Euro Truck Simulator 2 System Requirements: Minimum and Recommended (2026)

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Yes, many older gaming PCs can run Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2), but the target matters. The current Steam listing sets a Windows floor of Windows 10 64-bit, an Intel Core i5-6400 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200-class processor, 8 GB of RAM, a GTX 660/RX 460/Intel HD 630-class GPU with 2 GB of VRAM, and 25 GB of free space. Its Windows recommended tier raises that to an Intel Core i5-9600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600-class CPU, 12 GB of RAM, and a GTX 1660/RX 590-class GPU with 2 GB of VRAM, while keeping the 25 GB storage figure.

Those are published compatibility tiers, not promises of a particular frame rate, resolution, graphics preset, mod count, or DLC performance. Compare your computer with the requirement block for your operating system, then treat the recommended tier as the safer starting point for higher settings and heavier workloads. The figures below come from the Steam ETS2 listing accessed on October 15, 2026.

#	Preview	Product	Price
1		Euro Truck Simulator 2, DVD-ROM	$18.46	Buy on Amazon
2		Euro Truck Spezial: LKW Rangier-Simulator [German Version]	$8.75	Buy on Amazon
3		NBCP PC Steering Wheel with 6-Speed H-Pattern Shifter and Linear Pedal	$109.99	Buy on Amazon
4		UK Truck-Simulator (PC)	$8.87	Buy on Amazon

ETS2 requirements at a glance

The table uses Steam’s current platform-specific blocks. “Similar” means Steam does not require the exact named model, but it expects a comparable class of processor or graphics device.

Steam lists the Linux block separately from Windows and macOS. If you use a distribution or driver stack that differs from the stated Ubuntu and binary-driver notes, compatibility can vary; do not substitute the Windows row for a Linux installation.

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What “minimum” and “recommended” actually mean

Minimum is a starting floor

A minimum specification is the publisher’s stated hardware and software floor for running the game. It is not an FPS guarantee and does not define a resolution, refresh rate, graphics preset, traffic density, mod load, or DLC combination. A PC that just meets the minimum may need lower settings, a lower resolution, or reduced scaling to deliver a comfortable experience, but Steam does not publish a guaranteed result for any of those choices.

Recommended is a better match for headroom

The recommended row is a stronger baseline for higher visual settings and for keeping more performance margin as the simulator, operating system, and background applications use resources. It still is not a benchmark: matching a GTX 1660 or Ryzen 5 3600 does not establish a fixed frame rate. Your monitor resolution, selected scaling, driver version, cooling, laptop power limits, map size, traffic, and modifications all affect the result.

Windows requirements in detail

Operating system

Steam’s current Windows requirement is Windows 10 64-bit for both tiers. A 32-bit Windows installation does not match the listed platform. Check Settings > System > About and look at “System type” before comparing processors or memory.

Processor

The minimum names an Intel Core i5-6400 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200-class CPU; the recommended tier names an Intel Core i5-9600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600-class CPU. These are class references, not a rule that every CPU with the same brand label performs identically. Core count, generation, sustained clock speed, laptop power limits, and background load can change the outcome. When comparing an unlisted processor, use these named models as the anchor rather than comparing GHz alone.

Memory

Windows minimum is 8 GB of system RAM; recommended is 12 GB. RAM is separate from graphics memory: an 8 GB system with a 2 GB graphics card has 8 GB of system memory plus 2 GB of VRAM, not 10 GB of interchangeable RAM. Close memory-heavy applications and check whether your machine has one or two modules, because a system that technically reaches 8 GB can still have little free memory after Windows and other software load.

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Graphics processor and VRAM

The minimum graphics classes are NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660, AMD Radeon RX 460, or Intel HD 630, each listed with 2 GB of VRAM. The recommended Windows class is NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 or AMD Radeon RX 590, also with 2 GB of VRAM. The VRAM number is part of the requirement, not a substitute for the GPU’s rendering capability; two cards with 2 GB can perform very differently. Integrated graphics share system memory and may be labeled by the processor generation, so verify the exact adapter and its reported dedicated or shared memory in Windows Task Manager.

Storage

Steam lists 25 GB of available space for the base game at both Windows tiers. “Available” means free capacity at installation time. Keep additional headroom for updates, save files, crash dumps, and any downloadable content or modifications you plan to add; the 25 GB figure should not be interpreted as a promise that every future installation will fit within exactly 25 GB.

macOS and SteamOS/Linux requirements

macOS

Steam’s macOS block requires macOS 11 (Big Sur). The minimum calls for a quad-core 3.3 GHz CPU, 8 GB RAM, Intel HD 630 or similar graphics with 2 GB VRAM, and 25 GB free space. The recommended block raises the CPU reference to a quad-core 4.6 GHz part, memory to 12 GB, and graphics to an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 or similar with 2 GB VRAM. Because Apple hardware configurations differ substantially by model and generation, compare the exact Mac model, processor, memory, and graphics adapter rather than relying on the product family name alone.

SteamOS/Linux

The listed Linux block uses Ubuntu 12.04 as its reference platform, with a quad-core 3.3 GHz CPU, 8 GB RAM, Intel HD 630 or similar graphics with 2 GB VRAM, and 25 GB free space at minimum. Recommended raises the CPU reference to 4.6 GHz, memory to 12 GB, and graphics to a GTX 1660-class card with 2 GB VRAM. Steam also calls for recent binary ATI or NVIDIA drivers and warns that MESA may not work reliably. That driver qualification is material: a Linux PC can match the CPU, RAM, and GPU numbers yet still have launch or rendering problems if its driver stack does not meet the listing’s expectation.

