Star Citizen recently updated its minimum system requirements, specifically focusing on CPU specifications, now recommending an i7 Sandy Bridge or newer for smoother gameplay performance. Testing showed that the previous quad-core Sandy Bridge CPU was inadequate for running the game smoothly, with performance dropping significantly in city environments, leading to crashes and low frame rates, prompting the video creator to suggest alternative CPUs like the Intel i5 10400 or i7 8700 and Ryzen 5 3600 for better gameplay experiences.
In a recent update, Star Citizen has revised its minimum system requirements, particularly focusing on the CPU specifications. Previously, the game recommended a quad-core Sandy Bridge CPU, which was found to be unplayable in cities, especially on older systems. The new minimum spec now calls for an i7 Sandy Bridge or newer, which essentially means a quad-core with hyper-threading, offering four cores and eight threads. Testing with an i7 2600 showed some positive performance in Quantum travel, where the system was GPU-bound and achieved playable frame rates in space.
However, when testing the game in cities like Area 18 and Orison, the performance with the i7 2600 dropped significantly, with frame rates dipping below 15 FPS and even hitting as low as 12 FPS in the heaviest areas. This poor performance in city environments can lead to a subpar first impression for new players, especially those with older systems. The overall experience was marred by frequent crashes and low performance, making it clear that the i7 2600 is not sufficient to run Star Citizen smoothly.
The video creator suggests alternative minimum spec CPUs based on their extensive testing. They recommend the Intel i5 10400 or i7 8700 as the lowest acceptable options on the Intel side, offering six cores and 12 threads for better performance. On the Ryzen side, the Ryzen 5 3600 is suggested as the lowest viable option. These CPUs may not consistently hit 30 FPS in cities but are generally playable, with dips below that threshold being acceptable. The creator emphasizes the importance of achieving around 30 FPS as a minimum standard for a decent gameplay experience.
The video expresses confusion and disappointment with Star Citizen’s updated minimum spec page, highlighting the lack of clarity and coherence in the new CPU recommendations. The creator questions whether these updates were thoroughly tested and criticizes the seemingly arbitrary nature of the changes. Despite the uncertainties surrounding the official minimum specs, the video creator reassures viewers by providing their own well-tested recommendations for CPUs that can offer a more stable and playable experience in Star Citizen. They plan to conduct further testing on GPU recommendations and encourage viewers to stay tuned for more updates on system requirements for the game.
