Dota 2 moved to the Source 2 engine well before CS2. The 'New Frontiers' update expanded the map by 40%, increasing the load on CPU and memory. Unlike LoL, Dota 2 uses more complex models and lighting. It benefits significantly from the Vulkan API, which distributes load better across CPU cores, though it still relies heavily on main core performance. For stable performance in chaotic 5v5 fights, 16GB of RAM is highly recommended.
Actual FPS may vary based on RAM speed, background processes, and other system factors
Performance Report
At 1080p, all quality settings exceed 242 FPS, suitable for 144Hz+ monitors. At 1440p, all settings exceed 246 FPS. At 4K, all settings exceed 137 FPS.
The GeForce RTX 4090 is 521% above the recommended GPU (GeForce GTX 960) for Dota 2. The Core i3-13100E is 114% above the recommended CPU (Core i5-2500K).
The Core i3-13100E 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: $1799. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 242 FPS, equivalent to 0.13 FPS per dollar.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 0.176 fps/$ | 0.157 fps/$ | 0.147 fps/$ | 0.135 fps/$ |
| 1440p | 0.177 fps/$ | 0.164 fps/$ | 0.157 fps/$ | 0.137 fps/$ |
| 4k | 0.112 fps/$ | 0.104 fps/$ | 0.105 fps/$ | 0.076 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 ultra, the Core i3-13100E sets the ceiling at about 138 FPS, while the GeForce RTX 4090 could reach 250 FPS. In this scenario, the CPU limits the GPU potential by 45% (FPS gap: 112 FPS). Overall distribution: CPU limits 12/12 cells, GPU limits 0/12, balanced 0/12.
Your Core i3-13100E 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 26% | CPU Limits GPU 29% | CPU Limits GPU 27% | CPU Limits GPU 29% |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU Limits GPU 31% | CPU Limits GPU 30% | CPU Limits GPU 28% | CPU Limits GPU 28% |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | CPU Limits GPU 43% | CPU Limits GPU 43% | CPU Limits GPU 39% | CPU Limits GPU 45% |
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) | CPU69% - 94% <> GPU14% - 39% <> | CPU69% - 94% <> GPU14% - 39% <> | CPU69% - 94% <> GPU14% - 39% <> | CPU73% - 100% <> GPU15% - 39% <> |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU73% - 95% <> GPU16% - 37% <> | CPU73% - 95% <> GPU16% - 37% <> | CPU73% - 95% <> GPU16% - 37% <> | CPU79% - 100% <> GPU19% - 38% <> |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | CPU73% - 97% <> GPU17% - 46% <> | CPU73% - 97% <> GPU17% - 46% <> | CPU73% - 97% <> GPU17% - 46% <> | CPU80% - 100% <> GPU20% - 48% <> |
The Core i3-13100E + GeForce RTX 4090 pairing runs this title with CPU utilization between 69% and 100% and GPU utilization between 14% and 48%. Core i3-13100E reaches high load in heavier scenarios, while GeForce RTX 4090 is utilized efficiently without persistent saturation. As resolution scales, average GPU load rises from 26% at 1080p to 33% at 4K, while CPU averages move from 83% to 86%.
From a utilization perspective, this is a CPU-heavy load profile. At 1440p (2K QHD) Ultra, the Core i3-13100E reaches 90% average load (79-100%), while the GeForce RTX 4090 remains comparatively lower at 28% (19-38%). This points to heavier CPU-side frame preparation work, but utilization alone does not define the FPS limiter.
At 1080p, averages sit around CPU 83% and GPU 26%. At 1440p, that shifts to CPU 86% and GPU 27%, and at 4K it reaches CPU 86% and GPU 33%. This shows that workload scaling is present on both components, with stronger pressure on the GPU.
1080p (Full HD) Low is the most balanced preset based on this dataset. It runs around CPU 82% (69-94%) and GPU 26% (14-39%), which keeps GeForce RTX 4090 well utilized without constant max-out behavior while Core i3-13100E remains stable for consistent frame delivery.
Upgrade priority should be the CPU. The Core i3-13100E reaches 90% average load at 1440p (2K QHD) Ultra while the GeForce RTX 4090 remains comparatively underutilized, so a faster processor would improve frame-time consistency and top-end 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 CPU is 114% above and your GPU is 521% above the recommended specs. Ultra settings at 1080p, or High at 1440p/4K.
+114%vsrecommended
+521%vsrecommended
+1216%vsminimum
+13367%vsminimum
Yes, the Core i3-13100E paired with the GeForce RTX 4090 can run Dota 2 smoothly up to 4k achieving around 137 FPS at Ultra quality. Your GPU is 521% above the recommended specs, and your CPU is 114% above the recommended requirements.
This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $1799 ($150 CPU (Rank #206 Value) + $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 Dota 2, upgrading the CPU would have the biggest impact on performance. The Core i3-13100E 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.
Dota 2 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.
Dota 2 requires at minimum a Core 2 Duo E7400 (CPU) and GeForce 8600 GT (GPU) with 4 GB RAM and 60 GB storage. For the recommended experience, you need a Core i5-2500K and GeForce GTX 960 with 8 GB RAM. Your Core i3-13100E and GeForce RTX 4090 both exceed the recommended specs, so you're well-positioned for a great experience.
These Dota 2 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.
