Minecraft's New Hardware Requirements
In a rare move, Mojang has updated the hardware specifications for Minecraft: Java Edition for the first time in nearly two decades. The change is aimed at ensuring the game's longevity and relevance in the gaming world, particularly as technology evolves rapidly.
Increased RAM Needs
Mojang now recommends a minimum of 16GB of RAM for an optimal gaming experience. This recommendation comes after 17 years without any alterations to the system requirements, a considerable span in the gaming industry. The developers state that older specifications no longer reflect the hardware necessary to run Minecraft smoothly in today’s environment.
Performance Targets and Graphics Presets
The updated system requirements, effective from July 21, 2026, include performance targets for both 'Fast' and 'Fancy' graphics presets. For the 'Fast' preset, players will need at least 8GB of RAM with a discrete GPU, or 12GB if using integrated graphics. The 'Fancy' preset, which offers enhanced visual quality, recommends the full 16GB for optimal performance.
Impact on Players
This significant increase in RAM requirements may surprise some, especially since the Java Edition currently defaults to allocating only about 4GB for gameplay. The remainder of the memory is reserved for the operating system and other background processes. Alongside RAM, Mojang has also updated the necessary CPU and GPU recommendations, urging players to use modern processors that support x86-64 or Arm64 architectures to maximize the 'Fancy' preset's capabilities.
While Minecraft: Bedrock Edition maintains lower system requirements, many PC gamers prefer the Java Edition due to its extensive mod support. According to Mojang, these new requirements are still relatively light compared to those of modern AAA games, meaning that the Java Edition should run smoothly on most contemporary gaming systems.
Mojang clarified their intention to guide players in understanding what type of computer is needed to run Java Edition effectively. While older devices may still launch the game, they might struggle to provide a satisfying gameplay experience, potentially leading to low frame rates, visual glitches, and longer loading times. The company believes that moving away from outdated systems is a necessary step to focus on more critical technical enhancements, including transitioning the graphics architecture from OpenGL to Vulkan.
Source: https://inet.detik.com/consumer/d-8593503/naik-drastis-main-minecraft-kini-butuh-ram-16gb
