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 323 FPS, suitable for 144Hz+ monitors. At 1440p, all settings exceed 379 FPS. At 4K, all settings exceed 292 FPS.
The GeForce RTX 4090 is 521% above the recommended GPU (GeForce GTX 960) for Dota 2. The Core i9-13900KS is 845% above the recommended CPU (Core i5-2500K).
At lower resolutions (1080p (medium/high/ultra)), the Core i9-13900KS sets the FPS ceiling. As graphical load increases at (all 4k settings), the GeForce RTX 4090 becomes the FPS-limiting side. The FPS ceiling is closely matched at 1080p low, all 1440p settings.
Approximated average price on current market:
Combo price: $2229. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 323 FPS, equivalent to 0.14 FPS per dollar.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 0.185 fps/$ | 0.166 fps/$ | 0.153 fps/$ | 0.145 fps/$ |
| 1440p | 0.212 fps/$ | 0.202 fps/$ | 0.191 fps/$ | 0.170 fps/$ |
| 4k | 0.176 fps/$ | 0.170 fps/$ | 0.159 fps/$ | 0.131 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 GeForce RTX 4090 sets the ceiling at about 256 FPS, while the Core i9-13900KS has headroom up to 292 FPS. In this scenario, the GPU limits the CPU potential by 12% (FPS gap: 36 FPS). Overall distribution: GPU limits 5/12 cells, CPU limits 3/12, balanced 4/12.
The Core i9-13900KS and GeForce RTX 4090 stay close in effective frame-generation ceiling across most presets, so neither side consistently suppresses the other by a large margin.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p (Full HD) | Balanced | CPU Limits GPU 7% | CPU Limits GPU 8% | CPU Limits GPU 6% |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | GPU Limits CPU 6% |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | GPU Limits CPU 10% | GPU Limits CPU 11% | GPU Limits CPU 11% | GPU Limits CPU 12% |
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) | CPU0% - 23% <> GPU20% - 46% <> | CPU0% - 23% <> GPU20% - 46% <> | CPU0% - 23% <> GPU20% - 46% <> | CPU5% - 28% <> GPU20% - 46% <> |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU3% - 18% <> GPU19% - 46% <> | CPU3% - 18% <> GPU19% - 46% <> | CPU3% - 18% <> GPU19% - 46% <> | CPU8% - 23% <> GPU20% - 46% <> |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | CPU5% - 24% <> GPU19% - 45% <> | CPU5% - 24% <> GPU19% - 45% <> | CPU5% - 24% <> GPU19% - 45% <> | CPU10% - 30% <> GPU20% - 45% <> |
The Core i9-13900KS + GeForce RTX 4090 pairing runs this title with CPU utilization between 0% and 30% and GPU utilization between 19% and 46%. Core i9-13900KS keeps significant headroom across presets, while GeForce RTX 4090 is utilized efficiently without persistent saturation. As resolution scales, average GPU load rises from 33% at 1080p to 32% at 4K, while CPU averages move from 13% to 16%.
Neither component is close to saturation: CPU tops out at 30% and GPU at 46%. 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 13% and GPU 33%. At 1440p, that shifts to CPU 12% and GPU 32%, and at 4K it reaches CPU 16% and GPU 32%. 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 12% (0-23%) and GPU 33% (20-46%), which keeps GeForce RTX 4090 well utilized without constant max-out behavior while Core i9-13900KS remains stable for consistent frame delivery.
Current utilization does not show an urgent upgrade requirement for either component; the Core i9-13900KS 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 845% above and your GPU is 521% above the recommended specs. Ultra settings at 1080p, or High at 1440p/4K.
+845%vsrecommended
+521%vsrecommended
+5705%vsminimum
+13367%vsminimum
Yes, the Core i9-13900KS paired with the GeForce RTX 4090 can run Dota 2 smoothly up to 4k achieving around 292 FPS at Ultra quality. Your GPU is 521% above the recommended specs, and your CPU is 845% above the recommended requirements.
This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $2229 ($580 CPU (Rank #172 Value) + $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 Dota 2 performance right now. GPU fully utilized at: 4k low, 4k medium, 4k high, 4k ultra. CPU fully utilized at: 1080p medium, 1080p high, 1080p 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 i9-13900KS 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.
