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 its Java requirements went up in 2026.

Part 1 explained what RAM and graphics do and how to check the exact laptop. Here we apply the same ideas to seven games, with facts 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, memory layout 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 with online play, not a ranking of online games. 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: a steady 60 frames per second (FPS), with clear movement and few pauses, even in the hardest ordinary scene.
• Competitive: 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 the result.

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 hardware names listed here. The advice is an assessment for planning, not a test result:

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

• 8 GB: risky without a dedicated card, because the game, Windows and the shared graphics memory leave little room. With a card, frames can render quickly while memory pressure still interrupts play, so plan an upgrade.
• 16 GB: without a card, the graphics generation decides whether CS2 is a compromise or a credible everyday game on that laptop. With a card, it is a practical place to start at 1080p.
• 32 GB: more room around the game, 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 150 FPS at 1080p Low, 110 at Medium and 41 at Very High. Those are averages for that laptop, not minimums for every 780M laptop. In December 2023, Diit played the same model against 5v5 and 10v10 bots at Low settings. The reviewer found it playable, with dips below 60 FPS as the bots multiplied, and also saw significant first-use hitches on several older integrated-graphics laptops.

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 it 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 to install. That describes the app, not the whole desktop 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 card, it is workable for lighter experiences, while heavier worlds and background apps expose the limit. With a card, it is adequate for some experiences, but an unbalanced purchase.
• 16 GB: without a card, it is a sensible all-round start, but judge it on the exact experiences you play. With a card, it is comfortable for many experiences, although the creator's optimisation and the processor still matter.
• 32 GB: room for demanding worlds and mixed use, but it won't fix weak rendering or a slow server, and the platform doesn't require it.

In January 2025, an r/techsupport owner of a Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 with a Ryzen 5 5500U, integrated Radeon graphics and 8 GB of RAM reported drops to roughly 10 to 20 FPS. No cause was shown, so 8 GB alone is not proven to be the reason. In June 2025, a contributor with a Ryzen 5 5500U described roughly 6 to 24 FPS at high or maximum settings in demanding showcase experiences, and 60 to 110 at Low. Also in June 2025, a Microsoft community question reported Roblox Rivals dropping toward 30 FPS once the charger was connected, even at Low settings: check that the adapter is recognised, then look at heat, the power mode and clock speeds.

In the same busy area, compare a fixed lower Graphics Quality setting with Auto. 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 faster only if it can, and it doesn't speed up the server. Roblox recommends it over external unlockers. Roblox Studio, which can run the server and the client together, can need much more memory than playing does. Test two or three of your favourite experiences on a populated server.

LoL is a strong case for a refurbished business laptop. Riot's Windows table 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. Riot's table also excludes the Windows Enterprise and Server editions, so check the edition on a corporate refurbishment.

• 8 GB: without a dedicated card, it is often workable on a suitable processor if little else runs in the background. With a card, there is plenty of rendering power for this game, but the laptop is less flexible than a 16 GB one.
• 16 GB: without a card, it is a strong choice for playing with voice chat and a browser open. With a card, it is comfortable, and the processor decides whether high frame rates hold in team fights.
• 32 GB: usually little extra 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 setup is incomplete, but the post shows that one person's success is not a target to recommend, and that an overall average can hide a much worse team fight. In August 2025, a ThinkPad owner saw LoL sometimes fall toward 20 FPS after smoother play. Look for a regression, the power behaviour or another system condition before you blame a whole laptop family.

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 because a counter dropped. Make sure Vanguard, Riot's anti-cheat, lets the game start, and if it blocks the game, follow its exact restriction message, because 'Windows 11 installed' proves nothing. Judge the laptop at the resolution you will play at, and write it 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, spend on the screen, the processor, the integrated graphics or the laptop's 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 older laptop videos are not a current benchmark.

• 8 GB: without a dedicated card, it 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, it is comfortable, and the processor decides whether high frame rates hold in fights.
• 32 GB: mostly extra room for multitasking, with no dependable gain in FPS.

A 2026 owner of an i5-1135G7 laptop with 16 GB of RAM reported stable play around a 70 FPS cap, and peaks near 120 FPS uncapped, on a stretched resolution. They called their graphics '128 MB', but that is a reserved-memory figure, not the graphics capacity, because an Iris Xe shares the system memory. In October 2025, another owner compared a 16 GB i5-1135G7 T14s at about 150 to 170 FPS with a 16 GB Ryzen 5 7535HS ThinkPad E16 at about 120 to 140 FPS. The settings were not matched, and 'newer AMD laptop' is not a specification.

As soon as the laptop arrives, install the game and check that Vanguard starts, and don't switch off features it 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, which is software that inserts extra frames, changes how motion looks, but it doesn't give you the input response of an equally high native frame rate, so keep it out of your test. Test a warm 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 measurements.

• 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 competitive targets.
• Minecraft: first find out the edition and version, then start with 16 GB. Spend more on a platform that is compatible with current Java, on graphics for shaders, or on RAM and a stronger processor for big mods or hosting.
• Fortnite: start with 16 GB and mainstream integrated graphics as a compromise, or add a dedicated card for more room. 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 the screen, the processor, the condition or a wider game library.
• Valorant: a suitable 16 GB laptop with integrated graphics and a working Vanguard. A verified 120 to 144 FPS target on a matching screen needs more processor and graphics power.
• Dota 2: 16 GB with a suitable processor and integrated graphics, or a dedicated card for more room. Spend more where you see the limit.

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 better graphics and processor platform opens up higher targets. Going from 16 to 32 GB is most convincing for Minecraft mods or hosting, Roblox creation and heavy mixed use, 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 frames were generated: a 4K screen draws four times the pixels of 1080p, and '4K with FSR' is 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. Java now lists 8 GB with a dedicated graphics card or 12 GB with integrated graphics, while Bedrock 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. It doesn't promise a frame rate or remove every shader or software hitch, 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 are different workloads that 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 real late fight makes the laptop do much more work than the demo. Check the processor, the scene, the rendering, recent software changes and the memory pressure one by one.

Which of these games makes the strongest case for 32 GB of RAM? Minecraft with a big modpack or local hosting. Roblox creation and heavy mixed use 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 fit integrated graphics at suitable settings. CS2, Fortnite and Roblox gain a lot from a stronger chip or a card, and for Minecraft it depends on the shaders and mods you use.