Gaming on refurbished laptops, part 2: laptop performance for the 7 most popular online games, one by one

The right refurbished laptop for online games depends on the game. The popular ones demand very different things from a laptop. League of Legends (LoL), Valorant and Dota 2 can run well on a carefully chosen business laptop with integrated graphics and 16 GB of RAM. Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), Fortnite and Roblox depend more on the exact graphics chip and on the mode or experience you play. Minecraft depends on the edition, the version and the mods, and the requirements for the Java edition went up in 2026.

Part 1 explained what RAM and graphics do and how to check the specifications of a particular laptop. Here we apply the same ideas to seven games, using facts current as of October 2026. Warzone, Marvel Rivals and the other demanding shooters keep the ratings they got in part 1.

When you test a laptop, play each game at its busiest moment, not just in the quiet opening. The RAM advice below is an estimate, not a test result. On a refurbished laptop the real result can differ, because cooling, RAM setup and condition vary.

We picked the seven from Newzoo's chart of monthly active players on PC for August 2026, published on 28 September 2026. The chart covers 37 major gaming markets in six regions and leaves out China and India, so it is a useful comparison, not a count of players worldwide. The games appear in the chart's order: Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), Minecraft, Fortnite, Roblox, League of Legends (LoL), Valorant and Dota 2.

The Sims 4 ranks sixth, but its core game is single-player, so it is not on the list. The chart counts all activity in a game, not only online sessions, so this is a selection of popular games that have online play, not a ranking of how many people play them online. Steam's own chart also puts CS2, Dota 2 and PUBG among its leaders, but it only counts Steam players, so it can't rank the whole PC market.

'Playable' means different things to different players, so the advice below uses three targets:

• Casual: aim for a steady 60 frames per second (FPS), with clear movement and few pauses, even in the most demanding ordinary scene.
• Competitive: aim for 120 to 144 FPS on a screen that refreshes that fast, with steady performance in fights and controls that feel responsive.
• High detail or modified: the exact effects, textures, render distance and add-ons decide how well the game runs.

A target of 60, 120 or 144 FPS is a goal, not a prediction. A peak FPS counter can't tell you how a session feels, and fast rendering can't fix network delay, a slow server or a slow screen.

Each game below comes with RAM advice for 8, 16 and 32 GB, first without and then with a dedicated graphics card. 'Without a card' means mainstream integrated graphics, unless the line says otherwise. 'With a card' means the reference card, the last of the five setups listed below. The advice is an assessment to help you plan, not a test result:

• Older office graphics: Intel UHD 620 in a Core i5-8250U or i5-8350U laptop leaves little margin.
• Mainstream integrated graphics: this means Vega graphics of the Ryzen 5 5500U or 5625U class, or a well-configured Iris Xe.
• Stronger integrated graphics: this means Radeon 680M graphics, as in a Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U laptop, or Radeon 780M graphics, as in a Ryzen 7 PRO 7840U laptop.
• Entry dedicated graphics: this means a GTX 1650 with 4 GB or an RTX 3050 Laptop GPU, both with limited video memory.
• The reference card: this is an RTX 3060 Laptop GPU with 6 GB of video memory, paired with a modern processor, as in part 1.

Video memory (VRAM) is the memory on a dedicated graphics card, and the RAM and VRAM guide explains it. All the advice assumes a healthy SSD, the right charger, a working cooling system, a current driver and a normal background load, such as Discord and a few browser tabs.

CS2 can work on a suitable laptop with integrated graphics, but the exact chip matters far more than an old CS:GO benchmark suggests. Valve's listing calls for 8 GB of RAM, four processor threads, DirectX 11 graphics with 1 GB of graphics memory and 85 GB of free storage. Those are entry requirements, not a promise of steady play in a busy round. UHD 620 graphics are a compromise, Vega or Iris Xe graphics are worth testing, and Radeon 680M or 780M graphics are a separate case with much more performance to spare.

