Is Destiny 2 CPU or GPU intensive?

Destiny 2 has been released for nearly six years now, however the new Lightfall expansion is sure to attract a horde of new and returning players. With that in mind, there’s sure to be a little confusion around what the best and most optimal hardware is for the game. We’re going to be answering whether or not the game is CPU or GPU intensive, as we had previously done for Sons of the Forest.

Despite being a slightly older game, Destiny 2 is still a visually impressive game, and the expansion is sure to only add more visual fidelity. However, it’s not the most graphically demanding game out there, and a GTX 1060 is what’s recommended to play the game at the recommended settings.

Similarly, the Steam page only lists an Intel Core i5 2400 or AMD Ryzen R5 1600X as the CPU, which are equally as old and insignificant in today’s hardware landscape. The likelihood is that most gaming PCs under $1000 will likely run the game with enough graphical quality to meet most gamers requirements.

However, that hasn’t really answered the question of whether it is CPU or GPU intensive, so let’s take a look at the game under benchmark’s and stress tests. Though, as a disclaimer, it’s hard to answer this question directly as it’s not really natural to compare a graphics card with a processor – they’re different pieces of hardware entirely, and realistically they work together to create computer systems.

Destiny 2: CPU or GPU intensive?

Destiny 2 Lightfall is the latest update to the Destiny 2 franchise, and it brings new maps, raids, enemies, and classes with it. The expansion won’t necessarily change much in terms of performance, though it’s still a valid response to want to find out more about the game’s performance.

Destiny 2 is an extremely well optimised game – the system requirements being a fair reflection of that. One feature realising this is the multi-core & multi-thread CPU utilities. However, while this is a useful feature, Destiny 2 is still a graphically intensive game, and thus the GPU is used much more. If your CPU isn’t quite up to the standards of the minimum system requirements, your graphics card will likely be able to cover for it. So, there’s your answer – Destiny 2 is more GPU intensive.

We’re going to be keeping an eye out for the latest updates on Destiny 2, as the Lightfall expansion is sure to breathe some fresh air into the game. We’ve already covered key questions such as if the game can be played on Mac, and what’s better for the game, a controller or keyboard. Make sure to check back in with us periodically for the latest updates on the game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a GPU to play Destiny 2?

You will need a GPU to play Destiny 2 as it’s a graphically intensive game.

What’s the lowest-end GPU that can run Destiny 2?

The GTX 1050 is the oldest GPU that could probably run the game.