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Roberts Space Industries (RSI) currently lists these minimum PC requirements for its CIG games, including Squadron 42: Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11, a quad-core processor with AVX, AVX2 and FMA3 support, a DirectX 11.1 graphics card with 4GB of graphics memory, at least 16GB of system RAM, and an SSD with at least 150GB. These are published minimums, not final, game-specific launch requirements or a promise of particular performance. RSI says Squadron 42 remains in development and is not available to download. RSI’s requirements page and download-status article are the relevant official references.
RSI’s current published minimum requirements
The table summarizes the baseline RSI publishes for CIG games, including Squadron 42. RSI updated its “Game and Launcher Requirements” article on December 17, 2025. It does not give a separate final specification for Squadron 42, nor label this list as a tested configuration or recommended setup. Read the full RSI requirements article.
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| Component | Published minimum | What to check on your PC |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 64-bit (latest Service Pack) or Windows 11 | Confirm that Windows is 64-bit and that your edition is one of the listed versions. |
| Processor | Quad-core CPU supporting AVX, AVX2 and FMA3; RSI gives Intel i7 Haswell or later and AMD Excavator or later as examples | Check both core count and support for all three instruction sets; a four-core label alone is not enough. |
| Graphics card | DirectX 11.1-capable card with 4GB of graphics RAM | Verify the graphics card’s API capability and its own memory, not just the amount of system RAM. |
| System memory | 16GB or more | Check installed system RAM separately from the GPU’s graphics memory. |
| Storage | SSD with at least 150GB | Check both that the drive is an SSD and that the capacity/free space meets the requirement. |
These figures are RSI-published thresholds, not benchmark results. The page does not identify a specific graphics-card model, resolution, frame rate, or tested performance target. A PC that meets the listed minimum therefore cannot be assumed to deliver a particular visual quality or smoothness.
When comparing a desktop or laptop to the list, treat each row as a separate check: supported Windows version; processor cores and all three CPU instruction sets; DirectX 11.1 support and GPU memory; system RAM; and SSD capacity and available space. Passing one category does not make up for falling short in another. For example, 16GB of system memory does not satisfy the separate 4GB graphics-memory requirement, and sufficient storage cannot compensate for an unsupported CPU.
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How to check whether your PC meets the list
Compare the machine you intend to play on against each row, rather than judging it from one headline specification such as “gaming PC,” processor generation, or graphics memory. Windows exposes much of the relevant information in its built-in system tools; exact labels can vary between Windows versions and devices.
- Check Windows: Open Settings and look under System for About or device information. Confirm Windows 10 or Windows 11 and that the system type is 64-bit.
- Identify the processor: In Windows Settings or Task Manager, note the processor model. Then check its core count and whether it supports AVX, AVX2 and FMA3. RSI’s Intel and AMD examples are generation-family markers, not a substitute for checking the instructions on the exact CPU model.
- Identify the graphics card: In Task Manager’s Performance view or Windows display information, note the discrete or integrated GPU model. Check the manufacturer’s specifications for DirectX 11.1 capability and 4GB of graphics memory. Do not treat shared system memory as proof that a card has 4GB of its own graphics RAM.
- Check installed RAM: Review the memory total in Windows Settings or Task Manager. The requirement is 16GB or more of system memory; this is distinct from the graphics-memory figure.
- Check the drive: In Windows storage or Task Manager, identify the drive intended for installation, determine whether it is an SSD, and review its capacity and free space. A drive with enough total capacity can still lack enough free space if other files already occupy it.
If a specification is unclear, use the exact processor or graphics-card model to find its manufacturer specification rather than inferring capability from a family name. This is especially important for CPU instruction support and DirectX capability, which are not established by core count or memory capacity alone.
For a machine with several drives or graphics adapters, check the component and drive that will actually be used for the game. A laptop may report integrated and discrete graphics separately, for example; the mere presence of a GPU name or a memory total in Windows does not establish that the relevant adapter meets both published graphics criteria. If you cannot verify an item, treat it as unknown rather than assuming it passes.
Why CPU instruction support matters
RSI’s processor requirement has two parts: at least four cores and support for AVX, AVX2 and FMA3. The named Intel i7 Haswell-or-later and AMD Excavator-or-later examples help orient a comparison, but the requirement is for the capabilities, not merely a model name that sounds recent or a four-core count shown by Windows.
This distinction matters most when assessing an older or unusual processor. A CPU may have four or more cores while lacking one of the required instruction sets; conversely, the table is not enough to infer overall game performance from instruction support. Verify the precise CPU model and its supported features. RSI does not publish a performance rating or a model-by-model compatibility list on the cited requirements page.
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Do not translate the examples into a blanket rule that every processor bearing a certain brand or family label is automatically suitable. The published baseline calls for a quad-core CPU and the named instructions. If you are considering an upgrade, first establish the exact model and platform in your PC, then check the candidate CPU’s specifications; RSI’s page does not provide a list of current processors to buy.
Storage space: keep the two RSI statements separate
For the published game baseline, RSI states “150+ GB SSD required.” Separately, its requirements article recommends an NTFS-formatted drive with at least 100GB of space for the RSI Launcher and Star Citizen installation, plus another 10GB of SSD space for the pagefile. The latter statement is not presented as a Squadron 42-only storage calculation, so do not add the figures together and treat the result as an official total for this game. RSI lists both storage notes here.