• 8 GB: this is risky without a dedicated card, because the game, Windows and the shared graphics memory leave little room. With a card, you can get high frame rates and still see interruptions when RAM runs short, so plan an upgrade.
• 16 GB: without a card, the graphics generation decides whether CS2 is a compromise or runs well enough for everyday play on that laptop. With a card, 16 GB is a practical place to start at 1080p.
• 32 GB: this leaves more memory to spare while the game runs, but it doesn't turn UHD 620 graphics into a 780M. With a card, it brings no automatic gain in FPS.

In March 2025, LaptopMedia measured a ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 with a Ryzen 7 PRO 7840U and Radeon 780M graphics at 1080p, getting 150 FPS on Low settings, 110 on Medium and 41 on Very High. Those are average frame rates for that laptop, not a guarantee for every laptop with Radeon 780M graphics. In December 2023, Diit played CS2 on the same model at Low settings, in 5v5 and 10v10 matches against bots. The reviewer found CS2 playable on that laptop, with dips below 60 FPS as the bots multiplied. On several older laptops with integrated graphics, the reviewer also saw significant stutters when sounds and effects first appeared.

FACEIT, a separate competitive service, requires TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. Its October 2026 FAQ says Windows 10 needs version 22H2 with Extended Security Updates from 14 October 2026, and FACEIT plans to require Windows 11 in October 2027. A laptop that starts CS2 may still not be ready for FACEIT, so test the service you plan to use.

A quiet walk across the map will probably look fine. The real test is a busy round with smoke and quick turns, once the laptop has warmed up and again after twenty minutes. If memory is the limit, go from 8 to 16 GB. If fights still stall at Low settings, look at the graphics and the processor instead.

'Runs Roblox' is an incomplete promise, because experiences range from a simple obstacle course to a crowded, detailed world. Roblox's support page lists 64-bit Windows 10 or 11, DirectX 10 or higher, at least 1 GB of memory and about 300 MB of storage to install it. That describes the app, not the whole computer or every experience. 'It is for children, so any laptop will do' is poor advice. Roblox support also separates network lag, graphics lag and system lag: if other players warp around while your own view stays smooth, the network is the likely cause.

• 8 GB: without a dedicated graphics card, this is workable for lighter experiences, while heavier worlds and background apps expose the limit. With a card, 8 GB is adequate for some experiences, but the laptop is an unbalanced purchase.
• 16 GB: without a card, this is a sensible all-round start, but check how it handles the exact experiences you play. With a card, 16 GB is comfortable for many experiences, though the processor and how well each creator has optimised their experience still matter.
• 32 GB: this gives you room for demanding Roblox worlds and for other programs running alongside, but it won't fix weak graphics performance or a slow server, and Roblox doesn't require it.

In January 2025, an owner of a Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 with a Ryzen 5 5500U, integrated Radeon graphics and 8 GB of RAM reported on r/techsupport that frame rates dropped to roughly 10 to 20 FPS. The post showed no cause, so we can't say 8 GB alone was responsible. In June 2025, someone with a Ryzen 5 5500U described roughly 6 to 24 FPS in demanding showcase experiences at high or maximum settings, and 60 to 110 FPS at Low. Also in June 2025, someone asked on the Microsoft community forum why Roblox Rivals dropped toward 30 FPS once the charger was connected, even at Low settings. If that happens to you, check that the laptop recognises the adapter, then check the temperature, the power mode and the clock speeds.

In a busy area, compare a fixed lower Graphics Quality setting with Auto, and use the same area for both. A big improvement points to the graphics load; a small one points to the rest of the system or the server connection. Roblox added an official frame rate limit for Windows in May 2024 (60, 120, 144 or 240 FPS). A higher limit lets the laptop render more frames only if its hardware can keep up, and it doesn't speed up the server. Roblox recommends this setting over external tools that remove the limit. Roblox Studio can run the server and the player's copy of the game together, so it can need much more memory than playing does. Test two or three of your favourite experiences on a populated server.

LoL makes a strong case for a refurbished business laptop. Riot's table of Windows requirements lists 2 GB of RAM as the minimum and 4 GB as recommended. It also requires an x64 processor, DirectX 11 and TPM 2.0, and recommends 1080p and an SSD. Those are the game's figures, not a reason to buy a modern laptop with only 2 or 4 GB. The table also excludes the Windows Enterprise and Server editions, so check which edition is installed on a refurbished corporate laptop.

