Metroidvania
Best PC for Hollow Knight in 2026
Hollow Knight (Team Cherry, Steam 367520) is the Hallownest 2D metroidvania. Live Steam asks for i3-3240 / GTX 560 Ti / 4 GB (rec. GTX 1050, 8 GB): not an RTX. In the US/UK, about $400 to $500 with an SSD covers 1080p 60 FPS; Silksong is a separate game.
Which PC for Hollow Knight?
- Live Steam floor: GTX 560 Ti 1 GB / Radeon HD 7750 1 GB, 4 GB (Steam), 9 GB free (Steam client) (Win10 21H1+, DX10).
- Comfortable 1080p 60 FPS: target $425 to $550 (8 GB, SSD, iGPU or entry GPU).
- Versatile indie box (Terraria, Stardew, Hades II): plan $550 to $650.
- Best Hollow Knight value in 2026: the $425 to $550 tier, before a useless RTX.
- Hollow Knight: Silksong is a different Steam game: don’t invent its specs on this page.
Hollow Knight on PC: hardware guide and performance
Looking for the best PC for Hollow Knight in the US or UK? Hollow Knight (Team Cherry, Steam 367520) is the hand-drawn Hallownest metroidvania: nonlinear caves, tight combat, and a huge bestiary. On Newegg, Amazon.com and Steam it’s still the game people fire up to test a modest PC or a Steam Deck: not a title that needs ray tracing.
Current Steam paper: Minimum: Windows 10 version 21H1 (build 19043) or newer, CPU Intel Core i3-3240 / AMD FX-4300, 4 GB RAM, GPU GeForce GTX 560 Ti (1 GB) / Radeon HD 7750 (1 GB), DirectX 10, 9 GB. Recommended: same OS, i5-3470, 8 GB, GTX 1050 (2 GB) / Radeon R9 380 (2 GB), DX10, 9 GB. Pages that still paste Core 2 Duo E5200 / GeForce 9800GTX+ are recycling a legacy listing. For 2026 shopping, copy the live Steam store, not a 2017 mirror.
What actually tanks frame rate: crowded late areas and effects, not missing DLSS. Cap at 60 FPS, keep the install on an SSD, and if needed edit `hollow_knight_Data/Config.ini` (`FrameRateCap`) as documented on PCGamingWiki. Old Intel HD iGPUs can work at 720p; treat Steam’s 2-hour refund as your real compatibility test.
Steam Deck: Verified. A native Linux build exists; some Deck users prefer Proton Experimental if they hit audio/visual quirks. Desktop buyers: don’t overspend on GPU “for Hollow Knight alone.”
US/UK ticket: $425 to $550 for a used SFF / entry laptop or barebones box (Ryzen 3 / i3, 8 GB, modern iGPU or entry dGPU, SSD). $550 to $650 if the same PC must also handle Terraria / Stardew / Hades II and leave headroom for Hollow Knight: Silksong (separate Steam app: don’t invent its specs here). Useful range $425 to $650.
Upgrade order: SSD, then 8 GB (Steam recommended), then CPU only if the machine is ancient, GPU last. Cross-check Hollow Knight with your other games in the PC4Games comparator.
PC4Games resources for buying a PC
Guides, methodology and data beyond this game page.
Useful sources
What does Hollow Knight actually need on PC (live Steam minimum and recommended)?
| Component | Minimum requirements | Recommended requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i3-3240 / AMD FX-4300 (Steam) | Intel Core i5-3470 or any recent Ryzen 3 / i3 |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 GB (Steam) | 8 GB (Steam); 16 GB if Chrome + Discord stay open |
| Graphics card | GTX 560 Ti 1 GB / Radeon HD 7750 1 GB (Steam) | GTX 1050 2 GB / R9 380 2 GB (Steam); modern iGPU OK at 1080p |
| Storage | 9 GB free (Steam client) | SSD 15 to 20 GB (game + captures / light extras) |
| DirectX / OS | DirectX 10 + Windows 10 21H1+ (64-bit) | Windows 10 / 11 64-bit updated; current GPU drivers |
| Frame pacing | Cap 60 FPS + 720p on weak iGPU | 1080p 60 FPS; Config.ini FrameRateCap if needed |
How much should you spend for Hollow Knight (US/UK)?
Comfortable 1080p 60 FPS: $425 to $550 (8 GB, SSD, modern iGPU or entry GPU). Versatile indie box: $550 to $650. Skip mid-range RTX purchases justified only by Hollow Knight. See also gaming PC $400, $500, and $600.
Frequently asked questions about Hollow Knight
Best PC for Hollow Knight in the US/UK?
On Amazon.com / Newegg: Ryzen 3 / i3, 8 GB, SSD, modern iGPU or entry dGPU: about $425 to $550. Jump to $550 to $650 only for a multi-indie daily driver.
What are Hollow Knight’s current Steam system requirements?
Minimum: Win10 21H1+, i3-3240 / FX-4300, 4 GB, GTX 560 Ti / HD 7750, DX10, 9 GB. Recommended: i5-3470, 8 GB, GTX 1050 / R9 380. Core 2 Duo / 9800GTX+ tables are outdated versus the live store.
Can Hollow Knight run on an old PC or Intel HD graphics?
Often yes at 720p to 1080p low. Very old HD 4000-class iGPUs are unreliable: use Steam’s 2-hour refund window instead of buying a GPU “just for this game.”
Why do FPS drop in late-game areas?
Denser rooms and particle spam. Cap 60 FPS, install on an SSD, close heavy overlays. PCGamingWiki documents FrameRateCap in `Config.ini`.
Is Hollow Knight Steam Deck Verified?
Yes, Verified. Excellent handheld fit. Some players force Proton Experimental if the native Linux build misbehaves; desktop still doesn’t need a mid-range RTX for this title alone.
Are Silksong requirements the same?
Silksong is a different Steam game. This page only covers Hollow Knight (2017). Wait for Team Cherry’s official Silksong paper: don’t invent numbers here.
Do I need 16 GB of RAM for Hollow Knight?
Steam recommends 8 GB. 16 GB mainly helps multitasking (browser, Discord, launchers) or heavier games on the same PC.
Is an SSD required?
Not on the Steam sheet (9 GB free), but an SSD cuts zone-load hitching. HDD still runs; it just feels worse.
Do I need an RTX for Hollow Knight?
No. Steam’s recommended GPU is a GTX 1050. Spend on SSD and 8 GB first; keep RTX money for 3D games on the same machine.