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An SSD is the clear storage category to consider if your current installation drive does not meet the stated requirement. RSI does not name a brand or model, and a 1TB NVMe SSD is a possible shopping search, not an official specification or a necessary upgrade for everyone. The cited pages do not list component prices, so there is no RSI-backed upgrade cost to quote. Check the capacity, free space, and compatibility with your PC before spending money.
Other platform and setup notes are not extra hardware minimums
RSI’s same requirements article says Linux and macOS are not currently supported. It also recommends Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.5.2 and lists TCP ports 8000–8020 and UDP ports 64090–64110. These are platform, software-dependency and network details in the broader CIG requirements article; they are not additional CPU, GPU, memory or storage thresholds for Squadron 42. Check RSI’s page for the exact setup context rather than reading them as components to purchase.
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In practical terms, a PC running Linux or macOS does not match the supported operating-system options in RSI’s current list. The .NET versions and port ranges are setup information rather than reasons to upgrade a processor or graphics card. If you are troubleshooting installation or connectivity later, consult RSI’s current instructions, since setup details may change and are separate from the hardware baseline.
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No. RSI’s support article, updated February 4, 2026, says Squadron 42 is still in development and is not available to download. It says qualifying account holders will be able to download it after development, testing and release are complete. RSI’s “Get Started: Checklist,” updated April 16, 2026, also reflects that the game is not yet downloadable. RSI’s download-status article and its checklist provide the status details.
That availability status is why the published CIG baseline should not be mistaken for a final launch checklist specific to this title. Final game-specific requirements may be different; the official materials cited here do not establish what those eventual requirements will be. Recheck RSI’s official requirements and availability information before buying hardware or making a compatibility decision closer to release.
What meeting the minimum does—and does not—tell you
If your PC clears every listed threshold, it matches RSI’s current published minimum baseline. That is useful for a first compatibility screen, but it does not establish that the PC will run the released game at a chosen resolution, frame rate, or graphics preset. RSI has not published those targets or benchmark results in the cited materials.
If one component falls short, identify the specific shortfall before deciding what to change. An SSD or RAM capacity is not a substitute for a CPU instruction set, and a GPU with enough memory is not automatically DirectX 11.1-capable. Likewise, an unsupported operating system is not resolved by upgrading the graphics card. Since the final game-specific requirements are not established, avoid buying a component solely on the assumption that matching this baseline guarantees a particular experience.
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There is no separate official “recommended” configuration in the cited RSI materials to compare against the minimum. That means readers cannot use this list to select settings for a particular target such as 1080p, a certain frame rate, or high graphics quality. Treat “meets minimum” as a baseline comparison only, not as a performance forecast.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Can my PC run Squadron 42?
You can compare it with RSI’s current published minimum for CIG games including Squadron 42: Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11, a quad-core CPU with AVX, AVX2 and FMA3, a DirectX 11.1 graphics card with 4GB graphics RAM, at least 16GB system RAM, and an SSD with at least 150GB. RSI has not published final game-specific launch requirements, and meeting this baseline does not guarantee a particular frame rate or resolution.
Are these the final or recommended Squadron 42 specs?
No. RSI’s December 17, 2025 requirements page lists general CIG minimums, not final Squadron 42-specific launch requirements or a recommended configuration. RSI says the game remains in development and is not available to download.
Is a four-core processor enough?
Not by itself. RSI specifies a quad-core CPU that also supports AVX, AVX2 and FMA3. Check the exact processor model and its instruction-set support; a core-count label alone is insufficient.
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Does the 4GB graphics requirement mean 4GB of system RAM?
No. RSI’s graphics requirement is for 4GB of graphics RAM on a DirectX 11.1-capable card. The separate system-memory minimum is 16GB or more. Shared system memory should not be treated as proof that a graphics card has 4GB of its own graphics RAM.
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Does Squadron 42 require an NVMe or 1TB SSD?
RSI lists an SSD with at least 150GB, but does not mandate NVMe, 1TB, or a particular brand or model. It separately recommends at least 100GB on an NTFS drive for the RSI Launcher and Star Citizen installation, plus 10GB of additional SSD space for the pagefile; that is not described as a Squadron 42-only total.
Can I play Squadron 42 on Linux or macOS, and can I download it now?
RSI’s current requirements article says Linux and macOS are not supported. RSI’s support article says Squadron 42 is still in development and unavailable to download; qualifying account holders will be able to download it after development, testing, and release are complete.
What should I upgrade first, and how much will it cost?
The cited RSI pages do not recommend specific component models or provide upgrade prices, and final game-specific requirements are not available. Identify which baseline item your PC misses, confirm the exact part or drive specifications, and avoid buying on the assumption that an upgrade will guarantee a particular performance level.
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RSI’s current published minimum for CIG games including Squadron 42 is Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11, a quad-core AVX/AVX2/FMA3 CPU, a DirectX 11.1 GPU with 4GB graphics RAM, 16GB or more of system RAM, and an SSD with at least 150GB. These are not final launch requirements or a performance guarantee. The game is still in development and unavailable to download, so verify your exact components and check RSI’s latest official information before buying hardware.
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