• 8 GB: without a dedicated graphics card, LoL is often playable on a suitable processor if little else runs in the background. With a card, rendering power is rarely the limit for this game, but the laptop is less flexible than a 16 GB one.
• 16 GB: without a card, this is a strong choice for playing with voice chat and a browser open. With a card, 16 GB is comfortable for LoL, and the processor decides whether high frame rates hold in team fights.
• 32 GB: this usually adds little game speed, with or without a card. Its value is mainly in multitasking.

In April 2025, a player claimed to have reached Master rank on a ThinkPad T495 at about 40 FPS on average and 20 in team fights. The rank and the numbers are self-reported, and the player gave only partial details of the setup. Still, the post shows two things: one player's success is no reason to recommend those frame rates, and an overall average can hide much lower frame rates in team fights. In August 2025, a ThinkPad owner saw LoL sometimes fall toward 20 FPS after smoother play. Before you blame a whole laptop family, check whether something changed recently, how the laptop handles power and whether another system condition explains the drops.

Riot's FPS guidance separates constantly low FPS from drops in busy scenes, then points to the requirements, graphics drivers, settings and background programs. That is a better starting point than buying memory just because the FPS counter dropped. Check that Vanguard, Riot's anti-cheat, lets LoL start. If it blocks the game, follow the instructions in its restriction message: having Windows 11 installed doesn't prove the game will start. Judge the laptop at the resolution you will play at, and write that resolution down. Test a full match with a busy fight over an objective, then a second session once the laptop is warm. Before you pay for 32 GB, put the money into a better screen, a stronger processor, better integrated graphics or a laptop in better condition.

In ordinary play, Valorant needs little graphics power. Riot lists 4 GB of RAM for all three of its tiers (30, 60 and 144 FPS), plus DirectX 11. Arm-based Windows laptops are not supported, and Windows 11 needs TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot. The tiers name specific processor and graphics combinations, so they are not a promise that any 4 GB laptop delivers 144 FPS. Valorant moved to Unreal Engine 5.3 in patch 11.02 on 29 July 2025, with small performance gains, so videos recorded before the update are not a current benchmark.

• 8 GB: without a dedicated graphics card, Valorant is workable on suitable hardware, but check the memory speed as well as the capacity. With a card, the game can run well, but a 16 GB laptop is the better one to own.
• 16 GB: without a card, it is a sensible all-round choice for playing with voice chat and a browser open. With a card, 16 GB is comfortable for Valorant, and the processor decides whether high frame rates hold in fights.
• 32 GB: this mostly gives extra room for multitasking, with no dependable gain in FPS.

In 2026, an owner of an i5-1135G7 laptop with 16 GB of RAM reported playing on a stretched resolution. With a frame-rate cap set, they saw stable play at around 70 FPS, and without it, peaks near 120 FPS. They said their graphics had '128 MB', but that figure is the memory reserved for graphics, not the total available, because an Iris Xe shares the system memory. In October 2025, another owner compared two laptops with 16 GB of RAM each: a T14s with an i5-1135G7 at about 150 to 170 FPS, and a ThinkPad E16 with a Ryzen 5 7535HS at about 120 to 140 FPS. The settings were not matched, and calling the E16 a 'newer AMD laptop' doesn't tell you its specifications.

As soon as the laptop arrives, install Valorant and check that Vanguard, its anti-cheat, starts. Don't switch off features Vanguard expects, such as Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. Valorant doesn't support cloud gaming or virtual machines. Check the screen's refresh rate in Windows as well as in the game. Frame generation is software that inserts extra frames. It changes how motion looks, but it doesn't give you the quick response of an equally high native frame rate, where the game renders every frame itself. Keep it out of your test. Once the laptop is warm, test a practice session first, then a multiplayer match with a lot of abilities in play.

These are starting points for planning, not figures from the game publishers or test results.

