VALORANT PC Requirements 2026: Minimum & Recommended Specs
Compare your exact CPU, GPU, RAM and Windows setup against Riot’s current tiers, then verify DirectX, TPM, Secure Boot and Vanguard compatibility before installing.
VALORANT can run on an i3-540, Intel HD 4000 and 4 GB RAM.
That is Riot’s 30 FPS minimum tier. For 60 FPS, Riot lists an i3-4150 or Ryzen 3 1200 with a GT 730 or Radeon R7 240. The 144 FPS tier lists an i5-9400F or Ryzen 5 2600X with a GTX 1050 Ti, Radeon R7 370 or Intel Arc A310. Every tier also needs supported 64-bit Windows, DirectX 11 and SSE 4.2 or AVX; Windows 11 needs TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot.
Official VALORANT PC requirements for 30, 60 and 144 FPS
Riot separates the PC requirements by performance target. Match your CPU and GPU as a pair; passing the GPU column does not compensate for an unsupported CPU instruction set, 32-bit Windows or a Vanguard security block.
The model names are reference points, not a list of the only working parts. A newer component may be faster, but compare the exact model and architecture. A modern low-power laptop CPU and a desktop CPU with a similar marketing name can perform very differently.
Windows 10 build 19041+ or Windows 11. Windows 7, 8 and 32-bit editions are not listed.
An otherwise fast processor can still fail the requirement if the necessary instruction set is absent.
The GPU and active driver must expose DirectX 11 support to the game.
Riot adds this requirement when the system uses a dedicated graphics card.
The system must boot through UEFI with the required security state available to Vanguard.
Riot explicitly excludes ARM processors, virtual machines and cloud gaming.
Minimum specs can launch VALORANT; recommended specs make more sense
“Can it run?” and “Will it feel right for my monitor?” are different questions. The 30 FPS tier is a compatibility floor. Competitive players normally want stable frame delivery at or above the display refresh target, with enough headroom for fights, abilities and background services.
Use this tier to judge basic eligibility on older hardware. Expect limited headroom and prioritize closing unnecessary programs.
- Suitable for testing compatibility
- Integrated Intel HD 4000 is listed
- Not the ideal competitive target
This tier aligns with a standard 60 Hz display and gives a more practical starting point for normal matches.
- GT 730 or Radeon R7 240
- i3-4150 or Ryzen 3 1200
- 8 GB RAM is editorially safer
Riot’s high-end parts target a 144 Hz experience. Actual minimums during heavy fights can still differ from the headline rate.
- GTX 1050 Ti / R7 370 / Arc A310
- i5-9400F or Ryzen 5 2600X
- Thermals and power limits still matter
Why Riot’s tier is not an FPS guarantee
Resolution, graphics settings, driver health, cooling, power mode and background load change the result. A 144 FPS reference build can dip below 144 during a busy execute, while a newer system can exceed the tier by a wide margin. Use the table to establish compatibility and class, then test the real low-percent frame behavior on your setup.
Detailed graphics settings, frame caps and latency tuning belong in the VALORANT best settings guide. Stutter, low FPS and background-process diagnosis stay in the FPS boost and lag fix guide.
How much RAM, VRAM and storage does VALORANT need?
Riot lists 4 GB system RAM across the hardware table and at least 1 GB VRAM for a discrete GPU. Those are valid official requirements, but the system does not reserve every gigabyte for the game. Windows, Vanguard, the Riot Client, Discord, browsers and capture tools share the same memory pool.
Meets Riot’s table. Keep background applications minimal and expect little spare capacity for multitasking.
Editorial recommendation for Windows plus the game and light voice/chat use without constant memory pressure.
Better for browsers, recording, streaming tools and general 2026 multitasking. It does not automatically raise FPS if the CPU or GPU is the limit.
Riot does not publish one fixed storage number
The Riot Client, VALORANT files and patch staging change over time. Check the installer’s current estimate and leave additional free space so an update does not fail while unpacking. The final occupied space can be lower than the safe pre-install buffer.
