Known to slow down in the late game due to the exponential number of unit calculations. Single-core CPU speed is the most important factor for performance.
Actual FPS may vary based on RAM speed, background processes, and other system factors
Performance Report
At 1080p, frame rates range from 33 to 101 FPS depending on quality settings. At 1440p, frame rates range from 28 to 90 FPS. At 4K, frame rates range from 19 to 54 FPS.
The GeForce RTX 4090 is 870% above the recommended GPU (GeForce GTX 570) for Hearts of Iron IV. The Microsoft SQ1 is 137% above the recommended CPU (Core i5-750).
The Microsoft SQ1 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: $1829. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 33 FPS, equivalent to 0.02 FPS per dollar.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 0.055 fps/$ | 0.044 fps/$ | 0.036 fps/$ | 0.018 fps/$ |
| 1440p | 0.049 fps/$ | 0.036 fps/$ | 0.030 fps/$ | 0.015 fps/$ |
| 4k | 0.030 fps/$ | 0.025 fps/$ | 0.017 fps/$ | 0.010 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 Microsoft SQ1 sets the ceiling at about 19 FPS, while the GeForce RTX 4090 could reach 80 FPS. In this scenario, the CPU limits the GPU potential by 76% (FPS gap: 61 FPS). Overall distribution: CPU limits 12/12 cells, GPU limits 0/12, balanced 0/12.
Your Microsoft SQ1 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 16% | CPU Limits GPU 22% | CPU Limits GPU 14% | CPU Limits GPU 55% |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU Limits GPU 44% | CPU Limits GPU 54% | CPU Limits GPU 47% | CPU Limits GPU 67% |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | CPU Limits GPU 70% | CPU Limits GPU 70% | CPU Limits GPU 70% | CPU Limits GPU 76% |
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) | CPU58% - 98% <> GPU16% - 27% <> | CPU58% - 98% <> GPU16% - 27% <> | CPU58% - 98% <> GPU16% - 27% <> | CPU58% - 98% <> GPU16% - 27% <> |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU57% - 100% <> GPU31% - 45% <> | CPU57% - 100% <> GPU31% - 45% <> | CPU57% - 100% <> GPU31% - 45% <> | CPU57% - 100% <> GPU31% - 45% <> |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | CPU59% - 100% <> GPU40% - 56% <> | CPU59% - 100% <> GPU40% - 56% <> | CPU59% - 100% <> GPU40% - 56% <> | CPU59% - 100% <> GPU40% - 56% <> |
The Microsoft SQ1 + GeForce RTX 4090 pairing runs this title with CPU utilization between 57% and 100% and GPU utilization between 16% and 56%. Microsoft SQ1 stays in a controlled operating range, while GeForce RTX 4090 is utilized efficiently without persistent saturation. As resolution scales, average GPU load rises from 22% at 1080p to 48% at 4K, while CPU averages move from 78% to 80%.
The utilization pattern is relatively even. The GeForce RTX 4090 reaches 48% average at its highest-load preset, while the Microsoft SQ1 peaks at 80% average. This suggests a fairly controlled load distribution, but the actual FPS-limiting side should still be read from the limiter analysis above.
At 1080p, averages sit around CPU 78% and GPU 22%. At 1440p, that shifts to CPU 78% and GPU 38%, and at 4K it reaches CPU 80% and GPU 48%. This shows that GPU demand scales sharply with resolution while CPU load remains comparatively stable.
4K (Ultra HD) Low is the most balanced preset based on this dataset. It runs around CPU 80% (59-100%) and GPU 48% (40-56%), which keeps GeForce RTX 4090 well utilized without constant max-out behavior while Microsoft SQ1 remains stable for consistent frame delivery.
Current utilization does not show an urgent upgrade requirement for either component; the Microsoft SQ1 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 137% above and your GPU is 870% above the recommended specs. Ultra settings at 1080p, or High at 1440p/4K.
+137%vsrecommended
+870%vsrecommended
+68%vsminimum
+1112%vsminimum
The Microsoft SQ1 and GeForce RTX 4090 will struggle to run Hearts of Iron IV at smooth framerates. At 1080p Ultra, you can expect around 33 FPS which is classified as "playable". Consider lowering settings or upgrading your hardware.
This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $1829 ($180 CPU + $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 7845HX is a great upgrade option (Rank #1 for value).
For Hearts of Iron IV, upgrading the CPU would have the biggest impact on performance. The Microsoft SQ1 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.
Hearts of Iron IV 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.
Hearts of Iron IV requires at minimum a Core 2 Quad Q9400 (CPU) and GeForce GTX 470 (GPU) with 4 GB RAM and 2 GB storage. For the recommended experience, you need a Core i5-750 and GeForce GTX 570 with 4 GB RAM. Your Microsoft SQ1 and GeForce RTX 4090 both exceed the recommended specs, so you're well-positioned for a great experience.
These Hearts of Iron IV 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.
