Used Cars Simulator requires a minimum of an Intel Core i3-4130 or AMD FX-8350 processor, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon R9 280 graphics card, 8 GB of RAM, and 20 GB of available storage space. To experience smoother gameplay and higher visual settings, developer DreamWay Games recommends an Intel Core i7-9700 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 5700.
The game is developed on the Unity engine and runs on 64-bit Windows 10. Below is the complete breakdown of the official hardware specifications sourced directly from the game's Steam page.
Used Cars Simulator System Requirements Breakdown
| Hardware Component | Minimum Requirements | Recommended Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 10 (64-bit) |
| Processor (CPU) | Intel Core i3-4130 @ 3.3 GHz / AMD FX-8350 | Intel Core i7-9700 @ 3.6 GHz / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 @ 3.6 GHz |
| Graphics Card (GPU) | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti / AMD Radeon R9 280 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 / AMD Radeon RX 5700 |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Storage Space | 20 GB available space | 24 GB available space |
| Additional Notes | Subject to change as development continues | Subject to change as development continues |
Minimum vs. Recommended PC Hardware Analysis
Processor (CPU)
At minimum, Used Cars Simulator runs on dual-core or older multi-core chips like the fourth-generation Intel Core i3-4130 or AMD's FX-8350. Because the game features physics-based driving, towing mechanics, vehicle collision handling, and open-world exploration across an abandoned city, CPU load increases when driving fast or engaging in police chases. Upgrading to a 6-core AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or an 8-core Intel Core i7-9700 ensures stable physics calculations and minimizes frame drops in busy garage and traffic areas.
Graphics Card (GPU)
For basic 1080p rendering on low-to-medium settings, an entry-level GPU such as the 4 GB GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon R9 280 meets the baseline threshold. Players looking to run higher graphical presets, customize vehicle paints with rich reflections, or drive at 1440p and 4K resolutions will need a modern mid-range GPU such as the GeForce RTX 3060 or Radeon RX 5700.
Memory (RAM) and Disk Space
The minimum requirement of 8 GB RAM will allow the game to boot and function, but running background applications alongside it may cause memory bottlenecks in a physics sandbox. The recommended 16 GB of RAM prevents stutter when loading new world sectors and moving between junkyards, dealerships, and desert terrain.
For disk space, the base install requires 20 GB of free space, while developer recommendations suggest allocating 24 GB to account for game expansions, updates, and save data.
Steam Deck and Controller Compatibility
According to official Steam platform data, Used Cars Simulator has the following input and hardware support features:
- Steam Deck: Rated as Playable on Steam Deck.
- Controller Support: Offers partial controller support, including native Xbox controller compatibility and DualShock controller support (via USB connection only).
- Audio & Accessibility: Features custom volume controls, stereo sound settings, and the ability to save at any time.
- Cloud Support: Includes Steam Cloud saves and Steam Leaderboards integration.
Player Performance Observations
Performance reports on the Steam community forums and user reviews show varying results depending on settings:
- One player running the game on a budget PC reported smooth performance on ultra settings across detailed vehicle and town maps.
- Another player testing the game with an RTX 5080 and Ryzen 7 9800X3D at 1440p noted issues with 1% low framerates staying below 50 FPS, alongside a severe drop to 35 FPS when enabling ray tracing, indicating that ray tracing features may have unoptimized early implementations or bugs on certain GPU architectures.
- The game includes regular hotfixes and optimization patches following its 1.0 release from DreamWay Games, addressing side quests, police mechanics, and dealership features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run Used Cars Simulator on Windows 7 or 8?
No. Official specifications mandate a 64-bit version of Windows 10 as the minimum supported operating system.
How much storage space do I need for Used Cars Simulator?
The minimum requirement is 20 GB of free drive space, while the recommended specification asks for 24 GB of available storage space.
Does Used Cars Simulator support controllers?
Yes. The game features partial controller support, officially supporting Xbox controllers and USB-connected PlayStation DualShock controllers.
Is Used Cars Simulator available on Mac or Linux?
The developer lists Windows as the only officially supported PC operating system on Steam, though the title is marked as Playable on Valve's Linux-based Steam Deck environment.
