System requirements
Squadron 42's published minimum: Windows 11 (64-bit), a quad-core Intel i7 or AMD Bulldozer-class CPU, 16 GB RAM, a DirectX 12 graphics card with 8 GB VRAM, and 150 GB of storage - with broadband required.
Squadron 42's published minimum spec is a modern mid-range target: Windows 11, a quad-core Intel i7 or AMD Bulldozer-class CPU, 16 GB RAM, a DirectX 12 card with 8 GB VRAM, and 150 GB of storage, with a broadband connection required. That is the full official minimum, taken straight from the Steam listing you can check today.
The minimum, line by line
| Component | Published minimum | Plain reading |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11, 64-bit | Windows 11 only - Windows 10 is not listed |
| CPU | Quad core: Intel i7 (Sandy Bridge or newer) / AMD Bulldozer or newer | Anything from a 2011-era i7 forward clears the bar; a modern 6-core sits comfortably above it |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM | 16 GB is the floor, not a luxury |
| Graphics | DirectX 11.1-compatible card with 8 GB VRAM | The 8 GB VRAM line is the one to check first on older cards |
| DirectX | Version 12 | A DX12-capable system, which pairs with the GPU requirement |
| Network | Broadband internet connection | The launcher and account systems live online |
| Storage | 150 GB available space | One of the larger installs in modern gaming - plan the drive |
What is not in the table
CIG has not published a full recommended tier - the Steam listing carries the minimum block and stops there. Practically, that makes the minimum the honest baseline: if your machine comfortably clears every line above, you are in the target zone for a 2027 release whose final optimisation pass has not happened yet.
Checking your own rig in two minutes
- Windows 11? Settings, System, About - the edition line answers it.
- 16 GB RAM? Task Manager, Performance tab, Memory. The total is on the right.
- 8 GB VRAM? Task Manager, Performance, GPU - look at "Dedicated GPU memory".
- 150 GB free? File Explorer, This PC - check the drive you install games on, not just any drive.
If one line fails, that is the upgrade to plan before 2027 - and the one thing you can do today, for free, is put the game on your wishlist so the launch window reaches you directly.
When more will be known
A final, recommended specification typically lands close to release, alongside pre-load sizes. Until then the Steam listing is the authoritative version of this page's table - if it changes, this page changes with it.
