Minecraft has raised the system requirements for Java Edition for the first time in 17 years. Mojang confirmed the update as part of its move from OpenGL to Vulkan, a change meant to modernize the game and improve performance.
The new minimum specs now call for a 64‑bit OS, 8GB RAM with a discrete GPU or 12GB with integrated graphics, a quad‑core CPU like an Intel i3‑10100, AMD Ryzen 3 3100, Apple M1, or Snapdragon X, and a Vulkan 1.3 GPU with at least 2GB VRAM.
For smoother play, the recommended specs jump to 16GB RAM, stronger CPUs such as Intel i5‑12400, AMD Ryzen 5 5600, or Apple M2 Pro, and GPUs with 6GB VRAM, including RTX 2060, RX 5600 XT, or Intel Arc A580. These specs aim for 1080p at 60 FPS on Fancy settings.
Older PCs may still run the game, but Mojang warns performance is not guaranteed. This could also mean unsupported devices will eventually lose access. Microsoft said players will be notified before hardware support ends.
The timing is tough since RAM prices remain high in 2026, making upgrades costly. Mods like Sodium can help optimize performance, but those below spec could face issues.
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