Games for integrated graphics: 13 that run without a graphics card
Plenty of popular games run on integrated graphics, the graphics built into your processor. These 13 games for integrated graphics all list built-in graphics or very old graphics cards in their official minimum requirements, and six of them are free to play.
The short version
- Indie games such as Stardew Valley, Terraria and Balatro ask for very little: 2.5 GB of RAM or less and basic graphics.
- Big free-to-play games such as League of Legends, Valorant, Dota 2 and Fortnite list Intel HD Graphics or similar old hardware as their minimum.
- Minimum specs mean the game should start and be playable at low settings. They don’t promise smooth play.
- Lowering the resolution, plugging in and using dual-channel memory make the biggest difference on integrated graphics.
The list
The minimums below are copied from each publisher’s own page or the game’s Steam store page. Publishers change these over time, so check the store page before you buy.
| Game | Genre | Minimum RAM | Minimum graphics (per the publisher) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Among Us | Social deduction | 1 GB | Intel HD Graphics 4600 | Paid |
| Balatro | Card game | 1 GB | OpenGL 2.1 compatible card, integrated graphics | Paid |
| Vampire Survivors | Action roguelite | 1 GB | DirectX 11 or 12 capable | Paid |
| Team Fortress 2 | Team shooter | 512 MB | No card listed (DirectX 8.1) | Free |
| Stardew Valley | Farming and life sim | 2 GB | 256 MB video memory, Shader Model 3.0+ | Paid |
| Celeste | Platformer | 2 GB | Intel HD 4000 | Paid |
| Portal 2 | Puzzle | 2 GB | Intel HD Graphics 2000 or higher, GeForce 7600 or Radeon X800 | Paid |
| League of Legends | MOBA | 2 GB | Intel HD 4600, GeForce 400 series or AMD HD 6570 | Free |
| Terraria | 2D sandbox adventure | 2.5 GB | 128 MB video memory, Shader Model 2.0+ | Paid |
| The Sims 4 | Life sim | 4 GB | Intel GMA X4500, GeForce 6600 or Radeon X1300 or better | Free (base game) |
| Dota 2 | MOBA | 4 GB | GeForce 8600/9600GT or Radeon HD 2600/3600 | Free |
| Valorant | Tactical shooter | 4 GB | Intel HD 4000 or AMD Radeon R5 220 | Free |
| Fortnite | Battle royale | 8 GB | Intel HD 4000 or AMD Radeon Vega 8 | Free |
Check the processor and operating system lines too, not just graphics. League of Legends and Valorant, for example, need 64-bit Windows 10 (build 19041 or later) or Windows 11, and Valorant lists a minimum of an Intel i3-540 or AMD Athlon 200GE.
Minimum specs don’t mean smooth
A minimum spec is the publisher’s floor, not a promise. Riot labels Valorant’s minimum specs as a 30 FPS target, and its League of Legends page notes that meeting only the minimum may still result in performance issues. Expect low settings and a lower resolution at the bottom of the range.
Minecraft has changed: on July 21, 2026, Mojang raised the minimum requirements for Minecraft: Java Edition. The new minimum calls for a Vulkan 1.3-capable GPU with at least 2 GB of video memory, a 4-core processor, and 12 GB of RAM if you use integrated graphics (8 GB with a separate graphics card). Mojang says the game should still launch on older hardware, but performance isn’t guaranteed and it may struggle or fail to launch in the future.
How to get more out of integrated graphics
Lower the resolution or render scale first
Intel explains that a render scale below 100% draws the game at a lower resolution and then stretches it to fit your screen, which “will reduce clarity but improve performance.” For Valorant on older Intel HD Graphics 530, Intel’s own advice is a resolution no higher than 1280x720 with most settings on low or off. After resolution, Intel suggests turning down “the big three first: shadows, reflections, and lighting.”
Set a sensible frame cap
Intel describes your monitor’s refresh rate as a good target for in-game frame rates. If a game already runs above that, a frame limit set to the refresh rate stops the graphics chip from drawing frames your screen can’t show.
Update the graphics driver
Intel recommends installing the newest graphics driver, and says driver optimizations “can give your FPS a real boost.” Use the graphics maker’s own update software to keep it current.
Plug in and check the power mode
On a laptop, plug in before you play and set Windows to Best performance (Settings → System → Power & battery on Windows 11). Microsoft notes that this uses more power and may make the laptop run warmer. See our Windows power mode guide for the details.
Use dual-channel memory
Integrated graphics borrows your system memory. Dell’s OptiPlex 7050 spec sheet, for example, notes that “significant system memory may be used to support graphics,” which is why RAM matters more than usual. Intel recommends dual-channel memory to get the best performance from Intel graphics, which normally means memory installed in two channels (two sticks rather than one). Check your PC’s manual for the slot layout. Our guide to how much RAM you need covers the amounts.
Keep it cool, and use the SSD
Intel lists an overheating processor as a cause of dropping performance. If your laptop gets hot and loud while gaming, read our laptop overheating guide. Intel also suggests installing games on an SSD if you have one.
Laptops with two graphics chips
If your laptop has both integrated and dedicated graphics, make sure the game uses the dedicated one. Go to Settings → System → Display → Graphics, select the game under Custom options for apps, choose Options and pick High performance. Then restart the game.
Frequently asked questions
Is integrated graphics good for gaming?
For lighter games, yes. Microsoft describes integrated GPUs as “great for some gaming, light video editing, or working with photos,” while separate (discrete) GPUs suit heavier work. Most indie games and the big free-to-play titles above run on integrated graphics, but new, demanding games usually don’t.
Can you play games without a graphics card?
Yes. A PC without a separate graphics card still has integrated graphics, usually built into the processor. Intel’s spec page for the Core i5-7500, for example, lists Intel HD Graphics 630. Every game in the list above names integrated graphics or an older card as its minimum.
What games can I play with 4 GB of RAM and no graphics card?
Going by the official minimums, all of the games above except Fortnite list 4 GB of RAM or less. Remember that integrated graphics borrows from that memory, so close your browser and other apps before you play.
What are the best games for a low-end PC with 8 GB of RAM?
With 8 GB you meet the memory minimum for everything in the list, including Fortnite. It isn’t enough for Minecraft: Java Edition’s new minimum on integrated graphics, which is 12 GB.
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- Is a graphics card upgrade worth it in an old desktop?