Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesChoose a PC that meets Roberts Space Industries’ published minimums: a quad-core CPU with AVX, AVX2, and FMA3; a DirectX 11.1 graphics card with 4 GB of graphics memory; at least 16 GB of RAM; Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11; and an SSD with at least 150 GB of capacity. These are minimum requirements, not a guarantee of a particular resolution, frame rate, or final-release experience.
Start with RSI’s published minimum requirements
Roberts Space Industries (RSI) lists the following minimum system requirements for Squadron 42. Treat them as a compatibility floor when comparing PCs, not as recommended parts for a specific visual-quality or performance target. RSI’s requirements page was updated December 17, 2025.
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| Component | Published minimum | What to verify when choosing a PC |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core processor with AVX, AVX2, and FMA3. RSI gives Intel i7 Haswell or later and AMD Excavator or later as examples. | Check the processor’s instruction-set support as well as its core count; a model name alone does not establish that every requirement is met. |
| Graphics card | DirectX 11.1-compatible card with 4 GB graphics memory. | Verify DirectX 11.1 support and dedicated graphics memory. This minimum does not identify a current recommended card. |
| Memory | 16 GB or more RAM. | Check installed system RAM, not graphics memory. |
| Operating system | Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11. Linux and macOS are not currently supported. | Confirm the installed Windows edition is 64-bit and supported. |
| Storage | SSD with at least 150 GB capacity. | Check both the drive type and capacity, then leave enough free space for the game installation and pagefile guidance below. |
How to evaluate the CPU and graphics card
CPU: check features, not just the product tier
The CPU requirement names four cores and AVX, AVX2, and FMA3 support. RSI’s examples—Intel i7 Haswell or later, or AMD Excavator or later—are architecture references, not a complete list of qualifying processors or a recommendation for a new purchase. Confirm the exact CPU’s supported instruction sets before buying or upgrading.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →GPU: the stated minimum is not a performance target
RSI specifies DirectX 11.1 and 4 GB of graphics memory, but does not name a recommended current GPU, graphics preset, resolution, or frame rate. A card meeting that floor should not be assumed to deliver a particular level of performance. If two candidate PCs both satisfy the minimum, compare them using separate, dated benchmarks for the resolution and frame rate you want; RSI’s requirements page does not provide those comparisons.
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Plan for RAM and SSD space
RAM
RSI lists 16 GB or more system RAM. If a PC has less, determine whether its memory can be upgraded and whether the system supports the intended memory configuration. A larger capacity is not, by itself, evidence of a particular game-performance result.
SSD capacity and free space
The listed requirement is a 150 GB-or-larger SSD. RSI additionally recommends an NTFS-formatted drive with at least 100 GB available for the RSI Launcher and Star Citizen installation, plus at least 10 GB of additional SSD space for the pagefile. Check the available space on the intended drive, not only the SSD’s advertised total capacity; operating-system files and other applications reduce what is free.
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Check Windows compatibility and availability
The listed operating systems are Windows 10 (64-bit) and Windows 11; RSI says Linux and macOS are not currently supported. Separately, RSI’s support article dated February 4, 2026 says Squadron 42 is still in development and is not available for download. Eligible accounts will be able to download it once development is complete, the game has been tested, and it has been released. That article does not give a release date. Read RSI’s Squadron 42 download FAQ.
Use this checklist when comparing PCs
- Find the exact CPU model and confirm it has at least four cores plus AVX, AVX2, and FMA3.
- Confirm the graphics card supports DirectX 11.1 and has at least 4 GB of graphics memory.
- Check that installed system RAM is at least 16 GB.
- Confirm the PC runs Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11.
- Verify it has an SSD of at least 150 GB, and check available NTFS-formatted space against RSI’s drive guidance.
- If the candidates all meet these minimums, use independent, dated performance tests for your intended resolution and frame-rate target rather than treating RSI’s minimums as a performance promise.
RSI says, “We strongly recommend having a system with these minimums to effectively install, load, and play the games.” Requirements can change while development continues, so check the official requirements page again when you are ready to buy or upgrade.
Quick Recap
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