The standard for turn-time benchmarks. Late-game turns require huge CPU throughput to process AI moves. High-resolution textures also demand a fair amount of VRAM.
Actual FPS may vary based on RAM speed, background processes, and other system factors
Performance Report
At 1080p, all quality settings exceed 263 FPS, suitable for 144Hz+ monitors. At 1440p, all settings exceed 190 FPS. At 4K, all settings exceed 137 FPS.
The GeForce RTX 5090 is 552% above the recommended GPU (GeForce GTX 770) for Civilization VI. The Core Ultra 9 285K is 1037% above the recommended CPU (Core i5-4xxx).
The GeForce RTX 5090 sets the FPS ceiling at 4k high, while the Core Ultra 9 285K still has additional frame-generation headroom. The FPS ceiling is closely matched at all 1080p settings, all 1440p settings, 4k (low/medium/ultra).
Approximated average price on current market:
Combo price: $3250. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 263 FPS, equivalent to 0.08 FPS per dollar.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 0.122 fps/$ | 0.107 fps/$ | 0.096 fps/$ | 0.081 fps/$ |
| 1440p | 0.086 fps/$ | 0.079 fps/$ | 0.072 fps/$ | 0.058 fps/$ |
| 4k | 0.069 fps/$ | 0.064 fps/$ | 0.058 fps/$ | 0.042 fps/$ |
* Table values represent FPS per Dollar (higher is better)
This section is based on estimated CPU/GPU FPS ceilings, not utilization percentages. Adjacent heavier settings are lightly stabilized to remove prediction jitter that would otherwise create impossible reversals.
At 4k medium, the GeForce RTX 5090 sets the ceiling at about 209 FPS, while the Core Ultra 9 285K has headroom up to 222 FPS. In this scenario, the GPU limits the CPU potential by 6% (FPS gap: 13 FPS). Overall distribution: GPU limits 3/12 cells, CPU limits 0/12, balanced 9/12. Confidence is low because both ceilings are very close in this cell.
The Core Ultra 9 285K and GeForce RTX 5090 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 | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | Balanced | GPU Limits CPU 6% | GPU Limits CPU 6% | GPU Limits CPU 6% |
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 and then monotonic-smoothed across heavier presets and resolutions, 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 1037% above and your GPU is 552% above the recommended specs. Ultra settings at 1080p, or High at 1440p/4K.
+1037%vsrecommended
+552%vsrecommended
+3310%vsminimum
+2807%vsminimum
Yes, the Core Ultra 9 285K paired with the GeForce RTX 5090 can run Civilization VI smoothly up to 4k achieving around 137 FPS at Ultra quality. Your GPU is 552% above the recommended specs, and your CPU is 1037% above the recommended requirements.
This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $3250 ($550 CPU + $2700 GPU). Your GeForce RTX 5090 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 5090 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 Civilization VI performance right now. GPU fully utilized at: 4k high.
Civilization VI 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.
Civilization VI requires at minimum a Core i3-2120 (CPU) and GeForce GTS 450 (GPU) with 4 GB RAM and 12 GB storage. For the recommended experience, you need a Core i5-4xxx and GeForce GTX 770 with 8 GB RAM. Your Core Ultra 9 285K and GeForce RTX 5090 both exceed the recommended specs, so you're well-positioned for a great experience.
These Civilization VI 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.
