Valorant, Riot Games’ tactical shooter, is designed to be accessible—even on modest laptops. Whether you’re using a gaming powerhouse or a budget-friendly device, here’s everything you need to know to get Valorant running smoothly on your laptop.
System Requirements: Can Your Laptop Run Valorant?
Valorant’s low hardware demands make it playable on most modern laptops.
Here are the official requirements:
| Setting | Minimum (30 FPS) | Recommended (60 FPS) | High-End (144+ FPS) |
| OS | Windows 7/10/11 64-bit | Windows 10/11 64-bit | Windows 10/11 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 / AMD Athlon 200GE | Intel Core i3-4150 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel Core i5-9400F / AMD Ryzen 5 2600X |
| GPU | Intel HD 4000 / Radeon R5 200 | GeForce GT 730 / Radeon R7 240 | GTX 1050 Ti / Radeon R7 370 |
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB |
| VRAM | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB |
Even many non-gaming laptops from the last decade can meet these specs.
Step-by-Step: Installing Valorant on Your Laptop
- Download the Installer: Visit the official Valorant website or the Epic Games Store.Click “Play Free” and download the installer for Windows.
- Install the Riot Client: Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts to install the Riot Games Client.You may be asked for administrator permission—click “Yes” to proceed.
- Install Valorant: Open the Riot Client, sign in or create a Riot account.Click “Install” on Valorant and choose your install location.The Riot Vanguard anti-cheat will also be installed and must run for Valorant to launch.
- Restart Your Laptop: After installation, restart your laptop to ensure Vanguard is running properly.
- Launch and Play: Open the Riot Client, click Valorant, and start playing!
Optimizing Valorant for Better Performance on Laptops
If your laptop struggles with performance, these tips can help you get smoother gameplay:
- Set Display Mode to Fullscreen: Reduces distractions and improves focus on the game.
- Lower Your Resolution: Try 1280×720 for a significant FPS boost.
- Set All Graphics Settings to Low: Material, texture, detail, and UI quality should be set to Low; turn off anti-aliasing, shadows, bloom, and distortion.
- Turn Off VSync and Vignette: These features add input lag and use unnecessary resources.
- Limit Background Apps: Close browsers, streaming apps, and other background software to free up RAM and CPU.
- Update Graphics Drivers: Always use the latest drivers from your GPU manufacturer for best results.
- Set Windows Power Plan to High Performance: Prevents your laptop from throttling performance.
- Disable Fullscreen Optimization: Right-click Valorant’s shortcut, go to Properties > Compatibility, and check “Disable fullscreen optimizations.”
- Keep Your Laptop Cool: Use a cooling pad or ensure good airflow to avoid thermal throttling.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Game Won’t Launch: Make sure Riot Vanguard is installed and running. Restart your laptop if needed.
- Low FPS or Stuttering: Lower in-game settings, update drivers, and close background apps.
- Insufficient Storage: Free up disk space—Valorant requires at least 30 GB.
- Network Problems: Use a wired connection or sit close to your router for better stability.
Conclusion
Valorant is one of the most laptop-friendly shooters available today. With its low system requirements and flexible settings, nearly any modern laptop can run the game. By following these steps and optimization tips, you’ll be ready to compete—no high-end gaming rig required.
Written by:
Christian