Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition: PC requirements and the PC you need
Strategy
Cover artwork © the game's publisher.
About Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is a remastered real-time strategy game from World's Edge, Tantalus Media and Forgotten Empires. You lead a nation in the age of colonisation and exploration, gathering resources, building up a town and armies, and calling on your home city for support in battle. It includes campaigns to play alone, plus multiplayer online or over a local network, including across platforms. It is rated PEGI 16. The makers recommend a GTX 980 or R9 Fury and 16 GB of memory, so a mid-range gaming PC runs it well.
What Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition needs
In plain words: to play at all it needs almost any graphics, even the graphics built into the processor, and to play it well the makers suggest a mid-range graphics card from a few years ago, with 16GB of memory.
| Part | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics card | GeForce GT 430, Radeon HD 5570, or Intel HD 4400 with an average Passmark G3D Mark of 570 or better @720p | GeForce GTX 980 or Radeon R9 Fury or equivalent with an average Passmark G3D Mark of 9500 or better @1080p |
| Processor | Intel i3-2105 @ 3.1GHz or AMD Phenom II X4 973 with an average CPU Passmark score of 1830 or better | Intel i5-3300 @ 3.0GHz or AMD FX-8350 or equivalent with an average CPU Passmark score of 4100 or better |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Storage | 42 GB available space | 42 GB available space |
From the Steam store page, checked 29 October 2026. The makers sometimes change these; their page is always right.
Will my computer play Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition?
On most computers we find the graphics card for you. Add your processor and memory, and we will tell you if it plays, and what to upgrade if not.
A low-spec PC or a high-spec PC?
The gap between the minimum and recommended spec is modest, so a mid-range gaming PC gives a good experience.
On a PC that only just meets the minimum, the game will start and play, but on low settings: simpler shadows and textures, shorter view distances and fewer frames each second, so fast moments can feel less smooth. A 1080p screen is the sensible match.
On a PC that meets or beats the recommended spec, you can turn the settings up: sharper textures, proper shadows and lighting, more detail in the distance, and a smoother picture. A stronger PC also lets you use a sharper 1440p or high-refresh screen.
Latest updates from the makers
- Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition – Update 19.18658 (20 October 2026)
- The Baltic Powers Available Now for Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition! (10 September 2026)
- Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition – Update 19.18309 (10 September 2026)
The newest official announcements for Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition on Steam, checked every night. More games: this week's game updates.
Our PCs that meet the recommended spec
These should play Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition well. Cheapest first.
Refurbished1080p gaming
Sandbox Robin 3400G 1060 refurbished gaming PC
Ryzen 5 3400G + GTX 1060
Made for 1080p screens: Fortnite, Valorant, Minecraft and Rocket League play well. The newest big games may need lower settings.
- Processor
- AMD Ryzen 5 3400G (4 cores, 8 threads, built-in Radeon graphics) (tested)
- Graphics
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
- Memory
- 16GB DDR4 memory
- Storage
- 500GB WD Blue 2.5-inch SSD (tested) + 1TB 3.5-inch hard drive (tested) + 1TB hard drive
- Windows
- Windows 11 Home not included (optional extra, installed by us)
£579
Built to order
Games this PC plays
- Fortnite Plays well
- Minecraft (Bedrock Edition for Windows) Plays well
- Roblox Plays well
- VALORANT Plays well
- Counter-Strike 2 Plays well
- League of Legends Plays well
- EA SPORTS FC™ 26 Plays on low settings
- Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Plays on low settings
- Marvel Rivals Plays on low settings
- Call of Duty® Plays on low settings
Comes with an RGB case - you can swap it for a non-RGB case if you prefer.
Sold by Sandbox Computers, Worcester
Refurbished1080p gaming
Sandbox Typhoon 1060X refurbished gaming PC
Ryzen 5 4500 + GTX 1060
Made for 1080p screens: Fortnite, Valorant, Minecraft and Rocket League play well. The newest big games may need lower settings.
- Processor
- AMD Ryzen 5 4500 (6 cores, 12 threads)
- Graphics
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
- Memory
- 16GB DDR4 memory
- Storage
- 256GB SSD + 1TB 3.5-inch hard drive (tested) + 1TB hard drive
- Windows
- Windows 11 Home not included (optional extra, installed by us)
£599
Built to order
Games this PC plays
- Fortnite Plays well
- Minecraft: Java Edition Plays on low settings
- Minecraft (Bedrock Edition for Windows) Plays well
- Roblox Plays well
- VALORANT Plays well
- Counter-Strike 2 Plays well
- League of Legends Plays well
- EA SPORTS FC™ 26 Plays on low settings
- Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Plays on low settings
- Marvel Rivals Plays on low settings
Comes with an RGB case - you can swap it for a non-RGB case if you prefer.
Sold by Sandbox Computers, Worcester
Refurbished1080p gaming
Sandbox Jingle 3400G 1660S refurbished gaming PC
Ryzen 5 3400G + GTX 1660 Super
Made for 1080p screens: Fortnite, Valorant, Minecraft and Rocket League play well. The newest big games may need lower settings.
