As you can see, the are drastically lower in the RAM and Storage departments. If you cannot run ETS 2, you can almost certainly run ETS 1. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Q: Will Euro Truck Simulator 1 run on a Chromebook? A: Not directly (unless you install Linux or Windows via Crouton/Bootcamp). The game requires DirectX 9, which Chrome OS does not support natively. However, if your Chromebook has an Intel x86 processor and you install Steam via the Linux container, it might run via Proton/Wine, but performance will be poor. Q: Does the Steam version have different requirements? A: No. The Steam version of ETS 1 (often called "Euro Truck Simulator" without the number) is identical to the retail version. However, Steam itself consumes about 200 MB of RAM, which is significant if you only have 512 MB. Close your browser and Steam overlay for best results. Q: My graphics card is "DirectX 12" compatible. Will that work? A: Yes. DirectX is backwards compatible. A modern RTX 3060 or RX 6600 can easily run this game, but you may experience extremely high frame rates (500+ FPS), which can sometimes cause physics glitches. Enable V-Sync to cap the frame rate. The Verdict: Should You Play ETS 1 in 2025? From a technical standpoint, the Euro Truck Simulator 1 system requirements are so low that they are almost non-existent. If you have a functional laptop that can run a web browser and YouTube, you can run this game.
If you have a Windows PC made in the last 15 years, you are good to hit the road. Just set your expectations for a vintage driving experience. Did you manage to run Euro Truck Simulator 1 on a particularly old or unusual machine? Let us know in the comments below!
Before the massive success of Euro Truck Simulator 2 turned virtual trucking into a global phenomenon, there was the original: Euro Truck Simulator 1 (often abbreviated as ETS 1). Released in 2008 by SCS Software, this game laid the foundation for the iconic franchise, allowing players to drive cargo across a simplified but charming version of Europe.
While modern gaming PCs struggle to run ETS 2 on ultra settings at 4K, the original Euro Truck Simulator is a completely different story. This game was designed for the Windows XP and Vista era. But if you are feeling nostalgic, or if you are trying to run the game on a very old laptop or a low-end office PC, you need to know the exact specifications.
In this article, we will break down the —from the absolute minimum to the recommended specs—and explain what hardware you actually need to keep those virtual wheels turning without lag. A Brief Note on the Game’s Age Before we dive into numbers, context is key. Euro Truck Simulator 1 runs on a proprietary engine that is significantly less demanding than its successor. The game world is smaller, the draw distances are shorter, and the graphical fidelity is closer to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas than modern simulators.
