Known to slow down in the late game due to the exponential number of unit calculations. Single-core CPU speed is the most important factor for performance.
Actual FPS may vary based on RAM speed, background processes, and other system factors
Performance Report
At 1080p, performance runs at around 12 FPS. At 1440p, frame rates range from 10 to 12 FPS. At 4K, frame rates range from 9 to 12 FPS.
The GeForce RTX 4090 is 870% above the recommended GPU (GeForce GTX 570) for Hearts of Iron IV. The Celeron 450 is 86% below minimum CPU requirement.
The Celeron 450 sets the FPS ceiling at all 1080p settings, 1440p low, 4k low, while the GeForce RTX 4090 still has headroom. The FPS ceiling is closely matched at 1440p (medium/high/ultra), 4k (medium/high/ultra).
Approximated average price on current market:
Combo price: $1654. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 12 FPS, equivalent to 0.01 FPS per dollar.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 0.007 fps/$ | 0.007 fps/$ | 0.007 fps/$ | 0.007 fps/$ |
| 1440p | 0.007 fps/$ | 0.007 fps/$ | 0.007 fps/$ | 0.006 fps/$ |
| 4k | 0.007 fps/$ | 0.007 fps/$ | 0.007 fps/$ | 0.005 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 Celeron 450 sets the ceiling at about 12 FPS, while the GeForce RTX 4090 could reach 40 FPS. In this scenario, the CPU limits the GPU potential by 70% (FPS gap: 28 FPS). Overall distribution: CPU limits 6/12 cells, GPU limits 0/12, balanced 6/12.
Your Celeron 450 is the limiting side in the heaviest mismatch. This means part of the GeForce RTX 4090 rendering potential remains unused in those settings.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p (Full HD) | CPU Limits GPU 70% | CPU Limits GPU 57% | CPU Limits GPU 54% | CPU Limits GPU 45% |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU Limits GPU 48% | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | CPU Limits GPU 48% | 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 (86% below minimum). Expect performance issues. Low settings recommended.
-81%vsrecommended
+870%vsrecommended
-86%vsminimum
+1112%vsminimum
The Celeron 450 and GeForce RTX 4090 will struggle to run Hearts of Iron IV at smooth framerates. At 1080p Ultra, you can expect around 12 FPS which is classified as "struggling". Consider lowering settings or upgrading your hardware.
This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $1654 ($5 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 Hearts of Iron IV, upgrading the CPU would have the biggest impact on performance. The Celeron 450 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, 1080p high, 1080p ultra, 1440p low, 4k low.
Hearts of Iron IV 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.
Hearts of Iron IV requires at minimum a Core 2 Quad Q9400 (CPU) and GeForce GTX 470 (GPU) with 4 GB RAM and 2 GB storage. For the recommended experience, you need a Core i5-750 and GeForce GTX 570 with 4 GB RAM. Your hardware falls below the minimum requirements for this game, which may result in poor performance.
These Hearts of Iron IV 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.
