Euro Truck Simulator 2 PC Hardware Guide
Official requirements explained
The official minimum CPU is an Intel Core i5-6400 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or similar. By today's standards that sits at the very old, entry end, roughly the level of an Intel Core i5-4570. This game leans heavily on the processor, so CPU generation matters more here than in many titles.
The minimum GPU is listed as a GeForce GTX 660, Radeon RX 460 or Intel HD 630 with 2GB of VRAM. That corresponds to an older entry tier, roughly a GeForce GTX 750 Ti. The minimum asks for 8GB of RAM and 25GB of storage, and the publisher does not require an SSD.
The recommended level moves up to an Intel Core i5-9600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or similar, which is a modern mainstream CPU. The recommended GPU is a GeForce GTX 1660 or Radeon RX 590 with 2GB of VRAM, a 1080p-class mainstream card, and recommended RAM rises to 12GB. The gap between minimum and recommended is mostly about the CPU and memory. The minimum will get you running, but if you want the late-game traffic and larger map to stay smooth, aim at least for the recommended level. The publisher does not list anything beyond the 25GB storage figure for the other components.
These are reference points, not guarantees. Your actual experience depends on your settings and how far into the game you are.
Recommended builds for three budgets
The entry build suits players on a tight budget who mainly want to get the game running. A GeForce GTX 1650 Super or GTX 1660 paired with a six-core CPU such as the Ryzen 5 3500X or Core i5-10400F, and 16GB of RAM. This sits comfortably above the recommended specs, so medium settings should feel relaxed.
The mainstream build is the best fit for most players who want long, stable sessions. Options include a GeForce GTX 1660 Super, RTX 3050 8GB or Radeon RX 5600 XT, with a Ryzen 5 3600 or Core i5-11400F. Since late-game load falls largely on the CPU, do not skimp on the processor. Again, 16GB of RAM is the sensible target.
The high-end build is for players who want higher settings or resolutions, or who want the CPU to have plenty of headroom. An RTX 3060 Ti, RX 6700 XT or RTX 3070 class GPU works well, and a CPU with large cache such as the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is especially useful for a game that is this CPU-heavy. 16GB of RAM is still enough for most situations.
Graphics settings with the biggest impact
In simulation games like this, shadows, volumetric effects and long-range detail usually cost the most. Shadow quality and shadow distance are expensive, so lower them first. Volumetric lighting and fog detail also add noticeable load, and dialing them back rarely hurts the overall look. View distance matters too, because the further you can see, the more objects the game has to handle.
Because this game puts a lot of load on the CPU, settings tied to vehicle density, crowd density and physics simulation have a large effect. If performance drops, reduce these unit-count settings before anything else. Lowering resolution alone often helps less. Ray tracing is not a highlighted feature in the official information, and for a game like this it is generally best left off so your resources go to the CPU and core lighting.
Upscaling technologies such as DLSS, FSR and XeSS render at a lower internal resolution and reconstruct the image at your target resolution, which reduces GPU load. They mainly ease the graphics card, though, so they help less when the processor is the bottleneck. Check which side is limiting you before relying on them.
Laptops and handheld PCs
Laptop GPUs often share names with desktop cards, such as an RTX 3060 for laptop and desktop, but the specs differ. Laptop versions run under tighter power limits and cooling constraints, so real performance is usually lower than the desktop card of the same name. When shopping, check the listed power target (TGP) and cooling design rather than just the model name.
Handheld PCs such as the Steam Deck or ASUS ROG Ally are portable devices where battery life and heat are the main concerns. They run at lower power, so a lower resolution and moderate settings usually give the most stable experience. Limiting the frame rate can reduce heat and battery drain. We do not have handheld verification data for this title, so treat this as general guidance and test on your own device.
Storage and memory
The official minimum RAM is 8GB and the recommended is 12GB. In practice, 16GB is the better target, installed in dual-channel configuration so the CPU and system get good memory bandwidth. Because this game puts substantial demand on both the processor and memory in later stages, dual-channel makes a noticeable difference.
The official storage requirement is 25GB. That only covers the base installation. Leave extra room for updates and any mods, and keep at least 30GB free. The publisher does not require an SSD, but an SSD shortens load times and reduces stutter when map and assets stream in, so a solid-state drive is still recommended.