An SSD is not listed as a mandatory Riot requirement. VALORANT can install on a supported hard drive, but an SSD generally improves launch, patching and loading responsiveness. It cannot replace an unsupported CPU, GPU or Windows security state.
Windows, DirectX and Vanguard requirements in 2026
Riot’s current PC table supports 64-bit Windows 10 build 19041 or newer and 64-bit Windows 11. The page also requires DirectX 11 and a processor with SSE 4.2 or AVX. Windows 7, Windows 8, 32-bit Windows and ARM are outside the listed support.
Still listed by Riot’s current specification. Keep Windows updated because Vanguard can restrict outdated or insecure configurations.
The security requirements are part of Riot’s baseline Windows 11 entry, not optional performance settings.
A Vanguard restriction can require more than the basic table
Riot can restrict a PC whose Windows version, firmware or security configuration creates an integrity risk. Depending on the message, the system may need TPM, UEFI/Secure Boot, IOMMU, virtualization-based security or Memory Integrity/HVCI. That does not mean every listed item is a universal 30 FPS hardware minimum; it means Vanguard has applied a security condition to that machine.
If the client shows VAN9003, use the dedicated Secure Boot and TPM guide. If it shows VAN: RESTRICTION or Restriction 5, use the separate Vanguard Restriction 5 guide.
How to check whether your PC can run VALORANT
You do not need a third-party “system scanner.” Windows already exposes the CPU, memory, GPU, DirectX, TPM and Secure Boot fields required for a reliable comparison.
Check Processor, Installed Physical Memory, System Type, BIOS Mode and Secure Boot State.
Windows + R → msinfo32Confirm the DirectX version, then open Display to read the exact GPU name and display memory.
Windows + R → dxdiagOn Windows 11, Status should show ready for use and Specification Version should show 2.0.
Windows + R → tpm.mscMatch CPU, GPU, RAM, OS, architecture and security. Do not stop after finding one passing component.
30 / 60 / 144 FPS tierHow to compare a newer CPU or GPU
If your exact part is not in Riot’s table, identify whether it is clearly above one of the reference models. Use the complete model suffix: a mobile “U” processor, desktop “F” processor and similarly numbered integrated chip are not interchangeable. For GPUs, confirm whether Windows is actually using the dedicated GPU rather than only listing it.
A pass means the PC belongs in a reasonable compatibility class. It does not promise a perfectly flat frame rate. Install the latest stable graphics driver, test a Practice Range session and observe FPS during abilities and fights before choosing the final frame cap.
Laptops can run VALORANT, but not every PC platform is supported
Riot’s inclusion of Intel HD 4000 confirms that a dedicated graphics card is not universally required. A Windows laptop can run the game when its complete configuration passes the table. Thin laptops may still lose performance through power limits, single-channel memory or thermal throttling.
Compare the exact mobile CPU and GPU, plug into power for testing and verify that Windows exposes the required security state.
Intel HD 4000 is in the minimum tier. Shared memory and CPU performance remain part of the result.
Riot explicitly marks ARM as unsupported, including modern Snapdragon-based Windows PCs.
Riot excludes virtual machines and cloud gaming. They are not valid workarounds for macOS or Linux.
What about macOS and Linux?
Riot’s supported PC specification lists Windows only. macOS, Linux and SteamOS are not supported VALORANT desktop targets, and a virtual machine is explicitly excluded. Apple Silicon also uses ARM architecture, which Riot lists as unsupported.
Console is a separate native version with its own input pools and platform behavior. Use the VALORANT console vs PC guide rather than treating a console as a PC-spec workaround.
Upgrade the failing requirement, not the loudest component
Start with compatibility. If the processor lacks the required instruction set or the machine cannot meet the supported Windows/Vanguard state, buying more RAM will not make the game launch. If the system launches but misses the chosen FPS tier, identify whether the bottleneck is CPU, GPU, memory pressure or cooling.
