Best CPU for Kerbal Space Program 2 (2026)
Official requirements for Kerbal Space Program 2 aren't fully confirmed yet, so these CPU picks are based on comparable titles and its platform. Treat them as a strong estimate and re-check once specs are final.
Recommended processors by budget
| Tier | Our pick | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Intel Core i5-11500 Meets the recommended spec · 6 cores · ~$149.00 |
Check price
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. |
| Sweet spot | AMD Ryzen 7 5700 High-FPS headroom at 1080p/1440p · 8 cores · ~$149.00 |
Check price
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. |
| High-end | Intel Core i5-13600 1440p+, streaming & future-proofing · 14 cores · ~$249.00 |
Check price
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. |
The CPU sets your frame-rate ceiling. For high-refresh (144Hz+) or 1080p competitive play, lean toward the sweet-spot or high-end pick; at 4K the GPU does most of the work and a budget-tier CPU is usually enough.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Kerbal Space Program 2 system requirements
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Athlon X4 845 @3.5 GHz or Intel Core i5 6400 @ 2.7 GHz | Intel i5-11500 @ 2.7GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 6-Core @ 3.6GHz |
| GPU | nVidia RTX 2060 w/ 6GB VRAM, nVidia GTX 1070 Ti w/8GB VRAM, AMD Radeon 5600XT w/ 6GB VRAM | nVidia GeForce RTX 3080 or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT |
| RAM | 12 GB | 16 GB |
Building the whole rig? See the best GPU for Kerbal Space Program 2, check for a CPU/GPU bottleneck, or test your current PC with Can I Run It.
Frequently Asked Questions
What CPU do I need for Kerbal Space Program 2?
A Intel Core i5-11500-class processor meets the recommended bar. For high frame rates a AMD Ryzen 7 5700 gives more headroom. For 1440p+ gaming while streaming, a Intel Core i5-13600 or better is ideal. Verify any chip with our free Can I Run It checker.
Does the CPU matter for Kerbal Space Program 2, or just the GPU?
Gaming is GPU-bound, so the graphics card matters most for raw settings and resolution. But the CPU sets your frame-rate ceiling — it matters most at high refresh rates, at 1080p, and in CPU-heavy games (strategy, simulation, open-world). A weak CPU paired with a strong GPU causes a bottleneck.
Will my CPU bottleneck Kerbal Space Program 2?
It can, if your CPU is much weaker than your GPU. Check the exact balance of your build with our free bottleneck calculator before buying either component.