Can I Run It / Games / Minecraft: Java Edition
Can I run Minecraft: Java Edition?
Minecraft: Java Edition's official minimum spec names the GTX 950 and Core i3-10100 with 8 GB RAM; its recommended spec the GeForce RTX 2060. The cheapest card at the UK shops we track that meets our 1080p High estimate is the RTX 3060 12GB at £252.10 (PcNova); for 1440p High it's the RX 9060 XT 16GB at £392.62 (PcNova).
Estimates, not benchmarks. We map the publisher's minimum / recommended specs onto SpecPrice's performance scores (GPU: RTX 4060 = 100; CPU: Ryzen 5 7600X = 100). Prices , UK shops only.
Check your own GPU and CPU, or another preset →
Minecraft: Java Edition official PC requirements
| Tier | Graphics | Processor | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum 1080p Low | Vulkan 1.3 capable GPU with at least 2 GB VRAM. NVIDIA GTX 950 or newer, AMD Radeon RX 460 or newer, Intel Arc A310 or newer (discrete) or Intel i5-6400 or newer (integrated iGPU) | Intel Core i3-10100, AMD Ryzen 3 3100, Qualcomm Snapdragon X, or Apple M1 (4 physical cores minimum) | 8 GB |
| Recommended 1080p High | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, Intel Arc A580, or Apple M2 Pro. 6 GB VRAM. | Intel Core i5-12400, AMD Ryzen 5 5600, or Apple M2 Pro | 16 GB |
Publisher notes
Minimum: Target 1080p @ 30 FPS, Fast preset. 8 GB (with discrete GPU) or 12 GB (with integrated GPU)
Recommended: Target 1080p @ 60 FPS, Fancy preset
Mojang's updated Java requirements: minimum 1080p 30 fps on the Fast preset, recommended 1080p 60 fps on Fancy. Bedrock Edition needs much less.
Source: Minecraft.net store page: Java system requirements (updated requirements, see minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-java-edition-system-requirements), fetched 2026-10-17.
What you need at each setting
At 1080p High, Minecraft: Java Edition needs a GPU score of about 70: the 33rd most demanding of the 59 games we cover. Games with the closest GPU and CPU needs: Satisfactory, Helldivers 2, Path of Exile 2, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.
| Target | GPU score needed | CPU score needed | Cheapest GPU that meets it | Cheapest CPU that meets it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p Low (minimum) | ~17 2 GB VRAM | ~47 8 GB RAM | RTX 3060 12GB £252.10 · PcNova | AMD Ryzen 5 4500 £64.99 · AWD-IT |
| 1080p High | ~70 6 GB VRAM | ~77 16 GB RAM | RTX 3060 12GB £252.10 · PcNova | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 £107.26 · PcNova |
| 1440p High | ~112 8 GB VRAM | ~77 16 GB RAM | RX 9060 XT 16GB £392.62 · PcNova | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 £107.26 · PcNova |
| 4K High | ~189 12 GB VRAM | ~77 16 GB RAM | RTX 5070 £523.79 · PcNova | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 £107.26 · PcNova |
Cheapest GPUs for Minecraft: Java Edition at 1080p High
Cheapest GPUs at 1440p High
RTX 5060 Ti 16GB score 155 16 GB
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5060 Ti EAGLE MAX OC 16G Graphics Card - 16GB GDD
RX 9070 XT score 245 16 GB
PowerColor Radeon RX 9070 XT HELLHOUND Resonance Ed. 16GB GDDR6 Graphics Card, RDNA4, 4096
FAQ
What are the minimum PC requirements for Minecraft: Java Edition?
Vulkan 1.3 capable GPU with at least 2 GB VRAM. NVIDIA GTX 950 or newer, AMD Radeon RX 460 or newer, Intel Arc A310 or newer (discrete) or Intel i5-6400 or newer (integrated iGPU); Intel Core i3-10100, AMD Ryzen 3 3100, Qualcomm Snapdragon X, or Apple M1 (4 physical cores minimum); 8 GB RAM (official, from Minecraft.net store page: Java system requirements (updated requirements).
What are the recommended specs for Minecraft: Java Edition?
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, Intel Arc A580, or Apple M2 Pro. 6 GB VRAM.; Intel Core i5-12400, AMD Ryzen 5 5600, or Apple M2 Pro; 16 GB RAM.
What is the cheapest graphics card that runs Minecraft: Java Edition?
For the minimum spec (1080p Low), the cheapest card we price at UK shops is the RTX 3060 12GB at £252.10, which also meets 1080p High. Older or entry cards we don't price can also meet the minimum: see the official list above.
What GPU do I need for Minecraft: Java Edition at 1440p?
About 112 on our GPU score (RTX 4060 = 100) with 8 GB of VRAM for 1440p High. Cheapest that meets it at UK shops: RX 9060 XT 16GB at £392.62.
How much RAM does Minecraft: Java Edition need?
8 GB for the minimum spec and 16 GB for High settings, per the publisher.
More
How it works: method and limits. Prices: cheapest current new listing per model at AWD-IT, Box, GamingKit, Laptops Direct, Novatech, PCHUB.UK, PcNova, Scan.