64-bit x86 Windows, DirectX 11, SSE 4.2/AVX and the required Vanguard security state are non-negotiable.
- Resolve eligibility before performance
- Do not use a VM workaround
- Confirm BIOS changes safely
Choose the 60 or 144 FPS goal, then make sure both processors belong in that performance class.
- CPU matters heavily at high FPS
- GPU must support DX11
- Laptop thermals can reduce clocks
Move beyond the 4 GB floor when background services cause pressure, and keep enough free disk space for updates.
- 8 GB practical baseline
- 16 GB comfortable for multitasking
- SSD improves responsiveness, not eligibility
If the computer already exceeds the 144 FPS reference but performs badly, the likely next step is diagnosis rather than a blind upgrade. Check temperatures, power mode, driver state, background apps and the active GPU using the dedicated FPS troubleshooting guide.
VALORANT PC requirements FAQ
What are the minimum PC requirements for VALORANT in 2026?
Riot’s 30 FPS minimum tier lists an Intel i3-540 or AMD Athlon 200GE, Intel HD 4000 or AMD Radeon R5 220, and 4 GB RAM. You also need 64-bit Windows 10 build 19041 or newer or 64-bit Windows 11, DirectX 11 support, and a CPU with SSE 4.2 or AVX.
What are the recommended VALORANT PC specs for 60 FPS?
Riot’s 60 FPS recommended tier lists an Intel i3-4150 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 with an NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 or AMD Radeon R7 240. The shared requirement is 4 GB RAM, although 8 GB or more is a more practical Windows multitasking baseline.
What PC specs does VALORANT need for 144 FPS?
Riot’s high-end 144 FPS tier lists an Intel i5-9400F 2.90 GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 2600X and an NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti, AMD Radeon R7 370 or Intel Arc A310. Actual FPS still depends on settings, resolution, drivers, thermals and background programs.
Is 4 GB RAM enough for VALORANT?
Four gigabytes meets Riot’s official RAM requirement, but it leaves little room for Windows, voice chat, browsers or recording tools. Eight gigabytes is a more practical baseline, while 16 GB gives comfortable headroom for multitasking.
Can VALORANT run without a dedicated graphics card?
Yes. Riot lists Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics in the 30 FPS minimum tier. The CPU, driver, cooling and memory configuration still matter, and newer integrated graphics are not automatically supported if the system uses an unsupported ARM processor.
How much storage does VALORANT need in 2026?
Riot’s current PC specs table does not publish a fixed storage number. The Riot Client, game and update footprint changes over time. Keeping at least 60 GB free before installation is a practical planning buffer, not an official guaranteed install size.
Does VALORANT require TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot on Windows 11?
Yes. Riot’s PC requirements say Windows 11 systems need TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot. Some systems may receive additional Vanguard restriction checks, so meeting the basic hardware tier does not override a security requirement shown by Vanguard.
Can VALORANT still run on Windows 10 in 2026?
Riot’s current table still lists 64-bit Windows 10 build 19041 or newer. The installation must also meet the CPU instruction, DirectX and any Vanguard security requirements applied to that system. Windows 7, Windows 8 and 32-bit Windows are not listed as supported.
Can you play VALORANT on macOS, Linux or an ARM PC?
Those platforms are not in Riot’s supported PC specification. The table lists 64-bit Windows and explicitly says ARM is unsupported. Riot also says cloud gaming and virtual machines are not supported, so a VM is not a supported workaround for macOS or Linux.
Can a laptop run VALORANT?
Yes, if the laptop meets a complete Riot hardware tier and the Windows and Vanguard requirements. Compare the exact CPU and GPU models, use 64-bit Windows, verify DirectX 11 and security status, and remember that power mode and thermal throttling can reduce laptop FPS.
Use the dedicated guide for the next PC problem
Verify the system. Choose the account setup that fits the next queue.
Compare rank, region and listed skin inventory, or request a custom setup around what you want to play next.
