Civilization VIFPS onEPYC 9224&GeForce RTX 4090

Civilization VI

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.

Civilization VI - FPS Estimates by Resolution

Actual FPS may vary based on RAM speed, background processes, and other system factors

1080P
low456 FPS
medium418 FPS
high382 FPS
ultra324 FPS
1440P
low286 FPS
medium269 FPS
high235 FPS
ultra195 FPS
4K
low217 FPS
medium184 FPS
high163 FPS
ultra120 FPS

Performance Report

Civilization VI

GeForce RTX 4090 + EPYC 9224
🎮Visual Experience

At 1080p, all quality settings exceed 324 FPS, suitable for 144Hz+ monitors. At 1440p, all settings exceed 195 FPS. At 4K, all settings exceed 120 FPS.

Official Requirements

The GeForce RTX 4090 is 539% above the recommended GPU (GeForce GTX 770) for Civilization VI. The EPYC 9224 is 718% above the recommended CPU (Core i5-4xxx).

⚙️FPS Ceiling Analysis

The EPYC 9224 sets the FPS ceiling at 1440p (high/ultra), all 4k settings, while the GeForce RTX 4090 still has headroom. The FPS ceiling is closely matched at all 1080p settings, 1440p (low/medium).

💰Value Analysis

Approximated average price on current market:

GeForce RTX 4090:$1649(updated 2/6/2026)
Official Launch Price: $1599
EPYC 9224:$1199(updated 2/11/2026)
Official Launch Price: $1825

Combo price: $2848. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 324 FPS, equivalent to 0.11 FPS per dollar.

ResolutionLowMediumHighUltra
1080p0.160 fps/$0.147 fps/$0.134 fps/$0.114 fps/$
1440p0.100 fps/$0.094 fps/$0.083 fps/$0.068 fps/$
4k0.076 fps/$0.065 fps/$0.057 fps/$0.042 fps/$

* Table values represent FPS per Dollar (higher is better)

Performance Limiter Analysis

EPYC 9224|GeForce RTX 4090

This section is based on estimated CPU/GPU FPS ceilings, not utilization percentages.

📈Analysis

At 4k medium, the EPYC 9224 sets the ceiling at about 184 FPS, while the GeForce RTX 4090 could reach 226 FPS. In this scenario, the CPU limits the GPU potential by 19% (FPS gap: 42 FPS). Overall distribution: CPU limits 6/12 cells, GPU limits 0/12, balanced 6/12.

Verdict

CPU Limits GPU

Your EPYC 9224 is the limiting side in the heaviest mismatch. This means part of the GeForce RTX 4090 rendering potential remains unused in those settings.

🧩Detailed Breakdown
1080p (Full HD)
LowBalanced
MediumBalanced
HighBalanced
UltraBalanced
1440p (2K QHD)
LowBalanced
MediumBalanced
HighCPU Limits GPU 6%
UltraCPU Limits GPU 7%
4K (Ultra HD)
LowCPU Limits GPU 11%
MediumCPU Limits GPU 19%
HighCPU Limits GPU 17%
UltraCPU Limits GPU 19%
Percentages show how much potential FPS of the stronger component is lost because the other component has a lower FPS ceiling.
🧠Methodology

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.

📊Predicted Hardware Utilization for EPYC 9224 and GeForce RTX 4090

1080p (Full HD)

Low
CPU20% - 25%
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GPU20% - 49%
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Medium
CPU20% - 25%
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GPU20% - 49%
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High
CPU16% - 25%
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GPU22% - 48%
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Ultra
CPU16% - 25%
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GPU22% - 48%
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1440p (2K QHD)

Low
CPU19% - 26%
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GPU31% - 73%
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Medium
CPU19% - 26%
<>
GPU31% - 73%
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High
CPU15% - 26%
<>
GPU38% - 82%
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Ultra
CPU15% - 26%
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GPU38% - 82%
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4K (Ultra HD)

Low
CPU14% - 43%
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GPU66% - 89%
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Medium
CPU14% - 43%
<>
GPU66% - 89%
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High
CPU10% - 44%
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GPU88% - 96%
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Ultra
CPU10% - 44%
<>
GPU88% - 96%
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Performance Summary

The EPYC 9224 + GeForce RTX 4090 pairing runs this title with CPU utilization between 10% and 44% and GPU utilization between 20% and 96%. EPYC 9224 keeps significant headroom across presets, while GeForce RTX 4090 carries most of the graphics load at heavier visual settings. As resolution scales, average GPU load rises from 35% at 1080p to 85% at 4K, while CPU averages move from 21% to 28%.

