Can I Run Cities: Skylines II?
2023 · Simulation · Check your PC against the official system requirements below.
Cities: Skylines II system requirements
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Processor (CPU) | Intel Core i7-6700K / AMD Ryzen 5 2600X | Intel Core i5-12600K / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X |
| Graphics (GPU) | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 (4GB) / AMD Radeon RX 480 (8GB) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 (10GB) / AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT (16GB) |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Video memory | 4 GB | 10 GB |
| Storage | 60 GB | 60 GB |
Source: published system requirements
Cities: Skylines II FPS benchmarks (estimated)
Estimated frame rates
| GPU tier | 1080p | 1440p | 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
| EntryGTX 1650 / RX 6500 XT | 20-25 | not recommended | not recommended |
| MainstreamRTX 4060 / RX 7600 | 50-60 | 30-40 | 20-25 |
| High-endRTX 4070 Super / RX 7800 XT | 80-105 | 55-70 | 35-45 |
| EnthusiastRTX 4080 Super / RX 7900 XTX | 110-140 | 75-95 | 45-60 |
FPS figures are estimates derived from the published minimum and recommended requirements at high settings, not measured benchmarks. Real-world results vary with CPU, RAM, drivers and in-game options.
Steam Deck & laptop compatibility
Cities: Skylines II is a poor fit for the Steam Deck. The simulation hammers the CPU as your city grows, and frame rates slide into the teens even at minimum settings.
Achieving a smooth 60 frames per second at 1080p will require a high-end gaming laptop, specifically one with at least an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 Laptop GPU is the floor for playable settings, but performance will likely be significantly below 30 frames per second. Due to the demanding nature of this title and the fact that laptop GPUs are less powerful than desktop versions, users should manage expectations when playing on mobile hardware.
Cities: Skylines II is Colossal Order’s city-building sequel, and it is significantly more demanding than the original due to its detailed simulation, larger maps and individually modelled citizens and vehicles. The minimum specification lists a Core i7-6700K or Ryzen 5 2600X with a GTX 970 or RX 480, alongside 8 GB of RAM, which is a notably high entry bar for the genre.
The recommended tier jumps to a Core i5-12600K or Ryzen 7 5800X paired with an RTX 3080 or RX 6800 XT and 16 GB of RAM. The game is heavily CPU-bound as city populations grow, since the agent-based simulation scales with the number of citizens and traffic. Large, mature cities can challenge even high-end hardware, so a strong modern processor and a solid-state drive are recommended for the best frame rates.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Cities: Skylines II so demanding?
It uses a detailed agent-based simulation with individually modelled citizens and vehicles. As cities grow, the CPU load rises sharply, making it harder to maintain high frame rates.
What graphics card do I need for Cities: Skylines II?
The minimum is a GTX 970 4GB or RX 480 8GB. The recommended card is an RTX 3080 10GB or RX 6800 XT 16GB for higher settings.
How much RAM does Cities: Skylines II need?
The minimum is 8 GB and the recommended amount is 16 GB. Larger cities benefit from 16 GB or more.