Star Citizen System Requirements
Star Citizen is a massively ambitious multiplayer space simulation game that blends first-person combat, trading, exploration, and a persistent open universe. Still in development but fully playable, it has become famous for its scale and realism—and for pushing PC hardware to its limits. If you’re wondering whether your rig is up to the task, this guide to Star Citizen system requirements breaks down everything you need to know.
Minimum System Requirements for Star Citizen
These are the minimum specs you need to launch and play the game at its most basic settings:
- Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit)
- CPU: Quad-core Intel or AMD processor (e.g., Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600)
- Memory: 16 GB RAM (absolute minimum)
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon RX 570
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: SSD required, at least 83 GB available space
While these specs will get you into the game, expect long load times and lower frame rates, especially in large city environments like Area18 or New Babbage.
Recommended Star Citizen System Requirements
For a smoother and more immersive experience at medium-to-high settings:
- Operating System: Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
- CPU: Intel Core i7-9700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
- Memory: 32 GB RAM
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
- Storage: NVMe SSD with 83 GB free space
| Component | Minimum Requirements | Recommended Requirements | Ultra / 4K Settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit) | Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| Processor (CPU) | Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600 | Intel Core i7-9700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X | Intel Core i9-12900K / AMD Ryzen 9 7900X |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB DDR4 | 32 GB DDR4 | 64 GB DDR5 |
| Graphics Card (GPU) | NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD RX 570 (4 GB VRAM) | NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti / AMD RX 6700 XT (8 GB VRAM) | NVIDIA RTX 4080+ / AMD RX 7900 XTX (12–24 GB VRAM) |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 | Version 12 |
| Storage | SSD with 83 GB free space | NVMe SSD (fast read/write) | High-speed NVMe SSD (1TB+ recommended) |
| Resolution / Settings Target | 1080p Low | 1080p–1440p Medium/High | 1440p–4K Ultra, Multi-Monitor Ready |
These recommended requirements are aimed at players looking to get the most stable and visually rich experience Star Citizen can offer without breaking the bank. A more powerful CPU ensures smoother gameplay in complex locations such as landing zones and hub cities, where NPCs and dynamic events can strain lower-end processors. Meanwhile, a GPU like the RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6700 XT can handle the game’s detailed lighting, shadows, and large render distances. The 32 GB of RAM supports smoother transitions and reduces hitching when loading new areas or interacting with the persistent universe. Using an NVMe SSD drastically improves load times and asset streaming, which are core to the game’s open-world structure.
This setup supports more consistent frame rates and faster transitions when landing or entering dense areas of the universe.
Ultra Settings and 4K Gameplay
To play Star Citizen on ultra settings or in 4K resolution, you’ll need high-end hardware:
- CPU: Intel Core i9-12900K or AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4080 / 4090 or AMD RX 7900 XTX
- Memory: 64 GB RAM
- Storage: High-speed NVMe SSD
This level of performance is recommended for users who want ultra-wide or multi-monitor setups, or who regularly participate in fleet combat and exploration.
Is an SSD Required for Star Citizen?
Yes. Star Citizen cannot be installed or played on an HDD. A solid-state drive is mandatory due to the game’s real-time asset streaming and large file sizes. Using an NVMe SSD significantly reduces stuttering and load times.
Can I Run Star Citizen on My PC?
You can use tools like “Can You Run It” or manually compare your specs. Make sure you have:
- A 64-bit Windows OS
- At least 16 GB RAM (32 GB strongly recommended)
- A DirectX 11 compatible GPU with 4 GB VRAM or more
- An SSD (preferably NVMe)
Integrated graphics cards and budget laptops generally do not meet the Star Citizen system requirements.
Best PC Builds for Star Citizen
- Budget Build: Ryzen 5 5600G, GTX 1660 Super, 32 GB RAM, 1TB SATA SSD
- Mid-Range Build: Intel i5-12400F, RTX 3060, 32 GB DDR4, 1TB NVMe SSD
- High-End Build: Ryzen 9 7900X, RTX 4080, 64 GB DDR5, 2TB NVMe SSD
Each of these builds meets different performance expectations from 1080p to 4K.
Is Star Citizen Available on Steam Deck or Consoles?
No, Star Citizen is not available on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch. It is a PC-exclusive title and is not currently supported on the Steam Deck. Some users have tested it on Linux via Proton, but performance is inconsistent.
Performance Optimization Tips
- Lower resolution scaling or set custom render resolutions
- Disable volumetric clouds and shadows
- Keep all background apps closed
- Set pagefile size manually to match RAM
- Use launch options in the RSI launcher to tweak performance
Conclusion
Star Citizen is one of the most demanding PC games available, and understanding the Star Citizen system requirements is essential before diving into the ‘verse. Whether you’re exploring planets, dogfighting in space, or trading between outposts, having the right hardware ensures a smooth and immersive experience. Investing in an SSD, sufficient RAM, and a capable GPU will go a long way toward making your time in the Persistent Universe enjoyable.