- Processor
- AMD Ryzen 5 3400G (4 cores, 8 threads, built-in Radeon graphics) (tested)
- Graphics
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super 6GB
- Memory
- 16GB DDR4 memory
- Storage
- 500GB WD Blue 2.5-inch SSD (tested)
- Windows
- Windows 11 Home not included (optional extra, installed by us)
£659
Built to order
Games this PC plays
- Fortnite Plays well
- Minecraft (Bedrock Edition for Windows) Plays well
- Roblox Plays well
- VALORANT Plays well
- Counter-Strike 2 Plays well
- League of Legends Plays well
- EA SPORTS FC™ 26 Plays on low settings
- Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Plays on low settings
- Marvel Rivals Plays on low settings
- Call of Duty® Plays on low settings
Comes with an RGB case - you can swap it for a non-RGB case if you prefer.
Sold by Sandbox Computers, Worcester
Refurbished1080p gaming
Sandbox Holly 1660S refurbished gaming PC
Ryzen 5 4500 + GTX 1660 Super
Made for 1080p screens: Fortnite, Valorant, Minecraft and Rocket League play well. The newest big games may need lower settings.
- Processor
- AMD Ryzen 5 4500 (6 cores, 12 threads)
- Graphics
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super 6GB
- Memory
- 16GB DDR4 memory
- Storage
- 500GB WD Blue 2.5-inch SSD (tested)
- Windows
- Windows 11 Home not included (optional extra, installed by us)
£689
Built to order
Games this PC plays
- Fortnite Plays well
- Minecraft: Java Edition Plays on low settings
- Minecraft (Bedrock Edition for Windows) Plays well
- Roblox Plays well
- VALORANT Plays well
- Counter-Strike 2 Plays well
- League of Legends Plays well
- EA SPORTS FC™ 26 Plays on low settings
- Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Plays on low settings
- Marvel Rivals Plays on low settings
Comes with an RGB case - you can swap it for a non-RGB case if you prefer.
Sold by Sandbox Computers, Worcester
Refurbished1080p gaming
Sandbox Sleigh 1660S refurbished gaming PC
Ryzen 5 3600X + GTX 1660 Super
Made for 1080p screens: Fortnite, Valorant, Minecraft and Rocket League play well. The newest big games may need lower settings.
- Processor
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X (6 cores, 12 threads)
- Graphics
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super 6GB
- Memory
- 16GB DDR4 memory
- Storage
- 500GB WD Blue 2.5-inch SSD (tested)
- Windows
- Windows 11 Home not included (optional extra, installed by us)
£689
Built to order
Games this PC plays
- Fortnite Plays well
- Minecraft: Java Edition Plays on low settings
- Minecraft (Bedrock Edition for Windows) Plays well
- Roblox Plays well
- VALORANT Plays well
- Counter-Strike 2 Plays well
- League of Legends Plays well
- EA SPORTS FC™ 26 Plays on low settings
- Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Plays on low settings
- Marvel Rivals Plays on low settings
Comes with an RGB case - you can swap it for a non-RGB case if you prefer.
Sold by Sandbox Computers, Worcester
Refurbished1080p gaming
Sandbox Typhoon 1060X Pro refurbished gaming PC
Ryzen 5 4500 + GTX 1060
Made for 1080p screens: Fortnite, Valorant, Minecraft and Rocket League play well. The newest big games may need lower settings.
- Processor
- AMD Ryzen 5 4500 (6 cores, 12 threads)
- Graphics
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
- Memory
- 16GB DDR4 memory
- Storage
- 256GB SSD + 4TB 3.5-inch hard drive + 4TB hard drive
- Windows
- Windows 11 Home not included (optional extra, installed by us)
£699
Built to order
Games this PC plays
- Fortnite Plays well
- Minecraft: Java Edition Plays on low settings
- Minecraft (Bedrock Edition for Windows) Plays well
- Roblox Plays well
- VALORANT Plays well
- Counter-Strike 2 Plays well
- League of Legends Plays well
- EA SPORTS FC™ 26 Plays on low settings
- Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Plays on low settings
- Marvel Rivals Plays on low settings
Comes with an RGB case - you can swap it for a non-RGB case if you prefer.
Sold by Sandbox Computers, Worcester
Questions about Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition on PC
What graphics card do I need for Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition?
The makers say the minimum is GeForce GT 430, Radeon HD 5570, or Intel HD 4400 with an average Passmark G3D Mark of 570 or better @720p, and they recommend GeForce GTX 980 or Radeon R9 Fury or equivalent with an average Passmark G3D Mark of 9500 or better @1080p. In plain words: a mid-range graphics card from a few years ago for a good experience.
How much memory (RAM) does Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition need?
At least 8GB, and 16GB is recommended. 16GB is the sensible amount for a gaming PC today.
Is Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition multiplayer?
Yes. You can play it single player, multiplayer, player versus player, online player versus player, LAN play or cross-platform multiplayer.
Can a gaming PC from Sandbox Computers run Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition?
Yes. 109 of our PCs meet the recommended spec, from £579. They are built and tested in Worcester.
How we match: we compare the graphics card and the memory in each PC with the makers' spec, because those decide most of how a game runs. For very new or demanding games, ask us and we will check the processor too. More help: graphics cards explained, how much RAM, which screen.