Mojang has officially raised both the minimum and recommended system requirements for "Minecraft: Java Edition," marking one of the most significant updates to the game's official specs in its history.
The change comes as the studio works to modernize the game's underlying technology, moving further away from older graphics standards the game has relied on for years.
Mojang Increases Recommended Specs For 'Minecraft'
According to Mojang, the previous system requirements were based on older hardware and graphics technology that no longer reflect what "Minecraft: Java Edition" actually needs to run well today. The studio explained that while the game has grown significantly over the years, with bigger worlds and continued technical improvements, its official specs never caught up until now.
The new minimum requirements target 1080p resolution at 30 FPS using the Fast preset, and include:
- A 64-bit system
- 8GB of RAM with a discrete GPU, or 12GB with integrated graphics
- A 4-core processor
- A Vulkan 1.3-capable GPU with at least 2GB of VRAM
- Windows 10 64-bit, Windows on ARM, macOS 12 or later, Linux 64-bit
The updated recommended requirements target 1080p at 60 FPS using the Fancy preset, and include:
- 16GB of RAM
- A stronger, modern processor
- A more capable graphics card with 6GB of VRAM
- Windows 11 64-bit, macOS 14 or later, Linux 64-bit
Mojang noted that even with these increases, the new specs remain relatively low compared to many modern AAA titles, and "Minecraft: Java Edition" still doesn't require a high-end gaming PC or cutting-edge graphics card to run.
Why Is There a Change in Official PC Requirements?
Mojang said the goal behind the update is to give players a clearer picture of what kind of computer can actually run "Minecraft: Java Edition" smoothly.
While older devices may still be able to launch the game, the studio said they'll likely struggle to deliver a good experience, leading to issues like low frame rates, visual glitches, or long loading times that don't match what players expect.
The change also ties into Mojang's broader technical roadmap. By setting a clearer hardware baseline, the studio said it can better focus on modernizing "Minecraft" behind the scenes, rather than continuing to support hardware that can no longer run the game properly.
Some players using older setups, including certain older graphics cards, some integrated graphics options, and older Intel-based Mac devices, may now find their systems fall below the new minimum.
Mojang clarified this won't stop those players from launching the game today, but performance and visual quality are no longer guaranteed on below-spec hardware going forward. This is because the studio continues transitioning away from OpenGL toward Vulkan.
'Minecraft's' Java and Bedrock Editions
This update specifically applies to "Minecraft: Java Edition," the original PC version of the game built and maintained separately from "Minecraft: Bedrock Edition," which powers console, mobile, and Windows Store versions of the game. Since Java and Bedrock run on different codebases with different technical foundations, this system requirement change does not directly affect Bedrock players.
Mojang recommends that players check the official system requirements page on Minecraft.net for the full updated specs, especially anyone shopping for a new device or unsure whether their current setup meets the new standard.
Players who already run Java Edition without issues likely won't notice any immediate changes, but for those experiencing regular performance problems, the updated requirements offer a clearer explanation of what their hardware may be missing.
