and how much memory they have.
Compare your graphics card with Mojang’s list
Mojang names the minimum models with Vulkan 1.3: NVIDIA GTX 950, AMD Radeon RX 460, Intel Arc A310 or newer, plus Intel integrated graphics starting with i5-6400 processors, Apple M1 and Snapdragon X. If your model isn’t in this lineup, check Vulkan 1.3 support on the graphics card’s page at its manufacturer’s site.
Result: You know whether your graphics card supports Vulkan 1.3.
Minecraft is lagging: what to do
- Try Bedrock. If your PC doesn’t meet Java’s new minimum, Bedrock comes with the same purchase and, according to Mojang, doesn’t need a powerful computer.
- Choose the Fast preset. Java’s minimum requirements are designed precisely for it: 1080p and 30 FPS.
- Add memory to a laptop with integrated graphics. Mojang requires 12 GB of RAM for such a configuration. To look up your laptop’s specs, our guide will help you find its exact model.
- Plan an upgrade for Vulkan. If your graphics card doesn’t support Vulkan 1.3, see our graphics card roundup. For Java’s recommended tier, Mojang lists Windows 11 — our guide to upgrading from Windows 10 will help.
Sources and methodology
Analysis of public sourcesChecked 25 October 2026
- Minecraft — Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition for PC (system requirements) minecraft.net
- Mojang — Minecraft: Java Edition System Requirements (July 21, 2026) minecraft.net
- Minecraft — Vibrant Visuals minecraft.net
- Microsoft — Find information about your Windows device support.microsoft.com
Frequently asked questions
Will Minecraft run on 4 GB of RAM?
Bedrock Edition will: 4 GB is listed in its minimum requirements. Java Edition needs at least 8 GB with a discrete graphics card or 12 GB with integrated graphics.
Will Java Edition launch if my PC is below the new minimum?
According to Mojang, the game should launch for now, but with no guarantees of performance or visual quality. After Java moves to Vulkan, older hardware may no longer be able to run it.
How much space does Minecraft take up on PC?
According to minecraft.net, Java Edition needs 2 GB or more (4 GB recommended), and Bedrock Edition 4 GB or more (8 GB recommended).
Can you play Minecraft Java on integrated graphics?
Yes, if it supports Vulkan 1.3: Mojang names Intel integrated graphics starting with i5-6400, Apple M1 and Snapdragon X. In that case, you need at least 12 GB of RAM.
Do you need to buy Java and Bedrock separately?
No. Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition for PC includes both editions, and on a new computer you just download the game through the Minecraft Launcher, signing in with the same Microsoft account.
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