Bethesda's Creation Engine 2 is CPU-dependent, especially in cities, and requires an SSD for asset streaming. Optimization tends to favor AMD slightly, but generally requires powerful hardware to run smoothly.
Actual FPS may vary based on RAM speed, background processes, and other system factors
Performance Report
At 1080p, performance runs at around 8 FPS. At 1440p, performance is around 8 FPS. At 4K, frame rates range from 5 to 8 FPS.
The GeForce RTX 4090 is 52% above the recommended GPU (GeForce RTX 2080) for Starfield. The Athlon MP 2400+ is 98% below minimum CPU requirement.
The Athlon MP 2400+ sets the FPS ceiling at 1080p (low/medium), 1440p low, while the GeForce RTX 4090 still has headroom. The FPS ceiling is closely matched at 1080p (high/ultra), 1440p (medium/high/ultra), all 4k settings.
Approximated average price on current market:
Combo price: $1669. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 8 FPS, equivalent to 0 FPS per dollar.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 0.005 fps/$ | 0.005 fps/$ | 0.005 fps/$ | 0.005 fps/$ |
| 1440p | 0.005 fps/$ | 0.005 fps/$ | 0.005 fps/$ | 0.005 fps/$ |
| 4k | 0.005 fps/$ | 0.005 fps/$ | 0.004 fps/$ | 0.003 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 MP 2400+ sets the ceiling at about 8 FPS, while the GeForce RTX 4090 could reach 23 FPS. In this scenario, the CPU limits the GPU potential by 65% (FPS gap: 15 FPS). Overall distribution: CPU limits 3/12 cells, GPU limits 0/12, balanced 9/12.
The Athlon MP 2400+ 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 65% | CPU Limits GPU 53% | Balanced | Balanced |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU Limits GPU 56% | Balanced | 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.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p (Full HD) | CPU98% - 100% <> GPU93% - 98% <> | CPU98% - 100% <> GPU96% - 100% <> | CPU98% - 100% <> GPU95% - 100% <> | CPU98% - 100% <> GPU96% - 100% <> |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU98% - 100% <> GPU94% - 98% <> | CPU98% - 100% <> GPU97% - 100% <> | CPU98% - 99% <> GPU95% - 100% <> | CPU98% - 100% <> GPU96% - 100% <> |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | CPU99% - 100% <> GPU94% - 98% <> | CPU99% - 100% <> GPU97% - 100% <> | CPU98% - 100% <> GPU95% - 100% <> | CPU98% - 100% <> GPU96% - 100% <> |
The Athlon MP 2400+ + GeForce RTX 4090 pairing runs this title with CPU utilization between 98% and 100% and GPU utilization between 93% and 100%. Athlon MP 2400+ reaches high load in heavier scenarios, while GeForce RTX 4090 carries most of the graphics load at heavier visual settings. As resolution scales, average GPU load rises from 98% at 1080p to 98% at 4K, while CPU averages move from 99% to 100%.
Load is mixed under heavier presets. The Athlon MP 2400+ peaks at 100% average and the GeForce RTX 4090 peaks at 98% average, so both components contribute meaningfully to frame delivery depending on scene complexity and settings.
At 1080p, averages sit around CPU 99% and GPU 98%. At 1440p, that shifts to CPU 99% and GPU 98%, and at 4K it reaches CPU 100% and GPU 98%. This shows that workload scaling is limited, which can indicate engine-side constraints.
1080p (Full HD) Low is the most balanced preset based on this dataset. It runs around CPU 99% (98-100%) and GPU 96% (93-98%), which keeps GeForce RTX 4090 well utilized without constant max-out behavior while Athlon MP 2400+ remains stable for consistent frame delivery.
Both components are stressed near their limits in the heaviest presets (Athlon MP 2400+: 100% avg, GeForce RTX 4090: 98% avg). A targeted upgrade should follow your target resolution: GPU first for higher image quality, CPU first for higher minimum FPS.
Understanding Hardware Utilization: These percentages represent how much of your component's maximum processing power is actively being used during gameplay. They describe hardware load, but they do not directly tell you which component sets the FPS ceiling.
Important: a CPU or GPU can still be the FPS limiter without reaching 100% utilization. Two processors can both show 40% usage and still deliver very different frame rates, depending on per-core speed, cache, engine threading, driver overhead, and frame preparation efficiency.
Data generated by our Machine Learning engine trained on real-world benchmarks. Shows the approximate average utilization at each setting.
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 (98% below minimum). Expect performance issues. Low settings recommended.
-98%vsrecommended
+52%vsrecommended
-98%vsminimum
+160%vsminimum
The Athlon MP 2400+ and GeForce RTX 4090 will struggle to run Starfield at smooth framerates. At 1080p Ultra, you can expect around 8 FPS which is classified as "struggling". Consider lowering settings or upgrading your hardware.
This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $1669 ($20 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 Xeon Platinum 8454H is a great upgrade option for around $6540 (Rank #1 for value).
For Starfield, upgrading the CPU would have the biggest impact on performance. The Athlon MP 2400+ 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.
Starfield 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.
Starfield requires at minimum a Core i7-6800K (CPU) and GeForce GTX 1070 Ti (GPU) with 16 GB RAM and 125 GB (SSD Obrigatório) storage. For the recommended experience, you need a Core i5-10600K and GeForce RTX 2080 with 16 GB RAM. Your hardware falls below the minimum requirements for this game, which may result in poor performance.
These Starfield 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.
