ATS system requirements: minimum and recommended specs

The minimum requirements for American Truck Simulator on PC are 64-bit Windows 10, an Intel Core i5-6400 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 processor, 8 GB of RAM, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660, AMD Radeon RX 460 or Intel HD 630 graphics card with 2 GB of VRAM, and 25 GB of free disk space. For smooth gameplay, SCS recommends an Intel Core i5-9600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600, 12 GB of RAM and a GeForce GTX 1660 or Radeon RX 590. Those 25 GB are for the base game only: every DLC and every map mod takes up extra space. There are also macOS and Linux versions, and on Steam Deck the game is rated Verified.

Official ATS requirements on Windows

These are the requirements listed on the game’s Steam page, current as of version 1.61:

Keep two things in mind. First, the system has to be 64-bit: it doesn’t work on 32-bit Windows. Second, Steam only officially supports Windows 10 and later. If your computer runs Windows 7 or 8, SCS dropped support in 2024 for Windows versions that Steam no longer supports, so don’t count on the current game launching.

These requirements are the same as those for Euro Truck Simulator 2: if one of the two games runs well for you, so will the other.

Requirements on Mac, Linux and Steam Deck

• macOS: macOS 11 (Big Sur), a 3.3 GHz quad-core processor, 8 GB of RAM and at least an Intel HD 630-class GPU with 2 GB of VRAM. The recommended specs are a 4.6 GHz quad-core processor, 12 GB of RAM and a GPU on the level of a GeForce GTX 1660.
• Linux: the same processor, RAM, graphics and disk values as on Mac. The store page lists 64-bit Ubuntu 14.04 as the reference system, a detail that hasn’t been updated. In practice, use a current distribution with up-to-date graphics drivers.
• Steam Deck: Valve rates it as Verified. The controls, text and default performance work well on the handheld.

How much space American Truck Simulator takes with DLC

The Steam page clarifies that the 25 GB only covers the base game. Each state DLC adds more space, and there are already more than fifteen paid states, plus the trailer, cargo, truck and Road Trip DLCs. Map mods also add a lot: Reforma and its Mega Resources pack, or Coast to Coast, are downloaded separately. SCS doesn’t publish an official figure with everything installed, so set aside quite a bit more than 25 GB if you plan to expand the game. You can see how much your installation takes up in Steam, under Properties > Installed Files.

If you can choose, install it on an SSD. Loading profiles with lots of DLC and mods is much faster than on a mechanical hard drive, and you’ll get less stuttering when entering cities.

Playing on a laptop

ATS runs on laptops that meet the minimum requirements, but laptops have their quirks:

• Plug in the charger. On battery, Windows and the GPU reduce performance to save power.
• Use the dedicated GPU. If your laptop has both integrated and dedicated graphics, in Windows go to Settings > System > Display > Graphics and set the ATS executable to the high-performance option. You can also do this from the NVIDIA or AMD control panel.
• Watch the temperature. If your FPS drops after playing for a while, your computer may be throttling because of heat. A cooling pad and clean air vents help.
• Cap your FPS. The game includes a frame rate limiter. Setting it to 60 or 30 reduces heat and noise and makes the experience more stable.

Settings for a low-end PC

ATS adapts well to modest computers if you tune the graphics options properly. In order of impact:

1. Resolution scaling: this is the setting with the biggest impact. Keep it at 100% or lower; above that, the cost is huge.
2. Shadows: lower them to medium or low. You’ll barely notice while driving, but your FPS will.
3. Anti-aliasing: on borderline computers, use the lowest level or turn it off.
4. Reflections, vegetation and map detail: lower them to ease the load on your GPU in cities and forested areas.
5. Traffic density: fewer vehicles on screen means less load on the processor.

With integrated graphics, start with the lowest preset and raise the options one at a time. Before playing, update your graphics drivers and close your browser and other programs, especially if you have 8 GB of RAM.

Mods and requirements

The official requirements are for the unmodified game. Large maps, traffic mods like Real Traffic Density and graphics mods like Realistic Brutal Graphics and Weather need more RAM, more VRAM and longer loading times. If you’re short on RAM, enable them a few at a time. To install them without breaking your save, follow the guide on how to install mods in ATS.

ATS or ETS2? We help you choose in ETS2 vs ATS.

American Truck Simulator quick facts: Steam Deck · multiplayer · download size · on mobile · where to download it · PS5 and Xbox.

Frequently asked questions

Does American Truck Simulator run on 4 GB of RAM?

The official store page asks for 8 GB minimum. With less memory it may not launch or may stutter constantly, and it’s not a supported configuration.

Can you play ATS with integrated graphics?

Yes. The Intel HD 630 is listed in the minimum requirements. Use low settings, don’t raise resolution scaling above 100% and avoid heavy graphics mods.

Does ATS work on Windows 7 or on 32-bit systems?

No. The current store page asks for 64-bit Windows 10, and since 2024 the game doesn’t support Windows versions that Steam no longer supports.

Is ATS more demanding than Euro Truck Simulator 2?

On Windows, no. Both Steam pages ask for the same processor, RAM, graphics and space. What changes the most is how much space the DLCs you buy for each game take up.

How many GB does ATS take with all the DLC?

SCS doesn’t give an official figure. Plan on quite a bit more than the 25 GB of the base game, plus whatever the map mods you add take up. You can check the American Truck Simulator DLC guide to see how many there are.