Can Baldur’s Gate Run On My Mini PC? Get the Final Answer from Here!

Yes, Baldur’s Gate 3 can run on a mini PC, but only if its hardware meets the game’s demanding system requirements.

For a Windows-based mini PC, you will need at least an Intel i5-4690 or AMD FX 8350 processor, 8GB of RAM, a graphics card like the Nvidia GTX 970 or AMD RX 480, and a mandatory 150GB of space on a solid-state drive (SSD).

For a Mac running macOS (mac mini), the minimum requirement is an Apple M1 chip with at least 8GB of RAM and 150GB of SSD storage.

Based on my personal knowledge, as a rule of thumb, any mini-pc that you buy today for over $300 will generally meet these requirements.

If you want to find out if your specific PC meets the requirements, read on as we will share the exact requirements with the easy step by step process to check your PC’s specifications.

The rise of powerful, compact computers means that “mini” no longer means “weak,” but checking your specific components is crucial. Whether you experience the vast world of Faerûn smoothly or not depends entirely on your mini PC’s specifications. This guide will provide a detailed, step-by-step process to check your system’s components against the official requirements, so you can know for sure.

Understanding the Core Requirements: Why They Matter

Before you start digging through your system’s information, it’s important to understand why these requirements exist. Baldur’s Gate 3 is a massive, graphically rich game, and each component plays a critical role.

• Solid-State Drive (SSD): This is non-negotiable. The game’s world is incredibly detailed, and an SSD allows for the rapid loading of textures, environments, and character models. Using a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) would result in painfully long loading screens and constant stuttering as the game struggles to stream assets.
• 64-bit Processor and OS: A 64-bit system can handle significantly more memory (RAM) than older 32-bit systems, which is essential for large-scale games like Baldur’s Gate 3.
• AVX2 Support: This is a specific instruction set for modern processors (generally from 2014 onwards) that helps with complex calculations common in modern gaming and physics engines. Without it, the game won’t launch.
• Graphics (GPU) and VRAM: The graphics card is responsible for rendering everything you see. VRAM is its dedicated memory; the more you have, the more high-resolution textures it can handle at once, leading to better visual quality without performance drops.

How to Check Your Mini PC’s System Specifications

If you’re anything like me, you’d want to match your PC’s specs with the requirements to be completely sure. So don’t worry, I have you covered!

Comparing your computer’s hardware to the game’s requirements is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for your operating system.

For Windows Mini PCs:

You can find all the necessary information using the built-in DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag) and System Information panel.

Step-by-Step Guide for Windows:

1. Open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool:
   • Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
   • Type dxdiag and press Enter.
   • If a prompt appears asking to check your drivers, click “Yes.”
2. Check Your OS, Processor, and Memory (System Tab):
   • In the dxdiag window that opens, stay on the System tab.
   • Operating System: Look for this line to confirm you have Windows 10 64-bit or a newer 64-bit version.
   • Processor (CPU): This line will show your processor model. You can compare this directly to the minimum (Intel i5-4690 / AMD FX 8350) or recommended (Intel i7-8700K / AMD r5 3600) requirements.
   • Memory (RAM): This line shows your installed RAM in megabytes. You need at least 8192MB (for 8 GB) or 16384MB (for 16 GB).
3. Check Your Graphics Card (Display Tab):
   • Click on the Display tab. If you have multiple tabs, check the one associated with your primary monitor.
   • Name: The “Name” field shows your graphics card model (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970).
   • VRAM: Look for “Display Memory (VRAM)”. This value needs to be at least 4096MB (4GB) for minimum settings.
4. Check Your Storage (SSD):
   • Open the Windows File Explorer.
   • Right-click on your main drive (usually C:) and select Properties.
   • The General tab will show your “Free space.” Ensure you have at least 150 GB available.
   • To confirm the drive is an SSD, open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the Performance tab, and click on your Disk drive. The model name will be listed at the top right, and the type will often say “SSD.”

For macOS Computers (including Mac Mini):

On a Mac, checking your specifications is even simpler and is centralized in the “About This Mac” section.

Step-by-Step Guide for macOS:

1. Open “About This Mac”:
   • Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen.
   • Select About This Mac from the dropdown menu.
2. Check Core Components (Overview Tab):
   • The Overview tab immediately provides most of what you need:
   • OS Version: Ensure it is macOS 14 or newer.
   • Chip: This lists your processor, such as “Apple M1” or “Apple M1 Pro.” This single entry covers both your processor and graphics requirements, as they are part of a unified chip.
   • Memory: Your installed RAM is listed here. You need a minimum of 8 GB.
3. Check Storage Space (Storage Tab):
   • Click on the Storage tab within the “About This Mac” window.
   • This screen provides a clear visual of your disk space and how much is available. You must have 150 GB of free space. Modern Macs typically use SSDs, so you likely do not need to verify the drive type.

Baldur’s Gate 3 System Requirements at a Glance

Use the information you gathered from your system to compare against the lists below.

Windows Requirements

macOS Requirements

What If My Mini PC Doesn’t Meet the Specs?

If you find that your mini PC falls short, you still have options:

• Upgrades: Some mini PCs allow for RAM and SSD upgrades. These are often the easiest and most effective ways to meet the minimum requirements if your processor and graphics are already close.
• Cloud Gaming: Services like NVIDIA GeForce NOW allow you to stream Baldur’s Gate 3 from a powerful remote server to your mini PC. This is an excellent option if your internet connection is fast and stable, as it bypasses your local hardware limitations almost entirely.

Final Verdict

If your mini PC’s specifications match or exceed the “Minimum” list, you can confidently purchase and play Baldur’s Gate 3, though you will likely need to use low or medium graphics settings for a stable and enjoyable framerate. If your hardware aligns with the “Recommended” list, you are well-equipped for a high-quality experience with beautiful graphics. If your system is below the minimum requirements, it will unfortunately not be able to run the game, and you should explore alternatives like cloud gaming.