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As of October 2026, Steam lists Squadron 42’s minimum requirements as Windows 11, a quad-core Intel i7 Sandy Bridge-or-newer or AMD Bulldozer-or-newer processor, 16 GB RAM, a DirectX 11.1-compatible graphics card with 8 GB VRAM, DirectX 12, broadband internet, and 150 GB of available storage. RSI publishes a separate, broader set of CIG game requirements that differs on Windows, CPU generations, and graphics memory. Neither source provides performance benchmarks or a meaningful recommended hardware list, so meeting a published minimum is not proof of smooth play.
Squadron 42 minimum PC requirements on Steam
Steam’s game-specific listing, checked in October 2026, gives the following minimum specifications:
| Component | Steam minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11; 64-bit processor and operating system |
| Processor | Quad-core Intel i7 Sandy Bridge or later, or AMD Bulldozer or later |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | DirectX 11.1-compatible graphics card with 8 GB VRAM |
| DirectX | Version 12 |
| Network | Broadband internet connection |
| Storage | 150 GB available space |
Steam’s recommended section currently names only a 64-bit processor and operating system; it does not specify a recommended CPU, graphics card, memory amount, or storage device. Steam’s Squadron 42 listing is the game-specific source for these figures.
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Roberts Space Industries (RSI) has a support page covering CIG games, including Squadron 42. Its latest update shown is December 17, 2025. This is not the same list as Steam’s: RSI gives Windows 10 or 11, 4 GB of graphics-card memory, and newer named CPU generations than Steam.
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| Component | RSI general CIG requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 64-bit with the latest service pack, or Windows 11 |
| Processor | Quad-core CPU with AVX, AVX2, and FMA3; Intel i7 Haswell or later, or AMD Excavator or later |
| Memory | 16 GB or more RAM |
| Graphics | DirectX 11.1 graphics card with 4 GB graphics-card memory |
| Storage | 150 GB or more on an SSD |
RSI also recommends an NTFS drive with at least 100 GB for the RSI Launcher and Star Citizen installation, plus 10 GB of SSD pagefile space. That note specifically refers to the launcher and Star Citizen installation; it should not be treated as an additional standalone Squadron 42 requirement. RSI says Linux and macOS are not currently supported. See the RSI system requirements page.
Why the two official lists differ
The lists should not be combined into a single supposedly confirmed specification. Steam’s October 2026 listing is specific to Squadron 42, while RSI’s December 2025 page describes requirements for CIG games more broadly. They disagree on the minimum Windows version, the graphics-memory threshold, and the named CPU generations. The available information does not explain the differences, so check both lists rather than assuming one overrides the other.
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- If you are comparing your PC with the game-specific storefront entry, use Steam’s listed Windows 11 and 8 GB VRAM minimums.
- If you are checking RSI’s published CIG support specifications, note its Windows 10-or-11 support and 4 GB graphics-memory figure, along with its AVX, AVX2, and FMA3 CPU instruction requirements.
Storage: check SSD capacity before anything else
Storage is the clearest upgrade check in RSI’s list: it specifies a 150 GB-or-larger SSD. Steam lists 150 GB of available storage but does not specify the drive type. The sources do not establish a required NVMe interface, a particular drive speed, or a specific SSD model.
Check your drive’s available capacity and interface before buying anything. A 1 TB SSD can make sense if you need additional room for other games and files, but neither official list requires that capacity. Do not infer that a particular SSD will improve Squadron 42 performance; the published requirements do not include storage benchmarks.
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Can your PC run Squadron 42?
Compare your system with the lists above, but treat the result as a requirements check—not a performance prediction. Neither Steam nor RSI publishes tested frame rates, target resolutions, graphics settings, or evidence that minimum-spec hardware will deliver smooth gameplay. No compatibility guarantee or performance conclusion can be drawn from the requirements alone.
- Check whether your processor meets the CPU generation and instruction-set details in the relevant list.
- Compare your graphics card’s memory with the threshold stated by that source; the two thresholds differ.
- Confirm that your RAM and available storage meet the published figures.
- Do not buy a GPU, CPU, or complete gaming PC solely on the basis of these requirement pages; neither provides benchmark evidence or a populated recommended tier.
Release timing and download availability
As checked in October 2026, Steam lists a planned release window of Q2 2027 and says the game is not yet available there. RSI’s support page, dated February 4, 2026, said Squadron 42 was still in development and unavailable to download. It said RSI accounts with a pledge containing the game would be able to download it after development, testing, and release. Release plans and access details can change; consult the Steam listing and RSI download support page for their current status.
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