Games That Are Cpu Intensive – Complete Guide 2024!

From my personal experience, games that are CPU intensive like Cities: Skylines and Microsoft Flight Simulator really push my computer’s processor to its limits. I noticed significant slowdowns, especially when the game world became larger, making me realize just how important a strong CPU is for smooth gameplay.

Games that are CPU intensive rely heavily on the processor to handle complex tasks like AI, physics, and large open-world environments. These games include titles like Civilization VI and Microsoft Flight Simulator. A strong CPU ensures smoother performance, especially during high-demand gameplay moments.

In This Article we are going to know about “games that are cpu intensive” in detail:

Table of Contents

Introduction

When gamers discuss system requirements, the spotlight is often on the GPU. However, certain games rely more heavily on the CPU to manage tasks such as AI processing, physics calculations, and open-world mechanics. Understanding games that are CPU intensive can help gamers prioritize a balance between their CPU and GPU, ensuring that both components are strong enough to handle these resource-heavy titles. This guide will walk you through the types of games that lean heavily on CPU power and how to optimize your setup to enjoy smoother gameplay.

What Makes a Game CPU Intensive?

CPU-intensive games are designed to handle complex in-game elements that require a high degree of calculation. These elements include real-time strategy computations, AI behavior, and physics simulations. For instance, in large-scale strategy games, the CPU is tasked with keeping track of thousands of units, calculating their movements, and managing the game’s logic.

Unlike GPU-bound games, where rendering high-quality graphics takes precedence, games that are CPU intensive demand significant computational resources from the processor to keep the game running smoothly.

The following factors make games more reliant on CPU performance:

Real-time calculations: AI decision-making, NPC movements, and dynamic environments.
Open-world mechanics: Simulating large environments that change in real time.
Physics simulations: Objects interacting with the environment and each other in complex ways.

These aspects require a powerful CPU to manage all the ongoing processes without bottlenecking.

Top Games That Are CPU Intensive:

Here are some of the most demanding games that are CPU intensive, which push even the latest processors to their limits:

1. Civilization VI:

As a turn-based strategy game, “Civilization VI” relies heavily on the CPU to simulate the behavior of multiple AI civilizations. Each turn involves the calculation of hundreds of potential decisions by the computer-controlled players, making this game highly demanding on your processor.

2. Microsoft Flight Simulator:

“Microsoft Flight Simulator” is a dream for aviation enthusiasts, but it’s also one of the most demanding games that are CPU intensive. The game recreates an entire globe and simulates real-time weather patterns, air traffic, and terrain. All these features place a significant load on the CPU.

3. Total War: Warhammer II:

The large-scale battles in “Total War: Warhammer II” feature thousands of units moving across the battlefield simultaneously. The CPU must manage the AI of each unit, calculate battle outcomes, and handle real-time strategies, making it a true test for any processor.

4. Cities: Skylines:

In “Cities: Skylines,” the more you build, the more taxing it becomes on your CPU. The game simulates everything from traffic systems to citizen behavior, leading to heavy CPU utilization, especially in late-game scenarios when your city is sprawling.

5. Grand Theft Auto V:

Though “Grand Theft Auto V” is well-known for its graphical intensity, it’s also one of the games that are CPU intensive. The game’s open-world mechanics, physics engine, and NPC behavior rely heavily on the CPU, especially during sequences with multiple NPCs interacting or when the player is exploring highly populated areas.

Why CPU Power is Essential for These Games:

While a powerful GPU is essential for rendering crisp visuals, many modern games require a robust CPU to handle the back-end calculations that power AI, physics, and environmental interactions. In games that are CPU intensive, the processor is often working in tandem with the GPU, ensuring that every object, NPC, or environmental element behaves as it should.

AI Processing: Many CPU-intensive games feature complex AI systems. For instance, in games like “Civilization VI,” each AI-controlled civilization is making decisions simultaneously, and the CPU is tasked with handling these calculations.
Physics Engines: Some of the most advanced physics engines, seen in games like “GTA V” or “Cities: Skylines,” demand significant computational power. The CPU must calculate how objects fall, crash, or interact with the environment in real-time.
Real-time Strategy: Games like “Total War” require constant updates on unit positions, health, and strategies, which are managed by the CPU.

How to Optimize for CPU Intensive Games:

If you’re a fan of games that are CPU intensive, there are several ways to optimize your setup to get the most out of your gaming experience:

Upgrade your CPU: A higher core count and faster clock speeds will give you better performance in these types of games.
Manage Background Tasks: Close unnecessary background applications to free up CPU resources.
Lower Certain Settings: While graphical settings depend on the GPU, certain settings like draw distance or population density can reduce CPU load.
Monitor and Cool Your CPU: Ensure your CPU is properly cooled and not throttling due to heat. A well-cooled processor performs better during extended gaming sessions.

GPU Intensive Games:

GPU-intensive games rely heavily on the graphics processing unit (GPU) to handle complex visual effects, high-resolution textures, and realistic rendering. Games like Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla are good examples. These titles feature open-world environments, detailed character models, and advanced lighting effects, which put significant strain on the GPU.

To run these games smoothly, a high-end graphics card, such as an NVIDIA RTX 3080 or AMD RX 6900 XT, is recommended. Gamers with less powerful GPUs may need to lower settings for acceptable performance. GPU-intensive games push graphical fidelity to the next level, often requiring ray-tracing and real-time reflections for an immersive experience.

Most CPU Intensive Games 2024:

The most CPU-intensive games in 2024 will probably still be straining processors to the breaking point because of how complicated world-building, physics, and AI are becoming. Because of their intricate simulations and vast open environments, games like Cities: Skylines II and Microsoft Flight Simulator are predicted to stay at the top of this list.

