Star Citizen system requirements give you a starting point for checking whether your PC can run the game: the listed minimums call for a 64-bit processor and operating system, 16 GB of memory, 4 GB of VRAM, and an SSD with 150+ GB of storage. [1] Learn more in Is Star Citizen Playable? What to Know Before You Start.
Treat those minimums as a first-pass check, not a promise of a particular experience. [1] If your PC meets each item, you can move on to comparing your hardware with the listing; for example, check the graphics card’s VRAM separately from your system memory, since those are different requirements. The goal is to spot an obvious mismatch before you install, rather than assume that passing the minimums guarantees how the game will run. The sections below show you how to check your PC, what to confirm about the install drive, and how to think about aiming beyond the minimums.
What are the listed minimum requirements?
Compare the categories, not just a model name
Check your PC against the listed minimum categories: a 64-bit processor and operating system, 16 GB of system memory, 4 GB of VRAM, and an SSD with 150+ GB of storage. [1] Compare each item with your PC’s specifications rather than relying on a processor or graphics-card model name alone.
How do you check your PC against the requirements?
Find your Windows version and system type. Open Windows Settings and look under System for the About or device information page. Check the Windows edition and version, then look for the system type entry to confirm the operating system is 64-bit. If you see both a Windows edition and an operating-system architecture, use the architecture field for the 64-bit check; a 64-bit processor alone does not tell you whether Windows itself is 64-bit. Star Citizen requires a 64-bit processor and operating system, and its listed OS is Windows 10. [1]
Check memory and graphics memory separately. In Windows, open Task Manager and select Performance to review the installed memory and the graphics adapter. The memory panel shows system RAM; the GPU panel may show dedicated GPU memory, which is the VRAM figure to compare. If your PC has more than one graphics adapter, inspect each one and note which is active for games. Windows screens can label dedicated and shared graphics memory separately, so don’t add those figures together as though they were all VRAM. You can also check the graphics card name in Device Manager or your graphics settings, then look up its dedicated memory in the manufacturer’s software.
Check the planned install drive. Open File Explorer, select the drive where you intend to install Star Citizen, and check its properties for free space. To confirm the drive type, open the Windows drive optimization tool and look for the media type, or check the drive model in your PC’s storage settings. Make sure you inspect the actual destination drive, not just the drive containing Windows; for example, a roomy HDD in the same PC won’t help if you plan to install the game on a nearly full SSD. The listing calls for an SSD with 150+ GB of storage. [1]
Keep a short checklist with your Windows architecture, RAM, GPU and dedicated VRAM, and install-drive type and free space. That makes it easier to compare each item accurately instead of relying on a single “PC specs” summary.
What should you check before installing?
Before installing, check that the intended drive is an SSD and has enough free space for Star Citizen’s listed storage requirement. The minimum requirements listing specifies an SSD and 150+ GB of storage [1], so check the actual destination drive rather than assuming your PC’s main drive is where the game will go. Learn more in Is Star Citizen in Beta? What Its Status Means.
In Windows, open File Explorer and look at the drives available on your PC. For example, if you plan to install the game on a secondary drive, check that drive’s type and its remaining space; free capacity on another drive won’t help if the installer is pointed elsewhere. If you’re unsure which drive is an SSD, check the drive details in Windows or consult the PC or drive manufacturer’s specifications.
Leave room for the installation on the drive you’ll use, and avoid starting the download until you’ve confirmed it has enough available capacity. If that drive is close to the listed amount, clear space first or choose another suitable drive. This gives you a straightforward check before you commit to the install, without relying on the total storage capacity of the whole PC.
Requirements listings can change, so check the current official requirements before installing if the listing has been updated. Compare the current storage requirement with the free space on your intended SSD, then proceed once the drive and available capacity line up. That final check helps you avoid beginning an installation with an outdated figure or the wrong destination drive.
Should you aim above the minimum?
A minimum specification is a threshold to compare with your PC, not a promise of smooth or consistent performance. If your system only just meets the listed requirements, treat that as a basic compatibility check rather than proof that every part of the game will run the way you want. [1]
What stronger hardware target can you use?
One third-party PC guide suggests aiming for 32 GB of RAM, an NVMe SSD, and an RTX 3060 or equivalent GPU as a stronger target for Star Citizen. [2] Those are that guide’s recommendations, not official minimum requirements, so use them as a point of comparison rather than a must-buy list. For a closer look, read Star Citizen Capital Ship Crew Requirements: Roles and Planning.
For example, if your PC has less memory than that suggested target but a newer graphics card, upgrading the graphics card alone may not address every performance concern. Think about how your processor, memory, graphics card, and storage work together, rather than treating one upgrade as a guaranteed fix.
Check the whole system before upgrading
Before spending money, compare your full PC configuration with the current requirements and decide which part—if any—falls short. If you are considering an SSD upgrade, check the drive you would actually use for the game; if you are considering a graphics card, check the rest of the system too.
A practical approach is to write down your processor, memory, graphics card, and intended install drive, then compare each item against the current requirements. That gives you a clearer basis for deciding whether an upgrade makes sense than buying a component because it appears in a recommended target. If you are unsure, hold off on a purchase until you can assess the whole build.
Your next step before downloading
Before you download, compare your PC with the key listed checks: a 64-bit Windows setup, 16 GB of memory, 4 GB of VRAM, and an SSD with 150+ GB of storage. [1] Treat them as a checklist, not a reason to assume every part of your computer is ready.
Go through each item on the machine you plan to use. For example, if your desktop has enough memory but the game would install on a hard drive rather than an SSD, that storage check still needs attention. If you are unsure about a detail, look it up in your PC’s settings or documentation instead of guessing.
Then compare your results with the current official requirements before installation. Requirements can change, so rechecking helps you avoid relying on an older checklist; use the official listing as your final reference for the current specs. [1]