Load Interpretation

From a utilization perspective, this is a GPU-heavy load profile. At 4K (Ultra HD) High, the GeForce RTX 4090 averages 92% usage (88-96%), while the EPYC 9224 stays at 27% (10-44%). This shows the graphics pipeline is carrying most of the workload, but utilization alone does not define the FPS limiter.

Resolution Scaling

At 1080p, averages sit around CPU 21% and GPU 35%. At 1440p, that shifts to CPU 21% and GPU 56%, and at 4K it reaches CPU 28% and GPU 85%. This shows that workload scaling is present on both components, with stronger pressure on the GPU.

Optimal Settings Recommendation

4K (Ultra HD) High is the most balanced preset based on this dataset. It runs around CPU 27% (10-44%) and GPU 92% (88-96%), which keeps GeForce RTX 4090 well utilized without constant max-out behavior while EPYC 9224 remains stable for consistent frame delivery.

Upgrade Insight

Current utilization does not show an urgent upgrade requirement for either component; the EPYC 9224 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.

  • High GPU Load: You typically want to see High GPU Utilization (90%+) and moderate CPU usage when visual settings are heavy. This indicates the graphics pipeline is under strong load, but the exact FPS limiter should still be confirmed by the FPS ceiling analysis.
  • High CPU Load: If you see High CPU Utilization (85%+) paired with lower GPU utilization, the processor is handling a disproportionate share of frame preparation and game logic. That can point to CPU-side pressure, but it should not be treated as a direct replacement for FPS ceiling analysis.
  • Low CPU and GPU Load: If both CPU and GPU utilization are relatively low, it means the hardware is waiting on something else. This could be a game engine limitation, poorly optimized code, or an artificial framerate cap like VSync holding performance back. It does not mean both parts are equally fast in FPS terms.

Data generated by our Machine Learning engine trained on real-world benchmarks. Shows the approximate average utilization at each setting.

Civilization VI Requirements Comparison

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.

CPU - EPYC 9224
cpu icon
48,573
Your Score
MinimumCore i3-2120
RecommendedCore i5-4xxx
GPU - GeForce RTX 4090
gpu icon
38,112
Your Score
MinimumGeForce GTS 450
RecommendedGeForce GTX 770

Your CPU is 718% above and your GPU is 539% above the recommended specs. Ultra settings at 1080p, or High at 1440p/4K.

CPU

+718%vsrecommended

GPU

+539%vsrecommended

CPU

+2354%vsminimum

GPU

+2751%vsminimum

Minimum Requirements
Video Card: GeForce GTS 450
Processor: Core i3-2120
Memory: 4 GB
Disk Space: 12 GB
System: Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended Requirements
Video Card: GeForce GTX 770
Processor: Core i5-4xxx
Memory: 8 GB
Disk Space: 16 GB
System: Windows 10 64-bit

Frequently Asked Questions

1Can the EPYC 9224 and GeForce RTX 4090 run Civilization VI well?

Yes, the EPYC 9224 paired with the GeForce RTX 4090 can run Civilization VI smoothly up to 4k achieving around 120 FPS at Ultra quality. Your GPU is 539% above the recommended specs, and your CPU is 718% above the recommended requirements.

2Is there a more cost-effective setup to run Civilization VI?

This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $2848 ($1199 CPU (Rank #323 Value) + $1649 GPU (Rank #77 Value)). Your EPYC 9224 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 processor with a significantly better value rating. For example, the EPYC 4585PX is a great upgrade option for around $699 (Rank #66 for value) while costing less than your current CPU.

3Which component should I upgrade first to improve Civilization VI performance?

Your EPYC 9224 is already an incredibly powerful processor. While it's technically the first component to hit its limit (which is completely normal in state-of-the-art builds), there is no meaningful upgrade path that would drastically improve your Civilization VI performance right now. CPU fully utilized at: 1440p high, 1440p ultra, 4k low, 4k medium, 4k high, 4k ultra.

4Does this setup support Frame Generation for Civilization VI?

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.

5What are the minimum and recommended specs for Civilization VI?

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 EPYC 9224 and GeForce RTX 4090 both exceed the recommended specs, so you're well-positioned for a great experience.

6How accurate are these Civilization VI FPS estimates for the EPYC 9224 and GeForce RTX 4090?

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.