The gamer in you may naturally be curious to know: ‘How many cores do games use?’, when many high-end CPUs feature main channels of 8,10, and even 16 cores.
The answer to this question is dependent on the game you are interested in. In general, the answer is yes!
Multiple cores are used in games. However, depending on the game, it can use somewhere between 1 to 8 cores in particular. However, the wide majority of games continue to make optimal use of 4-6 cores. The core requirements of a game can be further split based on the type of game whether it is a popular online game like Fortnite or a new AAA game. The former generally requires fewer cores, whereas the latter involves a greater number of cores.
Likewise, the number of cores a game uses depends on both the genre and the type of game it is. In general, there are two categories of games:
Esports / Online Games – Popular
AAA Titles – New and Trending Games
What Exactly Are Processor Cores?
All operations and programmes on a computer are controlled by the central processing unit, or CPU. A processor core is the component of the CPU that enables all operations on your computer.
These cores are constructed of pathways with small transistors, which process the information and commands to do particular tasks. Single-core and multi-core processors are the two different sorts. The majority of modern CPUs contain at least two cores, but they can have up to 18.
How many Cores do Games use?
Contemporary online games like Fortnite, PUBG, League of Legends, Rocket League, etc. typically have a lower core count because they are designed to be played by masses.
This is due to the fact that not everyone can afford to buy a high-end, top-of-the-line CPU for their computer.
AAA titles have a higher core requirement because the most recent titles feature the most cutting-edge engines, which are increasingly using a higher core count. The most demanding games, such as The Witcher3, Battlefield, GTA5, or Far Cry5, require four cores on high settings.
Having as many cores as possible enhances overall gameplay quality as many AAA games become more high-end with features like environmental damage, lighting and particle effects, and the possibility to play in 4K or even 8K resolution. In order to assure future-proofing for games, it is recommended to purchase a CPU with eight cores or more, such as the Intel Core i9.
How many cores do the majority of gamers have?
The most common core count in gaming PCs is between six and eight physical cores. While many games may not utilize the full potential of all six or eight cores, having more cores is beneficial for improving multitasking capabilities.
With the popularity of live streaming and content creation, the advantages of having more physical cores go beyond gaming.
The majority of games require at least two cores.
Nearly all of the most recent AAA games call either a processor with at least two cores and four threads, or a dual-core processor with hyperthreading enabled.
For gaming, 4 and 6 cores are recommended.
If you’re wondering how many cores you need for gaming, 4 cores is the best option if your budget is modest and 6 cores for the best performance advantages.
Therefore, an Intel Core i3 with 4 cores and 8 threads is recommended from the 10th generation or newer for a low-cost gaming machine. CPUs from the AMD Ryzen 3 3000 series have 4 cores and 8 threads.
I would suggest an AMD Ryzen 5 from the 3000 series or newer, or an Intel Core i5 from the 10th generation for a performance and enthusiast gaming build.
Summary of CPU Cores Required for Recent Games
- Minimum: The number of cores required to maintain playable frame rates with a good GPU.
- Optimum: Core count at which the game gains the most FPS.
- Max: The number of cores at which the game experiences the highest FPS. In other words, anything above this number will not provide any benefit.
- Multi-Threading: Whether multi/hyperthreading improves or degrades the FPS.
Final Thoughts
CPUs can make a significant difference in gaming performance, but a 10-core/20-thread processor is not always required for a satisfying gaming experience. There are numerous good gaming CPUs on the market, some with fewer cores (1 to 4) and others with more (6 to 10). But, despite the numerous options, how many cores do you really require for gaming?
