How to Choose the Right Game for Your PC Specs – Beginner’s Guide

Ever downloaded a game, hyped yourself up, and then… boom — it lags, crashes, or doesn’t run at all? Yeah, we’ve all been there. If you’re new to PC gaming or just unsure about whether your setup can handle certain games, this beginner-friendly guide will teach you how to choose the right game for your PC specs without wasting time (or money).
1. Know Your PC Specs First
Before buying or downloading any game, you need to know your PC’s hardware. Here’s what matters most:
- Processor (CPU): e.g., Intel i5-10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- Graphics Card (GPU): e.g., NVIDIA GTX 1650, RTX 3060, AMD RX 6600
- RAM: Minimum 8GB recommended for most modern games
- Storage: SSD is preferred for faster loading; know how much space is free
- Operating System: Windows 10/11, Linux, or macOS (depending on game)
👉 To find your specs quickly, press Windows + R, type dxdiag
, and hit Enter.
2. Understand Game Requirements
Every game has two types of system requirements:
- Minimum Requirements: The lowest specs to run the game (usually at low settings)
- Recommended Requirements: Specs needed to enjoy smooth gameplay at medium/high settings
Check the game’s product page, Steam listing, or official website to compare. For example:
GTA V Minimum: i3-3220, 4GB RAM, GTX 660
Recommended: i5-3470, 8GB RAM, GTX 970
💡 Tip: Always aim to meet at least the recommended specs if possible.
3. Use “Can You Run It?” Tools
If you’re not into manually comparing specs, there are online tools that make it stupid easy:
- Can You Run It – Just select your game and let it analyze your PC
- PC Builds Game Performance Calculator
They’ll tell you instantly if your PC can run the game — and at what settings (Low/Medium/Ultra).
4. Choose Games Based on Your Setup
Here’s a quick cheat sheet for game categories:
PC Spec Level | Recommended Games |
---|---|
Low-End (4GB RAM, No GPU) | Minecraft, Undertale, Valorant, Among Us |
Mid-Range (8GB RAM, GTX 1050/1650) | GTA V, CS:GO, FIFA 24, Apex Legends, Euro Truck Simulator 2 |
High-End (16GB RAM, RTX 3060+) | Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, Call of Duty: MW III, Starfield |
5. Don’t Forget Resolution and Frame Rate
Gaming on a 720p monitor is less demanding than 1080p or 1440p. Also:
- Casual players: 30-60 FPS is fine
- Competitive players: Aim for 100+ FPS on 1080p
Your game can technically “run,” but if it’s dropping to 10 FPS on every gunfight… it ain’t fun. 😤
6. Watch Gameplay + Benchmarks First
Before buying, search YouTube with your GPU/CPU model + the game name. Example:
“GTA V on GTX 1650 + i3 10100”
You’ll see real-world performance and decide if it’s worth it. This is a golden step most new gamers skip!
7. Still Confused? Ask the Experts 😎
If you still can’t decide, join gaming communities on Discord, Reddit, or forums. Or hey, just contact us at Diginodal and we’ll help you pick the right game for your PC, no cap.
Final Thoughts
Buying a game that doesn’t run on your PC sucks — but now you know how to avoid it. 🧠 Use your specs, check requirements, and make informed choices. Whether you’re gaming on a potato PC or a beast rig, there’s a perfect game out there for you.
Check out Diginodal for great deals on PC and console games. We even offer support for helping you match the right game to your setup. 💼
For more guides like this, visit our blog and stay ahead of the game!