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 55 FPS. At 1440p, frame rates range from 51 to 55 FPS. At 4K, frame rates range from 47 to 55 FPS.
The GeForce RTX 4090 is 1575% above the recommended GPU (GeForce GTX 460) for Stardew Valley. The Core 2 Duo E8700 is 83% below recommended, but 1% above minimum.
At lower resolutions (all 1080p settings), the Core 2 Duo E8700 sets the FPS ceiling. As graphical load increases at (1440p (low/medium), all 4k settings), the GeForce RTX 4090 becomes the FPS-limiting side. The FPS ceiling is closely matched at 1440p (high/ultra).
Approximated average price on current market:
Combo price: $1679. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 55 FPS, equivalent to 0.03 FPS per dollar.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 0.033 fps/$ | 0.033 fps/$ | 0.033 fps/$ | 0.033 fps/$ |
| 1440p | 0.033 fps/$ | 0.033 fps/$ | 0.033 fps/$ | 0.030 fps/$ |
| 4k | 0.033 fps/$ | 0.033 fps/$ | 0.033 fps/$ | 0.028 fps/$ |
* Table values represent FPS per Dollar (higher is better)
This section is based on estimated CPU/GPU FPS ceilings, not utilization percentages.
At 4k low, the GeForce RTX 4090 sets the ceiling at about 38 FPS, while the Core 2 Duo E8700 has headroom up to 55 FPS. In this scenario, the GPU limits the CPU potential by 31% (FPS gap: 17 FPS). Overall distribution: GPU limits 6/12 cells, CPU limits 4/12, balanced 2/12.
Your GeForce RTX 4090 is the limiting side in the heaviest mismatch. This means part of the Core 2 Duo E8700 frame-generation potential remains unused in those settings.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p (Full HD) | CPU Limits GPU 28% | CPU Limits GPU 29% | CPU Limits GPU 26% | CPU Limits GPU 15% |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | GPU Limits CPU 16% | GPU Limits CPU 15% | Balanced | Balanced |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | GPU Limits CPU 31% | GPU Limits CPU 29% | GPU Limits CPU 29% | GPU Limits CPU 27% |
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% <> GPU4% - 12% <> | CPU24% - 38% <> GPU4% - 12% <> | CPU24% - 38% <> GPU4% - 12% <> | CPU10% - 26% <> GPU4% - 12% <> |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU24% - 38% <> GPU1% - 10% <> | CPU24% - 38% <> GPU1% - 10% <> | CPU24% - 38% <> GPU1% - 10% <> | CPU10% - 26% <> GPU1% - 9% <> |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | CPU24% - 38% <> GPU4% - 13% <> | CPU24% - 38% <> GPU4% - 13% <> | CPU24% - 38% <> GPU4% - 13% <> | CPU10% - 26% <> GPU4% - 13% <> |
The Core 2 Duo E8700 + GeForce RTX 4090 pairing runs this title with CPU utilization between 10% and 38% and GPU utilization between 1% and 13%. Core 2 Duo E8700 keeps significant headroom across presets, while GeForce RTX 4090 is utilized efficiently without persistent saturation. As resolution scales, average GPU load rises from 8% 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 8%. At 1440p, that shifts to CPU 28% and GPU 6%, and at 4K it reaches CPU 28% and GPU 8%. 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 31% (24-38%) and GPU 8% (4-12%), which keeps GeForce RTX 4090 well utilized without constant max-out behavior while Core 2 Duo E8700 remains stable for consistent frame delivery.
Current utilization does not show an urgent upgrade requirement for either component; the Core 2 Duo E8700 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 CPU is 83% below recommended and your GPU is 1575% below recommended, but both meet minimum specs. Playable at Low/Medium settings, 1080p or below.
-83%vsrecommended
+1575%vsrecommended
+1%vsminimum
+26004%vsminimum
The Core 2 Duo E8700 and GeForce RTX 4090 will struggle to run Stardew Valley at smooth framerates. At 1080p Ultra, you can expect around 55 FPS which is classified as "playable". Consider lowering settings or upgrading your hardware.
This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $1679 ($30 CPU + $1649 GPU (Rank #77 Value)). Your GeForce RTX 4090 provides phenomenal top-tier performance but at a premium enthusiast price. Since you are essentially at the ceiling of current hardware capabilities, there are no meaningful performance upgrades available. However, if you wanted a more cost-effective build that still delivers a great experience, you could theoretically step down to a high-end card with a significantly better value rating.
Your GeForce RTX 4090 is already a top-tier graphics card. While it's technically the limiting factor here (which means you are fully utilizing your GPU's visual horsepower exactly as intended), there is no meaningful upgrade path that would drastically improve your Stardew Valley performance right now. GPU fully utilized at: 1440p low, 1440p medium, 4k low, 4k medium, 4k high, 4k ultra. CPU-limited at: 1080p low, 1080p medium, 1080p high, 1080p 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 setup meets the minimum requirements but falls short of the recommended specs. You may need to lower some settings for smooth 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.