• Counter-Strike 2 (CS2): start with 16 GB and either a stronger integrated graphics chip or a suitable dedicated card. Spend more if you want higher frame rates in competitive play.
• Minecraft: first find out the edition and version, then start with 16 GB. Spend more on a laptop that meets the current Java edition's requirements, on graphics for shaders, or on RAM and a stronger processor for big mods or for hosting a server.
• Fortnite: start with 16 GB and mainstream integrated graphics as a compromise, or choose a dedicated card for more graphics power. Spend more for high frame rates.
• Roblox: a 16 GB laptop with integrated graphics suits many experiences; test your favourites within the return window to be sure. Spend more on graphics for demanding experiences, or on memory if you create your own.
• League of Legends (LoL): suitable 8 GB hardware can work, and 16 GB is comfortable. Spend more on a better screen, a stronger processor, a laptop in better condition, or hardware that runs a wider range of games.
• Valorant: a suitable 16 GB laptop with integrated graphics works if Vanguard, Valorant's anti-cheat, runs on it. For 120 to 144 FPS you need more processor and graphics power. To see all those frames, you also need a screen with a matching refresh rate. Verify both in a test.
• Dota 2: start with 16 GB, a suitable processor and integrated graphics, or choose a dedicated card for more graphics power. If a test shows which part limits Dota 2, spend more on that part.

Across all seven games, going from 8 to 16 GB often adds working room. When one memory module becomes two, it can also add memory bandwidth, which is how fast data moves. A stronger graphics chip and processor open up higher frame rates and settings. Going from 16 to 32 GB makes the most sense for Minecraft mods or hosting, creating Roblox experiences and heavy multitasking, but it is not an automatic gain in every match.

Compare laptops at the same resolution, preset and capture method. Note the memory module layout, speed and channels as well as the RAM size, and write down the rendering scale, any upscaling and whether frame generation was on. A 4K screen has four times as many pixels as 1080p, and '4K with FSR' is upscaled, not native 4K.

Run these tests inside the return window: a laptop from refurbed is professionally tested, can be returned within 30 days and comes with at least 12 months of warranty. Part 1 has the 45 to 60 minute test in full. Browse the refurbished laptops that fit your first game, or read the laptop buying guide.

Can an office laptop run Counter-Strike 2 (CS2)? Some can. An older laptop with UHD 620 graphics is a compromise, while one with Radeon 780M graphics is a much stronger candidate. Test a busy round, and test the competitive service you plan to use, such as FACEIT, because RAM alone can't answer the question.

Does Minecraft still run on 8 GB of RAM? Some setups do. The Java edition now lists 8 GB of RAM with a dedicated graphics card or 12 GB with integrated graphics, while the Bedrock edition lists 4 GB as the minimum and 8 GB as recommended. Decide which edition and version you need before you buy.

Is 16 GB of RAM enough for Fortnite? Yes, as a starting point with suitable hardware and settings. 16 GB doesn't promise a frame rate or prevent every stutter caused by shaders or software, so test the mode you play, including a crowded landing if you play battle royale.

Does Roblox need a gaming laptop? No, not for lighter experiences on suitable integrated graphics. Demanding experiences and Roblox Studio put heavier demands on a laptop and may need stronger hardware, so test your own favourites.

Is a refurbished business laptop good enough for League of Legends (LoL) and Valorant? Yes, when the processor, integrated graphics, memory layout, screen and software suit the game. Check the hardware in the listing of every refurbished laptop you consider, and the software when the laptop arrives. Holding a steady 60 FPS and holding a steady 144 FPS are different tests.

Why does Dota 2 slow down when the hero demo is fast? Because a fight late in an actual match makes the laptop do much more work than the demo. Check each factor in turn: the processor, how busy the action on screen is, the graphics settings, recent software changes and whether the laptop is running short of memory.

Which of these games makes the strongest case for 32 GB of RAM? Minecraft, if you use a big modpack or host a world on your own laptop. Creating Roblox experiences and heavy multitasking can also justify it, but none of the seven games needs 32 GB as a rule.

Do I need a dedicated graphics card for these games? Not for all of them. League of Legends (LoL), Valorant and Dota 2 can run on integrated graphics at suitable settings. CS2, Fortnite and Roblox gain a lot from a stronger graphics chip or a dedicated graphics card, and for Minecraft it depends on the shaders and mods you use.