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RSI’s currently published shared requirements for its games, including Squadron 42, call for Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11, a quad-core CPU with AVX, AVX2 and FMA3 support, a DirectX 11.1 graphics card with 4 GB of graphics memory, at least 16 GB of RAM, and an SSD with 150+ GB. These are not a confirmed final, standalone Squadron 42 specification: RSI says the game is still in development and is not available to download.
Squadron 42 PC requirements at a glance
| Component | RSI’s published requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 64-bit (latest service pack) or Windows 11 |
| CPU | Quad-core processor supporting AVX, AVX2 and FMA3 |
| Graphics | DirectX 11.1 graphics card with 4 GB graphics memory |
| Memory | 16 GB or more RAM |
| Storage | SSD with 150+ GB |
RSI lists these in its Game and Launcher Requirements article, updated December 17, 2025. It describes them as general requirements for CIG games, rather than a final Squadron 42-only spec sheet.
What each requirement means for your PC
Windows 10 or Windows 11
The listed operating systems are Windows 10 64-bit with the latest service pack, or Windows 11. RSI says Linux and macOS are not currently supported.
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A supported quad-core CPU
Core count alone is not enough. The processor also needs AVX, AVX2 and FMA3 instruction support. RSI gives Intel i7 Haswell or later and AMD Excavator or later as examples. If you are checking an older or lower-tier processor, verify those instruction sets rather than assuming it qualifies because it has four cores.
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A DirectX 11.1 graphics card with 4 GB of memory
The published threshold is a DirectX 11.1-capable graphics card with 4 GB of graphics memory. RSI does not attach a Squadron 42-specific frame-rate target or performance guarantee to that requirement.
At least 16 GB of system RAM
RSI lists 16 GB or more. If your PC has less, memory is one of the listed thresholds to address, but check your system’s supported memory type and capacity before buying an upgrade.
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An SSD and substantial free space
RSI lists an SSD with 150+ GB for its general game requirements. The same page separately recommends an NTFS-formatted drive with at least 100 GB for the RSI Launcher and Star Citizen installation, plus an additional 10 GB of SSD space for the pagefile. Those figures describe separate guidance on the page; it does not explain how they relate to the storage needed for a future Squadron 42 installation, so do not treat them as a precise combined total.
Additional notes RSI lists
RSI also recommends Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.5.2, and lists network port ranges TCP 8000–8020 and UDP 64090–64110. These are listed as additional recommendations, not as CPU or graphics minimums.
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Can your PC run Squadron 42?
You can compare your hardware with the published thresholds above, but that check cannot establish a final compatibility or performance result for Squadron 42. RSI’s requirements article says it strongly recommends meeting at least these minimums to install, load and play its games effectively. It does not promise a particular frame rate, and the published shared requirements may change before release.
RSI’s Get Started: Checklist, updated April 16, 2026, says the single-player campaign is still in development and not yet available. Its download guidance, updated February 4, 2026, likewise says Squadron 42 is in development and unavailable for download. RSI says qualifying accounts will be able to download and play after development is complete, the game has been tested, and it has been released.
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What to check before upgrading
- Confirm your CPU supports AVX, AVX2 and FMA3, as well as having at least four cores.
- Check that your graphics card supports DirectX 11.1 and has at least 4 GB of graphics memory.
- Make sure the system has 16 GB or more RAM, accounting for your motherboard and system’s compatibility.
- Confirm you have an SSD with sufficient available capacity; RSI’s shared listing says 150+ GB.
- Use the Windows version RSI lists, since the support page does not currently include Linux or macOS.
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