The standard for turn-time benchmarks. Late-game turns require huge CPU throughput to process AI moves. High-resolution textures also demand a fair amount of VRAM.
Actual FPS may vary based on RAM speed, background processes, and other system factors
Performance Report
At 1080p, frame rates range from 33 to 37 FPS depending on quality settings. At 1440p, frame rates range from 13 to 37 FPS. At 4K, frame rates range from 6 to 18 FPS.
The GeForce RTX 4090 is 539% above the recommended GPU (GeForce GTX 770) for Civilization VI. The Athlon II X3 415e is 25% below minimum CPU requirement.
The Athlon II X3 415e sets the FPS ceiling at 1080p (low/medium), 1440p (low/medium), while the GeForce RTX 4090 still has headroom. The FPS ceiling is closely matched at 1080p (high/ultra), 1440p (high/ultra), all 4k settings.
Approximated average price on current market:
Combo price: $1664. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 33 FPS, equivalent to 0.02 FPS per dollar.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 0.022 fps/$ | 0.022 fps/$ | 0.022 fps/$ | 0.020 fps/$ |
| 1440p | 0.022 fps/$ | 0.017 fps/$ | 0.013 fps/$ | 0.008 fps/$ |
| 4k | 0.011 fps/$ | 0.008 fps/$ | 0.005 fps/$ | 0.004 fps/$ |
* Table values represent FPS per Dollar (higher is better)
This section is based on estimated CPU/GPU FPS ceilings, not utilization percentages.
At 1080p low, the Athlon II X3 415e sets the ceiling at about 37 FPS, while the GeForce RTX 4090 could reach 78 FPS. In this scenario, the CPU limits the GPU potential by 53% (FPS gap: 41 FPS). Overall distribution: CPU limits 4/12 cells, GPU limits 0/12, balanced 8/12.
The Athlon II X3 415e and GeForce RTX 4090 stay close in effective frame-generation ceiling across most presets, so neither side consistently suppresses the other by a large margin.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p (Full HD) | CPU Limits GPU 53% | CPU Limits GPU 35% | Balanced | Balanced |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU Limits GPU 46% | CPU Limits GPU 27% | Balanced | Balanced |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced |
We estimate the maximum FPS the processor can sustain and the maximum FPS the graphics card can sustain in each setting, then compare those limits directly.
Limit Factor formula: (stronger - weaker) / stronger. Example: if CPU ceiling is 200 FPS and GPU ceiling is 140 FPS, then GPU limits CPU by 30%.
CPU Limits GPU means the processor ceiling is lower. GPU Limits CPU means the graphics ceiling is lower. Balanced means the FPS ceilings are close enough that the gap is negligible.
A component can still be the FPS limiter without reaching 100% utilization. The displayed percentages are derived from FPS ceilings, not generic utilization heuristics.
See how your processor and graphics card compare against the game official minimum and recommended system specs. The placement of your hardware is calculated using relative synthetic performance scores to help you gauge overall playability.
Your hardware is below minimum requirements. CPU is the limiting factor (25% below minimum). Expect performance issues. Low settings recommended.
-75%vsrecommended
+539%vsrecommended
-25%vsminimum
+2751%vsminimum
The Athlon II X3 415e and GeForce RTX 4090 will struggle to run Civilization VI at smooth framerates. At 1080p Ultra, you can expect around 33 FPS which is classified as "playable". Consider lowering settings or upgrading your hardware.
This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $1664 ($15 CPU + $1649 GPU). Since the CPU is the main limiting factor, investing in a stronger processor will improve your framerates and overall value. For example, the Ryzen 9 9950X is a great upgrade option for around $649 (Rank #5 for value).
For Civilization VI, upgrading the CPU would have the biggest impact on performance. The Athlon II X3 415e is currently the limiting factor — the GeForce RTX 4090 has extra headroom that a faster processor could take advantage of. This is especially noticeable at 1080p where CPU performance matters more. CPU-limited at: 1080p low, 1080p medium, 1440p low, 1440p medium.
Civilization VI does not currently support Frame Generation technologies like DLSS 3 or FSR 3. Your performance is based entirely on native rendering. If the game adds support in a future update, newer GPUs will benefit the most.
Civilization VI requires at minimum a Core i3-2120 (CPU) and GeForce GTS 450 (GPU) with 4 GB RAM and 12 GB storage. For the recommended experience, you need a Core i5-4xxx and GeForce GTX 770 with 8 GB RAM. Your hardware falls below the minimum requirements for this game, which may result in poor performance.
These Civilization VI FPS results are not arbitrary numbers. They come from calculations informed by thousands of real gaming benchmarks, and the typical accuracy range is around 10% to 15%. That makes them far more useful than generic FPS calculators that simply invent values without a benchmark foundation. Actual in-game performance can still vary with drivers, updates, RAM configuration, cooling, and the exact scene being rendered.
Performance estimates are based on synthetic benchmarks and hardware capabilities.
Results may vary based on drivers, OS, and background processes.