Furthermore, the AI and planet management in games like Total War: Warhammer III and Starfield demand a large computing resource. Open-world games, simulators, and strategy games are usually classified as CPU-heavy due to the numerous in-game features that require real-time computation. Playing these games smoothly requires a CPU with numerous cores that can run at a high speed.

CPU Intensive Games vs GPU Intensive Games:

When comparing CPU intensive games and GPU intensive games, the key difference lies in where the computational load is focused. CPU-intensive games depend on the processor to handle tasks like AI behavior, physics calculations, and real-time strategy elements. Titles such as Civilization VI and Cities: Skylines are examples of CPU-heavy games.

On the other hand, GPU-intensive games rely more on the graphics card to render complex visual elements like textures, lighting, and shaders. Examples include Cyberpunk 2077 and Horizon Zero Dawn. In short, CPU-intensive games focus on logic and computation, while GPU-intensive games emphasize visuals and rendering.

Most CPU Intensive Games 2023:

In 2023, several games stood out for their CPU demands due to complex AI, massive environments, and real-time simulations. Microsoft Flight Simulator continued to top the charts with its highly detailed world and real-time weather simulation. Total War: Warhammer III also remained a major CPU hog, especially during large-scale battles involving thousands of units. Cities: Skylines and Civilization VI are also notorious for pushing CPUs to their limits when managing large cities or civilizations. Strategy and simulation games dominate the list of CPU-intensive titles in 2023, requiring gamers to have a processor with multiple cores and high clock speeds to avoid bottlenecks.

Free CPU Intensive Games:

For gamers looking for free CPU intensive games, titles like Dwarf Fortress and 0 A.D. are excellent options. Dwarf Fortress is a complex simulation game that requires substantial CPU power to manage its procedurally generated world and intricate systems. 0 A.D. is a real-time strategy game with a focus on large-scale battles and resource management, making it CPU-heavy as well.

Additionally, modded versions of Minecraft can become CPU intensive, especially when using mods that add AI behavior, physics, or large open-world features. While these games may not have a price tag, their demand for processing power is significant.

Games That Aren’t CPU Intensive:

If you’re looking for games that aren’t CPU intensive, titles that rely more on the GPU or have simpler mechanics are a good choice. Games like Fortnite, Rocket League, and Among Us are relatively light on CPU usage, as they don’t require the processor to handle complex calculations or large-scale AI simulations.

These games focus more on fast-paced gameplay, meaning they run well even on mid-range CPUs. Stardew Valley and Hades are also great examples of games that prioritize GPU performance or simple mechanics, allowing them to run smoothly on less powerful processors.

CPU Intensive Tasks:

CPU intensive tasks go beyond gaming and include a variety of computationally heavy operations such as video rendering, 3D modeling, and scientific simulations. These tasks require a processor to handle multiple threads efficiently, which is why video editing software like Adobe Premiere or Blender can push CPUs to 100% usage during rendering.

Data analysis and machine learning models also demand high CPU performance, especially when processing large datasets. Additionally, software compiling and running virtual machines are common CPU-heavy activities. A CPU with a high core count and multi-threading capabilities is essential for handling these tasks efficiently without significant slowdowns.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Which game is CPU-intensive?

Civilization VI is a CPU-intensive game, especially during late-game stages when AI and simulation tasks increase.

2. What games use the most CPU?

Games like Microsoft Flight Simulator, Total War: Warhammer II, and Cities: Skylines are known to use a lot of CPU due to complex simulations and large environments.

3. Is PUBG a CPU-intensive game?

Yes, PUBG can be CPU-intensive, especially during large battles or in high-density areas, as it requires a lot of processing for player movement and environment interaction.

4. Is GTA 5 a CPU-intensive game?

Yes, GTA 5 is considered CPU-intensive due to its open world, physics calculations, and numerous AI-driven NPCs interacting in real time.

5. Is Red Dead 2 CPU-heavy?

Yes, Red Dead Redemption 2 is CPU-heavy, as it demands processing power for its detailed world, AI behavior, and physics simulations.

6. Do games use 100% CPU?

Some games can push your CPU to 100% usage, especially in CPU-heavy titles or if the system is not well-optimized for multitasking.

7. Is Cyberpunk 2077 CPU-intensive?

Yes, Cyberpunk 2077 is CPU-intensive due to its complex AI, large open world, and physics calculations, which demand a strong processor.

8. What CPU gives most FPS?

High-end CPUs like the Intel Core i9 and AMD Ryzen 9 series typically provide the most FPS in gaming, especially in CPU-bound games.

9. Is God of War CPU-intensive?

God of War is more GPU-heavy, but it does use a good amount of CPU resources, particularly for processing game physics and AI.

10. Is PUBG PC heavy?

Yes, PUBG is considered PC-heavy, as it requires a good balance of CPU and GPU power to run smoothly, especially at higher settings.

11. Is gaming CPU-heavy?

Some games are CPU-heavy, especially those involving large worlds, AI, and simulations, while others rely more on the GPU for rendering graphics.

12. Does CPU cause FPS?

Yes, a weak CPU can bottleneck performance and cause lower FPS, especially in CPU-bound games that require heavy processing.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, CPU-intensive games require a powerful processor to manage complex tasks like AI, physics, and real-time simulations, making a strong CPU crucial for smooth performance. Titles such as Civilization VI, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and Cities: Skylines are prime examples where CPU power plays a significant role. For gamers looking to enjoy these games without lag or slowdowns, optimizing their setup by upgrading the CPU and managing system resources is key.

Is WOW CPU Or GPU Intensive – Improve Your Gameplay!

Is Cod CPU Or GPU Intensive – Optimize Your Gaming Setup!

Is Beamng Cpu Or Gpu Intensive – Complete Guide!