Windows 11 Hardware Requirements
Affordable Upgrade Paths for Aussie PCs

Unsure if your PC can run Windows 11? This quick guide shows you how to check in two minutes and pick the cheapest fix. It's built for Brisbane homes and small offices who want a fast, low-risk upgrade without blowing the budget. Many 2018+ PCs only need a TPM toggle in BIOS plus a small RAM and SSD bump to feel new — total spend often under $300.

If you'd rather we handle compatibility checks, parts sourcing and the Windows 11 install onsite, our computer upgrades service handles end-to-end Windows 11 upgrades with same-day availability across Brisbane.

Windows 11 Hardware Requirements

Windows 11 has stricter security and performance rules than Windows 10:

• CPU: Intel 8th Gen Core or newer; AMD Ryzen 2000 or newer; modern Pentium/Celeron variants pass; some older high-end chips miss out.
• TPM 2.0: Required for security baseline. Most 2017+ boards have firmware TPM (PTT/fTPM) built in.
• Secure Boot: Must be enabled in BIOS (UEFI mode required).
• RAM: 4GB minimum, 8-16GB strongly recommended for smooth use.
• Storage: 64GB minimum; 500GB-1TB SSD is the practical sweet spot.
• Display: 720p, 9" or larger, 8 bits per colour channel.

Why It Matters for Brisbane PCs

Many Brisbane PCs are still quick but miss one box — usually TPM 2.0 disabled in BIOS or a tired hard drive. A small upgrade keeps gear out of e-waste, saves cash and reduces downtime. It's handy for home schooling, hybrid work, Teams calls and gaming after hours on patchy NBN nights. With Windows 10 going out of mainstream support in October 2025, Brisbane homes and offices on Windows 10 should plan now.

How to Check Compatibility

1. Run Microsoft PC Health Check
   Free download from Microsoft. Tests CPU, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, RAM and storage in one go. Tells you exactly which check fails.
2. Verify TPM
   Press Windows+R, type tpm.msc. Look for "TPM ready" and "Spec Version 2.0". If it says not ready, the firmware TPM may just need enabling in BIOS.
3. Check CPU
   Settings > System > About. Note your processor. Intel 8th Gen+ or AMD Ryzen 2000+ usually passes. Older chips need a board/CPU/RAM bundle.
4. Confirm Secure Boot
   Windows Security > Device Security. Or BIOS: confirm UEFI mode is on and Secure Boot is enabled.
5. Audit RAM and storage
   System > About: aim for 8-16GB RAM. Task Manager > Performance: check disk type (SSD vs HDD) and free space.

Affordable Upgrade Paths

Decision rule: If CPU passes and TPM 2.0 exists (or can be enabled), upgrade RAM/SSD only. If CPU fails but the rest is fine, consider a CPU+board+RAM bundle. If laptop is old (pre-2017) with slow HDD, compare upgrade cost vs replacement.

TPM 2.0, PTT, fTPM Explained

Most boards don't need a physical TPM module. Intel calls firmware TPM "PTT" (Platform Trust Technology); AMD calls it "fTPM" (firmware TPM). Turn it on in BIOS and you're set. Add-on modules ($25-$60) are only for specific motherboards that don't have firmware TPM.

Note: even with TPM 2.0 enabled, an unsupported CPU will still block Windows 11 on the official upgrade path. There are unofficial workarounds, but they leave your system without future feature updates and are not recommended for business or family PCs.

Pricing — Parts Plus Labour

Downtime: RAM and SSD same day; board/CPU 1-2 days with testing and data migration. Need fault finding first? Book a computer diagnostic. Protect photos and business files before any change with our data backup & transfer service.

Step-by-Step Windows 11 Upgrade

1. Run compatibility check
   PC Health Check + tpm.msc + BIOS audit. Identify the blocker(s).
2. Back up first
   Full image plus a separate copy of Documents, Desktop, Photos. Note BitLocker recovery key.
3. Enable BIOS settings
   UEFI mode on; Secure Boot enabled; Intel PTT or AMD fTPM enabled. Save and reboot.
4. Install hardware upgrades
   Fit any RAM, SSD or full board/CPU bundle. Update chipset/firmware drivers.
5. Migrate the OS
   Clean install Win11 on a new SSD (recommended for slow systems) or in-place upgrade if existing system is healthy.
6. Verify and tune
   Activate Windows 11, install drivers, restore data, test boot speed and stability.

Clean Install vs In-Place Upgrade

• Choose clean install if: you have a new SSD, frequent crashes, malware history, or a cluttered C: drive. Often the quickest, leanest result.
• Choose in-place upgrade if: the PC is stable, storage is roomy, and you need apps and settings to remain.
• Either way: take a full backup and create a Windows 10 rollback image first.

Brisbane-Specific Issues

Heat and dust

Summer heat makes dusty PCs throttle. Clean fans before installing Windows 11. Garage offices in Logan or Ipswich often run hotter — check case airflow before upgrades. Humidity can corrode old DIMM slots; reseat RAM if you get random crashes.

Storms and surges

Brisbane summer storms cause brief power dips that corrupt mid-install systems. Use a surge board or UPS during upgrades and installs. We schedule big jobs in off-peak weather windows when possible.

NBN quirks by suburb

Pre-NBN cabling in units (Kangaroo Point, Fortitude Valley) can drop out mid-download. Use Ethernet or a wired hotspot during the install. Outer north and bayside pockets (North Lakes, Redland Bay) get congestion at night — download the Windows 11 ISO in off-peak times.

Local examples

We often see Chermside and Carindale families with 2019 desktops that pass CPU/TPM but crawl due to 4GB RAM and HDD. A 1TB SSD plus 8GB RAM makes Windows 11 feel snappy. Wynnum and Redlands retirees' small-form PCs usually need only firmware TPM enabled in BIOS — a $0 parts fix. Springfield Lakes and North Lakes home offices run Ryzen 5 builds from 2018-2020; they meet the compatible CPU list, and a RAM upgrade to 16GB plus clean install clears Teams lag. The Gap and Stafford laptops from 2016 tend to fail CPU checks; a budget refurb or a CPU+board+RAM kit is better value.