Quick answer
RSI specifies 16 GB RAM minimum, recommends 32 GB DDR4 and requires an SSD with more than 150 GB free. Minimum specifications do not guarantee a frame rate.
Official system requirements compared
| Category | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 (Latest Service Pack) | Windows 10 (Latest Service Pack) / Windows 11 |
| Processor | 4 cores – Intel i7 (Haswell+) or AMD Excavator+; AVX, AVX2 and FMA3 required | 4/8 cores – Intel i7 (Haswell+) or AMD Ryzen 5+; all required instructions |
| Graphics card | DirectX 11.1-compatible graphics card with 4 GB VRAM | DirectX 12-compatible graphics card with 8 GB VRAM |
| Memory | 16 GB | 32 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 150+ GB SSD required | 150+ GB SSD required |
What do the values mean for beginners?
The official minimum is 16 GB of RAM, but RSI recommends 32 GB of DDR4 RAM for a more comfortable overall experience. CPU, GPU, memory, drivers and server conditions all affect performance, so one strong component cannot guarantee a particular result.
An SSD with more than 150 GB available is required; leave room for updates. A 64-bit CPU and OS are required, together with AVX, AVX2 and FMA3. The GPU must support Direct3D 11.1 and Vulkan 1.2. Install current manufacturer drivers.
RSI does not list Star Citizen as supporting macOS or Linux. The official requirements may change as development continues.
RSI Telemetry as a rough guide
The official Telemetry Dashboard can give you a rough idea of how similar system configurations perform. RSI notes that every system is different and that actual performance depends on additional factors.