Whether you can run this comes down to three components and one setting. Can I Run a Background Check on Myself is easier to answer once you know which.

Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update.

The short answer

Meeting the recommended specification gets you a stable experience at medium to high; below minimum, resolution is the lever that saves you.

Settings to turn down first

Published figures usually assume default settings at a specific resolution, which is rarely your situation. Small details matter more than they should here, so read the order of steps carefully. There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing. The community figured most of this out through repetition, and the pattern has held up well.

Treat the numbers as a guideline; your exact result depends on your setup and current version. It helps to know why a step exists, because then you can adapt it when your situation differs slightly. Storage type affects loading far more than frame rate.

Minimum versus recommended

Start with the simplest option before touching anything that is hard to reverse. One clean run beats five rushed ones, both for results and for your patience. Thermal throttling on laptops turns a passing specification into a failing one.

  • Check the version you are running before following any step-by-step advice.
  • Back up your save if the game gives you the option.
  • Write down what you changed, so you can undo it if the result gets worse.
  • Test one change at a time instead of five at once.

If you are below the minimum

If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing. Nothing below requires mods, paid tools or an account on some sketchy site. Start with the simplest option before touching anything that is hard to reverse.

Nothing below requires mods, paid tools or an account on some sketchy site. Small details matter more than they should here, so read the order of steps carefully. If you are short on time, the first section alone is usually enough.

Mistakes worth avoiding

  • Following a guide written for an older version and assuming nothing moved.
  • Changing several settings at once, then having no idea which one helped.
  • Trusting a video thumbnail over the actual patch notes.

Frequently asked questions

Is more memory or a better card the better upgrade?

If you are at or below the minimum memory figure, memory first. Otherwise the graphics card is the bigger lever.

Can I run it on a laptop?

Usually yes, with settings lowered and expectations adjusted. Sustained performance depends heavily on cooling.

Does this still work after the latest update?

It did at the time of writing. If a step no longer matches, the underlying idea normally still applies even when a menu has moved.

If you take one thing away about can i run a background check on myself, make it the preparation step; everything after it becomes much easier.