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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →For Hogwarts Legacy at 1080p and 60 fps on High, the official PC specification lists an Intel Core i7-8700 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600. For Ultra at 1440p or 4K and 60 fps, it lists an Intel Core i7-10700K or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X. Those are useful starting points—not a universal ranking of CPUs—because your GPU, settings, memory, budget, and existing motherboard all affect what makes sense.
Official CPU requirements by target
The game’s PC specification pairs CPU recommendations with resolution, graphics preset, memory, and frame-rate targets. The 4K tier keeps the same listed CPUs as 1440p but raises the GPU requirement, so a processor alone cannot guarantee the target. Hogwarts Legacy’s official PC specifications give these targets:
| Target | Listed CPU options | Memory | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum / Low: 720p, 30 fps | Intel Core i5-6600 (3.3 GHz) or AMD Ryzen 5 1400 (3.2 GHz) | 16 GB | SSD preferred; HDD supported |
| Recommended / High: 1080p, 60 fps | Intel Core i7-8700 (3.2 GHz) or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 (3.6 GHz) | 16 GB | SSD specified |
| Ultra: 1440p, 60 fps | Intel Core i7-10700K (3.80 GHz) or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X (3.80 GHz) | 32 GB | SSD specified |
| Ultra: 2160p (4K), 60 fps | Intel Core i7-10700K (3.80 GHz) or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X (3.80 GHz) | 32 GB | SSD specified |
Steam’s listing independently names the i5-6600 and Ryzen 5 1400 for minimum requirements, and the i7-8700 and Ryzen 5 3600 as recommended CPUs.
Which CPU makes sense for your build?
For 1080p High
If your aim is the game’s stated 1080p/60 fps High target, use the i7-8700 or Ryzen 5 3600 as the official baseline. If your current CPU meets that tier and performance is satisfactory, the requirements alone do not establish a reason to upgrade.
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- Drop-in ready for proven Socket AM5 infrastructure
- Cooler not included
For 1440p or 4K Ultra
The official Ultra CPU choices are the i7-10700K and Ryzen 7 5800X at both resolutions. At 4K, the specification calls for a stronger graphics card than at 1440p. Check the GPU tier and the rest of the system against your target rather than spending on a faster CPU in isolation.
For a new, higher-end gaming build
Recent review results can help compare particular processors, but the available Hogwarts Legacy figures do not form a comprehensive ranking across CPUs and settings. Choose a processor based on tests that match your GPU, resolution, graphics settings, and other games—not on a single headline frame rate.
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- 240mm heat exchanger: The 240mm heat exchanger, available on the optional CPU liquid cooling, heightens thermal resistance, ensuring temperatures stay consistently low during longer gaming sessions.
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What recent CPU results do—and don’t—show
A 2026 Tom’s Hardware comparison reports 135.3 fps for the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and 124.0 fps for the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D in Hogwarts Legacy. These are results from that review’s test configuration, not expected frame rates for every PC. The comparison describes the 7700X3D as the more consistent gaming choice across its broader test set, even though the Intel CPU has the higher reported Hogwarts Legacy figure.
The available figures do not establish a full head-to-head across multiple GPUs, resolutions, settings, or game versions. Before choosing between those processors, consult the review’s full test methodology and weigh its results against your own target and platform costs.
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- 6 Cores and 12 processing threads, bundled with the AMD Wraith Stealth cooler
- 4.2 GHz Max Boost, unlocked for overclocking, 19 MB cache, DDR4-3200 support
- For the advanced Socket AM4 platform
AMD’s CES 2025 presentation shows a vendor-reported 120% Ryzen 9 9950X3D gaming comparison for Hogwarts Legacy. AMD says its gaming comparison used 1080p High to isolate CPU performance. This is manufacturer-presented material, not an independent result directly comparable with the Tom’s Hardware figures.
How to compare CPUs for your PC
For a useful comparison, look for tests run with the same game version, GPU, memory configuration, resolution, graphics settings, and test route. Average fps is only part of the picture; low-percentile results, when reported, can add context about frame-time consistency. Don’t infer smoothness from an average alone.
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- 6 Cores and 12 processing threads, based on AMD "Zen 5" architecture
- 5.4 GHz Max Boost, unlocked for overclocking, 38 MB cache, DDR5-5600 support
- For the state-of-the-art Socket AM5 platform, can support PCIe 5.0 on select motherboards
- Cooler not included
- Match the target: Decide on resolution, preset, and frame rate before comparing processors.
- Check the whole system: A CPU result depends on the graphics card and memory used in the test; 4K Ultra in particular also calls for the stronger GPU tier in the official specification.
- Include platform cost: A processor upgrade may require a compatible motherboard and cooler. Verify the exact CPU’s socket and platform requirements against your system before buying.
- Consider your other games: One game’s result is not a complete measure of gaming performance or value.
Practical verdict
For the game’s published targets, the clearest choices are the i7-8700 or Ryzen 5 3600 for 1080p High at 60 fps, and the i7-10700K or Ryzen 7 5800X for Ultra at 1440p or 4K at 60 fps. The newer CPU results are useful as configuration-specific evidence, but they do not identify one best CPU for every Hogwarts Legacy player. Start with your target and current platform, then compare complete system requirements and relevant tests.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. *MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Cool While Gaming: In conjunction with an ARGB fan Air Cooler, the Codex R2 features four system cooling fans; three in the front and one in the rear to pull in cool air and push heat out of the PC.
- Turn on the Bright Lights: With the built-in RGB lighting, take your gaming experience to the next level by pressing the MSI LED button to cycle through lighting options. Customize lighting even further with MSI Center software.
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