Skip to content

Star Citizen | Recommended hardware

Last Update: Star Citizen Alpha 3.24.2 December 2024

These are currently the best components for quality/price to have a better gaming experience.

The guide will be updated every month.

Index:

Full Build November 2024

Noctua NT-H1

If you need reliable and practical thermal paste for your PC or laptop and aren’t necessarily looking for “top-tier” performance, this is an excellent choice. However, if you want the best for extreme overclocking or are on a tight budget, there are alternatives to consider.

https://amzn.to/4fFyl2a

ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4080 O16G

If you’re a gamer or professional looking for high-level graphics performance and efficient cooling, the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4080 O16G OC is an excellent choice. However, if your goal is casual gaming or you’re on a tighter budget, you might consider lower-tier cards or alternatives with a better price-performance ratio.

https://amzn.to/4fTEfwb

Intel Core i9-14900

If you need a high-end processor for activities such as advanced gaming, content creation, or intensive workloads that utilize both P-cores for speed and E-cores for efficiency, the Intel Core i9-14900K is an excellent choice. However, if you don’t need extreme performance or want to save money, you could consider CPUs with a more balanced price-performance ratio.

https://amzn.to/3YY47jC

Samsung Gaming Monitor Odyssey OLED G8

If you’re looking for a gaming monitor with excellent visual quality thanks to its OLED panel, a high refresh rate (175Hz), and ultra-fast response times (0.03ms), the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 is an excellent choice, especially for immersive games and multimedia content. However, if you’re on a budget or don’t need an OLED panel, you might consider less expensive options with high-quality IPS or VA panels.

https://amzn.to/4fCsMS3

SAMSUNG 990 PRO M.2 2000 GB Memory

If you’re looking for a high-performance M.2 NVMe SSD, the Samsung 990 PRO 2TB is an excellent choice. It offers sequential read and write speeds of up to 7,450 MB/s and 6,900 MB/s, respectively, ideal for gaming, video editing, and other intensive applications. However, if your needs don’t require such high performance or you’re on a budget, you might consider cheaper alternatives with lower speeds but still suitable for everyday use.

https://amzn.to/4fz4icj

Corsair RM1000e 80 Plus Gold

If you’re building a high-end PC with components demanding significant power, such as next-gen graphics cards, the Corsair RM1000e is an excellent choice. It offers 1000W of power, supports ATX 3.0 and PCIe 5.0 standards, and is fully modular for easier cable management. However, if your system doesn’t require such high power, you might opt for models with lower wattage, saving costs without sacrificing performance.

https://amzn.to/4fUTkxw

Fractal Design North XL

If you’re looking for a PC case that combines elegant design with excellent performance, the Fractal Design North XL Charcoal Black Mesh is an excellent choice. It offers ample internal space compatible with E-ATX motherboards, three pre-installed Aspect PWM 140mm fans for optimal airflow, and a USB Type-C port for modern connectivity. However, if you’re on a budget or don’t need such a spacious case, you might consider cheaper or more compact alternatives.

https://amzn.to/412PZZf

NZXT Kraken 360

If you’re looking for an AIO liquid cooler with excellent cooling performance and customizable aesthetics thanks to its integrated LCD display, the NZXT Kraken 360 is an excellent choice. However, if you’re on a tighter budget or don’t need the customizable display, you might consider less expensive alternatives with similar performance.

https://amzn.to/3CANiDL

CORSAIR VENGEANCE DDR5 64GB (2x32GB)

If you’re building a high-performance system for gaming, productivity, or rendering, the CORSAIR VENGEANCE DDR5 64GB 6000MHz offers high speeds, low latency (CL30), and compatibility with AMD EXPO and Intel XMP for easy overclocking. However, if you won’t fully utilize the 64GB capacity or high frequencies, you might consider kits with lower capacity or frequencies to optimize your budget.

https://amzn.to/4hRmkrI

ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-F

If you’re building a high-end gaming PC based on Intel’s 13th or 14th-generation processors, the ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-F offers an excellent combination of performance, advanced connectivity (WiFi 6E, PCIe 5.0), DDR5 support, and a premium design with customizable RGB. However, if you’re on a budget or don’t need features like PCIe 5.0 or WiFi 6E, you might consider motherboards with less expensive chipsets like Z790 or B760.

https://amzn.to/3OjLvWk

Hotas & Hosas

Virpil VPC WarBRD Base + VPC Constellation ALPHA

The Virpil VPC WarBRD Base + VPC Constellation ALPHA is a high-quality joystick base and grip combo, designed for both desk and mounted cockpits. The WarBRD Base features independently adjustable axis clutch dampers and a dual-cam per axis, while the Constellation ALPHA grip is versatile and well-suited for space/sci-fi games. Both components offer a robust build and a multitude of control inputs for a customizable gaming experience.

https://virpil-controls.eu/

Gladiator NXT Evo Space Combat Edition

The Gladiator NXT Evo Space Combat Edition is a robust and compact HOTAS setup, perfect for space flight simulations. It offers a solid build quality and an array of control inputs for a customizable gaming experience. Despite its small size, it feels sturdy and comfortable to use, making it a great upgrade for any space sim setup.

https://flightsimcontrols.com/

Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog (Grips + Throttles)

The Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog is a high-end flightstick that is often considered the first and last word in this category. It is a Hands on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS) controller for PC, featuring an astonishing number of buttons and switches. The joystick and throttles are replicas of the controls of an A-10 Warthog.

