--- title: GPU and CPU for Kiln — Vulkan, VRAM, Cores | Kiln description: GPU and CPU guidance for Kiln, a PlayStation 5 emulator for Windows PC: Vulkan 1.3 with 8 GB+ VRAM, 8-core x86-64, discrete device selection, current drivers. Own the games you already have. Not affiliated with Sony. canonical: https://consolepc.net/rig/gpu-cpu updated: 2026-10-13 --- # GPU and CPU. GPU: Vulkan 1.3, 8 GB+ VRAM, current driver, discrete device selected. CPU: 8 real cores. Everything else is secondary. ## Facts (2026-10-13) - **GPU bar:** Vulkan 1.3, 8 GB+ VRAM - **CPU bar:** 8 cores / 16 threads, x86-64 - **Setting:** Discrete Vulkan device selected - **Drivers:** Current — GPU and iGPU both ## GPU: Vulkan 1.3 or nothing Kiln renders on [Vulkan 1.3](/brief/vulkan-1-3). No Vulkan 1.3, no Kiln. Install the current driver from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel — and update the integrated GPU too, because a stale iGPU driver interferes even when the discrete card does the work. 8 GB VRAM is the realistic bar for graded 1080p. 6 GB boots and plays light titles; heavy scenes page and stutter. Two GPUs in the machine? Pick the discrete Vulkan device in the Kiln launcher. The number one support answer is stop rendering on the iGPU. ## CPU: cores do the emulating Emulation is CPU work. The floor is 6 cores / 12 threads; the lab grades on 8 cores / 16 threads. Big cities and dense hunts are CPU-bound on any GPU. More GPU does not fix a CPU bottleneck. If [Monster Hunter Wilds](/run/monster-hunter-wilds-ps5-emulator) storms dip on the reference rig, they will dip on your 4-core no matter what card you bolt on. AVX2-class x86-64 is assumed. Anything from the last decade qualifies; anything older is not the conversation. ## Laptops and drivers Discrete-GPU laptop on wall power, discrete device selected: in the conversation, with less thermal headroom than the desktop lab rig. Integrated graphics alone is a boot-check machine at best. Battery power is not a test condition. Driver rule: current releases, both GPUs, before every new title. Old drivers cause half the bug reports. ## FAQ ### Which matters more for Kiln, GPU or CPU? Both, at different times. GPU carries resolution and effects; CPU carries emulation and crowded scenes. Skimp on either and something dips. ### How do I select the discrete GPU? In the Kiln launcher, pick the discrete card as the Vulkan device. Then confirm it — laptops love to silently switch back. ### Are Ryzen CPUs fine? Yes. 8-core / 16-thread Ryzen parts are exactly the lab shape. Core count and clocks matter, not the badge. ## Related - [The rig.](https://consolepc.net/rig) - [Minimum rig.](https://consolepc.net/rig/minimum-rig) - [Vulkan 1.3.](https://consolepc.net/brief/vulkan-1-3) - [Boost fps.](https://consolepc.net/lab/boost-fps) - [Reference rig.](https://consolepc.net/lab/reference-rig) ## Download Free Windows app: [Download Kiln](https://consolepc.net/download) Markdown mirror: https://consolepc.net/rig/gpu-cpu.md