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Eliaspefo's avatar
Eliaspefo
Iron Contributor
Dec 18, 2025

What spec PC do I need for a reasonable experience on Windows 11

I mainly use Linux these days, but unfortunately there are still a few things that I need Windows for. My current Windows 10 PC is very old and more or less unusable. If I haven't used it for a few weeks it sometimes takes many hours just to boot.

What is the lowest spec I could get away with to have a reasonably well-functioning Windows 11 system? I will mainly use it for editing particular documents where there is no Linux editor available. I might also use it for music editing (FL studio), but that is just a hobby. I'm not a gamer, so I don't need a fancy graphics card.

I couple of years ago I made the mistake of upgrading my wife's PC with a very cheap windows box (about £300 new). It runs but it is painfully slow. I really wish I has spent a bit more. I don't want to make the same mistake again.

I will definitely get as SSD this time that should improve things. What processor and RAM will I need to have a system that just runs normally?

2 Replies

  • Timothy1525's avatar
    Timothy1525
    Iron Contributor
    Dec 24, 2025

    Intel 8th Gen or above processor

    8GB RAM

    256GB SSD

    Secure Boot and UEFI

  • JacquelineSom's avatar
    JacquelineSom
    Iron Contributor
    Dec 22, 2025

    Great question! For a Windows 11 system that’s primarily used for document editing and light music production (like FL Studio), you don’t need a high-end gaming or workstation build. But to ensure smooth, responsive performance, especially on older hardware, you’ll want a balanced setup that meets Windows 11’s minimum requirements while providing some headroom.

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