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Your PC meets Roberts Space Industries’ published baseline for Squadron 42 if it has 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11, a DirectX 11.1 graphics card with 4 GB of graphics memory, a qualifying quad-core CPU, at least 16 GB of RAM, and an SSD of at least 150 GB. That is a baseline check—not confirmation of final performance: RSI says the game is still in development and is not available to download.
Squadron 42’s published PC requirements
RSI’s requirements page, updated December 17, 2025, gives one shared baseline for CIG games, including Star Citizen and Squadron 42. It does not publish a separate final Squadron 42 requirement set or specify a resolution, graphics preset, or frame rate. Compare your computer against each item below rather than treating the list as a guarantee that the finished campaign will run well.
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| Component | RSI’s published baseline | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10, 64-bit, with the latest Service Pack, or Windows 11 | Installed Windows edition and whether it is 64-bit |
| Graphics card | DirectX 11.1 graphics card with 4 GB of graphics memory | Adapter model, DirectX capability, and dedicated graphics memory; RSI does not list specific GPU models |
| Processor | Quad-core CPU with AVX, AVX2, and FMA3; Intel i7 Haswell or later, or AMD Excavator or later | Exact processor model and support for all three instructions |
| System memory | At least 16 GB | Installed RAM |
| Storage | SSD of at least 150 GB | Whether the drive is an SSD and its capacity |
These specifications come from RSI’s Game and Launcher Requirements. The page also says Linux and macOS are not currently supported; that is RSI’s position as of its December 17, 2025 update, and platform support may change.
How to check your PC in Windows
RSI recommends built-in Windows utilities for checking system details. Use these steps, then compare what you find with the requirements table.
#1 Best Overall
- System: AMD Ryzen 5 5500 3.6GHz 6 Cores | AMD B550 Chipset | 8GB DDR4 | 500GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD | Windows 11 Home
- Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT 4GB Graphics | 1x HDMI | 1x DisplayPort
- Connectivity: 4 x USB-A 3.2 | 4 x USB-A 2.0 | 1 x LAN | WiFi 5 | Bluetooth 5.0 | 7.1 Channel Audio
- Tempered Side Case Panel | Custom RGB Lighting | Keyboard and Mouse
- 1 Year Parts & Labor Warranty, Free Lifetime Tech Support
- Press Windows key + R, type
dxdiag, and open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. - Review the reported system information, including your Windows version, processor, memory, and graphics details. Select Save All Information if you want a report file.
- For another view, right-click the Windows button, search for System Information, and open the application. Expand its sections to inspect system and graphics details.
- Check the drive where you would install the game to confirm it is an SSD and has the required capacity.
- Compare the CPU’s exact model with its instruction support, and check the GPU’s DirectX capability and dedicated memory. If you cannot confirm a specification from these screens, look up the exact component model in its manufacturer’s documentation.
RSI provides these DxDiag and System Information instructions in its requirements guide. Meeting every listed item means your PC matches the published baseline; it does not establish how the unreleased game will perform.
How to interpret the result
If your PC falls short
If any listed component misses the baseline—for example, the processor lacks one of the required instructions or the system has less than 16 GB of RAM—your PC does not meet RSI’s published minimum. A faster GPU does not compensate for missing CPU instruction support, and adding an SSD does not by itself establish compatibility. Check the exact component and specification before considering an upgrade.
Rank #2
- 8-Core 16-Thread Processing Power – Powered by the Ryzen 7 4700LE processor with Zen 2 architecture, delivering 8 cores and 16 threads with a boost clock up to 4.2GHz. Effortlessly handle multitasking, streaming, content creation, and demanding applications simultaneously without slowdowns.
- GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Graphics – Equipped with 8GB GDDR6 dedicated VRAM and real-time ray tracing support. Experience smooth 1080p gaming at 55-60 FPS in AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077, 70+ FPS in Fortnite, and 90-100 FPS in Apex Legends with DLSS enabled. The 8GB buffer handles modern game textures comfortably – a step above 6GB variants
- High-Speed Memory & Storage – Paired with 16GB of DDR4 3200MHz dual-channel RAM (16GB), the PC ensures responsive multitasking—whether streaming while gaming or editing videos. It also includes a 512 GB NVMe M.2 SSD for lightning-fast boot times, quick game loads, and ample storage for your game library, creative projects, and files.
