Bethesda's Creation Engine 2 is CPU-dependent, especially in cities, and requires an SSD for asset streaming. Optimization tends to favor AMD slightly, but generally requires powerful hardware to run smoothly.
Actual FPS may vary based on RAM speed, background processes, and other system factors
Performance Report
At 1080p, all quality settings exceed 65 FPS. At 1440p, all settings exceed 66 FPS. At 4K, frame rates range from 38 to 45 FPS.
The GeForce RTX 4090 is 52% above the recommended GPU (GeForce RTX 2080) for Starfield. The Core i7-9800X is 0% above the recommended CPU (Core i5-10600K).
Starfield supports: FSR 3 Frame Gen, AFMF. The GeForce RTX 4090 can use FSR 3 Frame Gen, providing up to 1.5x-2x frame rate boost.
At lower resolutions (1080p (low/medium), all 4k settings), the Core i7-9800X sets the FPS ceiling. As graphical load increases at (1440p (high/ultra)), the GeForce RTX 4090 becomes the FPS-limiting side. The FPS ceiling is closely matched at 1080p (high/ultra), 1440p (low/medium).
Approximated average price on current market:
Combo price: $1859. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 65 FPS, equivalent to 0.03 FPS per dollar.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 0.055 fps/$ | 0.047 fps/$ | 0.042 fps/$ | 0.035 fps/$ |
| 1440p | 0.055 fps/$ | 0.048 fps/$ | 0.042 fps/$ | 0.036 fps/$ |
| 4k | 0.024 fps/$ | 0.022 fps/$ | 0.021 fps/$ | 0.020 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 Core i7-9800X sets the ceiling at about 47 FPS, while the GeForce RTX 4090 could reach 89 FPS. In this scenario, the CPU limits the GPU potential by 47% (FPS gap: 42 FPS). Overall distribution: CPU limits 6/12 cells, GPU limits 2/12, balanced 4/12.
Your Core i7-9800X 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 14% | CPU Limits GPU 8% | Balanced | Balanced |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | Balanced | Balanced | GPU Limits CPU 12% | GPU Limits CPU 14% |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | CPU Limits GPU 47% | CPU Limits GPU 45% | CPU Limits GPU 37% | CPU Limits GPU 24% |
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 CPU is 0% above and your GPU is 52% above the recommended specs. High/Ultra at 1080p. Lower settings for higher resolutions.
+0%vsrecommended
+52%vsrecommended
+31%vsminimum
+160%vsminimum
Yes, the Core i7-9800X paired with the GeForce RTX 4090 can run Starfield smoothly up to 1440p achieving around 66 FPS at Ultra quality. Your GPU is 52% above the recommended specs, and your CPU is 0% below the recommended requirements.
This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $1859 ($210 CPU (Rank #222 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 Starfield, upgrading the CPU would have the biggest impact on performance. The Core i7-9800X 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, 4k high, 4k low, 4k medium, 4k ultra. GPU fully utilized at: 1440p high, 1440p ultra.
Yes! Starfield supports FSR 3 Frame Gen and AFMF, and your GeForce RTX 4090 is compatible with FSR 3 Frame Gen. With Frame Generation enabled, you can expect a 1.5x-2x FPS multiplier on top of native framerates, significantly boosting perceived smoothness.
Starfield requires at minimum a Core i7-6800K (CPU) and GeForce GTX 1070 Ti (GPU) with 16 GB RAM and 125 GB (SSD Obrigatório) storage. For the recommended experience, you need a Core i5-10600K and GeForce RTX 2080 with 16 GB RAM. Your Core i7-9800X and GeForce RTX 4090 both exceed the recommended specs, so you're well-positioned for a great experience.
These Starfield 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.
