What are the absolute minimum system requirements to run VALORANT?

Riot Games lists a 2.8 GHz Core i3-370M CPU, 4GB RAM, and Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics as the minimum. You can check your PC instantly to see if you meet these.

Will my GTX 1060 6GB be able to run VALORANT?

Yes, absolutely. Our benchmarks show the GTX 1060 6GB can achieve 222 FPS at 1080p High settings, providing a very smooth experience.

Is VALORANT CPU or GPU bound?

VALORANT is known to be CPU intensive, particularly when aiming for very high frame rates. While a decent GPU is needed for high resolutions and settings, a capable CPU is crucial for maintaining consistent FPS above 200.

Do I need a high refresh rate monitor for VALORANT?

While not strictly necessary, VALORANT benefits greatly from high refresh rate monitors (144Hz+). Since the game can produce very high frame rates even on mid-range hardware, a faster monitor allows you to see and react to those frames more effectively.

Can Your PC Run VALORANT? Full FPS & System Requirements Breakdown

VALORANT System Requirements & Performance Verdict

So, can your PC run VALORANT? Yes, almost certainly. VALORANT is famously light on system resources, designed to be accessible to a wide range of hardware. Our benchmark data shows even older cards like the GTX 1060 6GB can push over 200 FPS at 1080p High settings, easily clearing the threshold for a smooth competitive experience. High-end cards like the RTX 4090 deliver overkill performance, hitting 690 FPS at 1080p High.

1080p High Settings Performance

At 1080p resolution with High settings, VALORANT is a breeze for most modern GPUs. The RTX 2060 achieves a solid 282 FPS, making it more than capable for competitive play. Even the GTX 1060 6GB manages 222 FPS, which is perfectly playable. If you're rocking an RTX 3060 or better, you're looking at well over 300 FPS, and with the RTX 40 series, you'll be pushing frame rates that most monitors can't even display.

1440p High Settings Performance

Stepping up to 1440p still keeps VALORANT very accessible. The RTX 3060 delivers 246 FPS, while the RTX 3070 hits 281 FPS. Even the older RTX 2060 provides 203 FPS. The GTX 1060 6GB manages 160 FPS at this resolution, which is still smooth for most players. For those with high-refresh-rate 1440p monitors, GPUs like the RTX 4070 (not benchmarked here but implied by the 4080/4090 data) and above will offer a truly fluid experience, though the gains diminish as you move up the stack.

4K High Settings Performance

VALORANT at 4K with High settings is where you start to see more significant differences between GPUs, though it remains surprisingly playable on mid-range hardware. The RTX 3060 achieves 164 FPS, and the RTX 3070 pushes 187 FPS. The RTX 2060 manages 135 FPS, and the GTX 1060 6GB still delivers 107 FPS. For the absolute highest frame rates at 4K, you'll need top-tier hardware like the RTX 4080 (285 FPS) or RTX 4090 (331 FPS), though again, monitor limitations are a factor here.

CPU Bottlenecks & Minimum Requirements

While GPU performance is often the focus, VALORANT is also known for being CPU-intensive, especially at very high frame rates. If you have a very powerful GPU but an older or weaker CPU, you might find your frame rates capped lower than expected. The official minimum system requirements for VALORANT are quite low: a 2.8 GHz Core i3-370M processor, 4GB RAM, and Intel HD 4000 graphics. This means that if your PC meets or exceeds these basic specs, you should be able to launch and play the game, though achieving high FPS will require better hardware. For competitive play aiming for 144+ FPS, a modern quad-core processor is recommended.

The Takeaway for Gamers

VALORANT is incredibly well-optimized. If you have a dedicated graphics card from the last 7-8 years, you can expect a very smooth experience at 1080p or 1440p. Even older hardware can provide playable frame rates. Focus on ensuring your CPU isn't a bottleneck if you're chasing extremely high FPS, but otherwise, you're likely good to go.