Extremely accessible and runs on almost anything. It is single-threaded with negligible GPU load. However, installing many mods can increase RAM usage to 2-4GB.
This game has a built-in FPS cap of 60 FPS
Actual FPS may vary based on RAM speed, background processes, and other system factors
Performance Report
At 1080p, performance runs at around 34 FPS. At 1440p, performance is around 34 FPS. At 4K, performance is around 34 FPS.
The GeForce RTX 4090 is 1575% above the recommended GPU (GeForce GTX 460) for Stardew Valley. The Core 2 Duo E8600 is 37% below minimum CPU requirement.
The Core 2 Duo E8600 sets the FPS ceiling at all 1080p settings, all 1440p settings, while the GeForce RTX 4090 still has headroom. The FPS ceiling is closely matched at all 4k settings.
Approximated average price on current market:
Combo price: $1744. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 34 FPS, equivalent to 0.02 FPS per dollar.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 0.019 fps/$ | 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/$ | 0.019 fps/$ | 0.019 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 medium, the Core 2 Duo E8600 sets the ceiling at about 34 FPS, while the GeForce RTX 4090 could reach 77 FPS. In this scenario, the CPU limits the GPU potential by 56% (FPS gap: 43 FPS). Overall distribution: CPU limits 8/12 cells, GPU limits 0/12, balanced 4/12.
Your Core 2 Duo E8600 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 55% | CPU Limits GPU 56% | CPU Limits GPU 54% | CPU Limits GPU 48% |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU Limits GPU 26% | CPU Limits GPU 28% | CPU Limits GPU 29% | CPU Limits GPU 21% |
| 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) | CPU24% - 38% <> GPU2% - 11% <> | CPU24% - 38% <> GPU2% - 11% <> | CPU24% - 38% <> GPU2% - 11% <> | CPU11% - 27% <> GPU2% - 11% <> |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU24% - 38% <> GPU0% - 9% <> | CPU24% - 38% <> GPU0% - 9% <> | CPU24% - 38% <> GPU0% - 9% <> | CPU11% - 26% <> GPU0% - 7% <> |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | CPU24% - 38% <> GPU4% - 13% <> | CPU24% - 38% <> GPU4% - 13% <> | CPU24% - 38% <> GPU4% - 13% <> | CPU11% - 26% <> GPU4% - 13% <> |
The Core 2 Duo E8600 + GeForce RTX 4090 pairing runs this title with CPU utilization between 11% and 38% and GPU utilization between 0% and 13%. Core 2 Duo E8600 keeps significant headroom across presets, while GeForce RTX 4090 is utilized efficiently without persistent saturation. As resolution scales, average GPU load rises from 6% at 1080p to 8% at 4K, while CPU averages move from 28% to 28%.
Neither component is close to saturation: CPU tops out at 38% and GPU at 13%. This pattern suggests possible engine-side limits, an FPS cap, or workload constraints unrelated to raw hardware throughput. It also shows why low utilization does not automatically mean there is no FPS limiter.
At 1080p, averages sit around CPU 28% and GPU 6%. At 1440p, that shifts to CPU 28% and GPU 4%, and at 4K it reaches CPU 28% and GPU 8%. This shows that workload scaling is limited, which can indicate engine-side constraints.
4K (Ultra HD) Low is the most balanced preset based on this dataset. It runs around CPU 31% (24-38%) and GPU 8% (4-13%), which keeps GeForce RTX 4090 well utilized without constant max-out behavior while Core 2 Duo E8600 remains stable for consistent frame delivery.
Current utilization does not show an urgent upgrade requirement for either component; the Core 2 Duo E8600 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 (37% below minimum). Expect performance issues. Low settings recommended.
-90%vsrecommended
+1575%vsrecommended
-37%vsminimum
+26004%vsminimum
The Core 2 Duo E8600 and GeForce RTX 4090 will struggle to run Stardew Valley at smooth framerates. At 1080p Ultra, you can expect around 34 FPS which is classified as "playable". Consider lowering settings or upgrading your hardware.
This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $1744 ($95 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 Stardew Valley, upgrading the CPU would have the biggest impact on performance. The Core 2 Duo E8600 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.
Stardew Valley 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.
Stardew Valley requires at minimum a Core 2 Duo (CPU) and GeForce 7 series (GPU) with 2 GB RAM and 500 MB storage. For the recommended experience, you need a Core i3 and GeForce GTX 460 with 4 GB RAM. Your hardware falls below the minimum requirements for this game, which may result in poor performance.
These Stardew Valley 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.
