See the Euro Truck Simulator 2 PC system requirements, recommended specs, storage needs, laptop guidance and fixes for low frame rates.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 needs a 64-bit Windows 10 PC with at least a Core i5-6400 or Ryzen 3 1200, 8 GB RAM, GTX 660/RX 460 or Intel HD 630-class graphics with 2 GB VRAM, and 25 GB free. For smoother play, aim for the recommended specification below.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 minimum and recommended requirements
These are the published Windows PC requirements for Euro Truck Simulator 2. Equivalent processors and graphics cards can work, but model numbers and VRAM alone are not reliable measures of performance.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-6400, AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or similar | Intel Core i5-9600, AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or similar |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 12 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660, AMD Radeon RX 460 or Intel HD 630 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 or AMD Radeon RX 590 |
| Graphics memory | 2 GB VRAM | 2 GB VRAM |
| Storage | 25 GB available | 25 GB available |
The minimum specification means the simulator should run; it does not promise high settings or a fixed frame rate. The recommended tier is a better basis for 1080p play, although rendering scale, mirrors, traffic and mods can still make it struggle.
Windows 11 is also suitable on compatible hardware. Euro Truck Simulator 2 has macOS and Linux versions as well, but their operating-system and graphics-driver requirements should be checked separately rather than inferred from this Windows table.
Can Euro Truck Simulator 2 run on a laptop or integrated graphics?
Yes, ETS2 can run on a laptop, and Intel HD 630 is included in the minimum graphics specification. Expect to reduce resolution, rendering scale and visual quality when relying on integrated graphics.
Integrated GPUs use shared system memory, so an 8 GB machine has less memory available to the game than the specification suggests. Use mains power, select the laptop's high-performance power mode and make sure Windows assigns ETS2 to the dedicated GPU if the laptop has one. A mistake we see constantly is a capable gaming laptop launching the simulator on its Intel graphics instead of its NVIDIA or AMD processor.
How much storage does ETS2 really need?
The official requirement is 25 GB, but that is not a comfortable long-term allocation. Map DLC, updates, saved profiles and mods require additional room, while the update process may temporarily need spare working space.
Leave several tens of gigabytes free if you expect to install substantial map or vehicle content. An SSD is not required, but it shortens loading and update operations; it does not usually fix a low frame rate caused by an underpowered processor or GPU.
Why does ETS2 run slowly on a PC that meets the requirements?
A system can meet the requirements and still perform poorly because ETS2's most expensive settings go well beyond the minimum baseline. Check these causes before replacing hardware:
- Reset rendering scale. Start at 100%. Values such as 200% or 400% render far more pixels and can overwhelm a graphics card that otherwise handles the selected screen resolution.
- Reduce mirror settings. Mirror distance and quality are costly because the simulator must render additional views of the scene. Lower these before cutting texture quality.
- Test busy cities separately. Large junctions, dense AI traffic and traffic mods put more pressure on the processor. If performance falls mainly in cities, reducing GPU-only settings may have little effect.
- Check mods on a clean profile. Outdated map, traffic, weather and vehicle mods can cause stuttering, crashes or unusually long loading times. Disable them in batches, then add them back individually.
- Confirm the correct GPU is active. On dual-GPU laptops, assign the simulator to the high-performance graphics processor through Windows Graphics settings or the GPU control panel.
- Leave memory headroom. Close memory-heavy background applications on an 8 GB system. More than the official minimum is useful when running large mod combinations, but extra RAM will not compensate for a slow GPU.
For a new or upgraded PC, prioritise balanced CPU and GPU performance rather than buying on VRAM capacity alone. Aim above the recommended tier if you want high rendering scale, 1440p or 4K output, heavy traffic modifications or large multi-map installations.