- Next-Gen WiFi 6 Connectivity – Stay connected with the latest WiFi 6 technology for faster speeds, lower latency, and improved network efficiency. Whether you're gaming online, streaming 4K content, or joining video conferences, enjoy stable, high-speed wireless connectivity.
- Ready-to-Use Value Desktop – Pre-built and ready to go right out of the box. Perfect for gamers, students, content creators, and home office users seeking reliable performance without the hassle of building a PC themselves. The mature AM4 platform with DDR4 memory offers excellent value and proven stability.
If your PC meets every item
Your computer meets RSI’s published baseline, but there is no official final Squadron 42 performance tier to use for predicting frame rates or graphics settings. The requirements page covers CIG games generally, not a separately validated campaign configuration.
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Storage and other requirements: what the page does—and does not—say
RSI’s page also 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. Those figures specifically refer to the launcher and Star Citizen; they should not be presented as a confirmed standalone Squadron 42 install size.
Rank #3
- POWERHOUSE 8-CORE GAMING PERFORMANCE — Driven by the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F with 8 cores and 16 threads, boosting up to 5.0 GHz for smooth, responsive gameplay and the ability to handle AAA titles, streaming, and background tasks all at once
- NEXT-GEN BLACKWELL ARCHITECTURE — The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is powered by NVIDIA's cutting-edge Blackwell GPU architecture, delivering a massive generational leap in rasterization and ray tracing performance so you can experience your games the way they were meant to be played.
- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. *MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Cool While Gaming: In conjunction with an ARGB fan Air Cooler, the Codex R2 features four system cooling fans; three in the front and one in the rear to pull in cool air and push heat out of the PC.
- Turn on the Bright Lights: With the built-in RGB lighting, take your gaming experience to the next level by pressing the MSI LED button to cycle through lighting options. Customize lighting even further with MSI Center software.
The same page lists .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.5.2 and recommends network ports TCP 8000–8020 and UDP 64090–64110. These are details in RSI’s launcher and Star Citizen requirements information, not evidence of a separate final Squadron 42 setup. Consult the RSI requirements page for its full, current guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why a requirements check cannot confirm playability yet
RSI’s support page, updated February 4, 2026, says Squadron 42 is still in development and is not available to download. RSI says accounts that own a pledge containing Squadron 42 will be able to download it after development is complete, the game has been tested, and it has been released. Until then, there is no available game build to test against your PC or use to verify campaign performance. RSI’s download-status page gives the current availability details.
Rank #4
- POWERED BY RTX 5070 12GB + RYZEN 7 9700X - The GeForce RTX 5070 12GB GDDR7 graphics card pairs with an 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 9700X processor to drive smooth 1440p and 4K gameplay, giving this gaming PC the headroom for modern titles, streaming, and creative work.
- 32GB DDR5 6000MHz MEMORY & 1TB NVMe SSD - 32GB of high-speed DDR5 memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid state drive deliver quick load times, smooth multitasking, and generous storage, keeping this prebuilt gaming desktop responsive under heavy workloads.
- BUILT-IN 11.3-INCH Smart DISPLAY - An integrated smart screen shows real-time CPU and GPU temperatures, usage, and weather while you play, adding a distinctive and functional touch to your battlestation.
- 850W 80+ GOLD POWER SUPPLY, 360MM LIQUID COOLING & WiFi 7 - An 850W 80 Plus Gold certified power supply provides stable, efficient power with headroom for future upgrades, while a 360mm AIO liquid cooler, WiFi 7, and an ARGB mid-tower case keep the Ryzen 7 CPU cool and connected in a clean build.
- READY TO PLAY OUT OF THE BOX - Arrives fully assembled and tested with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, so your prebuilt gaming computer is ready to set up in minutes. Assembled in the USA, and backed by a one-year limited warranty and lifetime free technical support.
RSI’s Get Started: Checklist, updated April 16, 2026, likewise advises checking published minimum and recommended specifications before pledging or downloading, and notes that the game remains in development.
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