Your device's build determines what games will run and how well

A device's build is the combination of its processor, graphics card, memory (RAM), and storage type — the actual hardware inside. When you see a game's system requirements, they are describing a build: "requires Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, RTX 2060 graphics". Your device either meets those specs or it does not. If it does not, the game will either not start, run so slowly it is unplayable, or crash repeatedly.

The build you have is fixed unless you upgrade parts (which is possible on some desktop computers but not on phones, tablets, or most laptops). So the first step in choosing what to play is knowing what build you actually own, then matching games to it rather than the other way around.

Key Takeaways

  • Your device's build is its processor, graphics card, RAM, and storage type — you can find these in your device settings or system information.
  • Every game lists minimum requirements (will barely run) and recommended requirements (will run well); your build needs to meet at least the minimum.
  • A game that does not meet your build's specs will not start, will freeze constantly, or will crash — there is no middle ground.
  • On phones and tablets, you cannot upgrade the build, so you choose games that match what you have; on desktop computers, you can replace the graphics card or add RAM.

How to find out what build you have

On Windows: Right-click the Start button, select "System", and scroll down. You will see your processor name (like "Intel Core i7-12700K"), RAM amount (like "16 GB"), and storage type. For your graphics card, right-click the desktop, select "Display settings", scroll to "Advanced display", and look for "Display adapter". If you see "Intel UHD Graphics" or "NVIDIA GeForce", that is your card.

On Mac: Click the Apple menu, select "About This Mac". You will see the processor, memory (RAM), and storage. Graphics information is under "Graphics".

On iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings, tap General, then About. You will see the model name (like "iPhone 15 Pro") and storage capacity. The processor and graphics are built into that model and cannot be changed.

On Android: Go to Settings, tap About Phone (or About Tablet), then scroll to find processor name and RAM. Storage is usually listed as "Internal Storage".

Understanding minimum versus recommended requirements

Every game lists two sets of requirements. Minimum requirements are the lowest build that will run the game at all — usually at low graphics settings, lower resolution, and 30 frames per second. Recommended requirements are what you need for smooth gameplay at medium-to-high settings and 60 frames per second.

If your build meets the minimum, the game will start. It may stutter, take longer to load, or look less detailed, but it will run. If your build is below the minimum, the game will not start or will crash within minutes. There is no "almost meets requirements" — the game either runs or it does not.

If your build exceeds the recommended requirements, the game will run smoothly at high settings. If your build is between minimum and recommended, the game will run but you will need to lower graphics settings yourself to get smooth performance.

Why your build matters more than the game's popularity

A game that is popular or well-reviewed will still not run on a build that does not meet its requirements. A brand-new AAA game (made by a large studio with a big budget) typically requires a much more powerful build than a game from five years ago or an indie game (made by a small team). A phone game designed for older phones will run on almost any phone. A game designed for high-end gaming PCs will not run on a laptop from 2015.

This is why knowing your build first is important: it narrows down which games are actually possible for you, regardless of whether they are the ones you wanted to play. You can then choose from games that match your build, rather than trying to play something your device cannot handle.

What you can and cannot upgrade

On a desktop computer, you can replace the graphics card and add more RAM. These are the two upgrades that most improve gaming performance. A processor upgrade usually requires replacing the motherboard as well, which is expensive. Storage can be upgraded by adding a second drive or replacing the existing one.

On a laptop, you can sometimes add RAM or replace the storage drive, but the graphics card and processor are soldered to the motherboard and cannot be changed. This means a laptop's gaming performance is locked in when you buy it.

On a phone or tablet, nothing can be upgraded. The processor, graphics, and RAM are all built in. You choose games based on what you have.

How storage type affects game performance

Games load faster from an SSD (solid-state drive) than from an HDD (hard disk drive). An SSD has no moving parts; an HDD does. If your device has an SSD, games will load in seconds. If it has an HDD, the same game may take 30 seconds or longer to load, and you may see stuttering when the game is reading data from disk.

Most new devices come with SSDs. Older laptops and desktops often have HDDs. If you have an HDD and want to improve gaming performance without buying a new device, adding an SSD is the cheapest upgrade. You can keep your HDD for storage and install games on the SSD.

Checking a game's requirements before you buy

On Steam (the largest PC game store), open the game's page and scroll to "System Requirements". You will see minimum and recommended specs listed. Compare each line to your build: processor, RAM, graphics card, storage space, and operating system.

On Epic Games Store, the requirements are listed on the game's page under "About this game".

On PlayStation Store or Xbox Store, the requirements are listed, but they are simpler because all PlayStation 5 consoles have the same build, and all Xbox Series X consoles have the same build. You only need to check if the game is available for your console model.

On Apple App Store or Google Play Store, the requirements are listed under "About this app" or "Information". Look for minimum OS version and storage space needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play a game that is below my device's requirements?

Yes. If your build exceeds the game's recommended requirements, it will run smoothly. A game designed for older or weaker devices will run fine on a newer, more powerful device. You may not get the visual improvements that newer games offer, but performance will be good.

What happens if I try to play a game my device cannot run?

The game will either not start at all, will crash within a few minutes, or will run so slowly (with constant freezing) that it is unplayable. There is no way to force a game to run on a build that does not meet the minimum requirements.

Does closing other programs help a game run better on a weak build?

It helps slightly by freeing up RAM, but it will not make a game playable if your build is below the minimum requirements. If a game needs 8GB of RAM and you have 4GB, closing your browser will not change that.

Is a gaming laptop as powerful as a gaming desktop with the same price?

No. A gaming desktop with the same budget will have better performance because the parts are larger and cooler, and the manufacturer does not have to shrink everything to fit in a thin case. A laptop is more portable but less powerful for the same cost.

Can I upgrade my phone's processor or graphics card?

No. Phone processors and graphics are built into a single chip that is soldered to the motherboard. You cannot upgrade them. If you want to play newer games, you would need to buy a newer phone.