Step 2 of 5

Step 2: Checking your computer and connection

A game that will not run properly is a frustrating way to begin. This step shows you how to find out what your computer has, how to read a game's requirements, and how to check your internet connection, all before you install anything.

The four parts that matter

Games list the computer they need in terms of four main parts. You do not need to understand how each works, only what it is called and where to find its details.

The processor, or CPU, is the part that runs programs. It is described by a maker and a model name, such as a series name followed by a number. Newer and higher-numbered models within the same series are generally faster, although comparing different makers is less straightforward.

Memory, or RAM, is the computer's short-term working space, measured in gigabytes (GB). Games list a minimum amount. If your computer has less, the game may not start at all, or it may stutter badly.

The graphics part, sometimes called the GPU or video card, draws the images on screen. Some computers have a separate graphics card; many laptops use graphics built into the processor. Games that show detailed three-dimensional worlds lean heavily on this part.

Storage is where programs and files are kept, measured in gigabytes. What matters for a game is how much space is still available, because the game, its updates and its saved data all need room.

The fifth item, which is not a part as such, is your operating system: Windows, macOS or a Linux distribution, along with its version. A game built for one operating system will not necessarily run on another, so this is the first thing to compare.

Finding your details on Windows

The menus differ slightly between versions of Windows, but the following steps work on recent versions. Have a pen and paper or a note open so you can write each answer down.

1. Open the Start menu and choose Settings, then System, then About. Write down the processor name, the installed RAM and the Windows edition and version.
2. Right-click the taskbar and open Task Manager. Choose the Performance tab. Select the item labelled GPU to see the name of your graphics hardware. If there are two, write down both.
3. Open File Explorer and choose This PC. Each drive shows how much space is available. Write down the figure for the drive where programs are installed, usually labelled C:.
4. Back in Settings, open Windows Update and check whether updates are waiting. Install them before going further, because games often require a reasonably current version.

Finding your details on a Mac

1. Open the Apple menu in the top-left corner and choose About This Mac. The window shows the chip or processor, the memory and the macOS version.
2. For more detail, choose More Info and then System Report. The Graphics/Displays section names the graphics hardware.
3. To see available storage, open System Settings, then General, then Storage.
4. Write down whether your Mac uses an Apple chip or an Intel processor. Some games list different requirements, or no support, for one or the other.

Finding your details on Linux

Linux distributions vary, so menus are not the same everywhere. Most desktop environments have a Settings or System panel with an About section listing the processor, memory, graphics and available disk space. If you are comfortable with a terminal, the distribution's documentation will list the commands it recommends.

The more important question on Linux is whether a game supports it at all. Check the game's official system requirements for Linux specifically. If Linux is not listed, assume it is not supported, even if you read elsewhere that people have made it work.

Reading a game's system requirements

Most games publish their system requirements on their official website, usually as two columns: minimum and recommended. They mean quite different things.

Minimum requirements describe the least capable computer the game will run on. Meeting them usually means the game starts and is playable at low settings, but it may not look or feel as smooth as it does in promotional videos. If your computer falls below the minimum in any line, treat that as a reason not to install.

Recommended requirements describe a computer on which the publisher expects the game to run comfortably with higher settings. Meeting them is pleasant but not essential, especially for a beginner who is still deciding whether they like the game.

Compare each line in turn:

1. Operating system. Is your operating system listed, and is your version at least as new as the one stated?
2. Processor. Is yours the same model, a newer model in the same series, or a higher model? If you are unsure, the processor maker's website lists release years, which is a rough guide.
3. Memory. Do you have at least the stated number of gigabytes?
4. Graphics. Is your graphics hardware named, or a newer model from the same family? Built-in graphics are often below the minimum for detailed three-dimensional games, so check carefully.
5. Storage. Do you have more space available than the game asks for? Leave a margin, because updates add to the size over time.

If a game's website does not publish requirements, or publishes only vague ones, write that down. It is reasonable to be cautious about installing something whose demands are not stated.

Checking your internet connection

Online games care about two qualities of a connection more than raw speed. The first is latency, the time a message takes to reach the game server and come back, measured in milliseconds. The second is stability: whether the connection holds steady or drops out and stutters.

Speed still matters for installing and updating, because games are large. It matters much less while you are actually playing, since a match usually sends only small amounts of information back and forth.

Your internet provider will usually suggest a way to test your connection; check its help pages. Run the test a few times at the hours you plan to play, because evening congestion is common. Note the latency figure as well as the speed.

A few practical habits make a real difference:

• Use a cable if you can. A network cable from the computer to the modem is usually steadier than Wi-Fi. If a cable is impractical, sitting closer to the router helps.
• Watch for competing use. Large video streams or file transfers elsewhere in the house can affect a game.
• Check your data allowance. If your plan has a monthly data limit, as many mobile and satellite plans do, the installation and later updates can use a significant share of it. Your provider's account page shows your usage.
• Consider server distance. Game servers are located in particular regions. Many games let you pick a region; choosing one closer to Australia generally means lower latency. Check whether the game you are considering offers a server region near you.

Housekeeping before you install

Once you know a game will fit, a little preparation avoids problems later.

First, install games only from the publisher's official website or a well-known official store. Copies offered on unfamiliar websites, file-sharing services or in messages from strangers are a common way for harmful software to reach a computer. The Australian Cyber Security Centre publishes plain-language guidance on keeping a home computer secure, including keeping software up to date.

Second, make sure your operating system and graphics drivers are current. A driver is the small program that lets the operating system talk to a piece of hardware. Graphics drivers in particular are updated regularly, and games often name a minimum version. Update them through your operating system's update tool or the hardware maker's own website.

Third, if anyone else uses the computer, consider giving each person their own user account on the computer itself. This keeps saved passwords, browser history and game sign-ins separate. It is especially worthwhile if a child shares the machine, because it lets you apply parental controls to their account only.

Finally, make sure you know the administrator password for the computer. Installers usually ask for it. If you do not know it, find out from whoever set the computer up, rather than resetting it on the spot.