Dota 2 System Requirements

Owen H

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Dota 2 is one of the most well-made games on the entire Steam platform, so it’s completely normal to want to give it a shot. However, before downloading the game, it’s important to understand the Dota 2 system requirements and whether your PC can handle the game smoothly. In this article, we’ll break down the important stuff so you know exactly what to expect. 

Dota 2 System Requirements

What Are the Dota 2 System Requirements?

Dota 2 has been standing strong for many years and continues to receive frequent updates. Despite this, the game is surprisingly easy to run. Even budget or older PCs can handle the game without major issues. 

Dota 2 (Image via Valve)
Dota 2 (Image via Valve)

The minimum Dota 2 system requirements, as outlined on the game’s store page, are as follows: 

Dota 2 Windows Minimum Requirements

Most players run Dota 2 on a Windows computer, and here are the system requirements:

Component Minimum Requirement
Operating Software Windows 7 or Newer
Processor Dual Core from Intel or AMD at 2.8 GHz
Memory 4 GB RAM
Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce 8600/9600GT, ATI/AMD Radeon HD2600/3600
DirectX Version 11
Network Broadband Internet Connection
Storage 60 GB Available Space
Sound Card DirectX Compatible

Dota 2 macOS Minimum Requirements

If you’re playing Dota 2 on a Mac, here are the requirements you’ll have to meet:

Component Minimum Requirement
Operating Software macOS 10.15 or Newer
Processor Dual core from Intel
Memory 4 GB RAM
Graphics Card Metal-capable GPU (AMD GCN-based GPU or newer, NVIDIA Kepler-based GPU or newer, Intel HD 4000 or newer)
Network Broadband Internet Connection
Storage 60 GB Available Space

Dota 2 SteamOS + Linux Minimum Requirements

And finally, if you’re running on SteamOS or Linux, here’s what to expect:

Component Minimum Requirement
Operating Software Ubuntu 12.04 or Newer
Processor Dual core from Intel or AMD at 2.8 GHz
Memory 4 GB RAM
Graphics Card AMD GCN+, NVIDIA Kepler+, or Intel HD 5000-series or newer
Network Broadband Internet Connection
Storage 60 GB Available Space
Sound Card OpenAL Compatible Sound Card

Is Dota 2 Heavy Compared to Other Games?

Now, the big question is whether Dota 2 has high system requirements, especially compared to other games. The simple answer is no, not at all. Compared to many modern PC games in 2026, Dota 2 is surprisingly lightweight. You can even run the game on Windows 7 – that should already convince you enough. 

As long as your computer isn’t over a decade old, you should almost always be good to run Dota 2 without running into major issues.  

How Much Storage Does Dota 2 Take?

When you install Dota 2 for the first time, the game takes up between 45 and 55 GB of space. However, this size can increase depending on the content you download, like Custom Dota 2 Game modes. For instance, Dota 2 takes up 66.6 GB of space on my computer. 

Dota 2 File Size
Dota 2 File Size

Although the official system requirements suggest having 60 GB of space, it’s a good idea to leave some extra room for additional content over time. 

How Much FPS is Good for Dota 2?

In general, you’ll want to aim for 60 FPS, as this is often smooth enough to play Dota 2 properly. That said, the game is still very playable at around 40 to 50 FPS, especially if you’re playing casually. 

If you’re experiencing lower frame rates, you can always go to your in-game Settings menu and tone down graphics settings like shadow quality and effects – these do not affect gameplay and can boost your performance. 

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Owen H

Owen H

Dota 2 writer
Owen is as competitive as it gets, choosing to play the holy trinity of Dota 2, CS2 and Valorant with a primary focus on the former. He peaked at 8,500 MMR in Dota 2 and follows the professional scene religiously. You can still catch him as a regular on the Southeast Asian leaderboards.
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