How to check whether your PC meets ETS2 requirements

1. Identify the operating system. On Windows, open Settings > System > About and confirm Windows 10 64-bit or a later compatible 64-bit Windows installation. On macOS, choose Apple menu > About This Mac. On Linux, record your distribution and release, then compare its graphics-driver setup with Steam’s Ubuntu and binary-driver notes.
2. Record the CPU model. In Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, open Performance > CPU, and copy the full model name. macOS shows the processor in About This Mac; Linux users can run lscpu. Compare the model class with the i5-6400/Ryzen 3 1200 minimum or i5-9600/Ryzen 5 3600 recommended anchors, rather than using clock speed by itself.
3. Check system RAM. Windows Task Manager lists installed memory under Performance > Memory; macOS shows memory in About This Mac; Linux can report it with free -h. You need at least 8 GB for the listed minimum and 12 GB for the listed recommended tier.
4. Check the graphics adapter and memory. Windows Task Manager’s Performance > GPU view or dxdiag identifies the adapter. macOS and Linux system-information tools provide the equivalent model. Compare the complete GPU class and the 2 GB VRAM figure, not just the word “graphics.”
5. Confirm free storage. Ensure the installation drive has at least 25 GB free before downloading. Leave extra capacity if you expect DLC, large modifications, or several profiles.
6. Compare the result with your goal. A machine below minimum is outside Steam’s published floor. A machine between minimum and recommended may run the game with compromises. A machine at or above recommended has a stronger starting point, but no official FPS or resolution guarantee applies.

What to do if your PC falls short

Short on RAM

If the computer has less than 8 GB, a memory upgrade is the clearest way to reach the published Windows minimum, provided the motherboard and operating system support it. Reaching 12 GB aligns with the recommended figure. Check the machine’s maximum supported capacity and whether it uses removable modules or soldered memory before buying anything.

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Short on graphics capability

Compare the installed adapter with the GTX 660/RX 460/Intel HD 630 minimum classes and the GTX 1660/RX 590 recommended classes. A newer GPU with a different name is not automatically faster or equipped with the required VRAM, so compare independent specifications for the exact model. On laptops, the GPU is often not upgradeable; lowering display resolution or graphics settings may be the practical alternative when the hardware is otherwise usable.

Short on CPU

A processor below the i5-6400/Ryzen 3 1200 class may limit simulation work even if the graphics card is adequate. Desktop CPU upgrades can require a compatible motherboard BIOS, socket, and cooling solution. Laptop CPUs are generally not replaceable, making a settings reduction or a different computer more realistic than a processor swap.

Short on storage

Free space is usually the simplest issue to fix: remove unneeded files or install the game on another drive with at least 25 GB free plus working room for updates and add-ons. Do not confuse free capacity with transfer speed; Steam’s listing specifies capacity, not an SSD requirement or a loading-time target.

Troubleshooting when a qualifying PC will not start

First recheck the operating-system, CPU, GPU, RAM, VRAM, and free-space entries against the correct platform row. A Windows comparison cannot validate a Linux driver stack, and a system with 8 GB RAM is not equivalent to the recommended 12 GB tier.

SCS Software’s support guidance points users to the minimum requirements and to trying the game’s OpenGL and DirectX launch options. Follow the current instructions on the official ETS2 support page, selecting the renderer appropriate to your system and testing one change at a time. On Linux, pay particular attention to the page’s binary ATI/NVIDIA driver note and its warning about MESA reliability. If the game launches only with one renderer, keep that result documented when reporting the problem.

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Also update the operating system and graphics driver through the platform’s normal support channel, close overlays and unusually heavy background applications, and confirm that Steam has finished downloading the complete installation. These checks do not change the published requirements; they remove common causes of failure on otherwise qualifying hardware.

Buying and installing the full game

SCS Software’s official download page directs buyers to obtain a Steam key for the full version. Use the SCS Euro Truck Simulator 2 download page for that purchase route, then redeem the key in Steam and install on a drive that meets the space requirement. The Steam store page remains the authoritative place to recheck the platform block before downloading because requirements can change as the game is updated.

How to interpret the requirements for mods, DLC, and monitors

The published rows describe the game installation, not a guaranteed configuration for every combination of map expansions, traffic-heavy scenes, graphics scaling, or community modifications. More demanding visual settings and larger mod lists can increase memory, graphics, or CPU pressure. A high-resolution or high-refresh monitor also raises the performance target beyond what the word “recommended” defines. Decide on your desired resolution, frame rate, preset, DLC, and mods first; then use the recommended tier as a sensible minimum starting point rather than assuming it certifies that target.

Bottom line

For Windows, plan on at least Windows 10 64-bit, an i5-6400/Ryzen 3 1200-class CPU, 8 GB RAM, a GTX 660/RX 460/Intel HD 630-class GPU with 2 GB VRAM, and 25 GB free space. For more headroom, target the i5-9600/Ryzen 5 3600 class, 12 GB RAM, and GTX 1660/RX 590-class graphics. macOS and Linux have their own Steam requirement blocks, including specific OS and driver notes. Meeting minimum starts the conversation; it does not promise a particular visual result.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1

Euro Truck Simulator 2, DVD-ROM

$18.46

Bestseller No. 2

Euro Truck Spezial: LKW Rangier-Simulator [German Version]

$8.75

Bestseller No. 3

NBCP PC Steering Wheel with 6-Speed H-Pattern Shifter and Linear Pedal

$109.99

Bestseller No. 4

UK Truck-Simulator (PC)

$8.87

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.