Link to Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog

Logitech G X56

The Logitech G X56 is a versatile HOTAS controller, offering a multitude of buttons and switches. It’s an upgrade from the older X55, improving nearly every aspect. Ideal for flight and space simulation games, it provides an immersive experience.

Link to Logitech G X56

Thrustmaster T16000M FCS Space Sim Duo

The Thrustmaster T16000M FCS Space Sim Duo is a solid, dual flightstick setup ideal for space flight simulations. It combines plastic and metal components, offering a robust feel and futuristic look. With an array of control inputs, it provides a customizable and immersive gaming experience.

Link to Thrustmaster T16000M FCS Space Sim Duo

Thrustmaster T16000M FCS Hotas

The Thrustmaster T16000M FCS Hotas is a well-priced joystick/throttle combo that’s hard to beat. It offers a wealth of buttons and switches, and the joystick design is a classic. Despite the joystick feeling a bit dated compared to the more advanced throttle, it’s a great purchase for flight simulator enthusiasts.

Link to Thrustmaster T16000M FCS Hotas

Memorie NVMe M.2

Samsung Memorie MZ-V9P2T0G 990 PRO

The Samsung Memorie MZ-V9P2T0G 990 PRO SSD is a high-performance 2TB internal SSD, compatible with PlayStation 5. It offers impressive read/write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s, and its intelligent thermal control ensures optimal energy efficiency1. The slim heat sink design prevents performance drops due to overheating.

Link to Samsung Memorie MZ-V9P2T0G 990 PRO

Samsung 980 PRO PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD 1TB

The Samsung 980 PRO PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD 1TB is a top-tier SSD offering blistering speeds, outperforming many competitors. It’s equipped with Samsung’s latest V-NAND technology and the new Elpis controller. Despite its high performance, it maintains a competitive price point, making it a great choice for those seeking a balance between cost and performance.

Link to Samsung 980 PRO PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD 1TB

Crucial T705

If you’re looking for a PCIe Gen5 NVMe M.2 SSD with exceptional performance for gaming, the Crucial T705 1TB is an excellent choice. It offers sequential read speeds of up to 13,600 MB/s, significantly improving game and application load times. Additionally, it supports Microsoft DirectStorage, further optimizing performance in compatible games. However, to fully utilize its capabilities, a motherboard compatible with PCIe 5.0 is required. If your system only supports PCIe 4.0, you might not fully benefit from its maximum speeds. In such cases, a PCIe 4.0 SSD could be a more cost-effective and suitable option.

https://amzn.to/491wQZu

Crucial T500

If you’re looking for a fast PCIe Gen4 SSD with DirectStorage compatibility for gaming and productivity, the Crucial T500 2TB is an excellent choice thanks to its high read and write speeds. However, if you anticipate intensive workloads and very large data transfers, you might consider alternatives with more consistent performance.

https://amzn.to/3ZjKZOB

Crucial P3

The Crucial P3 is a PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD designed to offer a good balance between performance and price. With sequential read speeds of up to 3,500 MB/s and write speeds of up to 3,000 MB/s, it is suitable for everyday use and storing large amounts of data. However, it uses QLC memory and lacks DRAM, which might impact performance under intensive workloads. If you’re looking for an affordable SSD with high capacity for general use, the Crucial P3 is a solid choice. For higher demands, you might consider models with TLC memory and DRAM.

https://amzn.to/40YXb8y

Headphones

Astro Gaming A40 TR

The Astro Gaming A40 TR is a solid gaming headset, offering good sound quality and comfort. Its semi-open design is unique, and the 3.5mm connector makes it versatile for any device that supports a traditional headphone jack. However, its high price point may be a deterrent, as there are lower-priced headsets that offer similar features.

Link to Astro Gaming A40 TR

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is a premium gaming headset, offering multi-device-and-platform connectivity, long battery life, and excellent sound quality. It’s comfortable and versatile, with a hot-swappable battery and detailed sound. However, its high price tag and some design elements may need tweaking.

Link to SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

Sony Inzone H9

The Sony Inzone H9 is Sony’s highest-tier gaming headset, offering active noise canceling (ANC) and Bluetooth connectivity. It provides good sound quality, effective ANC, and a comfortable fit for long gaming sessions. However, its high price and some design elements may need tweaking.

Link to Sony Inzone H9

JBL Quantum 910X

The JBL Quantum 910X is a feature-packed gaming headset with good sound quality, but it falls short due to its weight and usability. It offers extensive connectivity options and is well-padded, but its high price and non-detachable microphone are drawbacks. Despite these, its excellent sound and comfortable fit make it worth considering.

Link to JBL Quantum 910X

Keyboard

Logitech G910 Orion Spectrum

Corsair K60 RGB PRO

Razer BlackWidow V3

Logitech G413

MSI VIGOR GK30