American Truck Simulator is a CPU-limited game that rewards fast single-core performance over raw core count. Its open world, mod-heavy nature, and optional VR support do add up in terms of hardware draw, but SCS Software has optimized the engine well. A mid-range gaming PC runs it beautifully; you don’t need flagship hardware for 60+ fps at 1080p or 1440p. These five picks span budget gaming desktops through capable laptops, all verified to run ATS without frame-rate issues.
| Product | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i5 + RTX 4060 Custom Desktop | Budget 1080p ATS | 4.7/5 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 7600X + RX 7700 XT Desktop | 1440p ATS gaming | 4.7/5 |
| ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (RTX 4070) | Portable ATS gaming | 4.6/5 |
| Acer Nitro V 15 (RTX 4060) | Budget ATS laptop | 4.5/5 |
| Intel Core i7 + RTX 4070 Desktop | 1440p with heavy mods | 4.6/5 |
Intel Core i5 + RTX 4060 Desktop — Best Budget ATS Setup
A desktop pairing an Intel Core i5-14600K with an NVIDIA RTX 4060 and 16 GB DDR4 RAM hits 80-100 fps at 1080p ultra settings in American Truck Simulator. The i5-14600K’s single-core boost speeds handle the game’s CPU-heavy world simulation without bottlenecking the GPU. 16 GB of RAM covers vanilla ATS and a moderate mod load. Add a 500 GB NVMe SSD and the system boots fast with quick load times between saves. This configuration stays well in component cost.
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X + RX 7700 XT Desktop — Best 1440p ATS Desktop
The Ryzen 5 7600X pairs a fast 6-core CPU with strong single-core performance, and the RX 7700 XT delivers 1440p gaming headroom for ATS. This combination averages 70+ fps at 1440p high settings with realistic mod packs loaded. AMD’s AM5 platform supports DDR5 and has upgrade headroom if you want to step up the CPU later. The RX 7700 XT offers more VRAM than the RTX 4060 (12 GB vs 8 GB), which helps when running high-resolution texture mods and map expansion packs.
ASUS TUF Gaming A15 — Best Laptop for American Truck Simulator
The TUF Gaming A15 with RTX 4070 and AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS delivers strong performance for ATS at 1440p with the laptop’s 2560x1440 display. The 15.6-inch 165 Hz display provides smooth, tear-free gameplay. Fan noise is audible under load but manageable with headphones. Battery life during gaming is around 2 hours, typical for this GPU class. For a trucking sim that benefits from a larger screen and comfortable seating setup, this laptop pairs well with an external monitor at a desk.
Acer Nitro V 15 (RTX 4060) — Best Budget ATS Laptop
The Acer Nitro V 15 with RTX 4060 runs American Truck Simulator at 1080p high settings above 60 fps comfortably, making it a solid budget entry point. The chassis runs warm but doesn’t throttle under extended play sessions. 16 GB DDR5 RAM and a 512 GB NVMe SSD are included at the base price. The display is a 144 Hz IPS panel — adequate for the game’s pace, which doesn’t demand 240 Hz. At it’s one of the most accessible machines that still runs ATS well with a basic mod load.
Intel Core i7 + RTX 4070 Desktop — Best for Heavy Mods and 1440p
For players running large mod collections — map expansions like ProMods North America, high-res texture packs, and traffic mods — a more capable CPU and GPU combination matters. An Intel Core i7-14700K paired with an RTX 4070 and 32 GB DDR5 RAM keeps frame rates above 60 fps at 1440p even with 100+ mods active. The RTX 4070’s 12 GB VRAM handles high-resolution texture mods without stuttering. This is also the minimum comfortable VR setup for playing ATS in a headset.
How to Choose a Computer for American Truck Simulator
ATS is CPU-bound in its game simulation thread, so prioritize single-core CPU speed. Any modern mid-range gaming GPU handles 1080p; step up to a 1440p-class GPU if you use a QHD monitor or plan to run lots of graphical mods. RAM at 16 GB covers most setups; 32 GB is worth it if you also run Discord, a browser, and a Spotify player in the background. VR players should target an RTX 4070 or better and 32 GB RAM. Storage speed matters less than capacity — ATS’s world data benefits from a 1 TB drive if you install multiple map DLCs.
For more gaming PC options, see best computers for AI and best computers for animators. Our methodology explains how gaming performance is evaluated.
Frequently asked questions
What CPU does American Truck Simulator use most?+
American Truck Simulator relies heavily on a single CPU core for the game thread. A processor with strong single-core clock speed -- at least 3.5 GHz base with boost to 5+ GHz -- performs better than a high-core-count chip with lower per-core speeds. Intel Core i5 and i7 chips from the 13th and 14th gen, as well as AMD Ryzen 5 7600X and up, all perform well. You don't need a workstation CPU for this game.
Can American Truck Simulator run on a laptop?+
American Truck Simulator runs comfortably on modern mid-range gaming laptops. A laptop with an NVIDIA RTX 4060 or AMD RX 7700M GPU, a current-gen Intel or AMD CPU, and 16 GB RAM will hold 60+ fps at 1080p high settings without issue. For 1440p or VR play, step up to an RTX 4070 laptop GPU. The game is not particularly demanding compared to newer titles and is friendly to mid-tier hardware.