Skip to content
Kit Listgames · kit · costs
Check my kit

Big games on an everyday laptop

Plenty of households play on the same laptop they use for work and homework. Several big games run on one; a few will not, whatever you do.

Checked 24 September 2026

What counts as an everyday laptop

We mean a Windows laptop without a separate graphics card: graphics built into the processor, such as Intel Iris Xe or the Radeon graphics in AMD's Ryzen processors. Recent versions of both are far more capable than they used to be, but they share memory and power with everything else.

Settings that make the biggest difference

  • Plug in. Many laptops slow their graphics sharply on battery.
  • Choose the best performance power mode in Windows settings while you play.
  • Update the graphics driver from Intel or AMD, not only through Windows Update.
  • Use the game's lowest preset first, then raise settings one at a time.
  • Turn on upscaling where the game offers AMD FSR or Intel XeSS: it renders fewer pixels and sharpens the result.
  • Cap the frame rate at 30 or 40 for steadier play and less heat.
  • Keep the vents clear. A laptop on a duvet overheats and slows down within minutes.

Integrated graphics borrow system memory, so a laptop with two memory sticks (dual channel) often plays noticeably better than one with a single stick of the same total size.

Our twelve on integrated graphics

Our twelve games on a laptop without a graphics card
GameVerdictNote
Dota 2PlaysIntegrated graphics that support DirectX 11 are enough at low settings.
FortnitePlaysThe official minimum is Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics; use the performance rendering mode.
MinecraftPlaysBedrock Edition runs on Intel HD 4000-class integrated graphics; Java needs 12 GB of memory on integrated graphics.
Stardew ValleyPlaysRuns comfortably on integrated graphics; the official minimum is 256 MB of video memory.
VALORANTPlaysThe minimum is Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, aiming at 30 frames a second.
Apex LegendsWith caveatsThe minimum card is close to what the newest integrated graphics can do, so recent laptops may manage at low settings; older ones will not.
Baldur's Gate 3Not availableThe minimum card needs 4 GB of video memory, beyond integrated graphics.
Cyberpunk 2077Not availableThe minimum graphics card is well beyond integrated graphics. Streaming is the laptop route.
Elden RingNot availableThe minimum card is beyond integrated graphics.
Final Fantasy XIVNot availableThe minimum card is beyond integrated graphics.
Helldivers 2Not availableThe minimum is a GTX 1050 Ti-class card, beyond integrated graphics.
Marvel RivalsNot availableThe minimum graphics card and 16 GB of memory put it beyond everyday laptops.

Games marked not available can still be streamed to a laptop through a cloud service: see our cloud kit page.