Is Cities Skylines 2 CPU or GPU intensive

Is Cities Skylines 2 CPU or GPU intensive

In recent times, the gaming landscape has witnessed a surge in the popularity of building, strategy, and simulation games, with titles like Cities Skylines 2 taking the spotlight. These games offer players the unparalleled experience of constructing and managing a metropolis from the ground up. Now, if you too want to try your hand at the intricacies of this city-building phenomenon, the question arises: is it the CPU or the GPU that the game requires? For a PC player, this is a vital piece of information before they decide to build their cities in the game. Well, as always, here we are with all the answers.


The CPU, or central processing unit, acts as the brain of the computer, handling calculations and simulations. On the other hand, the GPU, or graphics processing unit, manages visual rendering and complex graphical tasks. Achieving optimal performance in gaming needs a balance between these two components. A game that strikes this balance ensures that neither the CPU nor the GPU bear an excessively heavy load, leading to a smoother and more responsive gaming experience. That being said, is Cities Skylines 2 optimized? Let’s find out.


Is Cities Skylines 2 CPU or GPU intensive


Is Cities Skylines 2 CPU or GPU intensive


Before delving deeper into the intricacies of Cities: Skylines 2 and its demands on CPU and GPU, it’s prudent to take a glance at the minimum system requirements. These specifications serve as a preliminary roadmap, offering insights into the baseline hardware necessary for the game to run.


Minimum System Requirements




  • Processor: Intel Core i7-6700K | AMD Ryzen 5 2600X

  • Memory: 8 GB RAM

  • Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 (4 GB) | AMD Radeon RX 480 (8 GB)

  • Storage: 60 GB available space



CPU or GPU Intensive?


Analyzing the minimum system requirements for Cities Skylines 2, it appears that the game places a notable emphasis on the CPU. The specified Intel Core i7-6700K and AMD Ryzen 5 2600X are both robust processors, suggesting that the game relies on strong computational power for its foundational processes. While the GPU requirements are not negligible, with the Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 and AMD Radeon RX 480 mentioned, the comparatively lower demand for GPU power implies that the game is designed to be more CPU-intensive.


Why CPU Intensive?


The inclination towards CPU intensity can be attributed to the intricate simulations and detailed economic systems that define the core gameplay. As the whole gameplay is about constructing and managing a thriving metropolis, the CPU takes on a pivotal role in executing the numerous calculations required for city planning, resource distribution, and citizen behavior. From managing traffic flow to orchestrating the nuances of a living city, the game is heavily reliant on powerful CPUs for smooth gameplay.


Player Response


Despite the apparent CPU-intensive nature of the game, a significant segment of the player base is frustrated with the game’s optimization. Many players, even those equipped with powerful gaming rigs, report encountering performance issues. Even players with formidable setups featuring high-end CPUs and GPUs find themselves grappling with performance hiccups, detracting from the seamless enjoyment of constructing and managing their virtual metropolises.


Anyway, that is all the information we have on the system requirements of Cities Skylines 2. We hope your doubts were cleared. For all your gaming-related queries, make sure to visit DigiStatement first. Read more: Cities Skylines 2 City not growing: How to fix it?