Best CPU for Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition (2026)

To get the most out of Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition, pair your graphics card with a CPU at or above its recommended processor. A too-slow CPU caps your frame rate no matter how strong the GPU is. Below are our picks by budget, chosen from real benchmark data.

Recommended processors by budget

TierOur pickPrice
Budget AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
Meets the recommended spec · 4 cores · ~$59.00
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Sweet spot Intel Core i5-9600KF
High-FPS headroom at 1080p/1440p · 6 cores · ~$89.00
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High-end Intel Core i3-14100F
1440p+, streaming & future-proofing · 4 cores · ~$109.00
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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.

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Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition system requirements

ComponentMinimumRecommended
CPUx86-compatible 1.8GHz or faster processorIntel Core i5
GPUDirectX compatible 3D graphics card with at least 256MB of addressable memoryNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
RAM2 GB16 GB

Building the whole rig? See the best GPU for Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition, 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 Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition?
A AMD Ryzen 5 2500X-class processor meets the recommended bar. For high frame rates a Intel Core i5-9600KF gives more headroom. For 1440p+ gaming while streaming, a Intel Core i3-14100F or better is ideal. Verify any chip with our free Can I Run It checker.

Does the CPU matter for Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition, 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 Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition?
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.