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, performance runs at around 32 FPS. At 1440p, performance is around 32 FPS. At 4K, frame rates range from 18 to 32 FPS.
The GeForce RTX 4090 is 539% above the recommended GPU (GeForce GTX 770) for Civilization VI. The Celeron E3500 is 35% below minimum CPU requirement.
The Celeron E3500 sets the FPS ceiling at all 1080p settings, all 1440p settings, all 4k settings, while the GeForce RTX 4090 still has headroom.
Approximated average price on current market:
Combo price: $1659. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 32 FPS, equivalent to 0.02 FPS per dollar.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 0.019 fps/$ | 0.019 fps/$ | 0.019 fps/$ | 0.019 fps/$ |
| 1440p | 0.019 fps/$ | 0.019 fps/$ | 0.019 fps/$ | 0.019 fps/$ |
| 4k | 0.019 fps/$ | 0.019 fps/$ | 0.015 fps/$ | 0.011 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 E3500 sets the ceiling at about 32 FPS, while the GeForce RTX 4090 could reach 345 FPS. In this scenario, the CPU limits the GPU potential by 91% (FPS gap: 313 FPS). Overall distribution: CPU limits 12/12 cells, GPU limits 0/12, balanced 0/12.
Your Celeron E3500 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 91% | CPU Limits GPU 89% | CPU Limits GPU 87% | CPU Limits GPU 85% |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU Limits GPU 85% | CPU Limits GPU 83% | CPU Limits GPU 80% | CPU Limits GPU 76% |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | CPU Limits GPU 81% | CPU Limits GPU 78% | CPU Limits GPU 79% | CPU Limits GPU 81% |
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) | CPU67% - 94% <> GPU29% - 56% <> | CPU67% - 94% <> GPU29% - 56% <> | CPU65% - 100% <> GPU45% - 68% <> | CPU65% - 100% <> GPU45% - 68% <> |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU66% - 76% <> GPU38% - 76% <> | CPU66% - 76% <> GPU38% - 76% <> | CPU65% - 89% <> GPU65% - 95% <> | CPU65% - 89% <> GPU65% - 95% <> |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | CPU60% - 71% <> GPU72% - 94% <> | CPU60% - 71% <> GPU72% - 94% <> | CPU59% - 84% <> GPU96% - 100% <> | CPU59% - 84% <> GPU96% - 100% <> |
The Celeron E3500 + GeForce RTX 4090 pairing runs this title with CPU utilization between 59% and 100% and GPU utilization between 29% and 100%. Celeron E3500 stays in a controlled operating range, while GeForce RTX 4090 carries most of the graphics load at heavier visual settings. As resolution scales, average GPU load rises from 49% at 1080p to 91% at 4K, while CPU averages move from 81% to 69%.
The utilization pattern is relatively even. The GeForce RTX 4090 reaches 98% average at its highest-load preset, while the Celeron E3500 peaks at 82% average. This suggests a fairly controlled load distribution, but the actual FPS-limiting side should still be read from the limiter analysis above.
At 1080p, averages sit around CPU 81% and GPU 49%. At 1440p, that shifts to CPU 74% and GPU 69%, and at 4K it reaches CPU 69% and GPU 91%. This shows that workload scaling is present on both components, with stronger pressure on the GPU.
4K (Ultra HD) Low is the most balanced preset based on this dataset. It runs around CPU 66% (60-71%) and GPU 83% (72-94%), which keeps GeForce RTX 4090 well utilized without constant max-out behavior while Celeron E3500 remains stable for consistent frame delivery.
Current utilization does not show an urgent upgrade requirement for either component; the Celeron E3500 and GeForce RTX 4090 remain reasonably matched for this title.
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 (35% below minimum). Expect performance issues. Low settings recommended.
-78%vsrecommended
+539%vsrecommended
-35%vsminimum
+2751%vsminimum
The Celeron E3500 and GeForce RTX 4090 will struggle to run Civilization VI at smooth framerates. At 1080p Ultra, you can expect around 32 FPS which is classified as "playable". Consider lowering settings or upgrading your hardware.
This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $1659 ($10 CPU + $1649 GPU (Rank #77 Value)). 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 Celeron E3500 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, 1440p medium, 1440p high, 1440p ultra, 4k low, 4k medium, 4k high, 4k ultra.
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.
