Civilization VIFPS onRyzen 7 5800X&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
low296 FPS
medium247 FPS
high222 FPS
ultra186 FPS
1440P
low181 FPS
medium157 FPS
high137 FPS
ultra118 FPS
4K
low147 FPS
medium130 FPS
high112 FPS
ultra95 FPS

Performance Report

Civilization VI

GeForce RTX 4090 + Ryzen 7 5800X
🎮Visual Experience

At 1080p, all quality settings exceed 186 FPS, suitable for 144Hz+ monitors. At 1440p, all settings exceed 118 FPS. At 4K, all settings exceed 95 FPS.

Official Requirements

The GeForce RTX 4090 is 539% above the recommended GPU (GeForce GTX 770) for Civilization VI. The Ryzen 7 5800X is 367% above the recommended CPU (Core i5-4xxx).

⚙️FPS Ceiling Analysis

The Ryzen 7 5800X sets the FPS ceiling at all 1080p settings, all 1440p settings, all 4k settings, while the GeForce RTX 4090 still has headroom.

💰Value Analysis

Approximated average price on current market:

GeForce RTX 4090:$1649(updated 2/6/2026)
Official Launch Price: $1599
Ryzen 7 5800X:$180(updated 2/6/2026)
Official Launch Price: $449

Combo price: $1829. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 186 FPS, equivalent to 0.1 FPS per dollar.

ResolutionLowMediumHighUltra
1080p0.162 fps/$0.135 fps/$0.121 fps/$0.102 fps/$
1440p0.099 fps/$0.086 fps/$0.075 fps/$0.065 fps/$
4k0.080 fps/$0.071 fps/$0.061 fps/$0.052 fps/$

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

Performance Limiter Analysis

Ryzen 7 5800X|GeForce RTX 4090

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

📈Analysis

At 1440p medium, the Ryzen 7 5800X sets the ceiling at about 157 FPS, while the GeForce RTX 4090 could reach 206 FPS. In this scenario, the CPU limits the GPU potential by 24% (FPS gap: 49 FPS). Overall distribution: CPU limits 12/12 cells, GPU limits 0/12, balanced 0/12.

Verdict

CPU Limits GPU

Your Ryzen 7 5800X 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)
LowCPU Limits GPU 10%
MediumCPU Limits GPU 13%
HighCPU Limits GPU 13%
UltraCPU Limits GPU 14%
1440p (2K QHD)
LowCPU Limits GPU 21%
MediumCPU Limits GPU 24%
HighCPU Limits GPU 23%
UltraCPU Limits GPU 24%
4K (Ultra HD)
LowCPU Limits GPU 23%
MediumCPU Limits GPU 22%
HighCPU Limits GPU 21%
UltraCPU Limits GPU 17%
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 Ryzen 7 5800X and GeForce RTX 4090

1080p (Full HD)

Low
CPU0% - 40%
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GPU22% - 49%
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Medium
CPU0% - 40%
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GPU22% - 49%
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High
CPU15% - 40%
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GPU21% - 45%
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Ultra
CPU15% - 40%
<>
GPU21% - 45%
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1440p (2K QHD)

Low
CPU2% - 41%
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GPU33% - 75%
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Medium
CPU2% - 41%
<>
GPU33% - 75%
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High
CPU22% - 41%
<>
GPU37% - 74%
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Ultra
CPU22% - 41%
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GPU37% - 74%
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4K (Ultra HD)

Low
CPU2% - 61%
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GPU65% - 96%
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Medium
CPU2% - 61%
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GPU65% - 96%
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High
CPU26% - 61%
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GPU73% - 99%
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Ultra
CPU26% - 61%
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GPU73% - 99%
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Performance Summary

The Ryzen 7 5800X + GeForce RTX 4090 pairing runs this title with CPU utilization between 0% and 61% and GPU utilization between 21% and 99%. Ryzen 7 5800X keeps significant headroom across presets, while GeForce RTX 4090 is utilized efficiently without persistent saturation. As resolution scales, average GPU load rises from 35% at 1080p to 83% at 4K, while CPU averages move from 24% to 38%.

Load Interpretation

The utilization pattern is relatively even. The GeForce RTX 4090 reaches 86% average at its highest-load preset, while the Ryzen 7 5800X peaks at 44% average. This suggests a fairly controlled load distribution, but the actual FPS-limiting side should still be read from the limiter analysis above.

Resolution Scaling

At 1080p, averages sit around CPU 24% and GPU 35%. At 1440p, that shifts to CPU 27% and GPU 55%, and at 4K it reaches CPU 38% and GPU 83%. This shows that both CPU and GPU workloads increase as pixel count and render complexity rise.

Optimal Settings Recommendation

4K (Ultra HD) High is the most balanced preset based on this dataset. It runs around CPU 44% (26-61%) and GPU 86% (73-99%), which keeps GeForce RTX 4090 well utilized without constant max-out behavior while Ryzen 7 5800X remains stable for consistent frame delivery.

Upgrade Insight

Current utilization does not show an urgent upgrade requirement for either component; the Ryzen 7 5800X 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 - Ryzen 7 5800X
cpu icon
27,712
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 367% above and your GPU is 539% above the recommended specs. Ultra settings at 1080p, or High at 1440p/4K.

CPU

+367%vsrecommended

GPU

+539%vsrecommended

CPU

+1300%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 Ryzen 7 5800X and GeForce RTX 4090 run Civilization VI well?

Yes, the Ryzen 7 5800X paired with the GeForce RTX 4090 can run Civilization VI smoothly up to 4k achieving around 95 FPS at Ultra quality. Your GPU is 539% above the recommended specs, and your CPU is 367% above the recommended requirements.

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

This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $1829 ($180 CPU (Rank #55 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).

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

For Civilization VI, upgrading the CPU would have the biggest impact on performance. The Ryzen 7 5800X 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.

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 Ryzen 7 5800X 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 Ryzen 7 5800X 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.