Hardware and limitations

Minecraft System Performance

This page is largely intended for minecraft players who are looking to acquire a new computer, as a guide for the hardware components to look for. Minecraft is a very easy game for most systems to run, and such computer systems can be acquired at fairly modest prices, if one knows what to look for.

Minimum Performance
In most instances, minecraft remains playable at frame rates of as low as twenty frames per second. However, below 30 FPS gameplay will be fairly choppy. For a smooth experience, it is generally recommended that performance should never drop below 30 FPS. For the purposes of this article, minimum performance is defined as a minimum 30 frames per second, with render distance set to "far" and field of view at normal, with fancy graphics turned off and particles set to "some".

What Affects Performance
Minecraft's performance is limited by the computer's RAM capacity, its Central Processing Unit (CPU)'s processing capability, and its graphics capability. RAM is like a computer's short term memory. When minecraft is running, the world that is currently loaded is saved on the RAM. The computer's CPU is responsible for generating terrain, rendering images, and mob pathfinding while the graphics unit is responsible for actually populating your display with pixels. Therefore, a system capable of running minecraft should have a balance between these three elements.

What to Look for in a CPU
CPUs generally affect game play aspects such as world or terrain generation and chunk update times. Minecraft is a game that runs best on a CPU with multiple cores. Although it can (and does) run on single core systems, it runs much better with at least two or more cores. Additionally, a clock speed in excess of 2 gigahertz is also recommended for decent performance. Generally, you get what you pay for with CPU's, so if you're looking at a system with a processor that is generally more expensive than one you see on the list, you'll be fine.

Recommended base level minecraft CPUs:

Intel CPUs:
 * Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad
 * Core i3/i5/i7
 * Pentium G860 or higher

AMD CPUs:
 * A6 APU,
 * Athlon II,
 * Phenom II,
 * FX-4100 or higher

Graphics
Minecraft can be played on integrated graphics. However, the performance of integrated systems (excluding AMD's APUs) is almost always low enough that any discrete graphics card is always an improvement and a worthwhile component to add. Depending on the processor, you would get 30-40 fps if you have a core i3 (tested).

RAM
Two (2) gigabytes of DDR-2 400 or faster RAM is generally enough to run Minecraft without major issues. However, if you are investing in a new system, the more RAM the better, at least Four (4) gigabytes of RAM will allow the computer some breathing room while running Minecraft. A new computer will also use the newer and faster DDR-3 RAM standard. Additionally, adding RAM to a DDR-3 enabled computer is quite inexpensive. Thanks to mass penetration of the new memory standard the cost of DDR-3 has dropped to very affordable prices while older DDR-2 memory prices have gotten higher due lack of demand for DDR-2 parts.

Operating Systems
Minecraft is written to Java and made to be cross platform, it has been known to run on Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux.